backfromthebrink

Thanks, I guess there is part of me that doesn't want to tempt fate and ask - in case he says 'yes, put a white belt on!'. But then it would be even more embarrassing if I didn't ask and then he had to tell me to…

About 10 years ago (age 24), I was a purple belt in Kenpo - with blue tips and about to take my blue belt. I then left the area where that club was based and moved away, and there were no Kenpo clubs where I moved to. 10 years later (34) and I am moving back to where I grew up, and I'd like to re-join the Kenpo club there. I'm sure it will take me a while to remember all the forms and techniques, but can I put my purple belt on again and go along? I mean, they're not going to demote me back to white belt - I'd hope - that would be so depressing. But I feel a bit self-conscious turning up with a purple belt on and being unable to remember much of the material…! And having lower ranking belts behind me, knowing more of it! I still have the little grading book which the instructor signs when you pass a belt, so I can 'prove' that I am really a purple belt. I thought about emailing the instructor to ask, but I don't even know how to ask the question… 'Is it ok if I still wear my purple belt?'…? Has anyone else taken a long break from training and then gone back, and did you turn up in the same belt you left in?!