12.05.2006

Whats next?

Its kind of funny to me that after I achieved Shodan many people (including other karate students) ask me "whats next?" Like thats the end of the road or something. I guess it is for some people. I do know of students who after they got their black belts considered their goal accomplished and quit karate. It makes you wonder why they even began taking it to begin with. It seems like an awful lot of wasted time to go through all that just to quit.

14 comments:

Mathieu said...

Shodan is often associated with complete knowledge of one art.

What a joke, in fact...

How often do we hear about black belt this, and black belt that? What is nidan? and San-dan? What's that red and white belt? Red and black?

They don't know yet.

It does seem like a bad thing to quit. The kyu system does have its downsides...

Potatoe Fist said...

I was there when my Sensei got his Blackbelt. It was so anti-climactic that it has put my thought of belts low on the priority list. He had the flu and ended up going home alone early with absolutely no celebration. The whole night they kept saying, "now you're ready to begin." If I get that far I'm going to through myself a party - assuming I don't have the flu that night...

Becky G said...

Funny, when I made shodan, it was my sensei who quit on me. I don't participate in class any more, unless I can sneak into a back row. I don't receive instruction any more--unless I manage to corner sensei after he's taught all his classes. Sensei always says that when you make shodan you are ready to begin learning, I didn't know he meant I was on my own after that...

frotoe said...

thats too bad Becky. It shouldn't be like that.

Becky G said...

I agree with you. It shouldn't be like that. I read other karate blogs and e-groups and envy those black belts who still have classes to go to. I try to keep working out on my own, but it's hard.

Jen said...

I was one that quit after recieving my black belt, at the age of 17 (6 months or something after..). I guess life got in the way at the time. I have always regretted quitting, and then was too afraid to go back. I have recently rejoined after 10 years.. and will be testing for my Nidan in September 2007. (if you want here is my blog link... check it out! http://blackbeltpassion.blogspot.com/ )

frotoe said...

Jen-thanks for posting- I will visit your blog often!! Good for you going back after so long-so cool!!

Mir said...

Yes.. there are many who think that the black belt is the goal, and once achieved there is not much more to learn. AH... this is where they miss out on so much.. Black belt ( as you and I both agree) is just a stepping stone to allow you access to a better understanding of the basics that you have been practicing.

I'm sorry to hear that you have been left abandoned in the desert, Becky. This is when you need a Sensei the most in your path.. to guide you to find the answers within yourself. Are there other karate clubs in your area that you could visit, and enjoy? Martial arts can be pretty lonely when you only have yourself as a partner.

Mathieu said...

"Martial arts can be pretty lonely when you only have yourself as a partner."

amen to that.

I'd suggest going to another club too!

Becky G said...

I wish I could, but there are no other martial arts clubs of any style in my area. The closest other club in my style is a 90 minute drive away. That's one of the disadvantages of living in a small town in the middle of nowhere.

Jen said...

I don't understand why you're Sensei has stopped teaching you.. Because I do believe that once you receive Shodan, you've just begun. (only took me 10 years to learn that.. haha..). If you can't find another club to join.. perhaps you should still go to class and join in. Even if you are going over stuff that you've had drilled into you. Perhaps talk to your Sensei, and tell him you feel let down. At our club, half way through, we break the class in two. Blue Belts and above on one side working on more senior material, and below Blue belt working on junior material. Now we are starting a Brown Belt/ Black Belt class only once a month. Maybe you can suggest that to your Sensei as well. Or go a step further, and find a different style of Karate, and better your style by learning a new one?
Sorry to hear you've been left in the cold so to speak..

Mathieu said...

Indeed, sorry to hear about that, but joining in would be an option maybe?

Anonymous said...

My instructors say that once you get to black belt than you can REALLY start learning karate. You definitely have the right attitude.

Jill said...

It is weird to heard that!!! I know that black belt is a big accomplishment, but you gonna learn something!!
In the main group I go, most of the time, there is more black belt, than all of us lower belt!!
An with the accomplishment of the black belt, in my style, you start to learn how to really use a weapon(or more).