This year, practicing Tae kwondo has been good. I have achieved my first goal earning a yellow belt and I think it has helped me with my physics and my stamina, in just under 10 months ( a short time that the Kenyan Tae kwondo federation has recognized and awarded me with a medal). I’m more flexible and my kicks are very strong.
When I first started learning taekwondo, I didn't really think of myself as a "martial artist". The initial phase of learning for me was very focussed on the aspects of learning sequences of movements and techniques - where to put my hands and feet and how to coordinate the most basic of actions. After a year of training I can feel that many of these things comes quite natural and I don’t have to strain so much to perform some movements.
However, as I mastered performance of these physical aspects to a greater or lesser degree, I began to understand how much more depth there is in each movement than just the basic physical execution. It is very much a matter of attitude. The more calm and composed you feel, the better you perform.
Sometimes, Tae Kwondo was quite challenging. I experienced a lot of frustration when I couldn't get the moves or kicks right. Sometimes I was just too tired and sometimes I strained my hamstrings. I learned that men have a harder time to become flexible as women - it has got something to do with the hips and how we are built! Thanks to my new movements, I can apply those to other sport activities. I can direct a "volley at goal" when playing football which is a very difficult skill.
For next year, my goal will be to progress to a second yellow or maybe blue belt. It will also be to do more endurance training so I’ll last for a fight 3x3 minutes.
I am happy with my performance this year, but I’m going to step it up next year. Doing it twice a week will surely make me progress even faster.
My Cas proposal forms for taekwondo. I'm not posting my evaluation form - because I intend to continue next year!
