Arman Isayan

What Have I Learned Since First Degree

What is the difference between first degree black belt and second degree? Which skills have improved? What have I learned since first degree? More than a year has passed since I got my first degree. This essay is about what I have learned during that time.

There are differences between first and second degree. It is not just that first is written in white and second is written in blue. Some of the differences are that first degree is the introduction or the beginning of the black belt journey, while second degree is a part of the journey. It is an improvement on your higher level techniques. It unlocks a new perspective and understanding of Krav.

Since I got my first degree black belt, things that I have gotten better at or improved on are fight class, my high round kicks, hook and crescent kicks, groundwork, wrestling, and submissions, wrist twists and locks, and oblique kicks.

There are things that have changed after I got my first degree black belt. What has changed is that they hold me to a higher standard than everybody else (except Adriana). Because I am a higher belt than everybody else, they expect more from me. I have to be an example for other lower belt people, to show them what the expectations are and what they are going to be. If I am lazy and sloppy, that shows that I am not ready to be a black belt. If I don't misbehave, I will promote to second degree.

What second degree means to me is that you are into the martial art and you didn't quit. You didn't go because you just want a black belt to show somebody. You came to train, you didn't quit, you got your black belt, then you said that you had done enough. The journey is over. But second degree shows the opposite, that there is something after first degree, that it isn't the end.

Since first degree I have learned that you are not past the basic techniques, but the basics are a part of the advanced techniques. You can always get better at the basics, which would make your advanced techniques better. First degree isn't the end. There is something. When you quit a martial art, it's the end of the martial art and improvement. "What have I learned since first degree?" is one question, but the second question we should ask ourselves is "What will I learn, and am I ready to learn?" That is a part of what I have learned since first degree.

One difference between first degree black belt and second degree is that you are better than you were before by showing up on the mat when most quit because they think they have done enough when they got their black belt. Skills and techniques that I have improved on are kicks and fight class. What I've learned since first degree is that first degree isn't the end. There is something after first degree. Since I got my first degree, this is what I have learned.

People Who Got Me Here

Nobody earns a black belt alone. This essay is about understanding people who helped me on my Krav Maga journey. People who showed up for me, people who inspired me, people who supported me, and people who helped me. When people know that you're a black belt, they usually think that you're very strong, fast, and athletic, which might be true, but they probably don't know that you didn't get there alone. This essay is also about how I can be this person for someone else.

Somebody that showed up for me and helped me on my journey is my dad. He made me go to class when I wanted to stay home and play games. He said, "If you are going to stay and play, I'd rather you not go at all." My mom also helped me. My mom drove me to class when I didn't want to go. If my parents didn't pay for Krav, I wouldn't have gotten my black belt. They are helping me to get my second degree.

People that inspire you are the people that you want to be like. People who inspired me on my journey are my dad, my older sister Adriana, my Krav friend Leo and Mr. Crouch. I want to be as strong as my dad and Leo, as fast as Adriana, and train as long as Mr. Crouch (not saying he's not strong). When I remember them, I think that I will make it.

Someone that pushed me when it was hard or when I was struggling was my dad. When I wanted to quit, he showed me reasons to continue. He wanted me to know that I will make it through.

Now that I'm a black belt and might get my second degree, I understand that I didn't get my black belt alone. The way people helped me on my journey to my goal, I want to help them (people on or off the mat). I am not only going to try to be this person at Krav or BJJ, but outside of the mat, with my friends. In Krav, when my teammates are confused and need help, I could help them and show them tips on techniques. For example, if I see that somebody is struggling on buck and roll or kick off from the guard, I should help them through without being bossy. I could be late less often and show up early to show that being late is not a good thing to do. I want people to mirror my good habits. I want to be an example for other people by showing them how to behave and act during class, to listen and show effort, and for them to learn a good attitude and mindset.

The people that were the most important in my journey were Mr. Crouch and Ms. Nat. Without them, it would be impossible to get here. They taught me Krav Maga. When I went to Burbank Krav Maga, they were the ones that came to start the class, to warm us up, to teach the lesson and end the class. They were the most important people for me at Krav.

I did not earn my first degree black belt alone. Same with my sister and dad. This essay was about the people who helped me and how I can be that same person for someone else. The way that people showed up for me, the same way I have to show up for other people. If my teammates need help on something or somebody is confused, I should help them.

What Black Belt Means to Me

It takes a lot of effort and time to become a black belt. It took me about 5 years from white belt to become a black belt candidate. I was 6 years old when I started practicing Krav Maga with my sister.

One of the things that black belt means to me is that I need to know how to control my emotions. When they hurt your feelings, push you by accident or on purpose, or hit you, try to ignore them or calm them down. If they keep on pushing you or hitting you on purpose, it still does not mean that you can hit them back. Tell an adult and let them take care of it. For me, a black belt needs to have control over my own body and know when to use martial arts outside, in real life.

Also, if a bad guy has a gun or a knife, don't stand around, scream, and do nothing. If you're the only hope to save everybody, then do something. You're a black belt and you are supposed to know how to deal with the issue. Step up, lead, and protect everybody. Be aware of your surroundings and be careful of how you are doing the techniques, because your coach is not going to be there.

The next important thing to be a black belt is that you have to be knowledgeable of the techniques, which will give you speed, control, strength, and power. All that time from white belt to black belt you learn the techniques, step by step. You go from the easy things to the hard things, which basically means you start with the basics and then you use all the basics to build on and do the harder techniques.

A true black belt can keep the art alive by sharing it with others. I have to be a good example for the lower ranking students by not playing around, helping others with the basic techniques, lining them up, tying their belts, being focused, standing still, showing my best all the time, talking only when you're supposed to talk, and helping others achieve their goals and become a good black belt. You come every day, do your best, and show them how to do the material correctly.

To become a black belt, you have to be persistent, have control, and come every day. Yes, it takes a long time to become a black belt, but if you come every day, don't quit, and do your best each time, you will become a black belt.