

All About the Family
Our Family Classes are a great opportunity to experience the
wonderful world of Karate right alongside your child. These classes
teach the lessons needed for both success in their daily school
activities and in our adult professional lives. This togetherness is
a chance to build a common bond with your children to help create a
stronger family.
One thing that makes Sutemi Shukokai Karate Ryu different is that we
offer Family Classes as well as independent youth and adult training
sessions. This gives parents the option to train with their family,
to get some time with other adults, or to mix and match the two and
train sometimes together and sometimes separately.

Have you trained in Karate in the past and want to get your
child or children involved in the martial arts?
Why not introduce them to our club by taking part with them? If you
have trained before in Karate and can produce proof of the grade
that you finished at (either your old licence or even your
certificates) we will recognise that grade and you will be able to
wear that belt.
Of course it may be some time before you’re up to speed and ready to
take another grade but we believe that you have earned the right to
wear that particular belt and nobody can take it away from you.
If you haven’t got any evidence, we will even help you get in touch
with your old club, former instructor or as a last resort the
association that you belonged to, to try to get you the proof that
you need.
Learning alongside your child or children gives a feeling of
self-confidence to your child and helps them get over their early
nerves. It is also quality time for you as a parent.
Remember... The family
that kicks together, sticks together
At approximately three-monthly intervals (or when you have the required quota of lessons) we have a grading (which is a form of examination). There are costs involved there – but if you are not interested in “going through the belts” there will be no gradings and therefore no cost.
If you come up to the required standard you will qualify for your next colour of belt. You must attend a minimum amount of lessons before you will be invited to take part in a grading.
Ideally, twice a week. We find that those who train regularly don’t have a problem remembering the moves that they have been taught and therefore are a lot more content in the lesson. If, however, you want to make the three month schedule then twice one week and once the next will give you the necessary amount of lessons to qualify.
| White Belt | 10th Kyu | Three Months and Twenty Lessons to next grade |
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| Red Belt | 9th Kyu | Three Months and Twenty Lessons to next grade | |
| Yellow Belt | 8th Kyu | Three Months and Twenty Lessons to next grade | |
| Orange Belt | 7th Kyu | Three Months and Twenty Lessons to next grade | |
| Green Belt | 6th Kyu | Three Months and Twenty Lessons to next grade | |
| Blue Belt | 5th Kyu | Three Months and Twenty Lessons to next grade | |
| Purple Belt | 4th Kyu | Six Months and Forty Lessons to next grade | |
| Brown Belt (Brown/White) | 3rd Kyu | Six Months and Forty Lessons to next grade | |
| Brown Belt (Brown/Red) | 2nd Kyu | Six Months and Forty Lessons to next grade | |
| Brown Belt (Brown/Black) | 1st Kyu | Twelve Months and Eight Lessons to Dan grade | |
| Black Belt | 1st Dan | Twenty Four Months and 160 Lessons to next grade | |
| Black Belt | 2nd Dan | Thirty Six Months and 240 Lessons to next grade | |
| Black Belt | 3rd Dan | Forty Eight Months and 320 Lessons to next grade |
Gradings are optional not compulsory. When a student has obtained the minimum amount of lessons he/she is eligible to grade; they will be invited to grade if Sensei thinks that they are good enough and ready.