The Pressure Test Of A Testing Cycle!!

[sensei8]

Our 59th annual testing cycle is upon the entire student body at the Hombu. Any Shindokan Saitou-ryu student, in and out of the Hombu, can test at the Hombu every June/July once their petition for testing has been approved by our Testing Department. Godan's and above can only test at the Hombu, no exceptions!!

The testing cycle isn't meant to destroy or embarrass; it's meant to TEST ones mettle across the board as a martial artist. But it doesn't end there!

It's meant to be embraced by its candidates, and in that, it's meant to take care of itself, and it will if it's allowed to; it's not rocket science, my no means.

I don't know if it's an unbelievable amount of pressure or if the atmosphere is unkind or if the heat of the spotlight is more than anybody can bear, but somehow and/or someway, the wheels start wobbling, and before you know it, the wheels come completely off.

Testing cycle candidates stop believing in themselves for some reason in the midst of the cycle, and they can't remember things that they've been taught, been trained, been drilled, been corrected, been torn down, been built back up, been encouraged, been grained in, been made second nature, and have been made aware of each morsel of a technique(s) across the board; more so than a parent knows their very own child.

Listen, I've been there, more than I can remember; it happens for one reason or another. The evil cloud starts hovering and becomes closer and closer, and before it's to late, the clouds sitting right over head.

Mind like the water and mind like the moon [Mizu No Kokoro and Tsuki No Kokoro] have a purpose, no, they have a true meaning, and that meaning must be respected as well as understood completely. Nonetheless, those same core words seem to surely and slowly trickle down the drain, as the cycle bears forward more and more.

Before face can be saved, the dreadful words...YAME [stop] are shouted out by the leading and directing judge on the testing panel. The testing cycle is now officially over!! Over until next years testing cycle.

Training hard begets a many things, but the results can fade away during the testing cycles pressure test. It's not a respecter of any testing candidate; not now, and not later...it's just what it is. Waiting for the mind to start doubt, and when that happens...WHAM...it attacks the candidate merciless and without reserve.

Before a mind starts to lose it, RELAX...BREATH...HAVE FUN, and by all means, let the cycle take care of itself. Forget the kata, forget the kihon, drop the weapon, can't transition, can't spot the left foot from the right foot, and/or kumite out of a wet paper sack to save your soul...STOP...PAUSE...FOCUS...ask permission for a restart...then NAIL IT!!

Believe...trust...conquer!!

I've had to stop 37 tests thus far this week because the "Beast of the test" mercilessly killed their testing cycle. It's not pretty, and after chance after chance, I had to end their suffering.

This is only the Kyu week, it'll be over this Saturday. Then we'll have a huge picnic/pool party this Sunday. Then, the beast of the test returns Monday, and this time the pressure test will be looking for it's first victims because next week is Dan week; the beast is very hungry for Dan's!!

Don't think I'm not aware of that because in two weeks, I've got to face that beasts pressure test myself!!

Thoughts, please!!

[bushido_man96]

I think the pressure of the test if one of the important things that students learn to overcome. We do most of our black belt testings at our HQ school in Topeka, in front of the GM. For those that test every month at the headquarter school, its probably no big deal. But for those that only come in once every few years, it tends to be a bit more unnerving. Its good to feel those butterflies, and overcome them.

[sensei8]

Those butterflies are going to be there to run its havoc on ones nerves. BREATH!! Let the testing cycle take care of itself, and once the candidate learns that, the easier the test will be.

Don't think about failing or passing, just get on that floor and execute!!

[sensei8]

Our first week of our annual testing cycle at our Hombu was quite successful despite that 49 testing candidates didn't fair well. 101 testing Kyu candidates did do quite well, and they'll receive their promotions in house this up coming Saturday, July 6, 2013.

Already it's the 2nd day for the Dan testing candidates, and we've failed 9 thus far.

The pressure test of any testing cycle can serve notice to many because there's no such thing as a guaranteed test. No matter how hard one trains and no matter what their sensei might feel.

It's a TEST!! Be prepared or not...it's up to YOU!!

[sensei8]

Our annual testing cycle is complete.

Our Dan testing cycle saw a total of 27 candidates fail varies Dan rank promotions while 68 passed; 2 went to Godan and 1 went to Rokudan and Nanadan.

Bring on my pressure test for Kudan!!

[bassaiguy]

This is something I've missed never having been in a large association. It must be exciting and nerve-wracking to test with a cohort of training partners. My shodan test was conducted as a surprise examination in my dojo when our senior instructor visited one night. My nidan test was another solo event, but formally scheduled. Since I'm independent now (I can only train sporadically with my seniors) I don't see any further tests in my future. I envy you guys in large associations for the opportunities it offers you.

[bushido_man96]

Even with the ones that didn't pass, it looks like you had a really good sized testing cycle, Bob. It would have been great to see it.

[sensei8]

Even with the ones that didn't pass, it looks like you had a really good sized testing cycle, Bob. It would have been great to see it.

The Hombu always has a good turnout and that's because the Hombu's ANNUAL testing cycle is for every Shindokanist; whether they're from the Hombu dojo or from one of the many Shindokan dojo's.

Having said that, the Hombu does quarterly testing cycles, but those are only for those students who call the Hombu dojo home.

Now Brian, ours may seem a lot, but when I compare it to organizations like the ATA, ours pales. The ATA has some pretty big testing cycles if my memory serves me correctly.

[bushido_man96]

The ATA does testings at the two National tournaments and at the World's tournament. I imagine that the STF and WTTU have their own "national" tournaments that they test at, as well. So yes, the sheer number of students involved in the ATA make for some large testings.

[sensei8]

The ATA does testings at the two National tournaments and at the World's tournament. I imagine that the STF and WTTU have their own "national" tournaments that they test at, as well. So yes, the sheer number of students involved in the ATA make for some large testings.

Are the testing cycles at either of these ATA tournaments conducted before, during, after, in, or out of the main body of said ATA tournaments?

How long do said cycles usually last, considering just how many do test?