Test

As some may know, I've been taking karate since September of last year. With five months of steady practice, I've learned the basics and improved my balance, coordination, and timing. Movements that at first seemed awkward and hard to accomplish are now smoother and performed with more strength.

This improvement came in handy as I, along with the rest of the members of the dojo, had my first test last night. First, was the adult group (consisting of five ALTs and one Japanese lady). Divided into two groups of three, we performed four basic moves: oizuki (forward step, same hand punching), jodan-uke (forward step, same hand blocking up), chudan soto-uke (forward step, same hand blocking outward), and mae-geri (forward kick, stepping forward). After our subgroup of three went, I was called to do my kata, or a complex series of moves meant to develop the fundamental skills and coordination necessary to perform karate well.

I remember the first day learning the kata - they seemed to take forever. It has been quite amazing, then, to find them reduced to 30 seconds of intense action during the weeks before the test. As I started, I felt good, the movements coming quickly and smoothly and strongly. But I'm most convinced they went well because I didn't have to stop to think about it; they kata had become instinct.

When I was finished, I was sweating heavily and slightly out of breath. I remember feeling a little nervous, but it turned out to be nothing. I finished my kata, bowed, and stepped back to the wall. My test was complete. And it felt really good. I'll find out next week if I'll be upgrading from what you see below.