Recently I got a chance to take Amara to her Tae Kwon Do class — you know I loved it! I was so impressed by how much better she had gotten and by how serious she takes it. When she started back to school this year she had to make a choice between Tae Kwon Do and Girl Scouts. She studies Tae Kwon Do three nights a week and there would not be time for both. I thought it was really smart of her parents to leave the decision to her. I’m a big fan of Girl Scouts and I was worried she had made the wrong choice and would just get bored and quit. Boy was I wrong!

Amara stretching before class

We got to her class a little early and she was the first person there. With no encouragement, she started stretching and warming up for class. It wasn’t long before others started arriving. They started practicing together and soon Amara was helping all of them practice with the breakaway boards. They are so much fun to watch and I am so impressed by her. She is such a little teacher! She gave them pointers; encouraged them when they didn’t succeed and congratulated them when they did. I think much of this is as result of the example that the Masters set themselves. They are always teaching, always challenging and always praising and encouraging the students. She has been working extra hard getting ready for the upcoming Belt Testing.

Look at how high off the ground she gets!

With all the excitement, cooking and eating last week I haven’t had a chance to blog about it. The night before Thanksgiving Amara took that belt test and we all got to be there! There were nine other students testing that night and there was a crowd of parents and grandparents. Our girl was testing for her orange belt. Master Sohn, who would be judging them explained that all students start out as white belts. Amara had already passed her tests for her yellow belt and her senior yellow belt, all of the senior belts have a stripe. They had all practiced so hard.

Amara going through basic blocking

Look at her focus! One of the things they are taught and were tested on are the Three Rules of Focus: eye focus, mind focus and body focus.

Amara taking her belt test

There was so much excitement in the studio and there were cameras everywhere!

Amara breaking the board with her elbow

They use plastic breakaway boards for training but for the testing they use real boards, which they all keep as trophies of their success! Each level is required to break the board a different way.

It really is more than just kicking and blocking. The Masters teach the students about respect and it is constantly reinforced that the students should obey and respect their parents and others.The Masters also stress that students must do well in school and for the next belt test they will have to submit their report cards with their testing application. This won’t be a problem for Amara but I think it is so great that the Masters teach them to be well rounded and respectful children.

Amara and Master Sohn (red) and Master John (white)

Amara not only passed her belt test she also received a special trophy for having worked so hard. Their new belts were awarded to them on Wednesday!

Amara receiving her orange belt

We are all very proud of her.