Mid-California Taekwondo
Newsletter 2009

BEING TEACHABLE: Over the years I have had the opportunity to train a considerable number of men, women and children. Each student had a different level of coordination and ability.  Each carried with them a different personality and emotional makeup.  All those who have successfully reached the black belt level have shown one specific quality, which enabled them to fulfill their goal — they were teachable.

Every student desires to be successful and excel in some area that is important to him or her.  No one wishes to fail or be embarrassed.  Being teachable is one of the first qualities leading to success in learning any martial art. 

If you believe that you know more than the instructors, then you will most likely not learn some of the most truths related to the art of Taekwondo.

How can we learn if we think we already have the answers to all the questions?  No matter how smart we are; no matter how much knowledge we have gained; remember, there is always more to learn.

Your instructors have spent many years training, learning and sweating, in order to prepare for teach your class.  We do not have all the answers. None of us has learned all there is to learn about Taekwondo.  However, we are prepared to teach, ready to instruct and humbled by the possibility that students may excel under our teaching. 

Pay attention in class. Come to your class time with desire to learn and succeed.  In doing so, Taekwondo will be much more fun. 

THE WAY OF THE STUDENT - I am reminded of the old martial art saying, “When thestudent is ready, the teacher will appear.”   No instructor, regardless of how well he/she teaches, can actually teach someone who does not want to learn. 

When you began training at Mid-California Taekwondo, you have asked yourself some questions: I wonder what will happen on my first day?  What will it be like?  Will I like the  teacher and the students? Whatever questions you have asked, once you arrived and began your training, you became more comfortable, and found that you could really learn.  As a new student, everything you learn at white belt is new. It feels odd as you perform new movements.  Keep trying hard and it will get easier.  Always remember to learn the basics well. Never give up!

 REACTION FORCE, Ms. Marian Schwartz - It is my great privilege to be in the company of some very talented young men and women black belts. They all began as very little boys and girls, have worked hard as they have grown, and now as teens are becoming graceful and powerful, and yes, extremely formidable as opponents. They have had the normal ups and downs we all experience. Through all of it they have continued working hard, keeping their goal of the next black belt rank in their sights.

It is also my disappointment to have known some very talented youngsters who, for various reasons, did not continue with Taekwondo, and so are not now in our company.

In my other life I teach piano lessons. One thing I have NEVER heard anyone who is older say, is “I am so sorry I had to learn piano when I was young. What a drag to be able to play now that I am older”. What I have heard, very often is “I am so sorry that I didn’t stay with the piano as a youngster. I would enjoy playing so much now if I were able to play better”.

Having begun Taekwondo at what might be considered the beginning of mid-life, at age 40, I sometimes wonder how much better I would be at Taekwondo now, had I begun early and stayed with it. The young people who have the exercise and discipline of Taekwondo as part of their developmental years indeed are fortunate.

What I do today affects who I am tomorrow. Though I am not what I might have been, had I begun martial arts as a child, For 16 years I have been stretching, kicking, practicing patterns, fighting, developing power, learning coordination and focus and am constantly learning new aspects to the art. I am better for practicing Taekwondo, though begun later, than had I not begun, or had I given up at one of the many obstacles common to the study of anything.

I am happy to say that God saved me by His power and grace and the blood of Christ when I was 10. It is good to be able to see all that God has done for me through that larger part of my life. That life and God=s unfailing promises are available whether one is 3 or 103. What you do today affects who you will be in eternity.

Reaction Force-One of the elements of power. As a Christian, evidence of Christ’s presence in us is revealed  by our reactions to circumstances and adversities, as well as our initial actions.

"Those things worth learning, should be worthy of teaching.  If what we are trying to learn will not be of value to others, we should revaluate our teacher." Dr. McCain

 THE WAY OF THE INTERMEDIATE STUDENT

Congratulations!  You have earned the green belt.  Green and blue belts are considered the intermediate belts.  You have generally learned most of the stances, strikes, blocks and sparring techniques for your rank. 

What a great privilege to begin sparring with other students, head down the road to your black belt!  About another two years of hard work will lead to the rank of first degree.  You must continue to work hard, be diligent and attend class regularly in order to test for each new rank and belt. 

The green belts means the plant, which grows from the earth (yellow belt), and blue belt pictures the plant growing toward heaven.  The intermediate belt is an important time for growth in your Taekwondo.  You should take this time very seriously.  Everything you will learn, will apply to your sparring set, patterns and self-defense.   Keep the desire to learn.  BE TEACHABLE at tall times.  Learn from other students.  Look forward to every class time.

THE BLACK BELT - The first goal that most students of Taekwondo set is achieving the level of First Degree Black Belt.  This rank symbolizes proficiency in the basics of Taekwondo, success in achieving one’s goal, and the privileges, which naturally accompany your new rank.  Upon reaching the rank of First Degree Black Belt Recommended, you should continue to train and to prepare for your next test, which should take place within 6 to 12 months. First Degree Black Belt Recommended is a provisional black belt rank. 

In order to achieve First Degree Black Belt, you must refine and improve your technique.  After earning your First Degree Black Belt, you will receive you Black Belt Certificate, you may wear the black belt with a gold bar and you may add the black stripe on your uniform.  Upon earning your First Degree Black Belt many new challenges and responsibilities await you.  Other students will respect your hard work and integrity, and address you formally as Mr., Mrs., or Miss.  You should continue to lead by example.  You now have a greater accountability to your instructors and peers.

You may now sit at the judges’ table at a testing.  This new privilege carries with it the responsibility of careful evaluation of technique, power, and application of movement.  First Degree black belt is the first step on the path toward developing a high level of proficiency, expertise, and maturity, demanded by the art of Taekwondo.  First, second and third degree black belts are considered beginner or novice black belts. Fourth, fifth and sixth degree black belts are expert black belts and instructors.  Seventh, eighth and ninths degrees are the master levels of expertise and instruction. Once you achieve first degree decided, you may begin training for the rank of Assistant Instructor. 

SUMMER TIME by Mrs. Barbara McCain

It’s Summer time!  That means a lot of special days are ahead for all the Taekwondo kids who are out of school.  Swimming!  Picnics!  Vacations!  More time with your family! Sleep over with your friends!  These are all good things.  Some kids also think it is good that they are out of school. “No more tests.”   But I have a surprise for you: You are NEVER out of school! Don’t groan.  God gives us school all year ‘round.

God has created a world where we can learn about science, about His creation.  Next time the breeze is blowing, ask yourself, “Where did it come from, where is it going?  What happens when the wind blows?”   Hot days are ahead.  Find out what you can do to keep cool. What would happen if it weren’t hot in Modesto in July?  These are all good science questions.

 When you go to the store with Mom, ask her to help you learn how to figure out how much two pounds of potatoes are and how you weigh them on a scale.  You can learn everyday.  God planned it that way.

You can also learn more in Taekwondo in the summer time!  There is no homework waiting to be done, so you can really concentrate on your patterns and memorize your definitions.  Want some real learning fun?  Invite a friend from the neighborhood to a free introductory lesson and then when class is over, show them some of the things you have learned in Taekwondo.  By showing and telling others a skill you are learning, you actually remember it better.  Make sure your family attends any special events at Taekwondo.  Learning to be proud of your school is an important part of making Taekwondo exciting in your life.

All around you God gives you a class room in summer.  It is a bigger one than you might have in the school year and it is just as exciting.  There is a lot to learn about God every day.  Start keeping a “Spiritual Journal” where you write down what God teaches you every day.  Start memorizing a verse of the Bible until you really have it hidden in your heart.  Do it, not because it is a class assignment, but because you want to learn more about God and honor Him in your life!  Think of how much stronger your spiritual muscles will be at the end of summer!

Yes, it is summer time BUT school is not really out!  Join in the learning and see what great fun it can be!