Hello everyone! We’ve finishing spring break, and there was so much training happening in our camps! Each Dojang did their own camps, with Chang’s Taekwondo Martial Arts in South Surrey, Cloverdale, Tsawwassen, Aldergrove, and Mission. Well done everyone, see you in the summer camps.
️Now we want to outline some differences between beginners and black belts in martial arts. In some cases, the qualities of a black belt are not exactly what you would expect!We primarily rely on blackbelts to know HOW TO CONTROL THEMSELVES. More-so than any other rank, or belt… black belts must know how to control both their bodies and their minds. When we’re sparring, we should feel more safe sparring a black belt than we feel sparring a white belt or a yellow belt. Black belts have been sparring and training for far longer and thus can hold back based on their opponent’s skill level.Training with black belts should be a great learning experience! Peer mentoring is an amazing way for young people to learn. What better way to be taught than another young person who is further down the same road? The connection is stronger, and they can more easily relate. Black belts should be passing down their knowledge to the next generations.Black belts have more respect. Respect is the most important quality in a martial artist, courtesy is one of the tenets of Taekwondo. Black belts hold the door, come early, stay late, let others go ahead of them. They happily and generously give pointers to beginner students. Happy to share and happy to help! Controlling their selfish desires to get ahead themselves and think of others is an important part of being a blackbelt.Then of course there is the technique! The Taekwondo kicks, poomsae, and basic techniques are refined. The more advanced techniques are good, but definitely not essential! We’re not looking for everyone to be able to win a gold medal at the tournament, but we are definitely looking to have everyone able to represent themselves, their families, and their Taekwondo Dojang with pride both on and off the mats.
No matter the belt, train hard—and we’ll see you on the mats.
