Because I’m so thrilled that I made it through alive, I just couldn’t help but share with everyone my experience at my first belt test. I like to make things funny, so please forgive my brand of humor.

I had my first belt test Friday morning July 30th. Even though Sifu said I was solid, I was still shaking because I have somewhat of a phobia of tests. Others asked if they could come and watch. I said sure as I truly believed I couldn’t be any more afraid than I already was (this assumption turned out to be wrong).

There I was standing alone (which I didn’t know until later that most students test with others), with the audience off to my left (yes there were only 4... Are you trying to say I’m exaggerating?) and my Sifu in front of me sitting in a plush, black leather office chair complete with arm rests. I like to call it the Throne.

First I was asked to salute. If you've never seen the Chinese style salute you would not understand why this alone would need to be tested... it's very intricate. Nothing like the easy Japanese bow. Then I had to display each of the fighting stances which all require bent knee, and hold them for 30 seconds. My first blessing = Sifu's back was to the clock so he had to count the seconds himself (most people tend to do this faster than the clock. Did he? I have no idea, I was just focused on breathing to keep from falling over). Once these were done I was already out of breath, sweating, and my legs were shaking, and I had only just started. Did I actually pay to be here…?

Then I had to do the kicks and punches in the air and against a mat held by another student (the lovely Katherine). This was a bit of fun for me. To think that I could still hit a pad when my legs were not yet fully recovered and sweat was blurring my vision was a bit more than surprising to me. And yes you guessed it... by the time this was done I thought my arms n legs were going to fall off. Thankfully they didn’t. I will need them for the other 6 tests I will have to endure some time in the future!

Then we finally got to the forms. There were only two forms, however I had to perform each one three times. Once slow (tai chi style), second blind folded (am I the only one that didn’t realize how hard it is to keep your balance blind folded?), and third, hard and fast. I have to say I had fun with these. Forms really are my favorite.

As you can imagine, by this time I'm about to collapse all together, and I said a silent 'thank you God' when I saw a smile on Sifu's face.. (you mean I’ve actually accomplished something here?) but then he walked over to something that I had, to that point, actually forgotten about…

He pulled out the dreaded wooden boards.

I knew I had to break a board, but honestly I thought it would be near the beginning when I was fresh, or that I would at least get a “take 5” to catch my breath (then again I don’t think that would have been long enough). Oh yeah, I was panting like a dog and dripping with sweat by then.

Did I say dripping? Well ok it wasn’t that bad…but close!

Well, he knew how scared I was of the idea of breaking the board so he had me do a few deep breaths and said I just needed to relax.... and he was right (of course).

I BROKE IT first try.

I’m not sure if Sifu was aware of this or not, but I didn’t realize until after I broke it that I actually had to break TWO before I could pass… No worries though, I broke that one too.

So we had the lil ceremony of the retiring of the white belt and the donning of the yellow, and to tell you I had perm-a-grin would be an understatement.

I really gave it my all and I hope I made Sifu proud. For me, to make Sifu proud (one that I’m beginning to see as a Dad) would really be the highlight of the test... well, that and BREAKIN THAT BOARD MAN!!! OH YEAH!!

I don’t know if the tests that come after this one will feel this fantabulous or not, but in the mean time I’m just gonna kick it here on cloud nine, sip my tea and grin to myself…

Anyone want to join me?

 

Autumn :)