Taekwando Class

Tonight we went to sign up Noah for his 2-week trial at Han Martial Arts. We got his uniform and did a "private assessment". I figured a private assessment for a 4 year old would be 5 minutes of show me how high you can jump or show me how well you can balance. I was pleasantly surprised to see how involved it was and how long it was. 

Noah meets and bows to Master Han

First Master Han had Noah give him a high five. Then again higher and higher and higher. He told Noah he was Master Han and that Noah should always call him Master Han. He asked Noah if he knew how to bow. Noah did a slow and serious bow.

Next Master Han asked him if he could push Noah. He pushed him with one finger on the shoulder. Noah held steady. Then Master Han asked him if he could push him "like a 6 year old". He pushed him harder. Noah held mostly steady.

Master Han's reaction to Noah's first punch and "Aya!"

He explained to Noah that when he asked him to do something he should say, "yes, sir." Noah was tentative at first but it wasn't long before he had Noah shouting, "Yes, Sir!". They did some speed tests for sitting and standing. Noah was pretty zippy--each time sitting or standing he was shouting, "Yes, Sir!".

Then they moved on to some listening and focus exercises where Master Han asked Noah to always look at him no matter what. But he was tricky and told Noah there was ice cream in the corner. Then it was cake and finally a super cute little doggy. Noah fell for the ice cream trick and quickly looked over his shoulder. But, soon enough he got savvy and stayed focused on Master Han. His hands and arms were nervously swinging and every once in awhile he would clap his hands to his face. It was all he could do to NOT look over his shoulder.

Then Master Han told him to duck down when he said doggy and jump up when he said monkey. He brought out a padded paddle and soon had Noah ducking below and jumping above it. He also had Noah kick a couple of times and  sit down in meditation pose, close his eyes to count to 5.

Noah get his white belt

Finally, he showed him a basic punch position and how to turn his wrists. Then he had him actually punch the paddle and scream "Aya!". The first time Noah did this it was so loud, fast and intense that I gasped and started giggling. Master Han shot me a look that said, "Whoa!". They did that a couple more times. Master Han was funny and threw the paddle  out of his hands with the last big punch. Noah was pretty proud of himself at that one.

Lastly Master Han presented Noah with his white belt, tied it around his waist and invited him to join him in class.

Noah was so excited and I was thrilled with the personal attention. Master Han clearly has a way with kids. First class is tomorrow!

Master Han told me that Noah had great concentration and focus.