Everyone is different and therefore as individuals we progress at different rates, learn in different ways and want something unique for ourselves from the training we undertake and instruction we receive. Whether you are all about Karate or you are practicing Jeet Kune Do, Your Path to your own personal goals will be unique, fun and challenging. Our instructors are here to guide you on your way to success and achievement and push you on that little bit further each time you train.

To help your progression members are provided with a grading syllabus and regular grading sessions are held throughout the year. All our martial arts are practised to the highest level, and we ensure external examiners are used for all our gradings in order to maintain these exceptional standards.

Why grade?

Grading enables you to see if you have understood the technical requirements for each grade. Grading also tests you under pressure. This is when you find out what you really know. Once you have achieved your grade you will have total confidence in your techniques and ability. Many of our students say that after passing their gradings they feel they can go on in life to do anything they choose and succeed.

How many grades to Black belt?

In Shotokan Karate we have 9 Kyu belts before you reach your 1st Dan Black Belt  (Shodan). In JKD we have seven levels prior to Black Belt. This can take you between 3 and 5 years to achieve depending on the level of effort and commitment you put in to your training. It isn’t easy, but then it’s not meant to be. You can think of your Black Belt as the Martial Arts equivalent to an Academic Degree.

Students in general should grade every 4 - 6 months. This is a rough guideline, some people will move quicker others will take longer. It’s not about getting to your goal the quickest it’s about making the most of your journey towards your goal. Always push yourself to understand your techniques and how to use them effectively, ask questions and condition your mind and body, start to see what is possible.

Bruce Lee

“If you always put limits on what you do, physical or anything else, it’ll spread over your life. It’ll spread in to your work, into your morality, into your entire being. There are no limits. There are plateaus, but you must not stay there, you must go beyond them... a man must constantly exceed his level.”