As I celebrate 35 years of learning Taekwondo, I am reminded of the many challenges and setbacks that I have faced along the way. But through it all, one virtue has consistently been tested and proven essential for my growth and progress: perseverance.
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Learning Taekwondo – The Beginning
When I first began learning Taekwondo as a 17 year old boy, I was filled with some excitement and enthusiasm. I couldn’t wait to learn new techniques and drills; Learning Taekwondo at home and school; I would take my uniform to school (secondary/high school) and practice their too.
But as I progressed through the ranks and my training became more demanding, I began to encounter obstacles and setbacks that tested my resolve.
There were times when I wanted to give up, or when I felt discouraged because I wasn’t making progress as quickly as I would have liked. But I knew that in order to truly succeed in Taekwondo, I would need to persevere and keep pushing myself, even when things got tough.
Through my journey in learning Taekwondo, I have learned that the beginner’s mindset is crucial for growth and progress. By approaching each training session with an open and receptive mind, free from ego and preconceived notions, I have been able to fully absorb new information and experiences, and continue growing and improving as a martial artist.
35 years later, I am still learning and growing, and I am grateful for the many lessons that Taekwondo has taught me, including the importance of Perseverance.
The Ideal Student Of Taekwondo
- Never tire of learning Taekwondo. A good student can learn anywhere, any time. This is the secret of knowledge.
- A good student must be willing to sacrifice for his art and instructor. Many students feel that their training is a commodity bought with monthly dues, and are unwilling to take part in demonstrations, teaching and working around the dojang. An instructor can afford to lose this type of student.
- Always set a good example for lower ranking students. It is only natural they will attempt to emulate senior students.
- Always be loyal and never criticise the instructor, Taekwondo or the teaching methods.
- If an instructor teaches a technique, practice it and attempt to utilise it.
- Remember that a student´s conduct outside the dojang reflects on the art and instructor.
- If a student adopts a technique from another dojang and the instructor disapproves of it, the student must discard it immediately or train at the gym where the technique was learned.
- Never be disrespectful to the instructor. Though a student is allowed to disagree with the instructor, the student must first follow the instruction and then discuss the matter later.
- A student must always be eager to learn and ask questions.
- Never betray the instructor.
Why I Needed to Go Back to Being a Taekwondo Student
As a lifelong Taekwondo practitioner, I have always been proud of my black belt. It symbolises years of hard work, dedication, and progress in the martial art that I love. However, despite all of my accomplishments, I have recently been feeling a strong desire to go back to the beginning and be a student again.
You see, as a beginner in Taekwondo, everything is new and exciting. Every technique, every sparring match, and every tournament is an opportunity to learn and grow. The excitement of progress and improvement is palpable, and it’s a feeling that I have missed in recent years.
So, I decided to take a step back and try to rediscover that feeling of being a student again. I signed up with a not-so-local Hapkido school and attended classes as a white belt once more.
Learning Something New : Hapkido
For those who are not familiar, Hapkido is a Korean martial art that combines elements of Taekwondo, judo, and aikido. It emphasizes the use of joint locks, throws, and pressure points to neutralise an attacker.
I must admit, I was a bit nervous when I first started learning Hapkido. For the previous 30 years, I had always been a Taekwondo practitioner, and the techniques and principles of Hapkido were new to me. However, I was determined to embrace the beginner’s mindset and take on the challenge.
As it turns out, learning Hapkido has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Not only have I been able to learn new techniques and concepts, but I have also gained a new appreciation for the art of Taekwondo!
One of the things that I love about Hapkido is its focus on practical self-defence. Many of the techniques are designed to be used in real-world situations, and I have found that they complement my Taekwondo training very well.
I have been learning Hapkido for a few years now and made significant progress. My instructor is an experienced Hapkido practitioner, and he has been very patient and helpful in teaching me the basics.
The New Challenges Of Hapkido
One of the things that I have found most challenging about learning Hapkido is getting used to the new techniques and principles. As someone who is used to the focus on strikes and kicks in Taekwondo, learning breakfalls and how to apply joint locks and throwing is still a bit of a challenge. However, with practice, I have been able to improve my skills and become more confident in my ability to defend myself.
In addition to the physical aspects of Hapkido, I have also been learning about the philosophy and history of the martial art. Hapkido has a rich tradition, and I have enjoyed learning about its origins and the principles that guide its practice.
My Experience Of Hapkido
Overall, my experience learning Hapkido has been very positive. I have enjoyed the opportunity to learn something new and challenge myself, and I am excited to continue my journey as a Hapkido student. But like my journey in Taekwondo, it isn’t finished.
If you are interested in expanding your training and would like to learn Hapkido, I will be starting a class locally in the near future. So you’ll need to check out the Premier Dojang Academy’s website.
The Benefits of Embracing the Beginner’s Mindset
It’s been a while since I’ve been the student in class and I must admit, it has been humbling to be surrounded by students who are just starting their Taekwondo journey. But at the same time, it has been exhilarating to experience the thrill of learning and improvement once again.
By letting go of my ego and being open to learning from others, I have been able to make significant progress in my own training. I have discovered new techniques and concepts that I had never encountered before and have gained a renewed appreciation for the art of Taekwondo.
Bruce Lee was a philosopher, martial artist, and actor who was known for his innovative approach to martial arts. In this quote, he is suggesting that in order to learn and grow, one must approach things with a beginner’s mind, or an “empty cup.” This means approaching each situation with an open and receptive mind, free from preconceived notions or biases. By emptying one’s cup, or setting aside one’s ego and preconceived ideas, one is able to fully absorb new information and experiences, and ultimately gain a deeper understanding of the world.
Embracing the beginner’s mindset has also allowed me to approach my Taekwondo journey with a fresh perspective. Instead of feeling like I already know everything, I am open to new ideas and ways of doing things. This has made my training more enjoyable and has helped me stay motivated and engaged.
My Journey as a Taekwondo Student: From White Belt to Black Belt and Back Again
As I continue on my Taekwondo journey as a student, I am reminded of my own journey from white belt to black belt. It was a long and challenging journey, but one that was filled with growth and learning.
Looking back, I realise that I learned the most during the early stages of my Taekwondo journey. As a white belt, I was eager to learn and absorb as much as I could. I was constantly asking questions, seeking out new techniques and training methods, and pushing myself to improve.
The Enso is a circle drawn in one continuous stroke, often used in Zen Buddhism to represent the absolute, the void, and the infinite. It is a symbol of enlightenment, strength, and the beauty of imperfection.
The Yin Yang is a symbol that represents the duality and interconnectedness of all things. It is often depicted as a circle with a black half and a white half, with a small dot of the opposite color in each half. The black and white halves represent the opposing forces or qualities of yin and yang.
Both the Enso and the Yin Yang are symbols of unity, balance, and the interconnectedness of all things. They both suggest that everything is interconnected and that opposing forces are not necessarily in conflict, but rather are part of a larger whole.
The white belt represents a blank slate or a beginner’s mind, free from preconceived notions and ego. As the student progresses through the ranks and earns higher colored belts, they gain knowledge, skill, and experience. The black belt represents the pinnacle of achievement, representing a level of mastery within the art and a deep understanding of the principles and philosophies of the martial art.
However, this is not the end of the journey and if you are one of the few that make it, to the rank of black belt, you may continue training and learning, eventually returning to a state of beginner’s mind, represented by the white belt. This may involve returning to the basics, letting go of ego, and continuing to learn and grow in the martial art. In this way, the white belt turning into a black belt and then back to white may symbolise the cyclical nature of learning and growth, and the importance of always approaching each training session with an open and receptive mind.
As I progressed through the ranks and eventually earned my black belt, I continued to learn and grow. However, I also found myself becoming more and more comfortable in my role as an advanced practitioner. I stopped seeking out new information and techniques as actively, and my training became more routine.
This is not to say that I stopped learning Taekwondo altogether, but rather that I became less of a student and more of an instructor. I enjoyed teaching others and sharing my knowledge, but I missed the excitement and growth that came with being a student and learning Taekwondo.
That is why I have decided to go back to the beginning and embrace the beginner’s mindset once again. By returning to the role of a student, I have been able to rediscover the joy of learning and improvement.
The Importance of Continual Learning in Taekwondo
My decision to go back to being a student has reminded me of the importance of continual learning in this martial art. Taekwondo is a lifelong journey, and there is always more to learn and discover.
By being open to new ideas and ways of doing things, we can continue to grow and improve in Taekwondo. Whether you are a white belt or a black belt, there is always something new to learn and ways to take your training to the next level.
Rediscovering the Joy of Improvement: My Taekwondo Journey as a Student
As I continue on my Taekwondo journey as a student, I have rediscovered the joy of improvement. It’s a feeling that I had not experienced in a long time, and one that I have come to cherish.
Every class is an opportunity to learn something new and to push myself to be better. Whether it’s learning a new technique or improving my endurance and strength, I am constantly striving to grow and improve.
I have found that being open to learning Taekwondo from others, I have been able to make significant progress in my own training. I have discovered new techniques and concepts that I had never encountered before and have gained a renewed appreciation for the art of Taekwondo.
I encourage anyone who has been practicing Taekwondo for a while to consider going back to the beginning and embracing the student mentality once again. You might be surprised at how much you can still learn and grow.
From Instructor to Student: The Value of Going Back to Basics in Taekwondo
As a Taekwondo instructor, I often find myself in the role of the teacher, passing on my knowledge and skills to the next generation of practitioners. While I love this role and find great fulfillment in helping others succeed, I can’t help but feel that I have lost something along the way.
By going back to being a student again, I have been able to rediscover the joy of learning and improvement and have taken my Taekwondo journey to new heights. It has also given me a newfound appreciation for the journey of my students and has helped me become a better instructor.
Going back to basics has reminded me of the value of continual learning and growth in Taekwondo. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, there is always something new to learn and ways to improve.
The Student Mentality
Don’t be afraid to go back to the beginning and embrace the student mentality. Whether you are a Taekwondo instructor or just someone who has been practicing for a while, it is never too late to learn and grow.
In my experience, going back to being a student has helped me rediscover my love for Taekwondo and has given me a renewed sense of purpose and motivation. It has also helped me become a better instructor, as I have gained a deeper understanding of the journey of my students.
So, if you have been feeling stuck or unfulfilled in your Taekwondo training, consider going back to the beginning and embracing the student mentality. You never know what you might discover and where it will take you.
Embrace The Beginner Mindset
I hope that this blog post has provided some insights and inspiration for those who are considering going back to being a Taekwondo student. Whether you have been practicing for a few months or several decades, there is always more to learn and grow in this amazing martial art.
By being open to learning from others, you can take your Taekwondo journey to new heights and rediscover the joy of improvement. It’s a journey that is never-ending and one that will bring you endless rewards.
So, if you are feeling stuck or unfulfilled in your Taekwondo training, don’t be afraid to go back to the beginning and embrace the student mentality. You never know what you might discover and where it will take you. Good luck on your Taekwondo journey!
