Parents:

Q: My child has been invited to grade for their next belt. What do I need to know?
Q: How can I help my child prepare for their first grading?
Q: Can parents come and watch the grading, or is it just a drop-off?
Q: The grading results were posted. What does Kyu mean?
Q: How do I tie my child’s belt?

Students:

Q: I just joined the dojo, is there anything I should know?
Q: I have been invited to grade. What do I need to know?
Q: What will be expected of me at my first grading?
Q: How do I tie my belt?
Q: Some people are called Kohai or Senpai at the dojo – why? What does this mean?
Q: Who are the Senpai’s and Kohai’s of the region?

Things that Parents usually want to know:

Q: My child has been invited to grade for thier next belt. What do I need to know?
A:

Grading fee is $75.00 including the HST. ALL grading registrations and payments must be taken care of ONE FULL WEEK before the grading. If this is not done then you will have to wait until the next grading. Just as we Mukso before a Kata, we must prepare before we perform.

In order to be well prepared for your grading, if you wish to attend three classes a week for three weeks, that is fine. It is important to be in class on the day of your grading.

Please ensure that your Gi (uniform) is clean and pressed, that the cuffs and sleeves are tailored (not rolled up), and that the Goju Fist crest and Martial Arts Toronto Diamond crest are sewn on the left lapel perpendicular to the floor (not in line with the Gi collar).

To prepare for oral exams, all students should review the Student manual.

Bring your safety/sparring equipment. Mouth piece, gloves and boots. If you do not have any please purchase them one week before the grading (for White/Yellow and up only).

Parents – To register your child for the grading, please complete the Registration and Parent Evaluaton forms online at least ONE FULL WEEK before the grading.

Parents and family are encouraged to come to watch the Grading. You should expect to be at the dojo for approximately 75 minutes.

You may pay for your grading at the dojo, or pay online using the link in the online event calendar.

If your child is successful, and the vast majority are, the results will be posted on the notice board, by the water fountain in time for their next class.

The Belts will be presented in class two weeks after the grading. This allows some time for the adjustments to be made if there was something that needed correcting in the grading. It is also a lesson in patience and to help them understand that the grading is a process, not just the performance on the day.

Q: How can I help my child prepare for their first grading?
A: There is lots you can do!

You can review the student manual with them before bedtime.
You can reveiw their kata with them using the video that’s available.
And in particular, you can quiz them on the questions they should know for their White/Yellow belt:

• What is the name of the martial art you are studying?
• What is the name of the dojo?
• What is the name of the organization you are studying with?
• What does the name of your dojo mean?

Q: Can parents come and watch the grading, or is it just a drop-off?

A: Yes, we encourage parents to come and watch. Whether your children wish you to or not.
It is part of the process for them.

Q: The grading results were posted. What does Kyu mean?
A: The ranks below black belt are ‘Kyu’ ranks.

The numbering system for Kyu ranks is a count-down to Sho Dan (or first-degree black-belt).
Beyond Shodan, the ranks count upward.

• White = 6th Kyu
• Yellow = 5th Kyu
• Orange = 4th Kyu
• Green = 3rd Kyu
• Blue = 2nd Kyu
• Brown = 1st Kyu
• Black belt = Shodan
• 2nd Degree = Nidan
• 3rd Degree = Sandan, they are called ‘Kohai’
• 4th Degree = Yondan, they are called ‘Senpai’

Q: How do I tie my child’s belt?
A: Here is a video to help! Please use it help teach your child how to tie their own belt.

How to Tie Your Belt (video)

Things that every Student should know:

Q: I just joined the dojo, is there anything I should know?
A: Here are 19 things that every student should know…

1. Please take your shoes off before entering and place them neatly in the shoe closet. You will note that there are areas where shoes are not allowed, such as the changing rooms, the warm up area, reception area, offices and Dojo.
2. Bow before entering and upon leaving the Dojo.
3. Once you are a student remember to address the head instructor as Sensei at all times. Nothing else is ever allowed, even outside of the Dojo. (Sensei means “one who has gone before.”) All black belts are referred to as Mr., Mrs., or Ms. and their last name unless they hold the title “Senpai” or “Kohai”.
4. When your Sensei enters the Dojo it is customary for the highest belt to call the entire class to attention.
5. Your gi and hakama should be kept neat and clean at all times. T-shirts may be worn under your gi top but they must be PLAIN WHITE. If your gi comes undone while you are in class, etiquette requires you to turn away from the front, kneel on one knee and repair it. Be sure to sew your crest on the left lapel over your heart.
6. If you don’t feel well in class raise your hand, get the instructor’s attention and you will be excused. Never leave the Dojo without permission. Also, do not talk to people who are looking in the class or walking by.

7. Keep in mind that you are one of many. Be neat. Have deep pride in your Dojo and show it by cleaning up after yourself.
8. Please remember that class starts on time. Never walk into a class that has already started; kneel at the door and wait to be admitted. This is the proper etiquette of the Art; late arrivals are disruptive to the class.
9. Training in class at least twice a week is compulsory. We encourage adults to come to as many classes as possible and everyone is encouraged to practice, exercise and stretch at home every day. The more you train, the better your progress – the happier we are.

10. Adults – the warm up area is available for your use. We ask that you do not disrupt any class that is going on while you are in the warm up area. When other classes are in progress remember to avoid any unnecessary noise. Do not make any noise during the opening and closing ceremonies of a class, or during a Tai Chi class.
11. All valuables should be left at home. I f you do bring valuables to the Dojo please take them into the Dojo and place them in the designated area.
12. If you go on vacation, are sick, or need to continue your training at a later date, let us know. Talk to the office staff and if your membership is fully paid for we will put it on hold so that you do not have to lose any time and you can continue your training at a later date. See the office for details.
13. Another important part of keeping your word applies to paying your membership fees on time. We rely on you to do this so that the Dojo can meet its financial commitments.
14. Dojo “clean-ups” happen regularly. This means that we give our Dojo a thorough scrubbing and do general repair work with your help. Classes are cancelled on such days, but we encourage all the students to come in and help. It is all a part of your training. Take pride in your Dojo and ensure that it is always neat and clean. Tidy up after yourself and if you see something that is out of place restore it.
15. Anything left in the changing rooms will be left there or in a lost and found box for you to pick up at your next class. At the end of the month these things will be given to charity.
16. Gradings or promotional examinations take place approximately every 5 – 7 weeks. Your Sensei will tell you when you are ready to take the examination. You will be informed of the grading costs, which includes your certificate and belt. You will be recommended for a grading in your regular class, at which time you will be given written notice. Remember each student progresses at an individual rate. Do not concern yourself with others – concentrate on your own progress.
17. Seminars are a very important part of your training. They are special classes taught by visiting instructors designed to give you an introduction to another Art or to help refine your skills in the particular instructors’ area of expertise. The fees vary from seminar to seminar. They are presented throughout the year at this Dojo and at other venues. – Not everyone can attend everything but everyone can attend something.
18. Training towards BLACK BELT involves instruction in how to teach the Martial Arts. A NIDAN, (2nd degree black belt), is a qualified instructor. To facilitate this learning, as you progress through the ranks you will be given the opportunity to assist in at least one class per week. Part of the tradition is that as one advances, one then helps others along the way.
19. The time need to advance from one Kyu Belt (coloured belt) to another is approximately 4 to 8 months (with the exception of our youngest members). Advancement from brown to black takes a minimum of 12 months. The Minimum time required to reach Sho Dan (1st degree black belt) is 3 years.

Q: I have been invited to grade.  What do I need to know?

A: Grading fee is $75.00 including the HST. ALL grading registrations and payments must be taken care of ONE FULL WEEK before the grading. If this is not done then you will have to wait until the next grading. Just as we Mukso before a Kata, we must prepare before we perform.

In order to be well prepared for your grading, if you wish to attend three classes a week for three weeks, that is fine. It is important to be in class on the day of your grading.

Please ensure that your Gi (uniform) is clean and pressed, that the cuffs and sleeves are tailored (not rolled up), and that the Goju Fist crest and Martial Arts Toronto Diamond crest are sewn on the left lapel perpendicular to the floor (not in line with the Gi collar).

To prepare for oral and written exams, all students should review the Student manual. Look for your Grading exam and reading requirements. Register online at the link below, and submit your written exam by email.  Again please note that this must be done 1 week before the grading.

Bring your safety/sparring equipment. Mouth piece, gloves and boots. If you do not have any please purchase them one week before the grading. Please present your Martial Arts Toronto Membership paper card (Yellow and above). If your Martial Arts Toronto membership is due for renewal, please fill in and submit the renewal form with payment at registration (forms are available here).

Q: What will be expected of me at my first grading?
A: Our grading examinations consist of five main areas for each belt or kyu:

1. The technical part.
2. The written examination (which has to be 100% correct).
3. The oral examination.
4. Your classroom performance day in and day out.
5. Your personal development in the philosophical and psychological aspects of Karate-Do / Kobudo.

The technical aspects consist of kihon, kata, kumite and self defense.

The written examination, along with the grading fee, must be handed in a least one hour prior to the grading.

The examination board will have at least two members on it, one of which shall be a head instructor and at least one other black belt.

Other parts of training are also taken into consideration, such as time spent at the belt level, the participant’s age, physical disabilities, and — most important — the attitude of the student towards his or her training, the Dojo, and other students and instructors.

In the last section of your student manual are all the written tests, (yellow to black belt each of which you will have to complete and hand in at the corresponding grading (adults and students over 14 years old). At the time of your grading this exam must be handed in to the person collecting the grading fee and doing the registration.

It is also very important that your gi is clean and that all your crests have been sewn on in their respective spots and that you bring the mandatory safety equipment.

One point – don’t jump the gun white belts! The next class you attend after your grading should still be the white belt class – not the yellow belt class. Do not ask if you have passed! Wait to be awarded your belt.

Any other questions you may have will be happily answered by your Sensei, Senpai or the office staff. GOOD LUCK!

Q: How do I tie my belt?
A: Here is a video to help! Please use it help teach your child how to tie their own belt.

How to Tie Your Belt (video)

Q: Some people are called Kohai or Senpai at the dojo – why? What does this mean?
A: These titles are given to the senior students of the dojo. Senpai literally means “big brother”, and Kohai means “little brother”. Typically, the title of Kohai is given to Sandan (3rd degree black belts), while Senpai is given to Yandans (4th degree black belts) and up. As senior students, your Senpais and Kohais are here to help. In return, you are to address them by their titles, both inside and outside of the dojo.

Q: Who are the Senpai’s and Kohai’s of the region?
A: In order of rank, here are the Senpai’s and Kohai’s of the region:

• Senpai Mariani (Sensei of Yamazakura Dojo)
• Senpai Valentine
• Senpai Ravi
• Senpai Schnabel
• Senpai Scarlett
• Senpai Kehrli
• Senpai Toprak
• Kohai Szabo
• Kohai Armstrong
• Kohai Otanez
• Kohai Ragavan
• Kohai Pesteh