Saturday, January 9, 2010

2 Down, 46 to go

The "Push To Black Belt" (still not settled on what to call it), includes 48 required classes before we test to become "black belt candidates".  This amounts to attending 3 times a week for the next 16 weeks.  Two of the classes each week are curriculum only classes.  We had our first 2 curriculum classes last night and this morning.

Right from the start, the increased strictness was readily apparent.  It felt like we were back in our white belt class as we went over protocol rules for the first 20 minutes of class.  Items we covered were how and when to bow, uniform requirements (i.e. undershirts must match in color), how to tie our belt, walking backwards towards the back of the classroom, how to change lines, etc.  It felt kind of awkward because we knew all this already but the instructors obviously felt a need to go over it with everybody reinforcing what we were supposed to do.

We then started going over our curriculum with Master Lee coming around and critiquing us.  If you've seen Kung Fu Panda, think of that back story sequence where Po is learning about Tigress's insecurity.  Shifu was very proud of Tai Lung until Tai Lung went bad.  When Shifu then instructs Tigress, he keeps correcting her by repositioning her in whatever stance she is in and then shaking his head.  It felt a lot like that without the shaking of the head bit.  "Move your hand forward Mr. Doug.  Keep your feet straight.  Don't walk like a duck." 

Master Lee is actually very encouraging when you do what he asks.  However, he has warned us that he demands "perfection".  He even made the comment about being worse than a mother-in-law with an example of the mother-in-law coming over and checking for dust on your counter tops.

It's going to be a tough road.  However, I have this gut feeling that both my daughter and I will be able to do it.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

Bil Repenning said...

2010: The Road To Victory!
And your writing IS getting better.