Frustrating Class

Today's class was very frustrating to me. Primarily because I am a white belt trying to work to my last stripe before I can test for my yellow belt, I have earned two out of the three so far (One for my Chon-Ji form, and the other for my one step sparring technique). My instructor today had us work on things we have been working on the last few classes and it was frustrating. The younger student in my class who has ranked up almost at the same time I have so far was not focused in class, and about ten minutes of class time was spent reprimanding him for it. While I understand he is young and discipline is a trait that is learned, at the same time this is getting in the way of my forward progression. Perhaps I am a bit too selfish, but it is as Mr. Woodside had put it, "Either you want your yellow belt or you don't, if you don't then take your belt of and leave, and tell your dad you don't want this, if you do then pay attention and listen."

I spent most of my time staring at the wall in front of me while the younger student was getting attention for the same mistakes he has been having trouble with for weeks.

I personally need to work out some sort of practice regiment, every day half an hour at least on the small stuff like stances, and strikes. Also I need to spend 15 minutes each day stretching so I can become more flexable. I did not like being corrected for my comfortable sparring position tonight, nor some of the more trivial blocks. I also need to remember to keep my shoulders in line with my hips, and parallel to the wall I am facing when performing my Chon-Ji form.

I know I am almost there, I can feel it, and each class while changing in the men's room I tell myself "I'm going to earn my black stripe today", and the last few classes I have not. I think I did well controlling my anger in class every time we were stopped for my fellow students antics, as well as when I was critized for small stuff.

I was so frustrated today I came home and practiced for another hour.

Lessons learned today: I need to practice more, and I need to memorize VERBATIM the definition of Chon-Ji, one word wrong or not I need to know it in and out. If I try harder like I always do I can succeed.