Gradings are held twice a year. DECEMBER AND JUNE

     It is important that all Karate-ka (karate student) fully understand the expectations for regular training and the requirements for promotion.  It is the responsibility of the Sensei to offer the student everything they need to achieve their next rank.  The student must practice all the techniques they are taught on a regular basis in and out of class.

    Consistent improvement for kyu (colored) belts requires that karate-ka trains regularly (once a week for students white to orange and twice a week for green and up).  If a karate-ka cannot train this frequently, expect a slower rate of progress than the average. 

    When a student first starts karate, there may be some difficulty with body co-ordination.  After this initial awkward stage, most students feel a gradual and noticeable improvement in their form, speed and power for up to a year.  After years of training, students often reach a plateau, where they no longer feel that they are advancing.  All karate-ka experience these plateaus.

nnn  The best way to overcome plateau's is to maintain training frequency and continue working the techniques the instructor teaches.