Being a Black Belt encompasses many things. Number one, it means you are a hard worker and you don't give up. Those two entities are extremely important.
As you approach the level of Black Belt, you will hopefully realize that the practice and discipline are more important than the Belt itself. Some students ask, "How do I get a
Black Belt?" My answer is always the same, "Don't quit." That's it. If you attend classes, do the work, learn to help the lower belts learn their material; the Black Belt will come.
A Black Belt should know how to work with and teach different age groups and different belt ranks. A Black Belt is willing to help others and to share their own knowledge.
In the past, for the Old Masters of Shotokan, training was everything. They gave up everything to train, including family time and physical wellbeing. We should not forget those that came before us, they played an important role in our training today. The people that came before us are an inspiration because their training was so intense. Some students actually lived with their Instructor and worked for him/her.
In a traditional Dojo, earning the rank of Black Belt definitely means you have put in a great deal of time and sacrifice to reach this level. It also means you have learned a great deal about yourself as you have traveled the journey. The journey to Black Belt is fascinating. You will learn that you are tougher than you know.
I have also heard Instructors describe the Black Belt as a "White Belt who never quit." This is absolutely true. A Black Belt will continue their own training and learning beyond the rank.
The bottom line is, if you are a white belt and you don't quit, the Black Belt will come to you.
Most instructors look for a student's improvement to achieve each rank promotion rather than expecting perfection. Needless to say, as you spend years practicing, your techniques will become better and better and more powerful.
2025 would be a great year to begin your journey in Martial Arts. Remember, you can do more than you think you can and you are tougher than you know. You will learn some very important things about yourself along the way.
Call Guerrero's Shotokan at: 816-224-4447 to begin your journey. You can find us on the internet at: www.guerrerosshotokankarate.com. We are located at: 1607 South 7 Highway Blue Springs, Missouri 64014
