Blue Belt, 7th Kyu

As a blue belt, you are expected to have mastered the basics for your rank at a beginner's level of technique and body mechanics. Perfect technique is not expected, but a desire to continue your training and achieve perfect technique is indeed expected.

As a yellow belt, you are now beginning to learn some of the more in-depth self defense techniques. You should also be gaining significant improvement in the execution of your basic techniques and stances. It is easy to fall into the trap of forgetting your blue belt techniques at this point. Be aware that you will need to demonstrate these techniques at nearly every belt test. Continue to practice all lower belt curriculum.

Yellow Belt, 6th Kyu

Purple Belt, 5th Kyu

Purple belts are considered intermediate karate students. At this rank, you may find yourself teaching white and blue belts. Embrace this opportunity because when you teach karate, you truly learn karate. You are therefore expected to have mastered curriculum from blue belt and yellow belt ranks. Your next goal is green belt - one of your most difficult tests where you will be expected to demonstrate mastery of all prior belts including green. Conduct yourself with honor and know that you are highly looked up to by the lower belts. Earn that respect by demonstrating your knowledge of dojo etiquette, belt material, and proper respect to upper belts.

As a green belt, you've just completed one of the more difficult tests in Kempo Karate.  You are now considered an advanced student.  Your technique, at this point is approaching perfection.  However, you will still find your instructors correcting and tweaking your technique on a regular basis.  If you are not improving, you are declining.   It is time to truly master your technique as you study for 3rd Degree Brown Belt. 

Green Belt, 4th Kyu

3rd Degree Brown Belt, 3rd Kyu

As a 3rd Degree Brown Belt, you will notice that you received a log book.  Every hour you teach (or participate in a qualifying event such as a tournament), you will receive teaching credits toward your black belt qualification.  200 hours are required to qualify for your black belt test so be very diligent in logging your hours and finding time to teach.  Showing up at the kids class is an excellent opportunity to help you meet this goal.  As a brown belt, you've amassed a significant amount of knowledge and skill.  You area expected to embrace every opportunity to gain more knowledge, more skill, and more experience.  If Sensei asks for volunteers, you should be the first to raise your hand.  This is the only way you will be able achieve Black Belt, let alone your next rank in a reasonable amount of time. 

Your study continues.  This is the first time you don't receive a new belt to mark your progression through the ranks.  This is the first time it should occur to you that belt rank is not as important as knowledge and the development of skill in karate.  You should be teaching regularly at this point and frequently leading classes to allow Sensei to attend to other important matters.  You should frequently be teaching lower belts one-on-one to help them advance as you were helped.  You are now learning truly, what a Sensei is.  Sensei literally means "previous life."  This is an individual with previous life experience in the martial art.  You are becoming Sensei.

2nd Degree Brown Belt, 2nd Kyu

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1st Degree Brown Belt, 1st Kyu

As a 1st Degree Brown Belt, you've received a new belt!  Notice that it has a single black strip along the entire length (unlike that shown in the picture to the left).  You are nearly black belt and yoru belt reflects this fact.  However, you still have a lot of work ahead.  You may still need to fulfill your teaching hour requirements.   You will now be putting more time into your study than ever.   There is simply no way to achieve your black belt at this point by studying only at class, two days per week.  You should be regularly attending Friday classes when offered and working on your own during the weekends (or other days of the week as you have time).

You are now just learning.  Your true karate adventure begins.  Give back.  Continue to teach.  Take care of karate, and karate will take care of you.

Black Belt, 1st Dan