What a Black Belt means to me – La Jornada
It is often said in the Martial Arts that the meaning lies not in how good you are or what belt he has, and is not the meaning in the journey. Before going into "Black Belt means to me what" I would like to talk about my recent trip months.
The trip
Last week he traveled to Nashville to test for my long awaited San Dan (3 rd degree Black Belt – This is something and become an official "Master"). Before the proof that he had been training steadily since April this year in a dojo and my gym friends local.
It was about 5 years since I've practiced my last discipline, Wado-Ryu Karate-Do, so my memory of the system was very vague. After to see numerous tapes of myself as a young martial artist, who had come to learn in my belt curriculum, however I had trouble remembering my resume black belt. If you know anything about martial arts as part of a belt of knowledge is essential as it is considered as the basis of their training. On the other hand, many people believes that his training really begins when you reach the black belt first. I could not agree more. When I was promoted to Sho Dan (Black Belt 1st grade) my interpretation on Wado-Ryu and the martial arts had grown dramatically and really started learning.
Anyway, what I needed know everything that could have been thrown to me because I had been 10 years since my last official test.
In July, I went to Nashville to train with my well known and beloved instructor Sensei Wayne Tyler. I consider him a father figure in my career in martial arts because of his vast knowledge of Wado-Ryu and unconditional love of their students and art. Imagine being a scientist and professor was Albert Einstein – that's what it feels like to be under the wing of Sensei Tyler (or Mr. Tyler, as I call it). I was in Nashville training with Sensei 2 to 3 hours per day for 5 days. I found in my resume and took the additional knowledge that is passed by him and applied to my training in Denver.
Once again, since he did not know what to expect, I conditioned myself to be prepared for almost anything. No I was just practicing my basics and kata (forms Japanese), but I was running 2 miles three days a week, 15-20 minutes in the machine rowing and 6 on – 7 miles on the stationary bike. I do not think I could have been more prepared for this test.
I successfully passed my test and was promoted San Dan in October 2006, 17. I must say this was one of my greatest achievements in my martial arts career and a dream come true. It has taken several years to reach this goal, but it reinforced my interpretation of being a black belt, or in my case – San Dan.
About the Author
Javier Lozano, Jr. is a 3rd dan in Wado-Ryu Karate and a writer for Experience Martial Arts, a resource to help you find a martial arts school that suits your needs.