Well...the last Wado Ryu Rumination was in 2006. Here it is September of 2011...as we continue our journey.

As of the last writing I was at my final level of Brown Belt and testing was either going to be in the Spring or Fall. Issues for me were of the cardio nature.

My belt was finally hung on the wall with my name above it. See the picture with the yellow arrow pointing to the coveted prize. Of course...just because your belt is up on the wall...it is not a done deal. You still have to increase your output...not lay back. At Bill Taylor's Bushido School of Karate...they do not give you a black belt (or any other colored belt)...but you EARN it. They can take down the belt as quickly as they put it up if you are not putting out the effort.

However...I found that just seeing that belt up there being an incentive to take it up multiple notches. Training for cardio for me included....not only pushing harder in class...but working out to my own music CD...called MY BLACK BELT WORKOUT. Crank it up and work it.

A week or two before the Black Belt examination...three things happened that still haunt me to this day.

(1) I went to a daytime workout session and was pushing hard in a task of doing roundhouse kicks to a wavemaster...alternating from leg to leg. At that point there was a difference in my knees. Increased pain...but under control with ice, ibuprofen, etc.

(2) During class the week before the test...I was holding a kicking shield and one of young men kicking....kicked the edge of the shield and slid off and kicked me in my left knee. Ouch!

(3) During my last class before testing...I was in a circle of about 20-25 students running some kata's as they looked on. During Pinan Nidan...on the 2nd high block...I was pumped and blocking hard...and I heard a rip in my right shoulder...and my arm feel down and I could not lift it up. Torn rotator cuff.

NOTE: The second picture is my original instructor (from 1973) Sensei Newton Harris came to see me test. What a surprise...and what an honor.

Well...with all of these injuries...I spent a lot of time with ice, anti-inflammatory, heat, and rest. I was still hurting...but able to actually do a high block and walk...with a limp.

I went to the endurance part of the examination...and punched, kicked, blocked, did kata until the physical brink of endurance and then went beyond. My favorite quote during this part of the examination..."Mr. Boyd...those are suppose to be kicks...we don't walk during this...get those kicks up."
The key to the endurance part...is don't give up. It is not a matter of technique or style...but endurance and perseverance.

The next day on Sunday...was the day of the Federation examination...where multiple black belts who I have never seen would be walking around with clipboards and watching every move that you made. Nervous energy was being collected to be released during the examination. I mentioned to Mr. Taylor that my knee was injured and I was limping some....to which he replied..."Don't let them see you limp."

Well, somehow...I did not limp. The culmination of all the emotion, practice, and encouragement from all of my instructors, friends, and fellow karatekas...helped me get through it.

I gave all I had...plus some. I believe...I actually left out a few moves in Ku San Ku...but it was not noticed. I even gave a nice little leap in Nihanchi...even with the knee troubles. After it was all over...we were not told if we made it or not...but was requested to show up on Tuesday night at the Broad Street School. At this time...I was awarded what I started out in 1973 to attain...my Black Belt.

Well...here it is...10 years later since I started back with my dream...and I am still standing. I have the honor of receiving my 2nd degree black belt...and the honor of teaching in the school (white belt classes).

I am currently 60 years old...physically...shoulders hurts...knee (left) aches...and work is overwhelming...but I am still standing.

This last picture is with Sensei Bill Taylor...who continues to be an inspiration. What an honor to be part of a school...where you are encouraged to accomplish your dreams...and be part of a place where there are people who become your friends, comrades, encourager's, examples, and the heartbeat of Bill Taylor's Bushido School of Karate.

I am poised for the next leg of my journey...and must continue to set goals, practice, push myself, overcome obstacles. As Mr. Taylor told us when we got our Shodan (1st degree) belt..."You are ready to start learning now." It is not the end of the journey...it is merely the beginning as we begin to take what we have learned and put it into practical application.

This may be the last posting...or just the beginning.

To all who are involved in my journey...I send you much REI-spect.

Rodney Boyd Ni-Dan