Testing Advice

Advice given to me by the Master Stone's testing black belts today...

"Channel your inner kid - not the obnoxious one... the fun one."

"That we are all here to support and motivate you."

"Don't get mentally unstable or extremely mad or aggressive."

"Be present in the moment and not continually looking forward to what's next and everything have to do. Something like this happens very rarely so embrace every moment you have and soak it in."

"Do not be afraid.  Or to use the unavoidable fear as a foundation to build off of and be stronger for."

"Bring the energy you feel here today/tonight with you to your testing."

"Empty your cup so that it can be refilled."

"Dance it out!"

and from Master Stone himself... "Enjoy!"

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

Yea!

Yea!

It has been a tough week, and I'm especially happy today to celebrate:

According to the statistics provided by blogspot, my blog has had over 10,000 page views!

I accomplished one of the requirements I set out for myself way back in that very first post on February 1st when I stated that for my testing  "I'm going to lose between 15 and 25 pounds (targeting 20 as my main number) between now and 'then'..." As of this afternoon, when I got on the scales I've been using at home, I was exactly 15 pounds lighter!  I'm still shooting for my mark of 20, but I made 15-25 pound weight loss one of my "pass/fail" goals, so I'm super happy to have reached that mark today!

And finally, I'm in "Atlanta, Georgia" participating on the testing board of the black belt candidates who are part of Dacula Family Sports Tae Kwon Do.  Not only is it a privilege and a joy to visit with Master Stone and all his students, but Master Andrew Trento is also here!

It is always a balm for my heart to be around these talented and wonderful people.

Life is good.

Yea!

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

Red Belt

So, red belt was special for me in Tae Kwon Do.  When I started, our rankings went white, yellow, green, red, and then black.  We had 3 levels of white belt - 10th, 9th, and 8th gup/grade, 1 for yellow - 7th gup/grade, 3 for green - 6th, 5th, and 4th gup/grade, and 3 for red - 3rd, 2nd, and 1st gup/grade.  The various levels were indicated by black electrical tape around one end of the belt.  Then you advanced in Black Belt Dan/Rank - 1st through 9th. My instructor, Master Shin, was a 7th Dan/Degree when I first met him and began training.

I started Tae Kwon Do on Monday, June 18, 1979 - and never looked back.   I was 14 (just about to turn15) and it was summer, so I was at class ALL the time. Three classes a day on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  Two classes a day on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Saturdays there was only the morning class, so I went to it too.  Fifteen classes a week and every tournament that our school attended.  Once my academic school year started, I could not attend the weekday morning classes, so I fell down to a paltry 12 classes per week.

Within 10 months I tested for my first red level.

Then I was a red belt for over 3 and 1/2 years.

Training, even consistently (what do you mean obsessively?) like I did, it was not unusual to have at least 4 years time in before testing for black.  Three was considered a minimum.  It was unusual to have spent most of that time at red.  What can I say?  I was and still am... unusual.

I grew to love the red belt and the energy and intensity we were told it represented.

I never tested, nor did I ever receive my final level red.  Back then half ranks were often handed out.  So my last underblack certificate was for level 1and 1/2.  I tested for black from that rank and did not learn my results from that testing until a year and a half afterwards, when I finally received my black belt and rank.

Like I said ... unusual.
:)

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

Sad

We went out to feed our "pups" tonight and Blondie wasn't there waiting with her mom, Ginger, and her brother, Jr.  She didn't come when we called.  Grisha found her under the deck.  Jo said it looked like she had just curled up to take a nap.  Have no idea what happened, but she is gone.  The skies opened up and poured at that very moment, so hard it reminded me of the day our house flooded, but it stopped not long after.

I'm thinking about how losing someone you love never gets easier and I'm thinking about how very little - maybe nothing gets easier as one gets older and experiences more and more of life.

Death is not easier.  Life is not easier.  (Mom used to say "Getting older ain't for sissies!")

It isn't easier - but the more you live through, I think, the more you realize that you can and you do live through it. That there is no preventing of the "bad" and even what you can do in preparation for it - never feels enough.

But maybe, just maybe having lived long enough, you learn from experience at least, that you can weather the bad times and even grow and change for the good in some cases... even if it is just an increase in your ability to recognize the pain in others and care for them because you have been somewhere similar...

I'm sad right now.  I miss the pets that have passed in the last few years especially bad tonight with the loss of Blondie so harsh and fresh and raw.  I miss my mom so much right now as the anniversary of her death draws near again.

I'm tired and I'm nervous about all that I have to get done in the next couple of weeks at home, and work, and in my martial arts endeavors.

And I'm worried about my testing coming up...

I'd really like things to be easier.  They aren't going to be, and I'm just going to try to go with that and quit beating myself up about it all - which certainly doesn't make things easier...

It'll be o.k.

In fact, it will all be great.
I've got a wonderful... well... you name it and in my life, it is pretty wonderful!
I'm blessed beyond what I deserve
and I know it and I am grateful for it.

Tonight... I'm just more than a little sad - but that's o.k.

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

Testing Board Bio - Master Ross Briggs

Some of the best time I ever got to spend with Master Ross Briggs, his wife Bobbie, and Grand Master Archie occurred over a long weekend in the summer of 2009 at a Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and set of seminars here in Nashville - which I was invited to attend and teach a Weapons/Cane seminar.

The time spent in fellowship and over meals (including the fancy one during the actual awards) taught me what a true gift it is to be able to call Master Briggs by the title of friend.

Even though we have not had the opportunity to spend much time together since - he and Bobbie have kept in touch and never let me feel that their care and support was more than an arm's reach away.

Sir, I so look forward to seeing you soon!

Thank you for your support of my 8th Dan TKD testing through your participation on the testing board, but also thank you for always making me feel cared about and supported.

Respectfully,

Kathy Wiz

 

 

Master Ross Briggs began his martial training at the age of nine, studying Judo and Jujitsu at the local YMCA in Reno, Nevada.  In 1970 he started Tae Kwon Do training under his older brother Tom Briggs, a Reno Police officer who had studied in Korea.  In 1971, along with Soke Dave McNeill, Ross met and began training with Sensei, now Hanshi, Alexander Archie, a collaboration that still continues.

While serving in the U.S. Army, Ross created and taught the Defensive Tactics Training Program to the 82nd Airborne Military Police Company, where rose to the rank of Sergeant.  

Through the years, Master Briggs has been awarded the honorary title of Renshi, Master Instructor, and has assisted in numerous Dan-level promotions in the Goju-Shorei System.  In 2008 Soke McNeill appointed Master Briggs to the Director Position of Goju-Shorei Open Hand.

Also in 2008, Master Briggs and his wife of thirty years, Bobbie, opened their home to a young martial artist and his soon-to-be wife, also a gifted martial artist and country music song writer, while they trained in Goju-Shorei.  In 2010, Master Briggs passed down the master’s belt he was wearing at the time, and the title of Director of Goju-Shorei Open Hand to that young man … Master Larry Kooyman.

Master Briggs is currently a fifth degree in Goju-Shorei Karate, a third degree in Tae Kwon Do, under Master Byong HongYu, a second degree in Jujitsu, and has been graded in several other systems.

Testing Board Bio - Master Ken Mammen

So when I first met Master Ken Mammen, I was scared to death of him!  He was so serious, he knew so much, and he was so quick and formidable!

Then he started teaching me the knife kata on a beach in Hawaii (I know, tough life right?) and... again I realized just what a phenomenal martial artist he was!  I grew as a martial artist that trip, and Master Mammen was a big part of that - not just in what he taught me, but because of his kind and genuine interest in my welfare and development as a black belt in a martial art he clearly loves.

Thank you Sir, for always being a part of the fabric of my journey.

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

Master Ken Mammen began his martial arts training in 1982 with a college Judo class. This sparked his continued interest in the martial arts and led him to a Goju-Shorei Karate class at the local community college in Reno, Nevada. After two semesters of Goju-Shorei Mr. Mammen tried other arts but returned to Goju-Shorei Karate, studying under Master Joey Walker from 1985 to 1991. Mr. Mammen received the rank of Shodan (1st Dan) from Master Walker in June of 1990.

In 1991, Mr. Mammen began training with (then) Master Dave McNeill in Carson City. 

In 1994 Master McNeill promoted Mr. Mammen to Nidan (2nd Dan) and Ken began teaching for Master McNeill in Dayton, Nevada with Mr. Scott Rasner.  Rasner left a year later, and Mammen continued to teach in Dayton.  

In 1996 Master McNeill promoted him to Sandan (3rd Dan). Later that year, the birth of Mr. Mammen’s second child prompted Mr. Mammen to spend more time at home, leaving the school in Dayton under Mr. Gene Green, another student of Master Dave McNeill’s. At this point Mr. Mammen began training earnestly with Master McNeill in Goju-Shorei Weapons, earning the rank of Shodan (1st Dan) in 1997.

Master Mammen was promoted to the rank of Yodan (4th Dan) in Goju-Shorei Karate in April of 2001 and received the rank of Roykudan (6th Dan) in Goju-Shorei Weapons in October of 2000. Master McNeill assigned him the task of developing the fan curriculum for Goju-Shorei Weapons, which covered the requirements for the 6th Black Rank.

Master Mammen has won numerous first place awards in open competition, in kumite, empty hand Kata and weapons Kata. He received the Northern Nevada Coalition of Martial Artist’s “Instructor of the Year” award and also placed “First Overall in Kata” as well as “Second in Kumite” for the year 1994.

From 2001 through 2008 Master Ken Mammen served as the 1st appointed Director of Goju-Shorei Karate.

Testing Board Bio - Master Andy Tourin

Usually the first thing I tell people about Master Andy Tourin is that he is the most gracious martial artist I've ever met, and that describing a martial artist as "gracious" is something I never even thought about until I met Master Tourin.  He is so kind and easy going and helpful.  Everyone loves working out with and learning from him... everyone.

The second thing I tell people is that they should pay attention as he is also one of the strongest, smoothest, and most dangerous martial artists I've ever met!  His movements are like a tornado - a force of nature - smooth and flowing and leaving ruin and devastation in his wake.

Without question my strength is in the striking arts.  Grappling, throws, reaps, and sweeps... I'm like a duck out of water.  So it was wonderful to get the opportunity to work with Master Tourin yesterday at a 2 hour seminar held here in Tennessee at Family First Martial Arts.  I felt awkward and confused and awesome!  It is one of the things I like best about working with Master Tourin.  He has so much to teach and so much for you to learn, that you leave with a complete understanding of how little you actually know - but instead of being upset about it - you are excited!

Thank you Sir for being part of my testing board!

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

Master Andy Tourin has been practicing Martial Arts for over 35 years. He has instructor’s certificates in Danzan Ryu JuJitsu (6th Degree, Rokudan), and Kodokan Judo (2nd Degree, Nidan) under Prof. L. L. Cary; and the Goju-Shorei Weapons System (4th Degree, Yodan) under Soke Dave McNeill.

He is affiliated with and certified by the U.S. Judo Association, American Judo-JuJitsu Association, The International Bujinkan Ninpo Kai, JuJitsu America, Goju-Shorei Systems, Unity Martial Arts Association, USA Jujitsu and Martial Arts Federation and the Nevada Coalition of Martial Artists.

Master Tourin has served as assistant coach and head referee for the USA Sport Jujitsu and Grappling team and was named Official of the Year in 1995 by the NCMA.

He has over two decades of teaching experience, having been the head instructor of children’s, adult co-ed and women’s programs. He has instructed, assisted or participated in local, national and international seminars covering edged weapons, impact weapons, firearms, weapon disarms and retention, ground fighting and various Chinese, Japanese, Okinawan, Filipino and American systems.

Master Tourin is also featured in internationally distributed instructional videos and DVDs.