I passed!

[Cary]

I am now a first degree black belt in Shotokan karate.

Oss.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Congrats!

I know you did some serious work to get there.

What's next for you?

And what's Oss?

[Cary]

2. Thank you.

I will do karate until I drop. It is the most mindful activity I have ever done. It's good for balance, cardio, flexibility, and it is good for the brain. Getting a black belt means I am now a beginner, I have the tools to begin to really learn.

Oss is an all purpose karate term. I am not sure exactly what it means but it is something good.

Better than a stick in the eye, right?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Much better! I am sure you will make good use of the tools.

[sheshe2]

3. Dear Goddess!

When you said you 'passed' thought you had died, then realized you would not be posting if you had.

Seriously. Congrats!

[Cary]

4. Ha!

That would be more interesting though, passing then posting.

[sheshe2]

11. Sorry...lol

I am in a very weird mood tonight.

[Me.]

5. Excellent

and scary....

[Gothmog]

7. Congratulations

A lawyer with a black belt is a dangerous combination

[Cary]

9. Try to remember that

[badhair77]

8. Congrats!

Lots of work - what an accomplishment.

[Cary]

10. Thanks.

It does feel good.

[spicysista]

12. Congrats!

Hope this makes you smile...



If you see a little baby in a yellow onesie....do not accept the challenge! Again, Congrats to you on all your hard work and achievement!

[brer cat]

13. Congratulations!

[BadGimp]

14. Bad Ass!

Congrats and go on you for seeing it through.

[BootinUp]

15. Congrats!

[tclambert]

16. Congratulations! That takes hard work.

That means from now on, when others give up because something looks too hard, you'll think to yourself, "Sure this is hard. But not as hard as earning a black belt. I can do this." That should help you in your career and every other part of your life, too.

As for first degree meaning "beginner," on the day after I got my black belt (Isshinryu), I was in the dojo and noticed my punches didn't look as crisp and powerful as those of the more experienced black belts. I thought, "Darn it. I'm gonna have to start over working on all the basics." Twenty-two years have passed and I still learn things every class. Though now that I'm getting to Tai Chi age, I may forget as fast as I learn.

I'm really glad to hear you want to keep training and keep advancing. Tragically, a lot of students get to black belt and never set foot in the dojo again. The fact that you want to keep going is a credit to you, and to your sensei. Compliments to you both.

[Cary]

17. We have a large club

Many Sensei.

Thanks. I stopped doing Shotokan when my daughters quit and was learning Tai Chi. Actually aside from the intermediate exercises (the forms) it is quite similar. It's all good.

And I do plan to do this until I drop.

[packman]

18. Remember - Wax on, wax off - and, the eyes, always the eyes

[akraven]

19. Wow. That is HARD to do! I made brown years back.

Health has forced me to basically give it up, but my incredible daughter made black and her two daughters (one young teen, one 11) made green this year.

Incredible discipline and a great mind-set works!

[Nay]

20. When Skittles is not available to give someone an ass-kicking, we will now be able to call on you.

[Cary]

21. Ha!

I am just a Shodan. That's a beginner and it means I now have the tools to learn.

I wouldn't presume to be anywhere near Skittles' level. Not yet.

[efhmc]

22. No idea what that means but it seems to have elated you so

CONGRATULATIONS!!

[Best_man23]

23. Congratulations!!

I studied Okinawan karate (Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu) for four years and got as far as 3rd kyu (brown belt). I really loved that dojo, they taught Japan and Okinawa history and culture alongside the physical training. All the Sensei commands were in Japanese, after nearly 10 years away from it, I still find myself at times counting in Japanese.

The reason I did not continue was my job moved me and there was no other dojo in the area that taught Matsubayashi or one of the sister styles.

[Cary]

25. I have studied many styles

Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi, Bagua, Hsing Yi, Wu Dang, Hung Gar, ...

There is only so many ways you can move. They can all be good. It is a matter of finding good teachers.

[hamsterjill]

24. Congratulations

The martial arts teach such amazing discipline. Good for you!

[ret5hd]

26. In other less impressive news:

[mahina]

27. Wow, good work!

[yuiyoshida]

28. Omedetou gozaimasu

When I was 10 years old my father enrolled me in Classes for Judo and Kendo. I wish I had continued past High school, who knows where I might have been these days. My Sensei for Judo was from South Korea and my Sensei for Kendo was from Japan... Both are retired now.. and i still have my original bamboo Shinai.

I really loved those classes and wish I had continued.

[Cary]

29. It's never too late

Go forth and conquer.

A friend of mine won the silver medal in the Olympics for judo.

[Demovictory9]

30. Congrats

[George II]

31. Remind me not to piss you off! Seriously, congratulations.

[SWBTATTReg]

32. Chop chop!! I couldn't resist. Congrats on a major accomplishment...this is a very exhausting...

thing to do. Besides being a mental accomplishment, this is a very physical accomplishment. Kudos!!!

[Cary]

33. Flexibilty, balance, cardio, good for brain plasticity, low impact...

It is what we should all be doing and it is also fun.

You know what's really fun? All of these girls in my club competing for the Olympics. I love seeing strong women and wish my daughters kept up with it. Alas, I know it isn't for everyone but dammit more people should take care.of themselves. I am seeing too many really heavy people. It is not good.