Advancement


By Sifu-Maestro Steve Eckberg (1999)

Hundreds of Kenpo students have trained and learned at Cepeda-Abueg over the years. For 25 years, in fact, inspiring martial artists from 6 to 60-years-old (and several younger or older) have walked in and out of the doors of our school. But those individuals that are with the school for more than a year or two, they find that we are more than a martial arts school, we are a family. Many of us have made friendships here, or will make friendships here that will last a lifetime. And sometimes, sadly, those lifetimes will be too short. One of the most important responsibilities of the Black Belts, as instructors at this school, and as senior members of this family, is that we help you to progress in your knowledge and expertise. More importantly, it is our responsibility to always be honest with you. Please take a moment the next time that you are in the school to reflect on a few things. First, look around you. Look at the pictures of those individuals that have earned their black belts at this school. Hundreds and hundreds of students and these twenty or so people have earned black belts. When you join this school, you will learn to punch and kick. You will learn discipline and control. You will learn respect, and you will gain confidence. In some measure, no matter how short, or long that you are with us, you will benefit in these areas. In some ways karate school is like an academic school. But, in other ways they couldn't be possibly more different. This is where students sometimes lose their way and become confused or disheartened. In high school, for example, if you do your work assignments, if you study hard, if you learn the things that each grade is required, you will move to the next level. You will graduate from 9th to 10th to 11th, and through 12th grade. Just like clockwork. Nothing could be further from the truth in martial arts. From about white belt to blue belt you learn the mechanics. You are building your technical foundation. You can reach this level in our system by listening to our instructors and attending the group classes and private lessons. Many people start studying karate to develop a basic ability to defend themselves and, at the same time, adopt a less monotonous exercise routine than a gym or aerobics class offers. A blue belt is an appropriate level of achievement for this kind of goal. For those that wish to achieve a higher level of proficiency than blue belt, the "rules" begin to change. Your instructors will not be satisfied that you know the forms and techniques. The basic technical foundation that you developed to become a blue belt may not be strong enough. I've known lots of quality upper belts that had to go back and more fully develop their technical foundation, but in the end, I've never met a quality black belt that wasn't at one time a quality blue belt. From here on out, the martial arts must start to become a part of you. We, as instructors, can find this concept difficult to explain. We use words like focus, intensity, and commitment. The next levels of proficiency cannot be achieved in two group classes and one private lesson each week. This point is worth repeating when we say that these levels of proficiency cannot be achieved by this level of commitment. We mean not in one year; not in five years; not ever. When I've tried to explain to explain this to students, or their parents, I typically see one of three things happening. Sometimes there is a temptation to compare themselves, or their child, to another student. This is the "so in so got their green belt" syndrome. I said earlier that I never met a quality black belt that wasn't a quality blue belt. Well, even rarer, I've never met a quality black belt that measured their own success by what others have achieved. Martial arts is the ultimate individual pursuit. For you to progress you must forget about everyone else and where they are in the "pecking order." This is your first lesson in "focus." Focus on your own proficiency. Another reaction I sometimes get is the "how do I know if I'm progressing" syndrome. This reaction might come from a student who knows all the required techniques and forms but is not being tested. The only advice I can give in this situation is to trust your instructor, and to study and reflect on the intensity of your own training. This is your first lesson in "intensity." Bring a new level of intensity to every practice session. The third reaction is the most difficult. It is the "what do you mean three days a week is not enough? I already feel like I'm spending half of my free time doing this" syndrome. Most of us have very busy lives between work, school, homework, responsibilities at home, sports, and other extra curricular activities. Parents, especially are in a difficult situation between their desire to support their child, and their desire to see some sort of balance in their lives. The reason that this particular response is so difficult to address is that we truly do understand what we are asking for. The hard truth is that, at the brown and black belt level, there is not much room for balance in one's life. You can go to school and you can practice karate. You can work and you can practice karate. But at the level of proficiency that is required of a brown or black belt there is not much room for anything else. Martial arts has become a part of your heart and soul. For some, this is the most difficult lesson of all, commitment. After you have read this, go back again and reflect on those 20 or so black belts on our school wall. You may now better understand why there are so few of them. Everyone that walks into our door has the ability and the opportunity to take martial arts as far as they are willing. For most, the sacrifices will become too great, or the goal will lose its luster in favor of other pursuits. It is important to remember that there is no failure in deciding to turn from the path during the course of your training. We will all be better people for you having joined our family.

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