Way of a Swede (from 8 kyu to...)

[Wayofaswede]

Thank you aurik and sensei. Such a moment is like catching a glimpse of a whale coming up for air, glistening for one moment of clarity in the sun. Only to realize it has returned into the depths again the very next second, leaving behind only the rippled surface of the ocean and a sense of having witnessed something extraordinary that has then disappeared out of sight once again. So you keep swimming…

[sensei8]

Thank you aurik and sensei. Such a moment is like catching a glimpse of a whale coming up for air, glistening for one moment of clarity in the sun. Only to realize it has returned into the depths again the very next second, leaving behind only the rippled surface of the ocean and a sense of having witnessed something extraordinary that has then disappeared out of sight once again. So you keep swimming…

Solid post!!

Has the familiar ring of Shu Ha Ri concept.

[bushido_man96]

I believe I just made an important discovery during the end of today’s solo session, as I was ending with two Naifanchi shodan katas as usual:

”Everything should start from the center”

Suddenly all I’ve heard about staying centered (both physically and mentally), using hips not arms, ”the whip” concept - seemed to make sense! Feel eager to start applying this new found understanding to more and more of my karate and to conflict resolution in the public school where I teach. To more and more of my life.

This is excellent! Now you'll wonder how you ever lived without this!

[Wayofaswede]

Thanks Sensei and Bushidoman, sure felt clear and obvious for a moment

Today I had happy and terrifying news from my C.I: I’m considered ready to test for brown belt, 2 kyu, in two weeks time!

I still haven’t reached 2 kyu in any MA, so it would mean so much to me to pass that test. Preparing mentally for a period of more focused and intense karate practice…

My daughter will test for the first time at the same occasion. In the end that’s of course even more important than my own journey

[sensei8]

Congrats on your up-and-coming 2nd Kyu as well as your daughters first Testing Cycle!! The Testing Cycle takes care of itself, train and train and train...after that...just do your best and DO NOT WORRY ABOUT its outcome. I know! Sometimes that's easier said than done.

This is not your first rodeo, so this Testing Cycle shouldn't be any more stressful than the other ones...right?!? I believe that your daughter might be more at ease than you because she'll have no misconceptions about the Testing Cycles one way or another.

In short, congratulations and go have some fun beforehand.

[bushido_man96]

I agree with Bob; keep up the hard work and the testing will take care of itself. And same to your daughter! What a great deal! The family that kicks together, sticks together!

[Wayofaswede]

Thanks a lot Bob and bushidoman, your encouragement along the way always means a lot.

My daughter passed her test and has now 8 kyu (yellow belt). I also passed mine and have now 2 kyu (brown belt) in Shito-ryu Karate, finally clearly passing my Aikido background with my current Karate training. Passing that mental plateau means…from now on anything is possible to achieve!

[bushido_man96]

Awesome! Congrats to you both!

[sensei8]

Congrats to both of you for your new promotions...one rung at a time.

Train hard and train well!!

[Wayofaswede]

Thank you very much, wish all here on KF a happy new 2023!