Grading Day - 6th Gup

Well, I did it! I’m now a Green Belt in Haedong Kumdo and it feels good.

What more can I say? It seems to have taken a long time but I do feel I am going somewhere now and a have a great understanding of what is needed and what it’s going to take to get there.

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So many people have helped me, so once again, thank you to one and all!

Master Frank Akkerboom - Netherlands

Tonight, during our Haedong Kumdo lesson, we had a guest visit from Holland – Master Frank Akkerboom (see photo). What a surprise!

He gave the class a demonstration in the use of two swords and I have to say it was spectacular beyond belief. How did he do that, together with a few gasps and admiring looks said it all. Yes, how did he do that?

Clearly I am light years away from it but hey, something to aim for – and it does look so good. But you have to start somewhere and his technique is awesome.

On the other hand – I’m not feeling too confident about the grading next week and this evening’s demonstration just shows how far I have to go. However, it does confirm to me, even more, that this IS where I want to go.

Thank you Master Frank for your inspiration.

Anatomy Of Stretching

I guess I knew it was coming; stretching – just needed some help and I think I found it!

This book - Anatomy Of Stretching by Bradley E. Walker – is truly amazing – everything you wanted to know AND how to achieve it, in very simple terms.

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So now I can set to work and increase my flexibility on a daily basis with the book open in front of me. Sounds too good to be true – we’ll see!

Finding it Hard (Again)

I always sound like I’m having a moan but I just want to express my concern in public about my self inflicted misery through having a useless brain and a tired and unfit body.

Any Martial Art, as I recall, has as much to do with the fitness of the mind as well as the body. With my next grading coming up this month, the Anti Social Behaviour problem (which isn’t going away) and all the stuff about my fitness level and flexibility - I’m getting very stressed and just a little annoyed with myself.

Well, maybe it isn’t that bad but yesterday, not only did I managed to drop both Escima Sticks at the same time but I fell over as I tried to pick one of them up too!

I have two forms (Form 2 and 3) to perfect in the next two/three weeks, or I’m going to let myself and others down. Get a grip!