Belts
Ranking represents degrees of proficiency, and each student is measured based on their own ability. Testing is mandatory for promotion. Promotions will differ in length and requirements for each rank, and specific techniques are part of each belt level. Students will be informed when they are being considered ready for promotion. There is no additional charge for testing at any level.
White BeltThe rank of 6th Rokkyu is the first and thus the one of the most important levels that our students study. The white belt level is the foundation for all subsequent learning at Syracuse Academy of Self Defense. Not all white belts will become black belts. Actually very few make it to that level, but all black belts were once white belts. For this reason the basic information taught at this level is absolutely crucial to advancing in the system. Students who spend the time required to master the basics will almost always make the best martial artists in the future.
Yellow Belt
The 5 th Rokkyu student begins the long road of learning forms in the Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu Shaolin Kempo System. This enables individuals to challenge their self discipline as well as providing a structured way to practice basic stances and strikes. One Pinan is the foundation for every form that will be learned at the higher ranks. Those who master One Pinan through excessive repetition of correct form will most likely continue to master future Pinan and Kata as well. The yellow belt student is also required to begin refining the basic information learned at white belt.
Orange Belt
The 4th Rokkyu student has demonstrated that the he / she has the makings of a student who may stay with us for a while. Given this initial show of perseverance, we teach the orange belt their second form at this level. Two Pinan is very similar to One Pinan, but with a few different angles and strikes. During this time at orange belt, students will continue to refine all information previously learned, as well as learning a variety of new techniques.
Purple Belt
The 3rd Rokkyu is the first of the intermediate belts. At purple belt level, students are introduced to the KATA series, where they will see their first form that has "soft" elements ( e.g. Statue of the Crane). The purple belt begins to be seen as a role model in our school. The future of our school rests, partly, on the continued development of quality martial artists. Do your part to be an example of excellence for lower ranks.
Blue Belt
A student with the rank of 2nd Rokkyu has completed a full year of study at Syracuse Academy of Self Defense. If the blue belt student has not started sparring already, they must do so at this time. Sparring gives the student the opportunity to implement techniques in a more realistic setting than regular class drills provide. The second year of study will also require students to learn a variety of specific historical information about the Kempo System along with the continued study of physical techniques.
Blue Belt ~ Green Stripe
The rank of Rokkyu is when the Syracuse Academy of Self Defense student begins specific study of individual Kempo founders. The historical research component of our system is designed to enrich the martial arts experience for our students. Learning the link that our present system has to the past enables students to see that they are part of a continuous line which started over 1500 years ago. The initial research topic is the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma, who is commonly accepted as the person most responsible for the beginning of the Shaolin Temple.
Green Belt
The rank of Gokyu begins the advanced period of study at Syracuse Academy of self Defense. At the green belt level, we start to prepare students for the responsibility of being a black belt. There is a longer waiting period between promotional tests, a greater amount of historical information to learn, and the possibility of serving as an assistant instructor for our beginner youth class. Green belts are required to spar at all future tests, if they are not ready to do so. The promotional tests themselves are also longer than for the lower ranks. Our green belt students are, quite literally, the future of our school, thus we expect much from them. One area in particular is Humility. When a certain amount of information is learned, human nature leads us to become comfortable and possibly over-confident. The green belt must develop and maintain a high degree of humility to continue learning the advanced aspects of Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu. Humility also is a necessary ingredient to quality teaching, which is a level that many green belts strive to attain. An ancient philosopher said, "To be great is to be humble, to be humble is to be great."
Green Belt ~ Brown Stripe
The rank of Yonkyu represents a refining period for our students. Only one new form is taught so that previous information can be reviewed and improved. This is a somewhat critical stage, since the next belt is Brown. A high percentage of Brown Belts continue onto the Black Belt level, thus we take this final pre-Brown step very seriously.
Brown Belt
Sankyu is often the point at which the student truly sees the proverbial light at the end of the black belt tunnel. As instructors, we begin preparing the student for the role of black belt at Syracuse Academy of Self Defense. 3rd kyu is the only belt in our system in which we require students to learn two completely new forms. During the brown belt stage, students who wish to teach one day may be required to spend extra time in the dojo, not only for added instruction, but also to learn administrative functions of the school.
Brown Belt ~ 2 Stripes
Nikyu is, in many ways, the final learning stage prior to Black Belt. We continue to prepare the 2nd brown student for the role of Black belt. If the student chooses, they can begin their Black belt project paper preparations by researching possible topics and discussing them with the instructional staff. This project should add to the knowledge that currently exists in our dojo.
Brown Belt ~ 3 Stripes
Students at Ikkyu will spend approximately six months refining everything they have learned in the past 3 years of study. Conditioning is also priority, since the Black belt test is an aerobic endeavor as well as a test of knowledge. Students are also expected to fully embrace the idea of professionalism at this stage. Any lapses in dojo etiquette and/ or character must be addressed prior to Black Belt certification. 1st Brown students will often be used as assistants to instructors, and should be willing and able to perform such duties.