So, You Want To Start Aikido?: Chapter 51: As grading time comes around again...I ponder whether I should try for my ShoKyu

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The following blog has been written purely for those wanting a first hand knowledge of what it is like to step into the dojo for the first time as a complete beginner as a Martial Artist. Through practising a Martial Art, you will gain many things such as self-confidence, self-respect and life-long and good friends. I hope this helps you to see into an amazing world of which you have never seen before and that I have had the privilege of belonging to and knowing.
Although I have not put my name or any name to this blog, it does deserve a dedication- a dedication to those who help people to train, who teach, reassure and most important of all- those who never give up, no matter how many times they hit the ground or a mental brick wall, with themselves or others. But above all- those who are ready to begin their own journey, it begins with one step….

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Tuesday, 17 November 2009

Chapter 51: As grading time comes around again...I ponder whether I should try for my ShoKyu

Hmmm...again I come to the same question I asked myself about a year ago. Do I grade or not and if so for what reason?

This time, its for my brown belt- a bit of a jump from blue. Normally, I would be stuck whether I should grade or not. But this time I have come to a decision-I will grade.
I don't know why I've been able to make a positive decision like this, maybe its because with a little bit of polish, I actually feel ready this time.

I really want to grade. Not because I prefer brown to blue (actually I much prefer blue as a colour) but because I really think I'm ready. Which is odd, considering I normally run a mile from a grading, and I HATE running.

So, which brings me to the ever eternal question- why do martial artists grade? Traditionally the origin of the black belt derives from the idea that your Obi or belt absorbs your Ki and therefore it is bad luck to wash your belt as it washes away your Ki. Therefore the belt isn't washed-thus it would get blacker the longer you trained, hence becoming black. Martial artists grade to get to black eventually as this is the highest grade you can go.

I've decided to grade as I believe each grade gives you new challenges at each stage and I think I'm finally ready to face the challenges of brown.

However, you can grade for the WRONG reasons. Although with grade, comes a nice new belt and the next lot of challenges for you to conquer for you next belt-there also comes responsibility. A strange idea this may seem but each grade you reach, I believe you are responsible for helping the grade below you learn and develop as you were once helped. Therefore, just because you've eventually reached Dan grade doesn't mean you've become the best there is at the martial art that you practise. You shouldn't forget that you were once a white belt too.