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 [American Korean Tae Kwon Do Association Membership Card; 2001] |
 [Rank Achievement Card; 2001] |
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[Chapter 4] Along with Aikido, I also made use of my first weeks at Florida State University by checking out the FSU Tae Kwon Do Club. After the first practice, I couldn't wait for the next! Why was I so excited? Well, considering I had never taken formal martial arts training before, you have to understand that this kind of instruction was great. Ok, this is how to kick, this is how to punch, these are your stances... finally, I thought, I am learning martial technique! Tae Kwon Do introduced me to forms for the first time. Since there are there are no actual forms for the bulk of Aikido, I was thrilled to learn the forms in Tae Kwon Do. Further, I enjoyed Tae Kwon Do because it involved kicks. And as often happens, kicks are usually more impressive to a beginner than punches. What more, I was practicing what I thought as "cool" jump kicks. Another major factor of Tae Kwon Do that made it so interesting was that I started learning to spar with fellow students. The first time sparring in TKD was quite nerve wrecking. Later on, I became more accustomed to sparring and think I was not bad for my experience... however I don't think I ever liked it too much personally (as will be explained in a later chapter). Over the next year and a half, I was learning a lot of techniques. I believe head instructor Carol Heiman focused more on TKD as a form of excercise and self actualization. That is, to allow Tae Kwon Do to benefit you through discipline, thus enhancing your life. I would compete in my first martial arts tournament in Tae Kwon Do. It was the 2001 University of Florida Martial Arts Festival. This was primarily a 'gi-tournament', consisting of mostly Tae Kwon Do, Cuong Nhu, and Karate practitioners. I had only competed in forms, which I did not place. Nevertheless, it was a good experience for me. During my second year with the club, instructor Heiman persued other fields of study, leaving the club in the hands senior students. I believe focus turned more towards sparring. As skilled as the instructors were, I did not find happiness in the training. I later left the club after about two years, and achieving the rank of 2nd green belt in the American Korean Tae Kwon Do Association. Cover | Foreword | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
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