I am generally thought to be a nice and gentle soul. I was taught to be kind, respectful and polite. My career as a teacher reinforced this as I tried to model what I taught. I’ve tried to live my life this way as well. I don’t want to hurt anyone; not their bodies nor their feelings.
That is not Black Belt thinking.
Don’t get me wrong. My friends who are Black Belts are very nice and caring people in their everyday lives. But when they are in the dojo and working on their moves, there is a difference. Their takedowns – moves that end with their partner on the mat – are swift, sure and powerful. They’re not trying to hurt anyone, but they’re doing the techniques with authority. Although they are always willing to learn, they have a confidence that’s palpable. They move with a certain grace and smoothness.
I am not there.
My takedowns tend to be swift, sure and – interrupted. I stop before my partner falls. I even grab them if it seems like they have gone too far. In class, I am working with partners who are all higher belts: Red, Brown or Black. They know how to fall properly so they don’t get hurt. We all learn this before we are taught how to take people down for just that purpose. But still I hesitate.
There are many things I need to work on before I am ready to face my Black Belt test but the first must be my mental attitude. Once that is in the right place, the rest will follow.
Fibro Black Belt 