Yellow Belt: (minimum four months as white belt)

• basic stances, blocks, strikes and kicks
• four one-steps
• knowledge of lineage
• kiai
• basic kenka: 1) one release from these holds: lapel, cross hand, same hand, two hands on one 2) defend against knife 3) defend against stick
• dojo etiquette
• Heian Sho-dan
• Tsue Sho

Green Belt: (minimum eight months as yellow belt)

• eight one-steps
• advanced kenka: at least one release from all holds: lapel, cross and same hand, two hands on one, one hand on each arm, front and back, head lock, bear hug, chokes from front and rear
• basic knowledge of zen
• basic ukemi waza
• slow kicking drills
• free sparring
• Heian Ni, San-dan, Shi-dan
• 13 step jo kata

Brown Belt: (minimum one year as green belt)

• advanced ukemi waza
• multiple releases from all possible holds
• Ability to lead class drills
• Heian Go-dan
• Bassai Dai
• Zan Shin kata
• Bo Sho
• 31 step jo kata

Black Belt: (minimum one year as brown belt)

• capability to lead entire class
• breaking TBD by Shihan/Sensei
• Bassai Sho
• Jion
• Kusanku
• 500 word paper on some aspect of Martial Arts -- topic to be approved in advance.