How I got my brown belt

[Tzu-Logic]

I am bored tonight so I thought I would write about my experiences at my most recet test, my brown belt for Shaolin Kempo/Inayan Kadena de Mano. They are taught seperately and then woven together to compliment each other. It's pretty cool.

The test was two hours long or so. And it was fairly physically grueling. We did KDM drills for pretty much the whole first hour. Just switching between drills when the instructor said to. I worked with someone of my own rank (Green with brown stripe) for the whole test. One of the things about practicing KDM is that muscles in the arms get toughened up through lots of practice. The second degree black belt that was helping test us had me do a few drills with him to test my speed and coordination. His blocks were like running my arms into oak branches . I survived but my arms were very tired out after working with him.

After Kadena de Mano testing it was time for the shaolin kempo techniques. I had to successfully preform 15 different tecniques (Some schools might call them bunkai??)

Then it was forms (which is my favorite thing!) I preformed Kata 1, Kata 2, 3 pinan 4 pinan, statue of the crane, and 5 pinan. One of the students broke down and started crying during the forms part, they were really nervous. My instructor asked her if she was going to give up, she wiped off her tears and said she wanted to try again. She was able to preform her form correctly, and passed the test.

My instructor kept trying to play mind games with me as part of the test. Wanting me to get frustrated with him. I didn't take the bait lol He said to me at the end when he gave me my belt, that he can remember a few years ago when I would have gotten upset with those games. And that my test tonight was as much mental as it was the physical.

Things I learned: I need to spend more time doing KDM drills with partners. The basics are super important even at brown belt! I really need to improve on some things that got a little sloppy.

So yeah, I'm brown belt! I've been waiting for this belt a long time! I am still trying to learn just as much every lesson I can. In that regard I'm still a white belt. I will always be trying to learn from every moment. I hope you all enjoyed my test night story.

[bushido_man96]

Sounds like you did well, and its great that you come out of testing with a new rank, as well as ideas of what you want to improve on, and how to do so. Very nice job, and congrats! Thanks for sharing this experience with us.

[DWx]

Congrats Tzu-Logic

[Patrick]

Thanks for sharing that with us, Tzu-Logic. Congrats.

Patrick

[sensei8]

Congrats...well done!! Feels good huh!?!

[Tzu-Logic]

Thank you all. My right arm was sore all week from working with that second degree black belt. He really pushed me hard. The bruise* on my arm was worth knowing I can stop a heavy attack.

*We don't usually train to the point of bruising. However things get ramped up several notches for tests. And by the time you are testing for brown they go pretty dang hard on you.

[darksoul]

Congrats! As a Shaolin Kempo shodan, I remember my 3rd kyu test. Yours was very similar. The mind games were also used by my sensei, and rightly so since at that time I was battling my demons of short temper.

In any case, congratulations! From what I have read, you are definitely deserving! 2 more kyus until Dan!

[FangPwnsAll7]

Congrats on your brown belt. It sounds like you deserve it.