Karate Testing :: Baeoh Belt 12-18-14

 

Baeoh the Tiger

**For my digital subscribers-- there are several videos embedded in this post that you may not see from the email version- be sure to go to the blog to see the videos**

I'm totally behind in blogging... so terribly sorry!!! My goal is to blog each night with something that either happened (to get caught up), or my thoughts on various topics (once I'm back on track with updates).

Going back to December, Gus had his test for his Baeoh belt! He was very excited about this one, because after Ara, they go from Tiger Level I to Tiger Level II. Cool things start to happen once they get to Level II.

One of the things that Gus had to do for this test was to recite the Tiger Oath all by himself. This is a HUGE deal for so many reasons, but the main one being that he's in special needs preschool for speech delays and sensory processing disorder. Karate has been such a wonderful thing for Gus. It's given him an outlet for his energy, has been teaching him about manners, respect, and teamwork, and he's learning how to focus and stay disciplined. I credit all his success to his amazing instructors.

When it was time to recite the oath, Gus was amazing. He was loud, proud, and just was spectacular. Of course, I had tears in my eyes as I watched him recite the words that they say before every class, and I was so proud of all that he's accomplished. (See video below)

After the oath, they did a few practice drills of their form and then they worked on stranger danger. I love that they work on this because you never know when your child would need to know what to do if a stranger tried to approach them. 

(See video below for his stranger test)

Once the stranger test was finished, they had to do their form. Each new belt brings new basic moves that they add to the ones learned before. He learned Songahm I for his Ara belt and then had to do Songahm I and an additional part for the Baeoh belt. He's learning Songahm II right now and will be tested on this for the next belt (February). (See video below)

The last part of the testing is when they get presented with their new belt. Because he's at the beginning of the program, he gets a matching patch with each belt. Eventually, he'll keep the same patch and just get the next belt (like a 1/2 step).

 (See video below to see him presented with his belt.)

We are now in the class for level II and III kiddos and it's like a whole new game. He's in class with kids that have been in karate for a lot longer and have much higher belts. They usually do the warm up together and then Mr. Burns takes the level III kids and works with them, while the other instructors work with the level IIs. 

Gus loves going to karate and has been doing so well lately. He's been asked to be the leader and been earning high-five awards left and right. He has almost completely filled up his first star card (25 stars to complete-- 5 high five awards= 1 star). We are so proud of him and have really enjoyed watching him grow and learn through his twice a week classes. 

Next belt:

 

Cheeri the Cheetah

10-21-14 Karate Testing

 

Ara the Turtle

Gus's karate instructors were super exited to share with him that he was ready to test for his Ara belt. We were excited as well, but a little confused because the program was changing to a new curriculum.

Typically, he would have been testing for his orange belt, but because the program was totally being changed, all the white belts tested for the Ara belt. This is also a white belt, but it's a different belt from the one that they get on their third day of class. The Ara belt is white with a light green stripe through the middle. With the new program, they have new uniforms too, and now they get a patch that matches their belt.

I wasn't sure how the testing would go, but it was super easy. Because of the new curriculum, they decided to make it an Expo and they introduced the whole program, and then all the former "Tiny Tigers" were together for testing. Now there are no more "Tiny Tigers" they're all just Tigers.

Here are some pictures of Gus testing and then getting his Ara belt!!

We will be testing this month for the Baeoh belt! Once he gets this belt, he'll be using Ssahng Jeol Bongs (nunchuks)!!!