Mirror, Mirror

I was the only Green Belt in class today, so I had lots of opportunity to practice on my own. I started to work on my required one-step sparring (Il Soo Sik Dae Ryun Ship Sam and Ship Sa). But before I had completed even one repetition, Sa Bom Nim stopped me. He had noticed that my line of vision was wandering all over the place instead of remaining fixed on my imaginary opponent.

He took me through the exercise step by step, making corrections along the way, while I kept my eyes focused on the mirror. Then he left me alone to work it through while he circulated among the other students.

I had thought I knew this routine, but I realize now that I had only scratched the surface. Maybe I still have a long way to go before I master it, but I know it a lot better today than I did yesterday.

“Look with the intent to learn” is the adage drummed into the little kids, and I need to heed it too, even when what I look at is my own reflection.