Black Belt Candidate 1st Degree Essay Questions The Black Belt Mindset is to always believe in yourself and

to have the ability to always give 110% in everything you do. Never retreat or surrender until the mission is accomplished. The Black Belt Mindset is achieving a high level of excellence or mastery in martial arts and life; to learn to give unconditional love and respect to yourself and others. Unfortunately, I do not think I have achieved the Black Belt Mindset yet, but I believe that I will grasp a bit of it along the journey to becoming a black belt. Martial arts have changed my life for the better by keeping me active and fit other than during school. It helped me become more flexible. I have been able to connect with new people in class, as well as old people at school. It also helped build up courage and overcome my shyness, a little bit. And I believe in myself more. I used to never talk and not do anything by myself because I was scared of making mistakes and being noticed, but martial arts changed that. In martial arts, you want to be noticed and its okay to make mistakes because thats how you learn. I think that I am almost ready to become an Ernie Reyes West Coast World Martial Arts Black Belt because I think I have decent technique, but sometimes, I lack the intensity and my throat just wont let me yell loud. But as time passes, Ill strive to get better and surpass those small mistakes. Yes, I do apply my martial arts in my everyday living. The focus I use during martial arts is used when I take tests or any work in school. Martial arts make me flexible and fit, which are useful for P.E. or anything that involves moving and exercising. Respect is very important and I use it all the time. I have respect for my family, friends, teachers, instructors, everybody. Martial arts is basically everywhere I look. I breathe martial arts. Martial arts at Ernie Reyes West Coast World Martial Arts differ from other martial art schools because we do mixed martial arts and learn different styles and techniques from many other martial arts. We are one of the largest martial arts schools in the world, which is pretty impressive. My WCWMA Head Instructor is KJN Teri Le. She was the owner of West Coast Sunnyvale since 1988. She is a Sixth Degree Black Belt with over 30 years of martial arts training and is a student of Master Ernie Reyes. She had four years of teaching experience in the public school system. Her philosophy is to develop well-rounded students: physically, mentally, spiritually, and with good character; for them to reach their individual potential; to make students that are

not only Black Belts in Martial Arts, but Black Belts in life. KJN Ernie Reyes is the founder of West Coast World Martial Arts Association along with Master Tony Thompson. They were both World Class fighters and forms competitors. KJN Teri Lee is very kind and works hard. People might underestimate her just because shes a woman, but I believe that she does martial arts very well. KJN Riz Angel is a good teacher as well. He has patience and he disciplines people when they need to be. He has a loud voice that reaches everyone and is respected by many people. BKJN Cody often teaches during my class. He is very helpful and explains everything clearly. SMN Kow used to be my swimming coach many years ago. Now, I dont see him anymore. I dont see SMN Gordon often either, but hes funny. SMN Madan often teaches in my class. Hes very good ad demonstrating, but talks softly sometimes. I havent seen SMN Jennifer anywhere but the front desk. Shes very nice and helpful. I dont see BSMN Stefanie very often either, but she used to teach me when I was a lower belt. Shes a good role model for girls and women that want to do martial arts. SMN Khang teaches at my class too. He has good technique and intensity. You can help give value to other by acknowledging their presence and being kind to them. I once stood up for my friend when she was being bullied. I also welcomed new students and now theyre very dear friends to me. You can also give value by helping them and attending to their needs. Martial Arts can be important in developing maturity and responsibility. It develops maturity by teaching us to focus by standing still and being quiet when needed. It develops responsibility by making us come to every class, be on time, and spend time outside of classes practicing and perfecting techniques. The Four Pillars of Strength of our WCWMA Association are: 1. Purpose of West Coast World Martial Arts is to develop oneself? Psychically, mentally, spiritually, and have good character. 2. Whats our goal? Commitment to: Constant And Never ending Improvement

3. 5 Levels to Mastery 1. Non Survival Level: Zero commitment 2. Mediocre Level: Commitment to barely try 3. Comfort Zone Level: Commitment to get by 4. Black Belt Excellence Level: Commitment to excel 5. Mastery Level: Extreme commitment to do the extraordinary 4. Black Belt Success System 1. Black Belt is our goal 2. Start training consistently now 3. Strive for Black belt excellence 4. Correction, Repetition 5. Practice, practice, practice 6. Leads to Mastery This Ultimate Success Formula can help you in other areas in life by knowing our purpose and goal so we can strive to reach it, whatever it is. As for the Levels or Mastery; we can choose to either put no effort in whatever were doing or give 110%. And for the Black Belt Success System; we need to know our goal, strive for the best, correct any mistakes, practice constantly, and that leads to perfection, but anything can be improved so keep trying to make it better.