ShawnJ

I'm testing for Green Belt next Saturday. Wish me luck. Have to perform the first 3 kata as well as special exercise Oyo-Tan-Ren, pre-arranged fighting and board breaking. - Shawn

At my dojo, the first two gradings (1st and second green tip) are every two months. The belt promotions are every six months until you reach black tips, then it's a year before the black belt promotion.

Congrats! I'll be testing for Green Belt in Shorin-Ryu in August.

Thanks for all the support guys. The test went great! I am now 1st Green Tip (Ro-Kyu) in Shorin-Ryu. - Shawn

I work afterwards, actually. My schedule is weird. I'm an actor and I am in production for a stage show right now...so I take mainly morning karate classes. Usually 10 to 11:30. There are only three of us being tested. My wife and I and another kid who is testing for his second Green Tip. Otherwise it probably would have been at a 6:30PM class. - Shawn

Time to reach black belt is different depending on the style and the school. At my dojo, it takes between 3 and 6 years to reach black belt and at age 17 for children. The average time, however, is three years. Some people choose to take things a bit slower. For example, the belt system in my school is as follows : white belt 1st green tip 2nd green tip green belt brown tips brown belt black tips black belt For people who wish to take their training slower, or who maybe don't advance as quickly, there will be gold belt in between 2nd green tip and green belt, and orange belt in between brown tips and brown belt. A requirement in my school is that after you reach black tips, you need to work as an assistant instructor for one year before being permitted to test for black belt. Belt promotions are every six months (I'll be testing for Green Belt in August), but black belt testing is only once a year. Usually in October.

Hey guys, Thursday morning I'm testing for my 1st Green Tip (Ro-Kyu) in Shorin-Ryu USA. I'm excited but kind of nervous at the same time.. Wish me luck. - Shawn

I don't think it really matters either. At least...I've never been taught left or right by my sensei when it comes to sitting seiza. However, I usually go left knee down first, simply because...that's what my body does!

Good luck on your grading. Do you have a list of requirements for your first test?

That's awesome, man! Congrats! You train in a branch of Kenpo karate? It's amazing how many styles there are. I'm in Shorin-Ryu USA. Have my first promotion next week - 1st Green Tip (Ro-Kyu). Have to perform Fukyugata Ichi and then do a series of cross deck moves - walking punch, zenkutsu downblock, chasing punch, standing headblocks, chest blocks, and front snap kicks. Then down on front two knuckles for five pushups, then jumping up into horse-stance for ten squat punches. - Shawn

School : Okinawan Karate Dojo Style : Shorin-Ryu USA Location : Merritt Island, Florida Instructors : Sensei Judy Barnhart (6th Dan), Sensei Don Barnhart (5th Dan), Sensei Greg Au (3rd Dan).

Yikes! Thanks for the info guys, I'll try that and see how it works for me. Knuckle push-ups are not really something I enjoy - I was always taught that push-ups on the knuckles can lead to arthritis in the hands. Is there any truth in this? Usually I prefer using hammer fist for breaking. My Sensei finds that breaking comes easiest for her when she uses her elbows.

Well what I mean is that in my dojo, like many others, we break boards at promotions. Also, one of our warm-ups is knuckle push-ups. I can't do those things if my knuckles are not caloused enough.

I practice Shorin-Ryu USA. We have 19 kata whereas traditional Shorin-Ryu has 18. In my dojo, Kata makes up 50% of our classes.

Shorin-Ryu was developed by the short Okinawans. It was designed for use against much larger opponents, so when done correctly, it can be devasting. It's been said that karate is actually a bit more difficult for the taller student.

I would follow the curriculum. It's really different from dojo to dojo. If your Sensei thinks it's time for you to test, he/she will ask you to test. At my dojo belt promotions are about two or three times a year, and the smaller promotions, ie. Green Tip, Brown Tip etc, are every couple months. It's best to really know what you are doing when you reach those levels. Also, what style are you practicing?

I don't really have a problem with my punches being fast - I have a problem with my punches being hard. I'm really trying to strengthen the knuckles. In my dojo, we do knuckle pushups. Anyone else do these?