The taekwondo class is taught at the mosque (Islamic center), and the
instructor is Hany Youssef. He is a very well educated, respectful,
family man and a very understanding and dedicated person. When I first
started taking Taekwondo I had to face lots of challenges and it’s sad
to say it was all from the Pakistani/Muslim community. Since I am a
woman and divorced people didn’t like me taking Taekwondo class with
other men and especially from an instructor who was also male. The
remarks I heard about me from them wasn’t very pleasant, at first it
bothered me but I knew I wasn’t doing anything wrong. Who cares what
they thought, my girls and I were gaining from it not losing anything so
I kept moving on. I did talk to my instructor about it, since he also
understands the culture. He supported me 100% and that gave me
confidence as well.
I signed up for my girls so they could have confidence in them, which
they did. Getting the next belt was another goal for them, but for me it
wasn’t about the next belt but to exercise and learn Taekwondo. Due to
different life circumstances many times we had to stop going, but we
always came back. But I noticed that when I stopped going, I truly
missed Taekwondo and couldn’t wait to go back. When my girls reached
high school they couldn’t keep up Taekwondo and with their schoolwork
and other activities so they decided to quit. But I kept going. Every
six months or so we would have the next belt exam and I always though of
myself as not being good enough to reach the next level. So I told
myself that I wasn’t here for the belt but for exercise and
self-defense. But the belt exam is part of the practice. The instructor
is always watching and he knows the qualifications I have. Somehow to
this day, I have never failed a belt exam.
Last week we had another belt exam and once again I was doubting myself
because recently I wasn’t able to go often due to life situations. But
my instructor gave me confidence and I took the exam with the mentality
that this is about seeing what I’ve learned not about what I haven’t
learned. A few days ago I got an mail from him and when I saw my name
stating that I have earned my next belt, the Red Belt,I was
overcome with joy. I am one step away from a black belt. I couldn’t
believe I have had come that far. When I first started Taekwondo it was
for a different reason but today many years later I can see how much
Taekwondo has change me from inside to outside. I am not dedicated to
the point that I would like to be but I am proud to say Taekwondo has
become part of my life. I know that just because I have higher belt
doesn’t mean I know everything or if I know how to do it, it doesn’t
mean I am really good at it. No, I have to practice a lot and still have
long way to go. And my instructor always says speed and focus creates a
power and speed comes from the practice. Any martial art is about
practice and if we don’t practice we lose it.
I guess my whole idea of writing about my story is as long as you keep
moving on, you will start seeing good results sometime it takes time but
hard work always pays off. And the joy we received from it is
indescribable. It doesn’t matter what your gender is as long as you work
hard and prove. And when you are proud of yourself others will see and
feel it too. Whatever you’re doing whether it’s taking classes, a job,
raising kids or anything else, put your heart into it and you will
succeed. I believe support system is also very important. It was my
instructor’s positive attitude that made me feel comfortable and every
time I went back I felt like I was welcomed home. I feel blessed and
lucky.
“We learn martial arts as helping weakness. You never fight for people to get hurt. You're always helping people”.
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