The American Martial Artist:Personal History:Part 2

My first day…

On our first day in a  martial arts class in Korea, my friend Jerry and I both made the decision that  we were going to work out for three hours each day.  The first day we were shown the fighting stances, kick form and block form.  I stayed the full three hours while Jerry left after about two hours.

The next day when we went to class, the instructor showed us what is called a four corner block- which is a hard style of blocking.  After showing us that, he walked off and started teaching the rest of the class.  I stayed the full three hours and Jerry left after about an hour and a half.

The third day of practice we were shown the reverse punch before the instructor started the class workout.  Again I stayed for the full three hours, but Jerry left after about an hour.

On the fourth day Jerry didn’t show up for class.  As soon as I got there the instructor came to me and taught me a front snap kick.He then walked off to once again teach class.  After my three hours I went to Jerry’s house to see where he had been.  When I got there he was with his wife. We talked about class.  He asked me what I had learned, so I demonstrated. He got up and did it just as well as I could after my  three hours of practice. Next we started talking about our plans for training.  I asked him what he was going to do. He said he was probably going to quit.  I thought about it a little while then I said that I probably was too. That’s when his wife said that she knew that if Jerry  quit then  I would too.  Right then I made up my mind that I would stick with it if it took me the rest of my time in Korea to achieve my first colored belt.

The fifth day I went to class and the instructor showed me one more move, then went to teach class.  When the class lined up, I lined up in the back of the class.  Since everything  was being  taught in the Korean language it became what one might say, “Monkey see, Monkey do. “ After the workout was over, several members of the class, young and old, started showing me things that helped to start me on my journey  to where I am today. Little did I know on that day  that I would be wearing my black belt within ten months time. It’s interesting how outside negative opinions can  either serve to discourage your efforts or provide you with  additional  motivation to succeed…    (to be continued)

- Grandmaster John Dowdy 2010