One last thanks! - BKJN John

I'd like to say thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to read my words here. I always tried to have something important to say, or something to brighten your day.

I would also like to note that the 360 Martial Arts team raised $2,500 for Habitat for Humanity. Thanks to everyone that gave money, broke boards, attended the 360 spa day, or ate some cookies to help raise some money for this cause.

I would like to thank everyone for their encouragement and kind words.

Additionally, below are some links to some videos of the 360 Martial Arts black belt test. Above is a picture from my spear form practice. It's a lot better then the picture of me cracking myself on top of my head with the spear.

Thanks,

Bu Kwan Jang Nim (BKJN) John
AKA Master John

360 Martial Arts Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAqlCtVrLyKWWLO0xs9CH6BBz1D6DRvOz

KJN Pat: One last post

October 18, 2015

The journey that began 10 months ago has come to an end. That day that seemed so far off at the beginning has come and gone.  Our Mastery Test was this weekend: technical testing and conditioning on Saturday and the show at the Atlantis on Sunday. I can't even totally remember what life was like before there was so much focus on training and preparation. I wrote on my calendars starting on the 19th "I am free".  I don't really know what that means.  One of my boys asked if I was going to continue with my martial arts.  How could I not?  It is part of who I am, and it is through the journey to 5th degree black belt that I came to have a fuller appreciation of who I am and all that I am capable of doing.  

At the end of the show tonight, the Mastery team had to break bricks rather than boards.  Uncharacteristically, I was thrilled at the prospect of bricks rather than boards.  For my 1st degree test I had to break one brick, and I did.  For my second degree black belt test I had to break two and I didn't.  For my third degree I had to break 3 and I did.  We didn't do bricks on our 4th degree test.  At last year's black belt show, I chose to break two bricks because I hadn't accomplished that yet.  It was easy.  So when faced with the prospect of breaking 4 bricks, I thought I had that covered.  That was until I thought about how high the bricks would be stacked compared to how tall I am and whether I would be able to get high enough above them to put the force of my body into the break.  But I quickly dismissed that and decided I'd face the 4 bricks and see what happens.   I didn't break my four bricks. I gave it four tries and then stepped away.  KJN Paul suggested an elbow break rather than a palm strike, but  I didn't feel confident enough about an elbow break to try it.  Although it was a disappointment,  I remembered back to KJN Tony Thompson counseling me after my defeat on the ropes course the first day of our 4th degree test.  He told me that if I thought I would not ever come up against things I couldn't do I was in for a lot of grief.( that's the gist of what he said; I can't remember the exact words, though I imagine they're written in one of my journals) There will be those things.  But they don't define me.

I could dwell on not breaking my bricks. But to do that would negate all the things I did do, all the ways I showed up for this mastery test and all the reasons I have to be proud.  That would be wrong and undeserved.   There will always be room for improvement and things I wish I had done better or differently.  Those experiences can be a spring board for learning.  A motivation to look at the things I can change and recognize the things I can't.  That would be a valuable purpose: to learn and grow rather than devalue and criticize.  I've done enough of that.  Not breaking my bricks doesn't mean I don't deserve my  new rank.  Recognizing there are things I could do differently and being open to the opportunity to try again- maybe at next year's black belt show- gives value to this experience. 

I am a KJN.  I told KJN Paul I wouldn't ever make it to first degree.  He didn't believe that.  I'm glad in the end I didn't either.    The journey changes but is not over.  I can't even begin to imagine what's in store but I know I won't want to miss even one minute of it.

Wow that's a lot of stuff - SBN John

Here's a list of accomplishments I needed to compile for KJN Paul. Wow!

SBN John - Mastery Training

Physical Training
29 Weeks of Training since April
265 Miles of Running
82 Miles of Biking
15,150 Push ups
18,500 Crunches
74 Martial Arts Classes
23 Sparring Classes

Additional Activities in 2015
5K Leprechaun Race (Placed 106 out of 1201)
5K North Valleys Zombie Run Race (Survived!)
170 Mile Reno Tahoe Odyssey Relay Race - (Team placed 55 out of 250)
10 Mile Race - Reno 10 Miler Race (Placed 69 out of 311)
8K Race - Reno Journal Jog (Placed 87 out of 439)

Additional Mastery Training in 2014 and 2015
Multiple Archery Training Classes
Rappelling at Donner Lake
Tahoe Treetop Adventure
2 Day Survival Training
Tactical Gun Training
360 Staff Form on top of a Volcano. No joke! On top of Cinder Cone at Lassen National Park
Rappelling and Spelunking Adventure
Volunteer for Habitat For Humanity
Raise money for Habitat For Humanity
180 Foot GSR Swing

Additionally

I teach 6 classes a week, and I live 25 miles from the school. Wow.

My test is tomorrow, October 17th. Wish me luck!

BKJN Pat: It's the final countdown

October 11, 2015

Hard to believe that what was once so far off to seem real is now upon us.  This time next Sunday we will have tested, presented a performance at the Atlantis and if all goes according to plan, have received our new belts and ranks.  I will be a KJN; a  rank I never imagined I would receive.  But as KJN Paul has reminded me on several occasions, I never imagined getting a 1st degree.

I started training with West Coast Martial Arts in the spring of 1989.  It wasn't my intention to "train".  My plan was to take the introductory classes so  my children would stop bugging me to try it out.  Our 16 year old foster son had seen an ad in the TV guide for 3 introductory lessons and a uniform.  He asked to sign up and before long all the boys in our family were involved.  When my job at Mt Rose Ski Resort ended for the season, I was out of excuses and they were relentless.  I really only went because I told them when I had more time I would.  We've lost touch with the young man who started it all. We gave him a home and family for a short time; he gave me a life changing gift.  I tested for my 1st degree December 4, 1993 and my 4th degree July 19, 2003. In a journey that now spans 26 years, I am testing for 5th degree October 17, 2015.

For me, my martial arts training hasn't just been about learning to punch and kick.  Oh I've learned that, but that isn't what has been the most meaningful for me.  It's been about finding a community that challenged me to grow in ways I never imagined, support that never wavered, life time friendships, developing a strong mind along with a stronger body, finding confidence, self respect, and an appreciation of who I am and all that I am capable of doing and being. There really aren't words to adequately express all that I've gained. I know I am where I am in my life's journey because of my martial arts experience..  I'm so glad I didn't stop at the introductory lessons.

I have a feeling this week will be no less of an adventure than all the others so far.  One thing for certain though,  there's a Mastery test at the end of it.  As SBN Terri reminded me today, it's time to BELIEVE!!!

Masters Test Week - SBN John

My last week as a Sa Bum Nim (SBN)

This is the final week of preparation before my Mastery test. It's been a long year with thousands of push ups and crunches and hundreds of miles biked and run. I'm glad the test is this week because my body's check engine light is on. I'm strained, stressed, and my muscles feel as if they are easily injured and/or pulled. Besides training for the test, I've been picked to be on the 360 demo team during the 360 Black Belt show. So, there are additional techniques and combos to be practiced, executed, and performed.

To reiterate, my test will require me to perform the following:
Execute and explain my very own Muay Thai Combinations.
     - I have six separate combinations with techniques that I love, and that I can perform at a high level. For example, one of my combinations contains a rear leg side kick to a pop back kick on the same target location. I've practiced this combination for a few years now, and it feels great when it lands on target.
Perform a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu flow roll pattern.
     - My flow roll pattern consists of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques I have picked up in the last ten years and from a variety of instructors and martial artisits. One of my favorite techniques was shown to me by ex-UFC champ Matt Hughes at a martial arts seminar. It's a knee bar while escaping out of an opponent's guard.
Perform my own open form. 
     - The form can be empty handed form, a traditional form, or a weapon form. I chose to create and perform my very own weapon form. To go along with my weapon form is some music I found many years ago. It has hard guitar riffs that I can synchronize many of my moves to. It  has a cresendo and finale that will turn my form into a story. (PS For now, I'm keeping the weapon secret from my wife. So, sorry I won't say the weapon. I want her to be surprised when she see's me use it at the test.)
Demonstrate my knowledge and use of weapons.
     - I plan to demonstrate my use of knives and kali sticks at the test.
Demonstrate and perform whatever else KJN Paul throws our way.
     - This is my first mastery test. So, KJN could have us perform any manner of techniques, kicks, or forms, and he could have us perform many of the lower belt techniques.

Also in the past couple years, the masters testers have already performed the following:
- Rappelling off a cliff face at Donner Lake.
- Climbing through the trees, rappelling, and traversing the obstacles in the Tahoe Treetop Adventure park.
- Survival training where we were only allowed a pocket knife and a metal canteen.
- Firearms training where we were run through various reloading and shooting drills.
- Rappelling 250 feet into an underground cave. Then, spelunking throughout the underground cave system.
- Swinging from the top of a 180 foot swing at the Grand Sierra Resort.
- Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and raising money to help support their cause.
- Additionally, I have been teaching about 6 martial arts classes a week. I teach students of all ages, levels, and skill.

So, this test and the last few years has been a life journey and adventure that I've had to embrace and love. or it would have worn me down. I'm glad I was able to persevere and continue where others might have quit. I'm also glad I have a loving and supporting family and network of friends that allowed me to train consistently.

Amazingly, I've been able to experience this great adventure with some great people.

My fellow Masters belt testers:
SBN Terri
SBN Andrew
SBN Wes
BKJN Pat.

My hard working daughter and loving daughter
CGN Saige

And the first degree testers that I've been able to mentor, train, and push
Torry
Lance
Turbo

I would also like to thank KJN Paul for putting us on this journey, and I would like to thank those that have read my thoughts here.

Thanks,

SBN John

(soon to be Bu Kwan Jang Nim - BKJN)

SBN Terri - The ZEN of testing!

Between my physical ailments and traveling, I've spent a lot of time mentally practicing my stand up, ground, forms, weapons.  There is a lot to be said about mental practice and observation.  It has helped me understand the purpose of certain techniques and think about the flow of things.  It is certainly no substitute for actually physically practicing.  But,there IS value to sitting back and taking the time to think and observe in addition to practice.  

As I reflect on this year and preparing for this test, I have learned so much.  The training helps me both physically and mentally.  The 360 team is great - we have shared a number of challenges together creating some of the best moments of my life. 

Just another week to go and we'll see if this preparation will have been sufficient!

BKJN Pat: Hiatus almost over; back to reality

October 5,2015.8


There probably isn't a greater escape from all things of normal life than a trip to Universal Studios and DisneyWorld and Epcot in Orlando . That's where I've been the past week, enjoying my bi-annual trip with my sister. Today is my  last day. Tomorrow I head to the airport at 11am Florida time (8am Reno time) and arrive back home, back to reality, which in itself has been a bit altered since April 1, 2015 about 8 pm.

On Wednesday I'll find out how effective mental practice/preparation is. Wednesday I hit the ground running, putting in all the practice I can for the final 10 days before testing. I haven't done push ups or sit ups or run since September 24. I've done my stand up combos floating down the lazy river and gone through my flow roll in that same location. I did do one set of 50 push ups in the shallow end of the pool.  I did however walk 148,617 steps this week. Almost triple what I normally walk in a week. I hope that counts for something.-)

I feel I'll have the energy for the last push. What has seemed almost endless is coming to an end. I can dig in and do what needs to be done. It's not anywhere near as long as it's been. For that I'm grateful.

There are two parts of testing that I'm not totally looking forward to: performing my open form and conditioning. In terms of all that I've done, these are both a blink. I'm working on remembering that.
Back to reality. But right now there's the Boardwalk, Hollywood Studios, the Magic Kingdom  possibly a sake bomb and many steps in my immediate future. I'm going to be in the moment, where I am right here, right now and let tomorrow take care of itself .