I Got My Black Belt! Now What?

Firstly, congratulations if you are one of the 90+ students who were successful at the recent Dan Shim Sa in June. No doubt you’ve got your shiny new belt, which is embroidered with your name, and have started to wear your blue trimmed Do Bok. Well done on your fantastic achievement! Being a Dan member, with your unique Dan number, is something that can never be taken away, and it is a recognition of all the hours of hard work and dedication to your training. Now you’ve achieved your milestone, you might be feeling a little unsure about the next stage of your martial arts learning, and what to expect? Perhaps you may be thinking some of the thoughts below as you embark on the next stage of your journey?

“I feel like a beginner all over again”

One of the main obstacles of moving to the Dan classes is the mental hurdle of feeling like you’re starting from scratch. It’s not uncommon, as the junior member of the Dan classes, to feel that you’re starting as a white belt all over again. ‘Cho’ Dan (First Dan) literally means ‘beginner’ as it signifies the end of one cycle of learning and the beginning of a new one. It can seem daunting that there are so many new elements to the syllabus, and there suddenly seems to be much more to remember. It’s important to remind yourself, however, that you are still working on the core syllabus, and taking the ‘basics’ to the next level in terms of technique and application. The Dan classes are about refining and consolidating existing knowledge and skills, on the road to mastery. But there are huge opportunities here too. Although learning new skills can be a challenge, it is one of the exciting aspects of the Dan classes, that there is a much broader range of techniques taught, including weapons, new Hyungs and one steps. You’ll also have 6 months to learn any new Hyungs, which is a bonus!

“I’m worried about the Korean”

Yes, it’s true that commands are given in Korean first in the Dan classes, but the English (and often a demo) is also used as a follow up. And part of our martial arts is to gradually increase our knowledge of the Korean terminology, which will come over time, so don’t worry, and it will gradually start to sink on. Continuing the habit of reading the Dan Manuals also helps!

“I might forget everything if I’ve missed a few classes”

This can be a problem if a week or two of classes is missed (through an illness or a holiday). The longer classes are missed, the harder it is to come back, and the feeling of being out of your depth and left behind can start taking over. Don’t despair though! Regular attendance at classes is the ideal, but if there’s been a break for whatever reason, there’s nothing to stop you from catching up, and your instructor and senior members will do everything possible to get you back on track. In the Dan classes, it’s inspiring to look to your right, down the line, and learn from the senior black belts, as well as sometimes training alongside your Instructors and Masters in the same class.

“I had a goal to get a Black Belt and now it’s done, I’m worried I might lose my motivation”

Working towards a Black Belt is often a goal for many who practice martial arts. Now that it’s been achieved, it’s important to set a new goal, and to look towards higher Dan ranks, so that you don’t become stale or complacent. Sadly, some Black Belts don’t continue because they may have viewed obtaining their Black Belt as a final destination, rather than part of an onward journey. Keep looking forwards to the next graduation, the next Dan rank, and that will help to focus the mind and motivation.

“I might not be good enough to keep going. What if it gets too hard?”

In the same way that a Black Belt is a white belt who never gave up, progressing through the Dan classes means simply showing up and doing your best in class. It’s true to say that there is more emphasis of your own Yong Gi (Courage) and Chung Jik (Honesty) whilst you’re training. This means that in the Dan classes you should train with a higher level of integrity and autonomy. At a practical level this means being responsible for your own effort levels and attitudes in class, rather than expect your Instructor to keep pushing you or giving you reminders. Integrity in training, after all, is doing the right thing when no-one is looking. Being a Black Belt represents being a positive role model with calmness and dignity, so there is also a higher expectation to follow etiquette, respect and follow protocols compared to the Gup classes.

Final Thoughts?

Transitions and change can be hard to navigate, and moving to the Dan Classes can certainly feel daunting. You have already overcome challenges to get this far, however, and shown your resilience and dedication. Otherwise you wouldn’t be a Cho Dan! So keep on showing up to class with a positive mind set, as well as a willingness and openness to learn and to make mistakes. Expect to feel out of your depth at times, but this is part of the next stage of the journey, and by working closely with your fellow Dan members, training together and supporting each other, this will make the transition and the path ahead much smoother. Good luck!

Kyo Sa Nim Carol Plummer