Tae Kwon Do Tutors | A Martial Arts Blog

Well. We meditate well.

Kidding! I know what that question is asking. How exactly does a black belt meditate?

Well, that’s kind of complicated. The truth is, not every black belt meditates. I don’t want to burst your bubble or anything, but not every black belt meditates. That said, many of the black belts I know do meditate in one way or another, and almost every black belt I know has meditated at least once in their training. So how do we do it?

A common misconception is that every black belt has the same training. That’s just not true. Even ones in the same martial art, while they do have a common ground and standard of training, are still different from each other.

So, in essence, every black belt I know meditates differently. I can’t justifiably summarize how they each meditate (at least, not in a single post), but I can give you the three most common ways of meditation that I’ve seen black belts do in Tae Kwon Do.

Tip! Meditating near the ocean; Very stereotypical, but also very soothing!

Breathing Meditation

This one is very popular among my sparring-focused peers. They are often running high on adrenaline during a competition, prepping for their next match. Often times, when stress is running high and their hearts are beating fast before a match, they’ll take a deep breath (or perhaps a few deep breaths) and relax. This only takes them a few seconds, but this makes it easier for them to focus and, as a result, win. It also helps to just take the time to relax for a second.

Sukhasana/Cross-Legged

Okay, yes. I put the actual term for it there because I thought it was interesting. In my defense, it is the proper name for this position! Regardless, yes, this is a common one among black belts, especially instructors. To do this one, you sit down (cross-legged of course) and focus on your breathing. Just spend a little time focusing only on your breathing. Instructors do this because it helps them focus and stay calm in the (often) very stressful job of teaching a bunch of hyperactive 5 year old kids!The Buddha is known for meditation, but meditation is not just a Buddhist practice!

Poomse Meditation

This one is my personal favorite. Poomse, or forms as they’re often called in the US, are a series of patterns focused on teaching some particular Tae Kwon Do lesson. It also works as an excellent opportunity to meditate. To do so, a black belt gives themselves some space and simply focuses solely on the form that they’re practicing. They focus on their breathing, on their stances, and every detail in their technique. They start and end at Chumbi/Paro stance. For as long as they’re practicing, they’re focusing solely on the form. Not the doors, not the other students, nothing. If they make a mistake, they correct it and keep going. Done properly, a form is quite exhausting to perform (get it? Per-form?) While exhausting, it’s quite satisfying to complete!

Conclusion

Taekwondo training, especially as a black belt, can often be a challenge, so knowing how to meditate can be helpful. Meditation techniques are a way maintain focus and accomplish their goals while maintaining a level head. Meditation is key to living the black belt life. Of course, these techniques aren’t just for black belts. They can be (and arguably should be) used by everyone. So join the Tae Kwon Do community, participate and meditate!

Have a wonderful day!