Day 2 ā Pushing Limits: Black Belt Test & Ki-Mu Workshop
Thursday, May 29
After a calm morning, Day 2 began in quiet focus, with a powerful intention. We each prepared mentally in our own way for the moment we had trained toward for months: the Black Belt exam at 1:00 PM in Gellik. We stepped outside one last time to rehearse only the most essential sword formsāstripped down to what mattered most. The mind was sharp, the sword steady.
We arrived with time to spare. Tension hung in the airānot as fear, but as electric potential. Just before the start, I was unexpectedly asked to act as conductor for the other candidates. A great honor, and a true challenge: shifting between calm leadership and personal intensity.
The test itself was tough, honorable, and pushed us to our limits. From single and double sword forms to Ki techniques, bamboo cutting, and a relentless line of push-upsāwe gave it everything.
Afterwards, we received direct feedback from Grandmaster Kim, Jeong Seongāconstructive, sharp-eyed, and filled with insight.
Everyone passed. āØ
And TjardoāIām incredibly proud of you. We walked this path together, and we left it all on the floor.
A special moment followed as we received our new belts and official certificates. This time, the focus was clearly on cutting precision. And yes, our growth was seenāand acknowledged.
After a short break with congratulations and a delicious pasta meal, we entered the second part of the day: the Ki-Mu workshop.
This was a beautiful experience. We learned new ways to feel and move Ki, including preparations for healing techniques like āEye-fingersā and āBeam-fingersā. Sensitivity training, proper breathing, and even an exercise to āseeā energy with closed eyesāall deepened our connection to Ki.
As a final gift, we were taught a new segment of Keonkang Ki-Mu, building on what we had already learned. The Dojang atmosphere was calm, focused, and filled with mutual respect. We ended the day with a group photo that captured connection, progress, and pride.
That night, we returned to our apartmentātired, grateful, and ready for tomorrowās double workshop on single sword skills.
What a day. What a journey. And weāre only halfway through.
