April 2016 Tiger Tracks

What does “Black Belt” mean to me? - Bill Reaves

What does “Black Belt” mean to me?

Bill Reaves

When I walked through the front door of Strickland’s TKD the very first time, I was looking for a way to stay in shape while engaging my mind.  I was bored with running and lifting at the gym.  It had become mindless to me.  There was nothing about it that stimulated me mentally.    Now that I have found an environment that educates me and keeps me fit while being surrounded by a great group of people who challenge me to get better all the time.  

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what achieving a “black belt” would mean to me.  I started by looking up the definition:

black belt

noun

1.       a black belt worn by an expert in judo, karate, and other martial arts.

When I began this journey almost three years ago, I would have agreed with this definition.  I thought earning a black belt would have a beginning, a middle and an end.  To me the term ‘expert’ means that there is no more to learn, nothing more to gain.  I no longer believe this definition is accurate.  I have discovered that while there is a beginning, there really isn’t a middle or an end.  I believe that when it comes to TKD, the real “expert” is the individual that continues to seek knowledge despite whatever status he/she holds.

I believe that earning my black belt is similar to graduating high school.  I have now learned the basics of the discipline.  I think that the additional degrees of a black belt can be viewed as a college
degree, a master’s degree and even a PH D.  Again, the continued desire for knowledge makes the “expert” in all of us.

I have been exposed to other disciplines over the years (a karate course in college and I learned to box in my 30’s) that provided me with certain skills and goals, but there was always an end point that established the completion. Once I completed these endeavors, there was nothing else to gain.

 Now I look forward to class for the endless knowledge as much as the workout.  I enjoy the competition and the additional clinics and seminars as it provides me with more information to apply.  I see no end to this process.

                Despite everything I have said above, the one thing I keep coming back to is the black belt does not represent who I am, it represents the potential in me and what I can become.    A good example of this is when I failed the red belt test.  Simply put, I was not prepared.  I did not “master” the form.  In that instant I realized the only person that beat me that day was myself.  It has driven me to dedicate the time to prepare, something that we all should do to earn the things we want and desire in or lives.

                In closing, I have enjoyed this journey and I look forward to what the future holds in my pursuit of more knowledge and its’ applications.  I look forward to pursuing the always elusive “expert” status! 

March 2016 Tiger Tracks

Strickland's Taekwondo - What you want to know about us and more

We are a professional full-time martial arts school unlike any other in the area.  At Strickland’s Taekwondo Karate you will learn true self defense as well as traditional Taekwondo, aka Korean Karate, from highly skilled and unique professionals with many years of martial arts experience that take their job seriously.  Our instructor team is comprised of full time paid instructors, as well as volunteers that teach class for the sheer enjoyment.  More importantly, all the instructors are personal students of Mr. Strickland, trained by him.  As well as learning an ancient martial art, you will also benefit from high-energy workouts and fun programs. You will train in a spacious and safe environment.  Come see what sets us apart from other schools in the metroplex.   We have exciting karate, kickboxing, anti-bully, and self defense classes for Children, Teens, and Adults - ages 4 and up! 

Strickland's Taekwondo Adult Class

Strickland's Taekwondo Children's Class

Strickland's Taekwondo DAAB Class

(Women's Defense Against Agressive Behavior)

February 2016 Tiger Tracks

Why I Want To Be A Black Belt: Jack Contreras

Why I Want To Be A Black Belt: Jack Contreras

When I first started Taekwondo I really wanted to be a black belt now, three years later I am about to

reach my goal. I thought the boards would be a challenge. Watching the instructors do their form
inspired me to become a black belt. When I had tested for my red belt I had I felt very sad that I didn't
pass my testing but that did not stop me from wanting to be a black belt as much and I decided not to
give up on taekwondo it made me more determend to earn my black belt.

Taekwondo made me think about if I should become a security guard. I decided I want to be a black
belt, because I could defend myself when people bully me so I won't get seriously hurt. I could also
defend others. I need to defend myself because I'm short and when I get to middle school I'll probably
get bullied a lot more. I could also get into a good college and then get a good job because if I show
them I'm a black belt they will probably want me in their college because I don't give up. Also if I treat my boss with respect if he's kind enough he might give me a raise in my salary. If I am a security guard knowing taekwondo would help me arrest someone who broke in. I could teach my brother Nick how to defend himself I could also help him with the forms if he decides to join Taekwondo again. If I decide to become a wrestler (which probably won't) my skills would help me because I could win fights. I would like to learn more skills for more ways to defend myself. I think of the black belt as an accomplishment my friends and family will respect and admire. I could entertain my family because they like to see Ethan and me demonstrate our forms we are learning. If I ever join the military and my gun runs out of ammo my skills in taekwondo would give me a chance of fighting of the enemies and winning but not a very good one. I could teach my son or daughter because I don't want them ever getting bullied. I could open my own taekwondo school and make a living off of that. Mr.Strickland , you and the other instructors inspiered me to do better in taekwondo by after testing you would tell the whole class something like a story or don't stop because you failed a testing or you would tell us what the program was about. You taught me about respect by when we don't answer you might make us do pushups. Thank you for teaching me skills, forms, and lessons about qualities like respect or not giving up. I have had a great time in taekwondo and I hope I will be able to become a recommended black belt soon. Thank you Mr. Strickland Mr.Cain and other instructors for your time you spend teaching me taekwondo
and helping me learn this art.
Sincerely,
Jack Contreras

January 2016 - Tiger Tracks