KickChick Posted May 28, 2002 Posted May 28, 2002 Quote:" I don't know about you, but I don't train for that pretty belt that goes around my waist. Inside you, the belt means nothing if you haven't earnt it, and if you don't know how much you do have to learn and what 'reality' (reality is whatever we define it as) is for you, then I really do not know what to say. " ) Yeah, I like you train in the MA for the same reasons ... I'm not out to impress anyone but myself. Because I am over 40 I do tend to get down on my abilities at times measuring myself up with others that are 1/2 my age. I am taking my 2nd degree training very slowly and everyone is asking me "Deb, when are you gonna test? .... don't you haver enough lessons yet???... so on and so forth..... I personally feel I am not yet ready .... I don't want to be "given" the rank because of my "time put in" or even because of my attitude. I want my technique to be perfect .... well, at least perfect by my own standards. When I can achieve this .... I will test and get that 2nd degree!
Sinbad Posted May 29, 2002 Posted May 29, 2002 Hey Bon, <> It depends on what you think the belt represents and is closely related to whether you are practising a -do or a -jutsu art. If the main goal in your training is combat effectiveness (bu-jutsu) then sure, belts should ONLY be awarded if you are effective - as is the case with BJJ. However, if the goal of training is much wider (budo) then I think effort, dedication, correct attitude are just as important if not more so than simply combat effectiveness. This is particularly true for lower belts (anything below brown). However, to get a brown belt and especially a black belt, then yes, you should demonstrate BOTH effectiveness as well as correct attitude. Remember, in most budo arts (unllike BJJ) a first degree blackbelt means simply that you are now a serious student and competent at the basics. It doesn't mean you are an expert! Who really cares about the colour of one of the first few belts, whether it is yellow, orange or blue? The main benefit of these lower belts (at least in budo arts) should be that they show the 40, 50 or 60 year old beginners (anyone in fact!) that they don't have to kick, punch or throw as well as the athletic 18 year old to progress in the art as long as they show good dedication and effort. That way they will stay in the art long enough to appreciate that belts are really unimportant and it is the pushing yourself to be the best martial artist that you can be that is the real goal. Besides, if as you say <>. Then why do you care what belt other people wear? Why don't you just ignore the belt and judge them on their attitude and skill? [ This Message was edited by: Sinbad on 2002-05-29 19:30 ]
Bon Posted May 30, 2002 Posted May 30, 2002 KickChick, exactly.. I was given the oppurtunity to grade in BJJ after only a few weeks training, but I knew I couldn't perform what was required, so I said I'd wait.. I figure there's less time between gradings going for that purple belt after blue belt! (have to wait longer between gradings for purple belt) Sinbad, can't say I agree with you, but I don't really feel like debating at this moment. I also don't care what belt other people wear because I've seen so many people that don't deserve their rank. Using the belt as a source of motivation is wrong, it's not what the MA are about. If someone's a true martial artist at heart, they're not going to quit the dojo just because they didn't get that damn belt! It takes sacrifice to be the best.There are always two choices, two paths to take. One is easy. And its only reward is that it's easy.
Sinbad Posted May 30, 2002 Posted May 30, 2002 Bon, on the whole I agree with you when you say <>. I just think it takes some people a while to discover the true martial artist inside themselves.
El Guerrero Loco Posted May 31, 2002 Posted May 31, 2002 I have about 5 yrs of experience and am still a purple belt In my dojo, we are mostly strikers, and att his time we're working towards our brown belts. the last class before tonight's one, we did grappling and stuff for like the whole class. Nice little change in pace. I think its important to be abel to strike and grapple. I dunno bout you ppl but I've never been knocked out, i've been close when my sensei kicked my between the eyes, but i didn't go out and although i was blind fer a lil bit I stood and put my guard up...maybe I'm a fool but, I think we as martial artists deserve more respect for the hard training we do. DON'T EVER LET ANYONE PUSH YOU AROUND!!!! well you don't have to go crazy, be resonable...but if need be...ANNIHALATE 'EM! _________________ "A chill runs through you spine and crawls into your brain, the freezing touch of fear... Attack me if you dare, I will crush you!" [ This Message was edited by: El Guerrero Loco on 2002-05-30 20:14 ] "Live free.Die well..."
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