We have trained very hard since our Cho Dan Bo grading, since the last grading the syllabus has changed a little, now if you are 10 and under, you do not have to learn quite so much, the reasoning for this is that some of the children found it too hard to continue and would give up completely.  The idea is that you would get to your First Dan Grading, then between that and third Dan you should be able to complete all the other requirements to make it a full Dan Grade, the time spent getting there is between 3 to 4 years so by then the children have the maturity required for it.  No one gets anything for nothing and hard work is the only way to progress.

This new syllabus means that the youngest and I attempted our Grading March and were able to pass successfully, we are both very proud of our belts and new Uniform.

Our training stepped up but the youngest and I decided that we would take longer than the usual 3 months to get to the right standard, he is struggling with it as there is so much to learn, so the eldest went for his grading as normal.  He did really well and came out with a red face and a big smile as he is now a First Dan Dan Grade in Kong Soo Do.

The new uniform looks fantastic on him!

Classes continue and we keep on improving, there is far more to learn for Cho Dan Bo, Our arts black belt, than the others, 5 one step, you must be able to do all the 3 step, show off your skills with your Bong as well as the required forms.  As if that is not enough, you always have to prove you still know everything else you have learnt over the years.

This is being a bit of a trial for my youngest, but he has got his head round it, he always leaves a class with a smile on his face though.

A Hot hot day arrived in June 2006, we had done our March grading and passed our Red Belt, without too much trouble, except the Bum cha cha forms did cause my little one a problem, the moves are so precise and you are expected to do them just so, that even though he managed to get his black stripe for them, he is still struggling now with them. However, that did not stop him doing the grading in June for Red Stripe belt.

When I says it was hot, I mean it was so hot you could have fried eggs! We arrived early at the Do Jang, usually known as The Squash and Fitness Club. There were grades everywhere, getting belts, waiting to go into the grading or just standing about chatting. Its a good sight, I saw some of the little girls from a class I help my Instructor at who have now got their orange belts and very proud they were indeed.

We waited patiently, getting hotter and hotter. Then it was our turn, we entered the grading room and found Masters Pears and Fisher. Master Johnson had not come north today, seeing as Master Griffiths Johnson is nearly ready to have their latest baby. We lined up and then the grading started, the Dan grades come in too and used this as warm up for their grading. We did line work, we did our forms, I had to do Sip Soo twice as I made an error on the first time. I knew I had and was glad I was given the chance to prove I could do it. I think my bong form went awry on the last part, but I did it all. I tried really hard with my Nianchi forms and stances and hope that they were low enough, though now I will have to make sure I attain the stance drop at class or I will be in bother. We did our breaking, elbow strike and your favourite kick, I did step side kick, As neat as I could.

We all passed, hooray, I know that we had some double graders in the earlier group, which is very good. There are some kids in that group who are very good at it. I enjoyed it as usual once I got started, the only problem I had was the frozen self for the one step. I partnered with my eldest, so there he was hissing at his mother so that she did the correct thing. It was ok and we did what we could.

Since September and that Brown Belt that I was so proud of, We have worked extremely hard to be ready for the next belt, Brown Stripe. We have had to learn Bassai, Known as Storming the Fortress. It has about 53 or 54 moves in it, very complicated, with lots of blocks at the beginning, which when done at speed are mind boggling!

We all tried very hard to learn that form and the little one finally got it the week before grading, he knew all the other stuff ok, but the form really was difficult for him. He is now looking forward to the Nianchi, the Bum cha cha cha forms as he calls them, they have a rhythmn that makes sense to him, unlike Bassai. Therefore he is not unhappy about these next forms.

We all did our best and performed as well as we could, turning back kick is not one of my strong points but I hope I made up for it elsewhere. I can see this being a major part of our classes for a little while, as I am sure I was spotted making a mess of it. We did our break today on the boards, as lowly as we are, we had to do our turning back kick and break the board, three goes later, it broke, i was rather relieved. Then onto a hand technique, even though not a requisite for our grading we did the Elbow strike as requested. A little surprised to do but did hopefully correctly. Bong forms as required, I know all the moves so I did all the moves. Free sparring again started to take its toll, my partner always gets in close or I turn into it, it was not harmful in any way but I suppose we should be getting closer now the higher we go.

We all passed and I thoroughly enjoyed it again. We still attended our classes this afternoon, as just passing the grading does not mean you should give up your commitment. The class this afternoon was not as well attended as normal, therefore we got to practice the form for the next grade with a Dan grade, This means we got something very special. its not often that at our grade you get this in class.

We all met at Harrogate Squash and Fitness, all before 11 am, the starting time of the grading. Masters Johnson arrived and Master Tony Johnson explained how the grading would occur. This time we would try to get it over and done with as quickly as possible. Master Rachael Johnson was helping with her knowledge too.

We went in grade belt order, today’s grading meant that if all went well we would have new Red Belts in class, and we personally would be brown belts. As usual we were all excited and scared at the same time and watching the lower grades go through their stuff only made it worse. The higher I go the more I pick up on when lower grades are trying their best. Sometimes I find it difficult as I want to try to correct them, but that’s not my job yet!

So here we are now in our new Brown Belts, I am so proud of it and my achievement. Master T Johnson told me that I had improved, which is great as I cannot tell. The higher we go the more we have to do on the day, but I try not to let it worry me too much, I have to have confidence in my ability, therefore, knowing when you get it wrong is good and you should always do your best no matter what. I did struggle with my Bong moves today, however it was due to lack of space and Master R Johnson let me re-do it, so thank you there

We did our best and graded well. We had to work really hard for the belt, especially us adults, but it proved we can do it. I am so proud of my belt and the work I have put in to get it. The next belt is quite a long way off, however its a new set and onto Brown and I know we will have to work even harder for that

That day is here again, it snowed last night, would Master Johnson actually make it to North Yorkshire? Or would he and his wife Master Rachel Johnson be unable to come to do the rather excellent job of grading us. They of course made it and we all performed our best at a very formal grading. Our usual Do Jang (Calcutt Village Hall) was our venue and all the usual suspects were up for review.

Formal grading’s can be quite a task for young children, but all those there did there best not to speak or giggle or whatever and all managed to behave in an exemplary manner. I do wish classes were always like that but these kids are aged between 5 and 8, so laughter and a little silliness has to be allowable. Each group of belts did their thing. Yellow belts up first, then orange and purple, then onto us, the purple white stripes. We had all done our break, we did all forms required and were picked up on a couple of things, which means we learnt something new. Master Johnson asked questions and I got flustered as usual, I knew what I wanted to say but it came out in a right mess. However I knew what I meant.

The green belts went up next and did a really good job, they had to work hard, then onto the rest, a mix of brown stripe belt, red belt and red white stripe belts. They had to do their forms and all managed them, a few pointers where given where mistakes had been made. The idea is not to be perfect, that would be too much, but to put your all into it and take on board any suggestions of anything you may have got wrong. The idea is to keep learning and striving to do your best.

It was over and all had passed. Belts and certificates were presented and photos taken. Masters Johnson took off as soon as possible, hopefully the snow chased them home and has not stopped then reaching their destination. Master Johnson always enjoys his visits, he hope that our club will give the “Southern Softies” a run for their money, I suspect we will!