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About The Following Blog

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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Sunday 12 February 2012

Chapter 58: I think I have had an epiphany moment about my training....

I have finally come to a decision- I have decided to finally try for my 1st Kyu (brown belt).

About a year ago, I really wasn't sure if I was any where near ready to even think about trying for my next grade. But now, I feel I am.

Certainly its been a gradual realisation- For the last two years, I have felt that I had almost platoed in my training. Its been three years since I last graded after all.

I believe that both blue and brown belts in most martial arts with a similar grading system to Aikido are called 'sticky grades', 'sticky' meaning that you stick at these levels for a while. Not a bad thing in my opinion, it should take you years of training to achieve 1st Dan.
No, I think I definitely ready, or as near as I will be at any rate. Training on the whole has been good, lots of things have come together all at the same time, my kata is improving, as is my free practice. So maybe the learning curve is shifting again rather than staying still.

I also feel 'different'. Not sure how to describe it really, more like a new harder shell has developed through consistent training and I could take anything thats thrown at me. I guess thats why I feel ready, ready to learn more at the next stage of training- my next grade.