1. Being liberated from grading. Though I support the coloured belt and grading system and our club is not focused only on training for your next belt I am looking forward to some respite from it. Once I achieve 1st dan level it will be at least 2-3 years before the subject of grading rears its head again. This is a lot of breathing space to just enjoy the training!
2. Consolidating the basics. I think post black belt will be a good time to reflect on what I have already learnt and identify and improve on the basics that I am still weaker on.
3. Learning to spell! I’ve been told that all pre black belt training is about teaching you the alphabet and post black belt training is about teaching you to spell. Well, I’m looking forward to learning to spell.
4. Learning some ‘off’ syllabus stuff. This could be things learnt within the club or externally through attendance at seminars and courses. I always like the chance to meet new students and new instructors and try new things.
5. Spending more time dissecting and understanding the kata and bunkai. As kyu graders we learn some bunkai from each kata but I don’t feel we really get our teeth into them properly, mainly because the syllabus is so packed there just isn’t time. I’m hoping to have more time to study the kata after black belt grading
6. Spend more time teaching. Though I currently help out as an assistant instructor with the junior class I’d like to eventually take on more. Hopefully I’ll have more time to work with my instructor on improving my own teaching skills and knowledge.
I’m really hoping to avoid the ‘black belt blues’ that many new black belts seem to suffer from. I don’t feel that it is an inevitability that one should feel like that after grading and maybe thinking about what you want to achieve after black belt is a good way of avoiding it. Too many people drop out completely after achieving their black belts; I don’t intend to be one of them.
Did you think ahead to what you wanted to achieve post black belt? Has post black belt training been all you expected it to be?
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Greetings SueC:
ReplyDeleteAs always, nice post. You said:
"3. Learning to spell! I’ve been told that all pre black belt training is about teaching you the alphabet and post black belt training is about teaching you to spell. Well, I’m looking forward to learning to spell."
I am having a good chuckle with this excerpt, I really like the analogy.
"I’m really hoping to avoid the ‘black belt blues’ that many new black belts seem to suffer from."
In my humble opinion and due to the content of your blog to date I believe wholeheartedly you have nothing to be concerned about in this regard. You seem to be way ahead of this conundrum.
Learning to spell is always good :-P
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement guys :-)
ReplyDeleteSue, i wish you all the luck.
ReplyDeleteI can see from your writings that you will do well
please keep up posted..
Anthony
Thanks Anthony :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the mention Sue!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the time right after Shodan. It was great not having to think about testing. Definitely liberating!
Nice post.
Hi Sue,
ReplyDeleteI have just discovered your great blog. I agree with you re gradings and assessment of almost any kind. Sometimes it feels like the real learning comes when you have a chance to relax and not worry about performing.
All the best,
Ash
Spirit Defence
http://spiritdefence.blogspot.com/
www.spiritdefence.com.au
Michele and Ash, I'm really looking forward to that post black belt period - just got another mountain to climb to get there first!
ReplyDeleteNice blog and thoughtful post. I recently passed to shodan (shotokan) and it's only really been the few months since the grading that I have felt liberated and focused on training for the pure joy of it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck for your rapidly approaching grading.
Thanks danyul. Congratulations on your shodan. I'm really looking forward to that feeling of liberation!
ReplyDelete