"You must in all Airs follow the strength, spirit and disposition of the horse, and do nothing against nature; for art is but to set nature in order, and nothing else." – William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle

I had been steadily going to karate class about six weeks.

This night wasn’t much different. 

One of the sensei took me to a corner of the room and told me to go through my kata. 

I had learned all the steps involved. So I did. I went through each movement. I said what I thought I might be doing. In kata you are fighting invisible enemies so I needed to say where each enemy was coming from and how I was grabbing them.

Sensei stepped in close. 

“When you are a black belt, I’ll teach you what you are actually doing in these movements.” 

I blinked. 

I hadn’t considered myself getting to black belt rank. 

Then to give me a snippet, instead of me punching somebody in the stomach, he intertwined his hands through mine and I had him in a joint lock.

My expression lit up. 

This is a proper extension across a long diagonal. 

“I don’t know if I can make black belt.” 

Our hands were still pressed together. 

“You can if you decide to.” 

I nodded. I know. I already had decided on Grand Prix. I did not know if I could also do this.

He called for everyone to line up. 

Then the Master of the school called me to the front. 

I trotted up and bowed. 

He had me stand in kiba-dachi, horse stance. It made me laugh inside. This stance would make for poor equitation. 

“You have been steady in coming to class and faithful in your practice. It is time for you to be rewarded for the work you have put in.”

He pulled out a yellow belt that he had tucked inside his gi. 

I removed the white belt I had around my waist and he tied the yellow belt on me. 

He tied it too high. It was on my floating ribs. It was longer than the white belt, and made from a stiffer material. 

He made a little circle motion with his hand.

“Turn around and face the class.”

I spun around and made eye contact with the carpet.

“9th Kyu! Congratulations!” 

I bowed and they bowed back.

I trotted back to my spot in the row. It had changed. I was now at the end of the yellow belts, instead of the end of the white belts.

The sensei who taught me kata came up to me afterwards. 

“Were you surprised?”

I nodded. 

“Yes… Sir.” 

He seemed very pleased. 

“Just don’t quit on me… Give me a hug!” 

I looked at him, he had opened both arms wide.

I don’t want to hug. 

But I guess this once won’t hurt. 

I gave him a hug.