Butch and Sundance take Karate

Butch and Sundance have been taking Issenhryu Karate since last June. They started out as white belts and they are now yellow belts. It has been a long process. Their instructor is a young (25) guy who has just earned to privilege to teach. He is not very experience with young children but he is learning along with my kiddos. Their father takes the class with them. He has advanced belts in other types of martial arts but since this one is new, he had to start as a white belt. He is now a gold belt.

Here is the deal, in order to test for the next belt Butch and Sundance have to be able to tie their own obi (belt). I have been working with them and helping them try to learn. It is not a regular square knot either. There is a special knot that has to be done. I have complained to my husband about this knot. He has kindly explained that it is about discipline and following tradition that the belt has to be tied a certain way. I keep saying, "Why can't we just tie a square knot?" and once more he explains about tradition. Once more tonight I asked, "Are you sure we can't just tie these in square knots. " I just got THE LOOK.

I guess this is why I will never be a martial artist.

Comments

[elisabeth]

I'm assuming there's no "bunny story" to help them learn this new knot...

[elisabeth]

Maybe teaching boys to tie knots is a job for dad...that might eliminate the occurrences of THE LOOK.

[Miss Roxie]

You are too funny.
Both my boys are black belts. I hope you are helping the boys tie their knots from behind and not in front of them.
I remember my sons had a little story that went along with their belt tying to remember the knot sequence, but I do not remember it.
However, if you want to hear half of the "Bearenstein Bears Bear Scout Book" I do know it.... :)

[Athena]

Actually, I have given up trying to tie the knots and leave it up to the instructor and their father. I just know Honey has to be fully responsible for something and this seemed like his area of expertise.