Martial Arts Life

Tonight I sit with mixed feelings as the end of our test grows closer.  The work we have put in, the Saturdays we've spent together, the check point tests, blogs, training, sharing of emotions, support we have given to each other and the support from all who were there to support us along the way. The communications we've shared, the unknown adventures we have taken,  learning to juggle, games we have played, the hike we took, the tears we have cried, injuries we've experienced, life's craziness we have helped to pull each other through, anxiety we have experienced, risks we have taken, accomplishments we have had, studying we have done, the relationship we have built with each other.  Though I know we will all remain close because we have taken this journey together I am sad to see it end but excited for what awaits us all.                                        ...

For this testing year I made 6 goals for myself.  How did they go?  Let's take a look... Goal #1 - Develop and grow a Kickboxing class with KJM Jeremy I absolutely LOVE kickboxing and I made this goal with so much excitement and enthusiasm!  What I didn’t see although I love it, I wasn’t ready.  I didn’t have enough knowledge, enough teaching experience or enough confidence to take on such a challenge.  KJN and I did start an exercise class where we incorporate kickboxing and we have stuck to it for 2 years now but a full kickboxing class that hasn’t happened! I have been researching on the internet and watching videos from places that offer kickboxing.  I have learned that they not only punch and kick but incorporate exercises off the bags which is something we already do during our kickboxing week at DMA. Then there is the marketing piece to get people there or would it be something I incorporated during kickboxing week at the studio?  It is ...

Trepidation, according to Google, is defined as "a feeling of fear or agitation about something that will happen."  I've been trying to figure out what I'm feeling about tomorrow's 100 rounds of sparring, and that is pretty much it.  If you don't already know (which you probably do, cause I talk about it often...perhaps too much), I'm not a fan of sparring.  I'm afraid to get hit or kicked, and it causes so much hesitation when I'm sparring.  I actually used to cry during sparring practice, even while training for my 1st Degree Black Belt. Being afraid of getting hit is a good thing, obviously, because it's a self-preservation mindset.  However, as a martial artist I feel like it's preventing me from demonstrating the skill and technique I possess.  Many people have told me that I am good at sparring, but I just don't feel that way, and I get easily intimidated by aggressive opponents.  Even as a 4th Degree candidate, I still haven...

A couple months ago, we were asked to complete the 30 Day Ab Challenge by KJN Jeremy.  I started off strong, but puttered out during the final 10 days, and all the progress I made on a stronger core just kind of went out the window.  So, I'm starting again, today.  The reason I'm writing about this has to do with self-discipline and fitness; it's a constant battle.  I have this tendency to start something with fervor and zeal, and then lose my motivation somewhere along the way.  While reading Grit, I've discovered that I don't think I have that much Grit...at least not when it comes to working out. 😂  I'm just not that passionate about exercise, and I think that's why martial arts became such an important part of my life.  I am passionate about learning and developing myself, and that's what martial arts is to me; it just happens to improve fitness as well! Thinking about the 30 Day Ab Challenge with this in mind, I have decided to focus on the w...

November 3, 2019 If someone does something wrong then that person should have the time to do that thing again the right way. That is something my dad has said and drilled into Ryan, Ami, and Myself. In a way, this could be applied to Taekwondo. If someone is doing a form and does a move wrong then they should go back through and do it again and try to correct the mistake. Or if someone is doing a like a front kick and does not pull their toes back then they should go back and try to correct their mistake. It is up to the person on how much time is spent on doing things.

I've been reading everyone's blogs on their WOWs, and I'm so pleased with what I have seen.  The purpose of the WOW requirement, whether planned or not, is to get candidates to realize how they contribute to their community, work toward their own development, overcome challenges, etc.  It has an element of understanding the self through the perspective of others, and I think all of the candidates have nailed their WOWs on the head. :) Here are descriptions of the WOWs in my life during this test: WOW #1: Earlier this year, I was asked to help take on the scoring processes for a CrossFit competition run by CrossFit Cimmeria.  While I have run many different events over the years, this was a new situation for me, and I was nervous because during ALL of Cimmeria's past competitions, the scoring was overseen by the same person and done the same way.  She was unavailable this year, and so myself and Ty's wife, Courtney were asked to take it over.  Long story sho...