CJ Got His Yellow Belt in Tae Kwon Do

CJ has been taking tae kwon do classes since June and he's now advanced to the third belt. He started at white, then advanced to orange, then advanced to yellow.

In order to advance to the next belt, the students need to:

• Get a red stripe for knowing their kicking combination (there's a different one for each belt)
• Get a blue stripe for knowing their form (there's a different one for each belt)
• Get a yellow stripe for breaking a board (it's a different kick for each belt

In addition, kids need to get a white stripe, which they get when their parents fill out a piece of paper saying they've been good at home, doing their homework, being helpful at home, getting good grades, etc. I love this stripe because it definitely keeps CJ in check. When he's acting up, I say, "I guess you don't want that white stripe very much."

At the end of September, after completing his stripes, CJ took the test to advance to yellow belt. The tests happen every 2-3 months and you can't take a test unless you've achieved all of the stripes. You have to show Master Yun that you know your kicking combination and form, and you can break an actual wooden board.

CJ had a tough time breaking the wooden board to advance to yellow belt. Breaking the board seems to be the toughest part of any belt test.

It's so great to see CJ so excited about tae kwon do. He begs to go to class each week (he goes about 3 times a week: Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday), he practices at home, and he has made good friends in class.

 Here's CJ with his fellow orange belts before the test.

 Here's CJ during the test. He's setting up for his kicking combination.

 Here's CJ breaking the board.

 Here's CJ getting presented with his yellow belt.

 

Master Yun loves to mess around with the kids!