Martial Arts and Karate Belts
Colored karate belts were introduced to karate at the turn of the 19th Century to indicate each student’s acquired knowledge about the martial art. Before the belt ranking system, students received certificates for passing karate tests. In many ways, using colored belts was a pragmatic way to more easily identify dojo members with similar skills during training sessions. By that same token, the belt a student wears indicates they have acquired the following knowledge, physical prowess, and self-defense techniques.
White Belt
Beginners receive a white belt to practice tying it correctly while becoming accustomed to wearing a traditional gi. A karate student typically must wait a minimum of three months before they can test for the next belt. During this time adults, teens, and youngsters learn dojo etiquette as well as basic stances, kicks, and punches.
Yellow Belt
Earning a yellow belt requires passing a test that measures the basic skills and an understanding of Kyokushinkai (dojo etiquette). To receive a yellow belt, a karate student is required to demonstrate fundamental self-defense skills. These generally include an improved sense of coordination, mindfulness, and balance. It’s also essential to show they have let go of the common misconceptions around karate. Many dojos also task students with becoming familiar with the history of martial arts, as well as basic kata.
Orange Belt
The orange belt is awarded to a student who has begun to demonstrate mastery of basic karate skills, mindfulness, and physical awareness. Members of the dojo are expected to hone the stances, kata, and mind-body training they have learned. At the orange belt level, physical fitness, flexibility, and strength are encouraged. These facets are essential to mastering new stances, strikes, defenses, kicks, and kata. Students may also be introduced to controlled sparring, known as kumite.
Green Belt
It’s essential to understand the study of karate is a cumulative process. The skills and perspectives learned during each stage serve as the foundation for the next step. This becomes more apparent during the green belt stage. Here, members of the dojo experience a shift in training that emphasizes the spiritual and psychological elements of this martial art. Mind-body harmony is typically coupled with new strikes, kicks, stances, and more intricate kata.
Blue Belt
The physical requirements usually increase during the blue belt stage. That’s primarily because students have developed better fitness, strength, cardiovascular stamina, and flexibility. This opens the door for students to learn traditional roundhouse kicks and other advanced self-defense maneuvers. More advanced kata are also integrated during the blue belt learning stage.
Brown Belt
Growing at the brown belt level requires a significant commitment. The physical elements involved are quite strenuous and they can challenge a practitioner’s physical fitness. Controlled sparring and intense kata are accompanied by rigorous stretching techniques. As karate practitioners work tirelessly to eventually test for their black belt, many find their mind-body harmony. A dojo may require a student to hone all of their skills and embrace the knowledge associated with the brown belt for a minimum of 18 months.
Black Belt
Although people outside the martial arts view achieving a black belt as a type of end, it truly represents a new beginning. Earning a black belt involves demonstrating a practitioner’s knowledge of every previous level. The person must also be able to perform all the techniques, possess appropriate physical fitness, and enjoy the mindfulness necessary to teach others about karate.
It’s also important to emphasize there are degrees of the black belt that include Shodan, Nidan, and Sensei. While achieving this height in karate empowers a black belt to train and test members of a dojo, it is but another step in an ongoing process of personal growth.
How to Get Started Learning Martial Arts
The United Studios of Self Defense Vancouver offers world-class instruction in three different types of self-defense and martial arts: Shaolin Kempo, Tai Chi, and Kung Fu. We offer both group instruction and one-on-one classes to fit your schedule and instruction needs.
We offer classes for all skill levels, from beginner to advanced in each of the above three disciplines. Classes are available for both adults and children. If you or a family member would benefit from learning Shaolin Kempo or another martial art, contact United Studios of Self Defense Vancouver today.
Contact USSD Vancouver
The United Studios of Self Defense (USSD) Vancouver offers world-class instruction in three different types of self defense and martial arts: Tai-Chi, Kung Fu, and Shaolin Kempo. We offer both group instruction and one-on-one classes to fit your schedule and instruction needs. We offer classes for all skill levels, from beginner to advanced in each of the above three disciplines. Classes are available for both adults and children.
Contact us today to learn more about our martial arts programs or to set up a time to visit one of our classes in person. Our instructors work with students at every age and stage of martial arts development and are dedicated to helping you cultivate self defense skills that meet your goals and make you feel great about yourself.
"*" indicates required fields