This is my first actual blog entry about class, so I’m not really sure how it’s about to work.  I guess I’ll start with a quick summary of how class usually works:

When you first arrive at the school, you enter, bow to the black belts, take off your shoes, then enter the “do chang”, bowing when you cross over onto the mat.  This is meant as a sign of respect to the art, countries, and elder members of your school. Very exciting I know.  Roughly a month ago, I received a key to the school, meaning I could go train whenever I would like.  I’ve been going up ~15-30 minutes before class for the past couple weeks just so I can practice by myself, because during class time I’m usually helping to teach lower belts or lead the class as a whole.  It’s a weird feeling, because for the past nearly 10 years I’ve always been one of the people learning, and now that I have the key, I feel much more like a part of the teaching structure than I thought I would.

                Class begins around 6; we bow to the flags, bow to the instructor, and then begin warm-ups.  After 10-15 minutes, we do basic motion practice, which is essentially the foundation we use to do forms, sparring, and advanced motions.  One of Grandmaster Kim’s favorite speeches to give is about how without a solid foundation, it’s impossible to build high without collapsing.  If I have a leadership role on that particular day, I’ll either lead the class in 20 basics, or take a new student to the back to help them understand the fundamentals of punching, kicking, and blocking.  After this, we do forms, which are a series of motions meant to simulate a mock-fight (with no opponents), and are meant to demonstrate the basic and advanced motions in context.

                Springtime is usually a busy time of year for new students, and this year has been no exception.  My branch school has had 4 new white belts in the past 4 weeks, and as a temporary black belt, it is occasionally my responsibility to teach them 20 basic motions, their first form, and 5 sparring techniques so they can test and start seeing progress, which is important for a lot of people.

                That's a basic summary of what I do for each class! Hopefully after this setup, I can start being more specific with what I do.