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)