Black Belt Mentality

I was asked recently about what it meant to be a Black Belt. Because there are so many styles and so many schools, being a Black Belt is different to different folks.
You train for years on the basics: How to stand. How to have correct hand postion. How to throw a kick correctly. How to have good technique. Having a Black Belt just means that you have mastered the basics.
I hate to say it, but there are pleanty of schools out there that are in it for the money. They have become "Belt Factories" or "Mc Dojos". What is the purpose of martial arts if you only know enough to get beaten up? What is the reason for taking a contact activity where you are not allowed to make contact?

I think that with all of the movies out there and video games and etc. The true concept of martial arts have changed. There is no one style that is better than any other. Martial Arts is just a tool. It is up to the person to sharpen and take care of his tool and use it in a proper manner. Take what works for you and perfect it...anything else discard.

For all of you aspiring Martial Artist:
1. Look at how many young Black Belts they have. If there are a bunch of them running all over the place... you may be in a Mc Dojo.
2. Ask what the average time it takes to earn a Black Belt (3-6 years should be right).
3. How much physical work is required. If there are not a lot of push ups and etc.-RUN!

All in all, what I will say is that martial arts is an expression of yourself. No one can make you a Martial Artist. You have to look deep within yourself, set your goals and decide what you want to get out of it. You will only get out what you put in.

Soul Food...eat well.