The Meaning of a Black Belt Copy
History & Origin
The Oom Yung Doe Degree System is approximately 1500-2000 years old and has been carefully passed from generation to generation since that time.
Centuries ago, a student’s belt would darken from sweat and toxins released during numerous hours of earnest indoor and outdoor practice. The gradual darkening of the belt was symbolic of the student’s effort and concentration and the resulting skill gained from the practice of proper techniques and correct forms. When the practitioner achieved a “black belt,” it was understood that he or she had developed a strong level of skill and increased understanding. This is the original meaning of the term “Black Belt.”
The Oom Yung Doe System
In an Oom Yung Doe school today we follow this centuries-old tradition. Each student begins his or her training as a white belt (wearing a white uniform with a white belt) and progresses in rank as skill as understanding increases. Each new level a student achieves on the Path to a First Degree Black Belt is called a “section” because the belt is dyed black in sections. There are seven tests, and thus seven sections to achieving a First Degree Black Belt. In traditional martial arts, black represents knowledge. For this reason, the uniform itself gains black trim in the process of reaching a 1st Degree and instructor uniforms are black.
Some students begin training with a desire to reach an Oom Yung Doe Black Belt while others have no initial interest in a degree and simply want to try out martial arts and improve some aspect of their mental and physical being. Whether you train for a few years or a few months, if you apply yourself, you can improve in numerous ways.
Achieving the level of 1st Degree Black Belt in Oom Yung Doe signifies a strong core of mental, physical, and spiritual understanding that will enhance every aspect of your life. It is a gift that you give to yourself.
On the Path to Black Belt, you will be challenged. Your body will change. Your mind will change. Your daily life will change – all for the better. When you start to realize the benefit of those changes, you will naturally start to challenge yourself more, and you will grow. That is the power of Oom Yung Doe training.
For a student focused on reaching a 1st Degree, the process takes about 2-3 years. A student needs to attain skill with core eight martial arts curriculum movements, and similar to a college degree where a student chooses a major, in Oom Yung Doe a student needs to develop at least two specialties. Specialty training is taught directly from the Master Level Teaching Team through Chung Hyungs or key forms.