- CURRICULUM -

What is Karate?
Karate is a martial art system developed in Okinawa Japan. It can be a deadly fighting system. However karate is much more than that. The study of karate involves learning karate basics, sparring, weapons, training, study of language and culture, physics, health and fitness, combative training, defence training, mindfulness, drills, performance, interpretation, camaraderie, networking and cooperation, study and much more.
To me, the greatest gift I have received from karate are the friendships.
I have dear friends in Canada, USA, Australia, South Africa and Okinawa. Karate transcends national and cultural differences.

Philosophy of Instruction
I truly believe that anyone can learn karate regardless of body type, age, level of fitness, or skills. All that is required is a willing heart and mind. When I began this journey, I made a commitment to do my best at every session I attended. When Sensei taught me something and left me to practice, I didn't sit still or wait for someone to come and help me. I just trained. I had made up my mind that if I was in the dojo and I didn't give karate my complete focus and effort, I wouldn't continue.

About Our Ranking System
Our ranking system tracks student progress through the curriculum studied at Aloe Karate. When the student progresses from 10th to 1st Kyu, it is similar to progressing from Grades 1 through 12 in our school system. The Black Belt ranks represent more advanced learning at the Post-Secondary Level.

Kyu Rank
Kyu rank designates the levels of progress towards a black belt. Students holding a kyu rank are named Mudansha.
At Aloe Karate the different levels of Mudansha are:
Yellow Belt 6th kyu   Orange Belt 5thkyu  Purple Belt 4th kyu
Blue Belt 3rd kyu    Green Belt 2nd kyu    Brown Belt 1st kyu

Dan Rank
Dan ranks ascend from 1 to 10 and only the Grandmaster Minoru Nakazato holds the 10th degree designation. Once you achieve the black belt (shodan) level, you go beyond the basics and embark on the path to a deeper understanding of karate. Black belt students are known as Yudansha.
ALOE KARATE Grading Expectations
KARATE

GOLD BELT 6th KYU

Stances: Kihon Dachi
Skills and Drills: Punches, Blocks, Kicks, Elbow Parry Shuto
Kata: Fukyu 1

ORANGE BELT 5th KYU
Kata: Kihon 1,2,3   Taikyoku 1,3,5
Kumite: Kihon Ippon Kumite 1-4

PURPLE BELT 4th KYU
Kata: Fukyu no Kata, Pinan 1,2
Kumite: Yakusoku Kumite 1,2,3
Conditioning: 1 km run, 75 kicks, 25 push ups, 25 sit ups, 25 jumping jacks

BLUE BELT 3rd KYU
Stances: Kosa dachi (cross legged stance)
Kata: Naihanchi 1,2,3 Pinan 3
Kumite: Yakusoku 4,5
Conditioning: 3 km run, 100 kicks, 50 push ups, 50 sit ups, 50 jumping jacks

GREEN BELT 2nd KYU
Kata: Pinan 4,5 Passai Sho
Kumite: Yakusoku Kumite 6,7 Bunkai Sparring
Conditioning: 5 km run, 300 kicks,100 push ups, 100 sit ups, 100 jumping jacks
Essay: Why is Karate good for you? (3 pages)

BROWN BELT 1st KYU
Kata: Passai 2, Kusanku Sho, Gorin
Kumite: Bunkai Sparring
Conditioning: 5km run, 600 kicks, 200 push ups, 200 sit ups, 200 jumping jacks
Essay: Why I like Karate (5 pages)

BLACK BELT
Kata: Kusanku Dai, Chinto
Kumite: Bunkai Sparring
Conditioning: 8 km run, 1500 kicks, 500 push ups, 500 sit ups, 500 jumping jacks
Essay: What it means to be a black belt. (10 pages)
KOBUDO (WEAPONS)

Yellow Nunchaku Dai 1

Orange Shushi no kun

Purple Tonfa Dai 1 & Kubo no kun

Blue Sai Dai 1

Green Sakugawa no kun & Nunchaku Dai 2

Brown Kama DaI 1 & Sai Dai 2

Black Eaku & Sakugawa 2

Ni Dan Tuifa Dai 3 & Sai Dai 3

San Dan Kama Dai 2 & 1 Alternative Kata

Yon Dan 2 Alternative Katas

Go Dan 3 Alternative Katas

Each Dan level in Kobudo requires a pre-existing similar rank in Karate-do.

Alternative Weapons Kata
Tonfa Dai 2,
Bo Roku,
Sueishi no Kun,
Kawa no Kama, Chatan Yara,
Miyazato no Tekko 1,
Takemyoshi no Tekko 1,
Takemyoshi no Tekko 2,
Tsukentsunaka no Eaku

Alternative katas include but are not limited to above-mentioned katas.
Sensei approval is required for katas not listed.