Next step- Black Belt, look for me in Fall 2011!

We will email announcement for friends and family to join us.  The Black Belt test will not be in the school, it will be a large ceremony, requiring a bit of travelling.  I hope to see a few faces there to cheer me on.

I finished of my patches this fall, and my 12 are complete.   You cant see them on my uniform in this picture because my COOL sword is in the way.

• April 2011 - First of 6 tests

• June 2011 - Second of 6 tests

• August 2011 - Third of 6 Black Belt mid term tests!  Half way there!

Two more patches to go.  Looks pretty cool huh?

Taegeuk Chil Jang represents the "Gan", which symbolizes the mountain meaning great weight and firmness. This poomse represents stability and the knowledge of where and when to stop. This poomse has 25 movements

My new patch this time was the First Aid patch.  I know how to treat scrapes, cuts, burns and stings.

 Only 2 more patches to go.

Taegeuk Yook Jang symbolizes the "Kam", one of the 8 divination signs, which represents water, meaning incessant flow and softness, this poomse has 23 movements

My new patch this time was the Emergency Preparedness patch.  I learned about things you need in an emergency, and have a back packed and in my closet to grab if I ever need to.  This is one thing I hope I prepare and never use!  Only 3 more patches to go.

Taeguek Oh Jang for this belt test and I rocked the house!

Taeguek Oh Jang represents the Seon which symbolizes the wind meaning both mighty force and calmness, this poomse has 20 movements.

The Black Belt patch I received this session was for Citizenship.  I know the Pledge of Allegiance, my Governor and President as well as the shape of my home state and where it sits in the country, where I live in the state and the capital.    That's 8 of 12, only 4 more to go

Taeguek Pal Jang For the Second time.   Movements judged on strength and accuracy this time around.

Taegeuk Pal-jang. - Represents the "Gon" which symbolizes Earth.  It means the root and settlement, also the beginning and the end.  This poomsee has 27 movements. 

I did my second tournament in August.  I scored 4th in 6 and under, and only did forms. I decided that it was time to take sparring seriously and am going to do extra Friday classes.  Next tournament, I'm placing in the top 3!! I did however earn my 6th patch!  This was esprit de corps and means I am half way done with my 12 black belt patches.

Taegeuk Pal-jang - Represents the "Gon" which symbolizes Earth.  It means the root and settlement, also the beginning and the end.  This poomsee has 27 movements.

 I did a topographical map and flag of South Korea for my knowledge patch, and learned about the country.

Our form this time is Taeguek-Sam Jang. This firm represent the "Ra" which means sun, fire and light. This poomse has 20 movements.

 I have also been practicing sparring and have gained a measure of confidence

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Our form this time was Taeguek-Yi-jang. This firm represent the "Tae" which means strength of mind  This poomse has 18 movements.

I also got another black belt patch.  Physical Fitness, to add to Community Service, Goal Setting, and Dedication..

This Saturday we woke up and headed to the Folsom Sports Complex.  I competed in forms with a large group.  I performed the  Taeguek-Yi-jang and tied for third place.  The other girl and I had to get up and go head to head and she won.   I was bummed out, but I did my best and my form was powerful and my kicks were super high.   

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However I did get my Dedication patch for being at more than 100 classes!

Our form this time was Taeguek-Il-jang. This form represents the "Keon" which means Heaven and Light.  It is the source of the creation, the beginning.  This poomse has 18 movements.  We had to know the meaning of the form as well as our sparring combinations. I worked after class for the last two weeks and was able to do my whole form without problem. Kaylee was sick and did not attend this belt testing.  January and February also brought me my first two Black Belt patches, Goal Setting and Community Service.

Testing this time was in the middle of the week.  John Kimpel came to watch as my parents were at the Rocklin Academy meeting.  I did well, scored a couple of hits in sparring, showed off my "DOWN ON THE GROUND" move and most importantly, got my new belt!

This belt test was the Do-San form.  This form is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang Ho (1876-1938).  The 24 movements represent his entire life which he devoted to furthering the education of Korea and it's independence movement.  I got all the way through my form without stopping or failing.  I was very proud of myself and so was Ms Palmer.  We also did some free sparring and board breaking, of which I also held my own.  This was a special testing session as we got to meet Master Robinson himself, and hear about his 45 years of training and history.  My friend Lauren even passed her first little dragons test today and got her orange belt. (She's in the pictures with Kaylee and I)

This belt was difficult, I stopped in the Taegeuk Sah-Jang about 2/3 of the way through the 20 steps and thought for sure I was going to fail.  I followed the class and made the last step with them.  When I sat down, I thought for sure I failed and Kaylee put her arm around me while we watched the rest of the testing.   We also had to do some sparring, and board breaking, family awards, and then I must have shown enough black belt spirit, because I passed! It was a good day.

February 23, 2008 - First Black Belt Club belt test - to White/Orange Belt

Practicing Sparring forms

December 8, 2007 - To Brown/Red Belt

This new Brown-Red belt is the last of the "little dragons" and now Michele has graduated into the Black Belt club.  The new set of moves learned are the real first sparring forms for TaeKwonDo.

October 13, 2007 - To Brown Belt

Form - Attention, Bow, Guarding Stance, Back Fist, Reverse Punch, Crescent Kick,  Palm Block. Down on your knee, Punch, Punch, Middle Stance, Monkey Block AYA!

Here is a video of my testing to move from purple to brown belts.

August 18, 2007 - To Purple Belt

Form - Attention, Bow, Guarding Stance, Back Fist, Reverse Punch, Side Kick, High Block, Down on your knee, punch punch, tiger claw.. GRRRRRRRRRR!

Here is a video of my testing, and another video of me getting my purple belt.

June 9, 2007 - To Orange Belt

Form- Attention, Bow, Guarding Stance, Back Fist, Reverse Punch, Round Kick, Out of form block, Down on your knee, Punch, Punch, Back stance, scissor block, AYA!

Breaking paper with front kick.

April 2007 - White Belt, lessons begin

Form - Attention, Bow, Guarding Stance,  Back Fist, Reverse Punch, Front Kick, Low Block, Down on your knee, Punch,  Punch, High Block, Knife Hand Strike, Pow!

 Ms Palmer Shows the belt form  - Michele gets her first belt stripe -   Speed practice - Duck! Jump! Block! Giggle!

Note, Michele got to wear the black belt during a class late in May 07, due to her outstanding show of "Black-Belt-Spirit!!!