Going Green – TAGB style.
by Mark Robson
November 15, 2007
Yes, I took another Tae Kwon Do grading last week … and I passed with a fourth consecutive ‘A’ grade. The handbook containing the TAGB (Tae Kwon Do Association of Great Britain) syllabus describes the green belt as signifying the plant’s growth as the Tae Kwon Do skills begin to develop. I would say it’s a pretty good analogy, really. I do very much feel that this step up to green belt has moved me from the beginner level to the intermediate. I am now comfortable with all the basic moves and theory. The patterns that I’ve done so far are well ingrained and I feel ready to take on the challenge of preparing for my blue tag.
The pattern (or tul, in Korean) for this next level is called Won Yho, and is so named after the Silla Dynasty monk who reputedly introduced Zen Bhuddism into Korea in AD686. It is a complex pattern consisting of 28 movements, some of which are considered quite tricky. It’s certainly a big step up from pattern Do San, the sequence I learned for my previous grading. My plan is to continue progressing towards black belt at the fastest possible rate, so I will take my next grading in 3 months.
I find the history behind the modern Tae Kwon Do teaching method fascinating. As an accepted, widespread martial art, it appears to have been around only a short time. The modern teaching methods were only introduced into Korea formally in 1955, and to Britain in 1967, but its roots go way back. The discipline and training regime suit my goal-oriented mentality well, as no sooner do I achieve one level than there is another for me to strive for. I’m amazed I didn’t take up something like this when I was younger. I do find it hard on the body – particularly the stretching. I’m most jealous of some of the youngsters who look like they’re made of rubber in comparison with my efforts, but I’ll keep trying. With continual work, I’m hoping that some of those hard old tendons will stretch a bit more here and there.
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hheyy mark
gongrats on the A grade
u looked very good from were i was sitting
matt
Comment by mattt (from tae kwon do ) the black belt — February 11, 2008 @ 8:26 pm
Thanks, Matt. I’m hoping I added another to the string on Friday. I’ll have to wait until Wednesday to find out! No doubt there will be another Tae Kwon Do entry before the end of the week.
Mark
Comment by admin — February 11, 2008 @ 10:38 pm
That is so lame.
I got red belt. And i’m 13
Thats sick. And you are SOOOOOOO proud?
LMAO
Comment by Me — August 30, 2008 @ 11:24 am
I note that you don’t name yourself, ‘Me’. That says a lot.
Lame? Taking up a martial art when you are over forty is not like taking it up when you are young and flexible. Had I done so, I doubt I would still only be a blue belt … as you would see if you read further through the blog.
There are many black belts in our club who are younger than you. Does that make you lame? No. They probably started younger than you. Am I proud – yes. Unlike many people of my age, I’m not sitting in front of the TV every night like a vegetable. I’m doing something to improve myself. There’s nothing wrong with being proud of achievements, so long as you don’t let them go to your head.
I would have thought that someone with a red belt would know the 5 tenets of Tae Kwon Do by now, the first being COURTESY. Perhaps when you grow up to be a little more mature, you’ll understand this better.
Comment by Mark Robson — August 30, 2008 @ 9:18 pm
I think this is typical of some of our younger students and if they trained at my school they wouldnt be there for long.
As someone who started at 47 I know full well how difficult it can be – but keep going getting A passes is hard enough when your young almost unheard of over 40! – I got my black belt at 50 and going for my second dan in April (hopefully) at 52 so keep on in there.
Larry
Comment by Larry — November 19, 2008 @ 6:01 pm
Thanks for your comment, Larry. And welcome to my blog! :-)
Comment by Mark Robson — November 20, 2008 @ 1:42 am
Well done keep going.
My sister’s whose 8 is taking her green at xmas and I’m training for my 2nd Dan and i’m 13 !
It’s great when you get your black belt so don’t give up…
Comment by Dan — October 29, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
So Mark are you still training? Was it black belt this year?
Comment by Larry — November 18, 2010 @ 4:15 pm
Well Done!!!! it’s not easy starting all this training I’m about to take my first Grading and I’m 31 , I think ‘me’ could do well to go back and learn his Tenets again!
Keep at it and Keep us all Posted :D
Comment by CJ — January 12, 2012 @ 11:07 pm
Thanks, CJ. This is a very old post – I’m a first dan instructor now! Good luck with your first grading. I’m sure you’ll do fine.
Mark
Comment by Mark Robson — January 13, 2012 @ 1:41 pm