First Belt, Check!

The first couple weeks got easier, and I noticed I could kick a lot higher than before.  Much of my first few months is a blur, but I caught on quickly, and around August it was time for me to test for my next belt!  

I should mention that my husband was the primary TKD parent during our oldest daughter's first try at this sport.  From time to time our youngest daughter and I would come to a class and watch, but it generally turned in to a social time for me.  Our gym is open four days a week, and we would be there all four days, but not on a very consistent schedule.  Once little sister turned 3, and since she still stayed home with me, it made more sense for me to take them to class.  As I mentioned before, one thing led to another, and I was out there too. 

When it's tip testing time, each eligible student must pass 7 "tests."  They include kicking (Bal Cha Ki), Hand Techniques (Son Dong Jak - Kwon Bub), Poomse (Korean Form), Breaking (Kyuk Pa), Self-Defense (Ho Sin Sul), Mental (Jung Shin Tong Il), and lastly, Sparring (Kyoroogi).  For every one mastered, we get a piece of black electrical tape wrapped around the tip of our belt, hence our term "tip test".  For a white belt promoting to yellow, the tests are quite simple.  Mental involves the proper way to enter off and on the mat (you bow, BTW), and making sure you answer your master with "yes sir" or "yes ma'am".  

Sparring scared the crap out of me.  Most of the kids in our dojang have been studying TKD since they were quite small, and although the same height as me (I'm only 5' 3"), they were far more advanced at kicking.  Once the kiddos turn 12, head shots are allowed.  That involves kicking your opponent in the head.  With your foot.  I could barely lift my leg out to belt height!  Lucky for me, Master told my opponent to go easy on me - and NO head shots.  Whew.  Despite being completely terrified, I managed to hold my own. The minute long round felt like an hour and I was completely worn out at the end of the class.  But, I was able to earn my sparring tip and promote to yellow!