Gradings
The path from white belt to black belt. Each grade is a stage of time, technique and responsibility.
Kyu
9º Kyu
The beginning. The white belt is the practitioner who does not yet know the way - and is free to walk all of it.
Minimum practice time: 3 months
Kyu
8º Kyu
First light. Base stances and the elementary mechanics of striking are absorbed.
Minimum practice time: 4 months
Kyu
7º Kyu
Strength starts to organise itself. The body learns to coordinate hip, arm and breath.
Minimum practice time: 4 months
Kyu
6º Kyu
Growth. Controlled kumite begins and kata stops being a sequence to become a reading.
Minimum practice time: 6 months
Kyu
5º/4º Kyu
Depth. The practitioner masters the essentials and starts building their own strategy.
Minimum practice time: 8 months
Kyu
3º/1º Kyu
Technical maturity. Responsibility for the younger ones starts here, before any dan.
Minimum practice time: 12 months
Dan
1º Dan
Not the end: it certifies that the practitioner may, at last, begin to learn.
Minimum practice time: 18 months