“RED CAN BE SEEN AS A SYMBOL OF THE POWER OF THE RED-HOT SUN. A RED-BELT STUDENT MUST LEARN TO PRACTICE CAUTION AND CONTROL IN THE USE OF HIS ABILITIES.”
~GWEN BRUNO, LIVESTRONG.COM
At red belt, we were required to start teaching during class. The instructor would separate out the students by level and assign different red belts to teach groups of lower levels. We were also required to start performing in “demos”: pre-belt-graduation shows designed to pump up the audience and create some energy among those graduating to their next belt.
After teaching a certain number of hours and performing in a certain number of demos, we achieved the coveted red gi,—short for karategi or karate training uniform—worn only by those who earned it. Having never taught nor performed in front of an audience, and having no desire to ever do so, these were not easy tasks for me.
New things are not always easy. But they’re often necessary for growth.