Student Creed

I will develop myself in a positive manner and avoid anything that may reduce my mental growth or physical health.

I will develop self-discipline in order to bring out the best in myself and others.

I will use what I have learned in class constructively and defensively; to help myself and my fellow man, and never be abusive or offensive.

We are a Black Belt School: we are Dedicated, we are Motivated, we are on a Quest to be our Best!

Animals of Dojo

Dragon - wisdom

Crane - balance

Snake - free-flowing movement

Tiger - strength

Leopard - agility


Rules of Dojo

Etiquette

Effort

Self-Control

Character

Sincerity


Meaning of Colored Tape on Students’ Belts

A student acquires three different colored (tape) stripes on his/her belt as she/he masters the required material to attain the next belt level. A red stripe is awarded for self-defense, a blue stripe is awarded for mastering a form or kata, and a green stripe is awarded for kicks and strikes. Generally speaking, when a student has earned all three stripes, she/he would receive an invitation to take the next belt test. As a student moves up in rank, a student can expect to learn increasingly more difficult material and will consequently attain higher belt ranks at a slower rate.

Starting in August 2009, NGMA also started marking the students’ belts with black and red “tips”. Tips are located on the opposite end of the belt from the regular blue, red, and green stripes. Black tips are given each time a student attends a class. After a student accumulates 8 black tips, the black tips are exchanged for a red tip. When the student accumulates another 7 black tips they are exchanged for another red tip. The number of red tips expected for each belt level will vary as the level of difficulty increases as the student goes up in rank. Excessive red tips without the red, blue and green stripes necessary for the next belt level will serve as a signal for the instructors to determine whether the student needs additional help.


Tests for a New Belt

Once a student has earned the three different colored (tape) stripes, red, blue and green, on his/her belt, he/she will likely to receive an invitation for the next belt test. Belt tests are held regularly throughout the year. An invitation will list the time and date of the test and the test fee. Test fees are due on the day of the test.

Students must arrive no later than the time listed on the invitation as the doors are locked once the test starts. Students are expected to wear full gi (jacket, pants, belt, and protective cup for males) for a test. Full gear (such as sparring gear and weapons) is also required if applicable. A student is allowed to bring a bottle of water.

It is considered an honor to be invited to test for the next belt level. Students are expected to give their personal best during a test. Tests can be physically demanding and students are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids, stretch, and eat salty foods the next couple of days after a test.

Typically the tests for 4-6 year olds last an hour; and the tests for 7-13 year olds last up to two hours. Parents and visitors are not allowed in the dojo during the test but are invited back towards the end of the test. Good luck!!!


Moving up from 4-6 y/o to 7-13 y/o Class
  • Required reading "Zen In the Martial Arts” by Joe Hyams
  • All students must know the Student Creed, Rules of the Dojo and Animals of the Dojo
  • For male students, a protective cup is required at each class and at all belt tests
  • Sparring gear is required starting at Purple Belt and above. Sparring gear can be purchased directly from Shihan.
  • All students are expected to know how to count from 1 – 10 in Japanese.
Weapons used in karate

Bo - Long staff originally used to carry water or other heavy objects over the shoulders

Kamas - Small sickles used to plant and harvest rice

Escrimas - Straight sticks originally used for walking sticks

Nunchakas - Sticks joined by a small chain used for knocking fruit out of the high branches of a tree

Sai - Similar to a small pitchfork and originally used by farmers to plant grain.


Japanese Terms

Domo - Thank you

Domo Arigato - Thank you very much

Mokuso - Concentrate / meditate

Dachi - Stance

Kiba dachi - Horse stance

Hangetsu dachi - Half moon stance (pronounced Hagasu)

Nekoashi dachi - Cat Stance

Sagiashi dachi - Crane stance

Geri - Kick(pronounced Gaddy)

Mawashi - Roundhouse

Zuki - Punch

Shuto - Knife hand

Counting in Japanese

Karate is usually taught using the original Japanese terms, and that includes counting in Japanese. The second syllable is slightly suppressed, so “ichi” becomes phonetically more like “itch” an “roku” sound more like “rokk”.

Traditionally, in Kihon (training of basic techniques), students produce a Ki-Ai (shout) at the 10th repetition of a technique. In partner training such as Ippon Kumite (one step sparring), the speed and power of each technique is gradually increased, and the 5th repetition (in some Dojos the 3rd) is accompanied by a Ki-Ai at the final technique of both attacker and defender.

Counting:

1 - Ichi
2 - Ni
3 - San
4 - Shi
5 - Go
6 - Roku
7 - Shichi
8 - Hachi
9 - Ku
10 - Ju
20 - Ni ju
30 - San ju
40 - Yon ju
50 - Go ju
60 - Roku ju
70 - Nana ju
80 - Hachi ju
90 - Ku ju
100 - Hiyaku ju

About Kenpo Karate

Kenpo is a mixture of five distinct cultures: Chinese, Japanese, Okinawan, Hawaiian/American and Korean.

In class, students are taught self defense techniques, forms, and sparring. Self defense techniques incorporate elements of different styles, such as ju-jitsu.

The Kenpo style is distinct in its emphasis on upper body strength; the trained Kenpo practitioner can disable an opponent with a block as well as a strike. The Next Generation Martial Arts dojo places an emphasis on building physical strength and stamina in addition to learning proper technique.

The exact origins of Karate are unknown, primarily because the art was kept a secret from outsiders for a long time. Karate originated in a small country south of Japan, known today as Okinawa. Formerly known as the Kingdom of the Ryukyus, the land was split into three warring kingdoms. After unification under Sho Hashi (1372 - 1439), a strict edict prohibiting weapons of all kinds was issued. However, the weapons ban did not ensure lasting peace. Historians generally agree that Karate originated because the Ryukyus were forced to develop a means of unarmed self-defense. Karate means "empty hand."

The origin and meaning of the term "Kenpo" can be quite confusing. While the style originated in China, it was passed down through the Mitose, a Japanese family who studied Kenpo in China in the 1600's. When the Mitose returned to Japan, they described their family martial art system in the Japanese language. After several evolutions, the term Kenpo was developed: (Ken (fist) Po (law). In Chinese, the term is Ch'uan (fist) Fa (law). The Japanese written characters for "fist law" are pronounced either Kenpo or Kempo. "Kenpo" indicates the original Chinese origin, while "Kempo" indicates the incorporation into the Japanese culture.

Kenpo picked up its Hawaiin influences when James Mitose moved from Japan to Hawaii, and established the spelling of "KeNpo." Today, Kenpo reflects the original Chinese martial art passed down through the generations for hundreds of years. The art has continued to evolve as it was introduced in the United States.

More information about karate and kenpo can be found on the following web sites:

www.kenpousa.com

www.myhreweb.com/karatedo/history.html

Recommended Reading
Karate-Do My Way of Life
by Gichin Funakoshi
The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate
by Gichin Funakoshi
The Weaponless Warriors
by Richard Kim
Zen in the Martial Arts
by Joe Hyams