This past weekend
we had a promotion. One of the many things I realized about our school is our
sense of community. Every rank that advanced demonstrated a strong spirit,
perseverance, determination and courage. We had some moments of levity especially
with the children, because children will give some of the most creative
answers. The promotion took place over two days. Initially we did them all in
one day and ended up with very tired children and wilted parents. Going through the
requirements for several ranks in one day makes for one long day a very tired
students. We decided to separate the ranks and test them individually. Also the
children and adults test on two different days. It makes for two very long days
for the seniors but they support the test because of their commitment to the
school and the students.
The pictures you see in
this post were taken by two seniors I would like to acknowledge ( Senpai Elena
and Senpai Joshua). Thank you for your great photos! (Scroll to bottom to see pictures)
This is only a few out of 400
pictures that were taken over two days. I tried to show the overall spirit of
unity we have in the pictures. Picking the ones to showcase was difficult
because every picture showed something amazing. Some of the things the pictures
do not show are the fortitude the students demonstrated when the test became
difficult. One of our seniors-Senpai Mark make a comment which stayed with me.
"Each rank is raising the bar- this is amazing!"
It was true, each
rank kept amazing us. With their command of technique and precision. It was
inspiring to see the progression skill. We started the morning with white belts
and worked our way through the day until evening with the advanced yellow belts.
In each group we could see the techniques get sharper. One of the things that
came through the most was the intent behind the techniques. In the white belts
we could see the idea start taking hold.
By the time we
were looking at advanced yellow belts
there was no doubt in our minds that they had internalized the concept of
intent behind the technique.
I want to express
a heartfelt thanks to the Seniors who helped make this promotion the
extraordinary event it was. Senpai Mark who made sure the intensity was ever
present. Senpai Elena who made sure the precision was not forgotten.
Senpai Orlando who gave
the students a sense of security and comfort.
Senpai Joshua who gave
the students a map to follow during their kata making sure no one
got lost.
I also want to thank all of the parents who stand together with us in
their children's lives as partners for their martial path.
Thank you for taking the
time out of your incredibly hectic schedules to make time to bring your child
to class. I know that there may times its not easy, or convenient and yet you
manage to make it. That is our community in action.
The inception of
most the groups started with tears. Even before they were on the floor, there
was nervousness about knowing material and
fear of the unknown. I had several conversations with members of each group and
the recurring theme was the fear of the unknown. After a few moments and they
had calmed down they would enter the dojo and they each excelled.
To highlight the feeling
of community one little boy said something very moving. He told me he didn't
want to take promotion because he didn't want to ruin it for his group and give
them extra push-ups. I assured him that there
was no way his group would avoid push-ups. More importantly I stressed to him
that the only thing that was expected from him or anyone testing that day was
that they did their best. He put on his uniform and entered the dojo after that.
That is what I
always expect from the students. We set the bar high, they met and surpassed
the bar. Each group moving it higher for the next.
The other facet of
promotion that they only experience on the day of is the breaking
aspect-tameshiwari. We only do it during the promotion. For many of the parents
it may seem like this is an easy task, break a quarter inch piece of wood with
your hand or foot. For the students testing it may as well be a cinder block.
Its not easy and they demonstrate an incredible amount of mental fortitude that
leaves us speechless.
There is a deep sense of
accomplishment when they do manage to break that is palpable right after the break
and they get their pieces of wood. The ones that don't manage to break their
wood get to take it home. I always enjoy hearing the stories at the next class
of how they went home and broke their boards. Most of the time they come back
to the dojo holding their pieces of wood as evidence.
Board breaking in
itself is not indicative of great physical prowess. Although its not easy, by
any stretch of the imagination. What it does is show them how much power they
have in a visceral way. It shows
them that they are getting stronger, not only physically but more importantly
mentally. If you have any doubt as to the difficulty get yourself a few one
inch pine boards and punch through them. It requires a certain kind of mindset
to accomplish.
The last group (advanced
yellow) had one added dimension to their promotion. They had to spar. If the
promotion is stressful fro the other ranks imagine that stress being ramped up
ten times as much with the introduction of kumite or sparring. To
say they did well would not do them justice. They fought exceptionally well.
One young man had recently suffered a broken arm. We were taking precautions so
he not re-injure the arm and in one exchange he fell on the arm that was recuperating.
The fact that he came back in to finish even in the midst of fear and pain that
he may hurt himself again is a testament to his strength of character. They
fought until they thought
they couldn't stand any longer and then they fought some
more. When I tied their belts around their waists each one was beaming with a
sense of having achieved something larger than themselves.
The next day we
had the adults and Senpai Mark prefaced the promotion by letting them know that
the bar had been set by the children the previous day. It was a grueling and
intensely physical promotion. They were tested
beyond what they thought was possible. They withstood heat and exhaustion. The
mental and physical fatigue was a constant throughout their test. Those that
fought had to dig deep to find another reserve of strength after a four hours
of testing. They found their reserves and surpassed any and all expectations.
You were all incredible.
I am humbled and honored
to know you and to walk with you on this martial path.
strong
spirit-strong mind-strong body
Sensei Orlando
 |
| Adults One dojo family |
 |
| Adults new ranks (foggy lens!) |
 |
| Blue/Adv Blue getting ready |
 |
| Blue/Adv Blue push-ups |
 |
| Adv Blue Kata |
 |
| Blue belt seiza |
 |
| Blue belt seiza |
 |
| 8am before we begin |
 |
| White belt kata |
 |
| White belt Tameshiwari |
 |
| New Blue Belts! |
 |
| New Adv Blue/ Yellow belts!! |
 |
| Yellow belts ready |
 |
| Yellow belt kata |
 |
| Yellow belt tameshiwari |
 |
| Yellow belt Tameshiwari |
 |
| Yellow belt tameshiwari |
 |
| New Adv Yellow belts!! |
 |
| Adv Yellow kata |
 |
| Adv Yellow Tameshiwari |
 |
| New Green Belts!! |
 |
| Adults ready!( Notice the smiles) |
Posts
