Comments on: Do You Need a Black Belt?

By: admin

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:11:48 +0000

Wow. Thank you to all of you who’ve taken the time to share your stories.

@Dan. I like the term “McDojo’s” — it seems to capture the essence of the black belt mills we see far to many of. I hunted through several schools before I settled on White Tiger because I wanted my son to have to actually earn a black belt, should he choose to pursue one. I’ve actually heard some parents complain at the front office of our school because their kid had been studying there for three years, but still hadn’t yet gotten his black belt. We have our McDojos churning out kid McBlack Belts to go with the McMansions.

@Martial Arts Mom: I like your sensei’s thinking and I think (s)he’s right — that we do earn our current belt on the way to our next one. You’ve put in words something I was trying to explain about martial arts to one of my relatives, but couldn’t quite express. Thank you.

@BBat50: Thanks for mentioning A/T’s post. If people haven’t read it by now, go do. I found it very thought-provoking. I can certainly understand wanting a new sport so you’re not always comparing yourself to “how good you used to be”. It’s something I’m struggling with in tae kwon do — I can remember when tornado kicks (for example) came easily to me and I’ve pulled muscles because of muscle memory trying to do something my body isn’t physically fit for yet. I’ve been thinking of taking up Kung Fu, Aikido or some other new and very different style just to get away from that feeling.

@Felicia: Congratulations on beating cancer! Your story is very inspirational. I don’t blame you for having your belt embroidered “survivor” — I think I would’ve too.

By: Felicia

Felicia — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:04:29 +0000

I started training at age 38 while undergoing radiation treatments for breast cancer. For me, the idea of doing some really cool new things – most of which I’d never thought of trying before – was very empowering. In other words, if I could do pushups ’til my pecs were screaming, could throw a front snap kick and could do a basic form, I just had cancer, it didn’t have me. The idea for me was much like that of BB@50′s: to improve a little bit more each time. So I took more classes and started working on the basics on days away from the dojo. Eventually, the belts got darker and before I knew it, the shodan test was not so distant anymore. My “ceremonial” black belt will be embroidered soon with the word “survivor”. Like you, every time I look down and see it, I’m reminded of something: that I most certainly can kick a booty – cancer’s included !

By: BBat50

BBat50 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:10:22 +0000

I thought I’d mention that the A/T blog has a great post on a related question this week. American/Traditional debates whether the churning out of black belts by belt-mills diminishes the value of more hard-earned belts. ….

On one hand, “no one else’s belt…can diminish the meaning or value of …yours. The meaning of the belt lies in a combination of what it took to earn it, and what the wearer continues to do to live up to it.”

On the other hand, he points out the difficulty of holding to a standard which takes seven years to earn a belt when his students have friends earning their black belts in three down the street.” Great blog and article: Does an 8-year-old’s black belt reflect on mine?

By: Black Belt at 50

Black Belt at 50 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:19:45 +0000

What are my motivations?When I started in the martial arts (age 46), my goal was to learn to do a sidekick that looked decent. And to get limber. As I worked out, I wanted to have higher level of skills. And, since I like a good challenge, I wanted to see how good I could get. I had been a lifelong competitive soccer player, I wanted a new sport in which I could stop thinking about “how good I use to be.” So for me, karate is an opportunity for intense sports, for recreation, and for challenge. At some point, the next meaningful target was a black belt. Now, it’s to get a second stripe. I like your reasons for wanting to a black belt (to teach), it’s meaningful and specific. Good luck.

By: Martial Arts Mom

Martial Arts Mom — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:47:58 +0000

I think you and I have a lot in common and think very much alike. I like the fact that my belt shows I worked hard and earned it. Although I was told by my sensei that when you get a belt, you really earn that color on the way to your next one. I have gotten sidetracked so I am anxious to get back in the swing of class and work toward my orange belt. I hope to have it before the end of the year.

By: Dan Cosgrove

Dan Cosgrove — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:01:07 +0000

As Mr. Miyagi said, a belt just means that you don’t need rope to hold your pants up. How hard, and how long you train is much more important than your rank, particularly with all of these ‘McDojos’ around.

If all training were standardized, I’d have a different opinion. Too many black belt under the age of ten. If you’re not living in a temple in China, I don’t think so.