The Flying Sidekick

I went to class again tonight because Donna and I skipped Monday and Tuesday (we went to high belt family class tonight).

We started off with double front snap kick and double punch. Then we moved on to practicing skipping roundhouse kicks facing the mirriors. After that, we did a sparring drill where we had to attack with a skipping roundhouse kick and then our partner would block and punch. Then we switched jobs. We moved on to doing another sparring drill. We had to do a skipping roundhouse kick and our partner would slide back and roundhouse kick to our face. Again, we switched jobs. When we were done with that, we turned to face the mirriors as we were instructed. We were going to do jumping back kicks. Let me tell you, any time the words 'jumping' and 'kick' are in the same sentence, Donna and I just look at each other and moan. So, anyway, we tried our hardest and when we had practiced 'enough' (and I use the term loosely) we got big shield targets and started using jumping back kicks on those. We were okay. We started off terrible, but we got slowly better. As soon as we kind of figured out what we were doing, Master Kim called out, "Free sparring, no contact." I don't exactly love those words either. So Donna and I attempted to sparr. We did a few good kicks and I even blocked and punched as I never do. I punch a lot though. Later, Master Kim said the dreaded words..."Happy Thursday!"...to which we all reply, begrudgingly, "Happy Saturday, Sir!". As you've probably realized, 'Happy... (whatever day it is)" is not a good thing. That means we have to do sit-ups and push ups. So we did. Following that, we had our one minute break and came back for curriculum. Again, it was one step sparring and self defense. So Mr. Poccobello was working with us, some kids, and another lady. We went through it step-by-step and then Mr. Poccobello sent Donna and I to work on our own. We actually weren't doing too bad. And I did really well at the flying sidekick! I got so excited when I kind of, sort of did it right. I felt much better than I did after last night's class. I'm happy now! YAY!

The Stupid Blue Belt

I went to adult class tonight and it was a pretty easy class. It started off with warm-up and the usual. Then we practiced our spinning kicks. We weren't doing too bad, actually. After that, we did a sparring drill- the 'attacker' does a roundhouse kick and you slide back and do a roundhouose kick to their face. We did another one but instead of kicking, we blocked and punched then kicked. Surprisingly, we had our one minute break right after that. When we came back, Master Kim came over to Donna and I and he told us to do one step sparring. I hate one step sparring. I HATE HATE HATE it. I don't jump high enough for any of my kicks. I'm short and I like to stay low to the ground. I've been there my whole life and I don't care if I get much taller (maybe to 5'4"...PLEASE?). So anyway, after that, we lined up and left. I can't wait to get my next belt.

I don't even want to highlight this class. I'm going to eat ice cream.

The Good Spinning Kick (Yes...I said GOOD!)

So yesterday I went to class again. It was a family class (High and Low Belt). Master Kim wasn't there, so Mr. Furjanic taught.


We started off with the usual. If you don't know what I mean by that you need to go back and read all my posts again. Then we did two front snap kicks and double punch. Next we layed on the floor again and did the stupid leg lifts with our hip turned and our foot tucked up. We did probably about twenty on each side. We stood up and did some roundhouse kicks to the face. We did that twice on each side. Then we did a few sidekicks and had a one minute break. Overall, it was a pretty easy class. Next we practiced our form. Donna and I barely knew it, but we went through step by step and then section by section with Mr. Poccobello and we eventually sort of got it. Then Mr. Poccobello made the little girl we were working with do it by herself in front of us. After she had finished, he said, "Donna and Caitlyn, you can do it together." Donna moaned and he said, "Fine. Donna, by yourself then." Donna decided to do it together (good choice, Donna). So we stood up and sort of did it. Then we went through it one more time. We lined up and bowed and such. Then, Donna and I stayed after to practice spinning kicks. We started ot with a arget but after my first kick, we agreed we weren't ready for targets. Eventually, Mr. Furjanic came over and helped us. I love working with Mr. Furjanic one-on-one. He's a really good teacher. We were doing better when Miss Stottle came over. She helped us some more and by the time we were done she said we were doing pretty good.


Class Highlights:

Funniest Moment: While we were doing front snap kicks, Donna accidently kicked me. She immediatly blamed it on me. Luckily, it didn't hurt me. It hurt her though. I laughed like crazy.

Most Challenging Moment: Doing our form on our own! AHHHHH!

The Spinning Kick

Last night I went to adult class for my first time as a blue belt. It was already really hot when we were getting lined up. Luckily, there were at least four white belts so I knew it was going to be an easy class.

We started off with the usual front-snap-kick-double-punch-and-switch-feet drill and then moved on to roundhouse kicks on the floor. Then we got up and worked on speed for our roundhouse kicks. Master Kim then told the instructors who were there to take the white belts and do target kicking. Meanwhile, we practiced speed for our back kicks. Then we practiced the dreaded spinning kicks...duh duh duuuun! Me and Donna just couldn't get them. Donna wasn't too bad but I was horrible. I kept getting stuck... a.k.a. not spinning. Donna actually came over and helped me by holding my arms and basically forcing me to spin. I got a little better but then we switched feet and I failed that side too. Master Kim was actually laughing at me. Oh well...I guess I just need practice!

After the spinning kicks, we had a one minute break and when we came back, Donna and I worked on our one step sparring and form. Mr. Peters came over and helped us with our form. We did okay, but by the time I was done, I was really confused.

Class Highlights:
Funniest Moment: I slipped while doing a spinning kick and almost fell (Pretty boring funny moment, huh?)

Most Challenging: Spinning Kicks

Favorite Part: Form

Chloe Bruce

The First Family High Belt Class

Well, that was hard! I almost died. Actually, I'm pretty sure I am dead and I went to blogger Heaven.

Donna and I decided to meet early so I could teach her what I learned Thursday and Saturday without her. So, first we did the stances of our new form. It is very confusing and by the end of that Donna was very confused. So next we did the one-step sparring that I learned Saturday. I hate hate hate the third one and I want to skip it. You see, our new one-step sparring includes some flying kicks. No, your eyes aren't playing a trick on you. I did just write 'flying'. Basically for Jumping Front Snap Kick you lift your knee straight up, jump off the ground, and do a front snap kick in the air. It's pretty much the same for Jumping Roundhouse Kick except instead of kick straight, you turn your hip while in the air and kick to the side. Then there's Flying Sidekick. This is the one I hate. In our one-step sparring we have to do a Flying Sidekick. You jump up, tuck your back foot up to your kicking leg, and kick out with a sidekick. I hate it. But I guess practice makes perfect...or close to perfect. Well after that, class started so we headed out onto the mat.

We started off with the traditional warm-up and then went on to the usual front snap kick with double punches-both legs. Then we moved on to 10 continuous roundhouse kicks- nine to the body and the tenth to the face- without putting our foot down. Donna and her son, Mikey, did the demonstration and they both did fantastic. So we did those with both legs and then Master Kim told us to 'copy him'. This is never a good sign. He layed down on the floor with his legs out straight. So we all got down into the same position. Then he told us to tuck our foot and lift our leg as high as we could. We all did it and he got up and began to walk around and tell people to turn their hip. Let me tell you, it was painful. He told us to keep going. We did that for probably at least whole minute (which probably doesnt seem like a lot but it only takes about a second for you to lift and lower your leg). Then we switched sides. I could barely move my hips after those, so when Master Kim said 'waist rotations', I almost died. So after that we faced the mirrors and he said we were going to practice our backicks and spinning kicks. I have never in my life done a spinning kick, so I quickly attracted the attention Miss Hall. I told her I had never done a Spinning kick so she helped me out for a bit. By the time she walked away I was still confused (not that she hadn't done a good job teaching me...just because my brain doesn't work well after we do a few kicks). So then we did 30 sit-ups and 30 push-ups. As soon as I finished, Master Kim shouted '20 more each'. This time me and Donna sort of counted by twos. I did do the push-ups though. Ow. We stood up and practiced some regular sidekicks. Finally, we got our one minute break. I got some water and came back to work on form with Mr. Villafranca. We did the entire form step-by-step. I can barely remember it but that's okay. I guess I'll get to do it again some other time.

So that was my class. Over all it was tough and long, but we accomplished a lot.

Class Highlights:

Funniest Moment: When we were practicing sidekicks, Miss Hall told me to use the 'teeter-totter effect'. I said I had no idea what she was talking about. Then she said, 'You know, when your body goes down your head goes up.' I said 'Yeah...and then I 'totter' over.' We both laughed like crazy.

Most Challenging Thing: Tie between Spinning Kick and learning the new form.

Favourite Part: Learning my new form!

The Blog

So you're probably wondering why I decided to start a blog.

Well, the answer is quite simple. I want to be able to tell people about what I do and I want to remember what I do.

I decided to start this blog so that I could record what I do and so that every detail of my classes is out in cyberspace. Plus, I get bored.

The Test and The Curriculum

The last Wednesday of every month is testing. You only test if you have received all four of your tips (three for Green Stripe and lower). A tip is a piece of tape that is put on the end of your belt after you show Master Kim. You get a tip for each of the parts of the curriculum.

The Curriculum for Green Belt and above includes:
One-Step Sparring- Your partner 'attacks' you with a down block and punch. Then you use a series of blocks, kicks, stances, and punches to defend yourself. (1st Yellow Tip)

Self Defense- Your partner uses a grab (example: wrist grab) and you have to get away and use puches, kicks and strikes to defend yourself. (2nd Yellow Tip) (Green Stripe and lower do not have this)

Form- You use a series of kicks, stances, punches, blocks, and other techniques in an organized pattern. (White Tip)

Korean Terminology (up to Blue Stripe)- You must learn the assigned terms in Korean. (Black Tip)

Also during testing you are required to break a board using a certain kick and do a few minutes of free sparring.

The Girls, The Accident, The Partner

When I became a Green Stripe with my mom, we met Donna and Kathy who were also Green Stripes. Donna and Kathy were partners and me and my mom were partners. We became friends and soon were testing for our Green Belts together. Unfortunately, our group did not get to stay together.

Around February, my mom had to quit Tae Kwon Do because she tore her ACL, which is a ligament in your knee. Eventually she ended up having surgery and she could no longer take class. So then there was Donna, Kathy, and I. Unfortunately, Kathy got a blood clot in her leg and also had to quit.

Donna and I have been partners ever since and we rarely go to class without each other. Donna is very sweet and she is very flexible. We are both Blue Belts.

The Schedule

The classes are run in the same format for every class. There are three types of classes. One I call the 'usual' classes because it is the class that I usually have. The next one I call the 'running' classes because it is an endurance class that is usually taught when the classes are very full. The final type of class is very similar to the 'usual' classes except that it includes target kicking.

Usual Classes- We start with warm-up and then pair up with partners. We then continue to do some kicks and different combinations. Next, we sometimes do sit-ups and crunches. Then we have a one minute break for water. Then we come back and learn and practice our curriculum. Finally, we have a closing 'ceremony' where we do punches and bow to the teacher, flags, and each other.

Running Classes- We start with warm-up and then walk to the back of the room in our lines or form a big line at the front of the room. We do different things all the way across the room and line up on the other side. It's fun and challenging.

Target Kicking Classes- The same as usual classes, starting with warm-up, kicks, the whole shabang. Then, before our one minute break, the instructors put us in lines and we kick targets, which is one of my favourite things to do.

The Instructors

The instructors at my school are all very nice and they are very good at their jobs.

Let's start at the top. The Grand Master of my school is Grand Master Chong. He appears at testing and other special events. Then, one step lower is Master Kim. He teaches most of the classes, goes to testing, and he used to be a sparring champion. Without Master Kim at the school, I'm not sure I would continue. He really makes the classes challenging and very enjoyable.

One step below the Master of the school is Mr. Peters, the director of the school. He handles all the financial business and usually runs the two free private trial lessons. He also teaches in classes and occasionally runs them. He also is part of the major events. He is a great teacher and very understanding.

Another step down is the "teenage" teachers. There are quite a few. The ones I work with most often are Miss Hall, Mr. Poccobello, Mr. Villafranca, Mr. Furjanic, Miss Stottle, and Mr. Chapman. These instructors walk around the classes and help people out with different techniques, lead warm-up, and they help out at the end of class with curriculum. They also sometimes teach classes.

The instructors really make the school and keep the energy flowing!

The Classes

There are many classes available for students. These include:

Family Classes (6+):
Low Belt Family Class (White Belt-Blue Stripe)

High Belt Family Class (Blue Belt-Black Belt)

Adult Classes (13+):
All Adult Class (White Belt-Black Belt)
Adult Sparring (Yellow Belt-Black Belt)
Adult Double Black Stripe Class
Adult Black Belt Class

Kid's Classes (6-12 years old):
Kid's White Belt Class
Kid's Yellow Belt Class (Yellow Belt and Green Stripe)
Kid's Green Belt Class (Green Belt and Blue Stripe)
Kid's Blue Belt Class (Blue Belt and Red Stripe)
Kid's Red Belt Class (Red Belt and Black Stripe)
Kid's Double Black Stripe Class
Kid's Black Belt Class
Kid's Sparring (Yellow Belt-Black Belt)

Little Tigers Classes (4-5 years old):
(The Little Tigers follow a different belt system)
Little Tigers Low Belt Class (White Belt-Yellow Stripe)
Little Tigers High Belt Class (Green Stripe-Red Stripe)

I am currently allowed to go to All Adult Class, Adult Sparring, and Family High Belt Class (First time tonight!).

The Belts

There are 11 belts including the Black Belt. I am curently a Blue Belt.

Here's the belt system:

1. The White Belt (You receive this when you sign up)
2. The Yellow Belt
3. The Green Stripe (A Yellow Belt with a green stripe through it)
4. The Green Belt
5. The Blue Stripe (A Green Belt with a blue stripe through it)
6. The Blue Belt
7. The Red Stripe (A Blue Belt with a red strip through it)
8. The Red Belt
9. The Black Stripe (A Red Belt with a black stripe through it)
10. The Double Black Stripe (A Red Belt with two black stripes through it)
11. The Black Belt

After the Black Belt, there are 10 degrees or dans. In order to get your 10th degree Black Belt, you have to be dead...That's not really a goal for me...

As I mentioned before I am a Blue Belt and therefore I am halfway through to my Black Belt.

The Beginning

There's a lot of people out there who are black belts or take some kind of Martial Art. You'd be surprised. I am very proud to say I am one of them. I do not take Karate or Kung Fu. I take Tae Kwon Do.

When I was little, my mom was always trying to get me and my brother to take a Martial Art. We always said we didn't want to and we stuck to it. But then we went down to visit my cousins, aunt, and grandma in the Florida Keys. Both of my cousins were black belts in Tae Kwon Do and went very frequently to classes. One of the evenings they decided to go to class and invited my brother and I to join in. My brother is really more the creative kind so he sat and worked on a sketch he was doing while I joined the class. It was really fun, but I never really thought of joining.

So last summer, my mom decided that my brother and I each had to pick an activity. I thought for a few days and then I found somewhere in my brain the memory of the class with my cousins. I immediately looked into the schools nearby us and I found Master Kechen's and Master Chong's World Class Tae Kwon Do. My mom called both places and we decided to try out Master Chong's. (My brother never picked an activity)

Master Chong's offered a trial program where you would get two private lessons to get you started and two weeks free. My mom and I went to our first lesson together and we received our uniforms and belts. We learned all about the belt system and even got to learn some kicks and stretches. Soon we were ready to start class with everyone else.