In the wake of UVA student Hannah Graham’s disappearance, we want to make sure anyone can protect themselves from unwanted confrontation.

The International Black Belt Center of Virginia is offering free basic self-defense classes on Monday evenings. The class will start at 7 p.m. and is open to all ages.

Graham’s case has touched close to home for the center, which says it wants to give back to the community however it can.

“The most important thing will be we’ll start with explaining and train practice situations, talk about situations. I can say something more about real-life situations when things like that happen,” said head instructor Stefan Trip.

Instructors say the class is open to anyone in the Charlottesville area or surrounding counties who is interested.  For more information, or to register for the class, please contact us at  ibbcvtaekwondo@gmail.com or call us at 434.973.8885.

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The concept of belts and rank is probably one that most people associate with Taekwon-Do and martial arts in general.

Our belts reflect a member’s proven level of competence and (just as importantly) the progression of colors reflects an inner journey that never truly ends. Each belt achieved is truly an accomplishment worthy of respect.

It is also worth noting that achieving a belt isn’t just a matter of “spending enough time” in a previous belt. In order to achieve their next rank, a student must demonstrate their proficiency in their current belt’s techniques, to include Basic Moves, Sparring, and Forms.

“Pure and without the knowledge of Songahm Taekwon-Do. As with the Pine Tree, the seed must now be planted and nourished to develop strong roots.”
The student has no knowledge of Taekwon-Do and begins with a clean (pure) slate.
Purity is often signified by the color white.

“The seed is beginning to see the sunlight.”
The student begins to understand the basics of Taekwon-Do.
The sun appears to be yellow.

“The pine tree is beginning to develop and grow in strength.”
The student’s technique is developing power. The components of the basic techniques are beginning to work in unison.
As the pine tree develops, it sprouts green pine needles.

“The tree reaches for the sky toward new heights.”
Having passed the mid-way point, the student focuses his/her energy upward toward black belt.
The sky appears as blue.

“The sun is setting. The first phase of growth has been accomplished.”
The first day (the period of time from white belt to red belt) of growth is coming to an end. The physical skill has been developed but lacks control; therefore, physical and mental discipline must now be achieved.
Variations of red are found among the many colors of the sunset.

“The tree has reached maturity and has overcome the darkness… it must now ‘plant seeds for the future.'”
The color black is created when all the colors of the light spectrum have been absorbed into an object. That object has “taken control” of the colors and retained them. If one color was to “escape”, the object would no longer be black but would appear as that color. The student has mastered the nine geup (grades) of Taekwon-Do. He/she has “absorbed” all the knowledge of the color ranks and overcome or “mastered” that level or training.
The colors of the spectrum are bound together and are not reflected off an object, resulting in the absence of color which we call black.