Thursday, November 11, 2010

Karate Test

On Saturday, I had a belt test at my karate.  I do a style that combines Shotokan and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). Right now, we are doing a big kata.  It is called the Thunder Kata.  I tested for my 2nd brown belt. Here is a picture of my 2nd brown belt:






I have been doing karate for around four years.  Here is the story of how I became an expert at karate:

One day, my mom asked me if I wanted to do karate.  At that point, I was only four years old.  Before I started karate, my mom and I had been walking in and looking at kids do karate.  Then I took a free trial class.  I really liked it so I kept on going.

My sensei's were sensei Tom and sensei Andy.  I really liked sensei Tom because he really tried hard to teach you karate and he only played games if we were doing our best.  I learned that the #1 rule in karate is always try your best.  I liked sensei Andy because if we did good for about 20 minutes we would be able to play games for 25 minutes. 

I went to karate with my friends:  Kelly, Ethan, Deven, Dylan and Wyatt. Deven and I are the only ones who still go to karate.  One day, I went to karate with my friend Dylan and there was a new sensei named sensei Trever.  I was sad that sensei Tom and sensei Andy left but now I am happy that sensei Trever came.  Also, sensei Romel came.  He quit after about a year because he is on someTV shows.  Along the way, my senseis Eric, Brandon and Leandro joined the dojo.  Now after 4 years, I just got my 2nd brown belt.  At my dojo, the belt order goes:  white, yellow, orange, blue, purple, green, 1st red, 2nd red, 3rd red, 1st brown, 2nd brown, 3rd brown, black, 2nd black.



Do you do karate?

Do you like karate?

How long have you been doing karate?

What belt are you?

23 comments:

Jonah Salsich said...

Dear Jaden,

Congratulations on getting your 2nd brown belt! It is amazing what you can accomplish when you practice hard and stick with things. It is great that you have been studying karate for four years - half your life!

I have never studied a martial art, but my best friend is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and also studies Aikido. He says that studying martial arts helps him stay focused and also patient.

Do you think studying karate helps you with other things in your life?

I love your blog design! The colors are very cool.

From,
Mr. Salsich

Papa Bob said...

Dear Jaden,

It doesn't seem like you have been doing karate for 4 years! I can really see how much you have improved. I like watching your belt tests and I especially enjoy going to the tournaments and seeing you win awards. I also like watching you always doing your best even if you do not win 1st, 2nd or 3rd.

What do you think are the important things that you have learned from karate?

Love,
Papa Bob

Ava (Adia's mom) said...

Hi Jaden,

This is Ava, Adia's mom. I was so excited to read your post about how you started Karate. I admire kids that do Karate and don't give up in the middle of their training. Too often kids start but never take it to the finish line. I'm proud of you for not quitting but continuing in order to eventually earn your black belt. Way to go!

When I was 12 years old, living in Germany, I started Taekwondo. I earned my brown belt, which was one belt away from black belt when I was 17 years old.

Then my parents decided to move to America. When we first moved here we didn't have the finances to have me signed up for Karate lessons, unfortunately. There were different priorities we had at that time. It was always my dream to eventually start again.

I'm happy to say that a few months ago, I decided to finally commit myself to sign up at Nicky's Pro Karate, where Adia is also a student. She is my true inspiration and it is my goal that I will one day be as good in Karate as her. She is one belt away from her black belt and I'm soooooo very proud of her.

I have recently earned my purple belt. One of my sensei's made fun of me on the day of my test because he calls it the Barney belt. Well, he is not only my sensei, he is also a very good friend of mine. That's why I didn't take it too personally.

Last week I started my first sparring class. I have to say that it's a lot harder than it looks. Today will be my second class and I'm so excited and scared. Next week we'll have a tournament and I have signed up to spar. I'm so very nervous but as my senseis say: "Bring it on!" I'll do my best and will hopefully report back to you by next week about having earned a medal.

Have you done sparring before?

If yes, how did you feel the first time you tried it?

When will you test for your black belt?

What do you have to do to earn your black belt?

As you can see, I love to talk about Karate. I guess, now I have to give Adia a turn to write, she's sitting right next to me, correcting me and can't wait to write to you next.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Be blessed,
Ava (Adia's purple belt-Barney, scared of sparring, Mama)

Adia ★ said...

Hello Jaden,

I think that it is great that you earned your 2nd brown belt! Looks like you really deserved it.

I also do karate and I have senior red belt, which is one belt away from the black belt. My black belt test is going to be in the beginning or middle of next year.

Just like you, I have been doing karate for four years-half of my life.
To me, karate is really fun.

Now, here is my story of how I started karate:

When I was 4 years old, my mom had signed up for a kickboxing class at the dojo. Everybody who took the class with my mom wanted and tried to convince me to take some karate lessons. I refused. My mom said it is good for me. I still refused.

Once a week my mother took me to watch the karate classes. When I watched the students in the dojo doing unique combinations and techniques, I thought to myself: "Maybe my mom is right about taking karate lessons. It would be so amazing to learn all the different combinations and techniques."

A few weeks later, I told my mom I would like to take lessons. So my mom took me for a trial lesson the next day. I loved karate and decided I'd start. Though I wanted to start, I still had to ask my dad if it was okay with him. He said it was fine. I started jumping for joy. I was going to take karate! I would eventually earn my black belt!

Oh, it was just my dream to have a black belt someday. And now here I am. I am the belt before black. I just know that it would be awesome to have a black belt. Not just to have it handed to me as a gift, I will earn it.

Our order goes: white, orange, green, purple, blue, brown, red, senior red, black, and finally first degree all the way to I think tenth degree.

I love karate and can't wait to be a black belt.

Your classmate,

Adia

Anonymous said...

Hi Jaden,
WOW! Your 2nd brown belt - I am so proud of you. You should be very proud of what you have accomplished.
I have never done karate but I have done T'ai Chi. I liked it very much.
Do you know some of the differences between karate and T'ai Chi?
Love,
Aunt Rona

Mrs. Yollis said...

Dear Jaden,

I am very proud of your second blog post! You have a wonderfully written story about how you got into it, and you have a perfect image! It shows your belt, but you have used it in a clever way so you don't reveal too much personal information. Well done!


@ Ava, (Adia's mom)

Thank you so much for sharing your story here! It is a perfect example of how we can connect with one another through blogging!

I especially love that you are going back to pursue your interest in Karate. So many adults feel that learning and taking lessons are things for children. You are a fabulous example for everyone that it is important that we continue to learn and follow our dreams throughout our lives!

I have always wanted to take drum lessons. My mom plays the piano, we had a friend who played the saxophone, and I used to sit in on the drums to keep the rhythm for the little summer "combo" we had. Playing music together was so much fun, and I've always said that someday I'd take lessons. I say...the time has come! Thanks for your inspiration!


@ Adia,

Thanks for such a well-written connection post from you!

For Jaden or Adia: I'm curious, what is the most difficult part about the sport? Also, what is a dojo?

Your friend,
Mrs. Yollis

LeilaBarth said...

Dear Jaden:

Kelly and I are super excited about your accomplishments in karate. You should be very proud. We miss seeing you there and tell your mom I miss our times at Cosmos. Keep up the good work. Sensei Tom was my favorite sensei.

Warm regards,
Leila (Kelly's mom)

Adia :-) said...

Dear Mrs. Y♥llis,

Here are the answers to your questions:

In my opinion, the absolute most difficult part is submission grappling. Submission Grappling is when you get partnered up with an opponent
(your partner), and wrestle until hopefully someone ends up on top of the other person. Eventually, somebody has to tap out, in other words, surrender. The way that you show a surrender is by tapping on the person's body or the mat.

Also, a dojo is the place that you do karate and where the sensei teaches it to you.

Have a great evening!

Adia ★ ♥ ♣ ♦ ★

Ava (Adia's mom) said...

Dear Mrs. Yollis,

Wow, I'm so touched that my story inspired you to eventually pursue your dream to take drum lessons. As you said, it is never too late to pursue our dreams.

Now let me tell you about a mother who has inspired her two daughters to start Karate. You just won't believe it. A few months ago we had a mother, who is 75 years old, sign up for Karate at our dojo with her two daughters. One of the daughters is a mom at our school. She is in her 40's. Now, this is inspiration, don't you think? A 75 year old woman who just earned her green belt in Karate. She is a breath of fresh air at our Karate school. We just love having her around. Every time I get tired doing my kicks and punches I look over to her and see this incredible woman, trying her very best and it motivates me to do my best. She is absolutely, positively awesome.

Please keep us all posted about your drum lessons. We would love to hear you play, hopefully one day very soon.

Blessings to you.
Ava

Amitai***** said...

Dear Jaden,


I study karate too! It is fun. I am a wight belt. In my dojo the belt color is diffrent from yours because our order is: wight,orange,green,purple,blue,1 red, red with a black stripe in the middle,black,and 50 degree black belt.

I have a question:

Do you like karate?

From,

Amitai

Hannah★ said...

Dear Jaden,

I love the idea of posting about karate because it inspires other people to try it. Two weeks ago, I tested for my brown belt and I am so close to being a black belt.

Here is my story :

One day, my parents asked me if I wanted to do karate and I agreed to do it. I tried one karate trial lesson and I liked it. After a couple of years I moved to a different karate school and I loved it. I was wondering when I'd be a black belt. Now I am three belts before I reach my goal and I am still wondering when I will be an expert.

Sincerely,
Hannah★

Anonymous said...

Dear Jaden
I enjoy going to watch you in Karate. You are so focused and take it very seriously as you should. You have come a long way and it has been wonderful to watch your accomplishments.
I am very proud of you.
Love Grandma

Amitai***** said...

Dear Jaden,


Oops! I wrote the belt order wrong I wrote the belt order like this: wight,orange,green,purple,blue,1 red, red with a black stripe in the middle,black,and 50 degree black belt. when it was supposed to be like this:
wight,orange,green,purple,blue,brown,1 red, red with a black stripe in the middle,black,and 50 degree black belt.

hope to comment soon,

Amitai

Mel Cashen said...

Dear Jaden,

Wow - I learnt so much from your post! I didn't realise there were so many technical words involved in Karate. I must admit that most of my knowledge comes from the movie, 'The Karate Kid.'

We have a competition in our class where you can get a Maths Karate Belt for knowing your times tables. When you know a times table you get a ribbon (a mini belt). If you know the 10 times tables you get a white belt and so on. We use the same coloured belts that you mentioned here.

Thank you for teaching me so much about Karate

From Miss Cashen
Victoria, Australia

Finn said...

Dear Jaden,
I do like Karate and I have been doing it since September. Currently I am a White Belt and my goal is a Black Belt.
This past Saturday I was in my first competion and received a Silver Metal. I have some questions for you.
Do you want to get to Black Belt?
Have you ever been in a Karate competion? Do you like to compete?
From, Finn

Andrew said...

Dear Jaden,

I can't believe that you earned your 2nd brown belt. It is amazing! I can't believe you have two more belts until black. I am a blue belt. My belt order goes: White, white with a black stripe, yellow, yellow with a black stripe, orange, orange with a black stripe, purple, purple with a black stripe, blue, blue with a black stripe, green, green with black tape, green with a black stripe, red, red with black tape, red with a black stripe, black, 2nd black. It will be about 4 more years until I get my black belt.

Sincerely,
Andrew

Lexi said...

Dear Jaden,

I like your blog. I like playing at your karate. It is fun when Deven's sister Alisa plays with me. We like to color together. Do you like when I am at your karate? What do you do on your blog?

Love,
Lexi

Jaden said...

Dear Mr. Salsich,

Thank you for your marvelous comment. You said that your best friend does Tae Kwon Do. My cousins do Tae Kwon Do. I think doing karate helps me learn proper manners.

Dear Grandpa,

Thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog. It does not feel like I have been doing karate for four years but I have. I like it when you come to see my tournaments and tests. It is not often that I get first, second or third. I think the most important thing I have learned from karate is manners.

Dear Adia's Mom,

I am excited that you read my post. I have made good friends at karate and then they have quit. That made me really sad. Did you ever get your black belt in Tae Kwon Do? It is sad that you wanted to do karate but you were not able to. I have never heard of an adult that does karate. If you spar you probably have an advantage because your legs are bigger. I guess it is better that you have your child in the same class as you. It is amazing you have already earned your purple belt. Why is it called the Barney belt? How much more time will it take for you to earn your black belt? Good luck on your sparring tournament. I have done sparring for about 2 years. I felt excited the first time I sparred. I will probably get my black belt near the end of 2011. I have to do really good in karate to earn my black belt.

From,

Jaden

Jaden said...

Dear Adia,

Thank you for your thoughtful comment. It is very hard to get your 2nd brown belt. You do not just get handed belts. You need to work very hard for belts. Wow! That is amazing that you are going to get your black belt so soon. Karate is really fun. That is an amazing story. Your belt order is way different from mine. I also love karate and cannot wait to be a black belt.

Dear Aunt Rona,

Thank you for your wonderful comment. I am so sorry I took so long to comment back. I am also proud of myself for getting my 2nd brown belt. I thought Tai Chi was the same as karate.

Dear Mrs. Yollis,

Thank you for commenting back to people. It helps me a lot that you did that.

Dear Leila,

Thank you for your awesome comment. I am proud of myself. I am sad Kelly does not do it anymore. He was really good at it. I think Sensei Tom was everyone's favorite sensei.

Warmly,
Jaden

Jaden said...

Dear Grandma,

I like it when you come to see me do karate to. So many people are not very focused. I have come a long way, but it still feels like I took a trial yesterday. It felt like a trial because it feels like I have been doing karate for a short time, but its been four years!

Sincerely,
Jaden

Jaden said...

Dear Miss. Cashen,

Thank you for your good comment. I'm happy you learned from my post. I have watched all the karate kids except the one with the girl.

I like the idea of being able to earn a karate belt for math. I guess a ribbon can be a mini belt. I'm suprised you use the same colors that my karate uses because lots of different types of karate use different belts.

Sincerely,
Jaden

Jaden said...

Dear Finn,

It is always fun to have a new student at karate, so you can meet new people. I'll tell you it is not easy to get a black belt. I can not believe you got a silver medal right after starting karate. I do want to get my black belt. I have been in about three or four competitons and I like to compete.

Got to go to karate,
Jaden

Anonymous said...

Karate is awesome! I like Karate. I have done it for about a month. I am a white belt and I am testing for my white belt with one black stripe on november 2nd.