DISCLAIMER: Training and practicing in the martial arts is inherently dangerous. All training, with exception of practicing Patterns as explained by the instructors of this Academy, should be pursued only in the controlled environment and under the supervision of a trained instructor.

LEGAL INFORMATION AND NOTICES

Taekwon-Do Training Tips

Overcoming Testing Anxiety

  1. Talk to Mr. Nguyen, our Leadership Team members, or anyone who is a higher belt who has gone through the experience.  If they can do it, so can you!

  2. Believe in yourself, you can achieve your goals and realize your dreams of Black Belt Excellence!

  3. Do some positive self-talk. “I can succeed and I will!”

  4. Walk around briskly and warm-up your body to release any tension in your body.
  5. Be calm, breathe.  Do some power breathing (1:4:2) and breathe deeply. As you take in the air, mentally breathe in the positive energy of the audience and as you exhale, let go of negative thoughts and tension.
  6. Focus your mind, focus your eyes, good posture.
  7. Meditate.
  8. Remember that everyone in the room wants you to be successful (your family, your friends, your instructors, Mr. and Mrs. Nguyen, etc.)

  9. Transform your nervous energy and turn it into power in your patterns (this is a tip Mr. Nguyen used in his first-ever tournament and he won a Gold medal!)

  10. Visualize success and see yourself in your mind's eye performing to the highest of your abilities and actually feel what it would feel like when you receive your belt promotion.

  11. Arrive early to get a feel for the dojang.
  12. Warm-up and stretch so you are physically prepared.
  13. Make connections with your fellow testing candidates and encourage each other before the test.
  14. Look at it more as an opportunity to demonstrate your skills rather than being "tested."
  15. Enjoy the moment.  Enjoy life.
  16. Smile (or at least show your teeth).
  17. Tell yourself that if you're nervous, you're supposed to be. Johnny Carson revealed during numerous interviews that almost every night before he was introduced, he was a bundle of nerves and had terrible stage fright.
  18. Train hard and train regularly.  When you train, train with the test in mind.  If you do so, you should do fine in your test.
  19. Prepare, practice, and study.  The more you do, the less nervous you will be.
  20. You are unique.  Remember that you have your own strengths and skills, talents and abilities and your own areas for improvement.
  21. Have fun!
  22. Know your stuff. The more you know your technique and theory, the better.
  23. Say a prayer and find your inner strength.