Winds of Change

It is now more than 3 years since my return to Taekwondo. Ten years of pause from active training were devastating for my overall physical condition and now I truly realize what I was missing all that time. A good moment to write a little why I came back to something that was once my lifestyle, and is again now.

I used to train Taekwondo in high school, and finished my "basic education" with black belt exam one distant December just before I had to join the army. Years that followed were stormed by war and changes and turnovers in my career and life and - slowly - sport and martial arts became something more like obligation than joy or way of life. Moving to a city where there were no close facilities and schools to train in, made situation worse. I really think it is hard to force yourself to train alone, especially when you are young. So I faded. And thought Taekwondo was not important to me anymore.

Trying to engage myself physically after many years of computer-based work with less sport activities lead through search of appropriate sport. In a new place again, distant town I used to work in. Another town, another country... Not surprisingly, I was immediately attracted by the sport I once enjoyed in, when I found that there was a new dojang just across the street I lived in! And Korean Master running it...

I had a great deal of doubt in myself. I felt old and stiff. I had NO condition. My technique, beside I had all clear in my head, performed by my neglected body was like that of blue belt student. Sometimes I felt really embarrassed among younger guys performing with much energy and stamina. Yet, I had knowledge they were obviously missing, concentrated more to "sporty" way of training. At least something!

However, Master Kim made a miracle. By showing. That everything is possible, when you get some self confidence and strong will. By each day of training, even with many breaks and pauses because of work demands, I felt better and went forward. I made my 2nd Dan grade after not one whole year of training. I was back and it made me feel fantastic.

And now, suddenly, the unstoppable change comes like it happens so many times in life. The school is probably going to be closed due to financial issues. Too small country for a private self-sustaining school. There will soon be no trainings on red tatami under Korean an Slovenian flags. Unless a miracle happens. We shall see. Where to go on from now? I can train for myself for some time, but I am also sure that loss of will is going to come sooner or later, without community spirit you can feel during group trainings.

I am not going to leave Taekwondo ever again and am very thankful for past three years which brought me back. Optimistically, let us say that maybe this wind of change brings something new, which even considering the end of a nice period can be good. Positive point of view? Damn right!