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Being a black belt is far more than just an additional rank in the martial arts. Its a milestone that each martial artist strives for but only a small percentage truly accomplish. Getting a black belt or equivalent ranking in any art requires a lot of dedication and perseverance. The journey seems never ending as a kyu rank (beneath belt), but after you reach that stage its an wonderful achievement. When I was 13 years old I passed my Sho Dan test. I can bear in mind sleeping with my belt virtually each night. No joke. I would take it everywhere the folks and I are going to the store, my belt came along. Spending the evening at a pals residence, my belt came along.

What I didnt understand although, is there comes a great deal of duty by getting a black belt. I dont think one particular recognizes this until they have been a Yudansha (black belt) for a handful of years. It possibly didnt hit me till I was a full time instructor, and a lot more when I stepped away from teaching. Students appear up to us. We are what they want to be when they develop up. Bear in mind when you have been a youngster and you had a favorite athlete and when you played that specific sport you were always them. Thats what a black belt resembles. Students watch every single move we make and duplicate them practically to a T. We are roll models to them and their families. I accept that. I would rather make a constructive effect in a young martial artists life then see them throw their life away. I would rather inspire a self-doubted child, than see him struggle with self-confidence problems throughout his childhood and into his teenage years.

So what does a black belt mean to me? A way of life. I pay a lot more attention to the path, and not the pinnacle of the art since in reality, there is no pinnacle. It is a journey that will in no way finish. And now that I am in the approach of opening my personal dojo, getting a San Dan has far more which means than before. I wan to make confident I am the greatest martial artist I can be in order for my future students to understand the beauty of Wado-Ryu.

Our instructors, and their instructors, and their instructors instructor had been taught specific methods to carry themselves and expectations of being a black belt. Whether it be physically, mentally, or socially. This has been passed down to us and it is our duty to continue to pass this unwritten rule on to future generations of martial artists. Why? Its tradition. Its the martial way. We are the leaders of our dojo.

Now that you know what a black belt signifies to me, I challenge you to discover out what a black belt indicates to you.

You can also read about my Journey to grow to be a blackbelt by going to www.ExperienceMartialArts.com and clicking on the "Learn" tab. dodge magnum angle eye headlights