Why you should strive to be a Black Belt
If you are reading this, you are currently enrolled onto a trial (basic) membership programme at our Martial Arts school and you have been shortlisted for Black Belt training. Well done!
Our Basic training programme is good, I expect you are gaining many benefits already even though you are at the start of your LIFESKILL journey with us. Basic training is exactly that; it introduces students to basic Martial Arts techniques and the all-important basic Personal Development material. Basic training is a trial enrolment to see if you want to but more importantly qualify to enrol onto a Black Belt training programme. Please have a thorough read of this webpage and decide if being a Black Belt is for you. Students must show their Sensei’s (& their parents) that they deserve to qualify for Black Belt Training. We only want to work with committed families not those who cannot see the true value of becoming a Black Belt with our Martial Arts school.
Why being a Black Belt is crucial to your child’s development?
Achieving a Black Belt at Kaizen-Do Karate will provide your child with so many transferable skills that will help them in MANY areas of their life. They will be more Respectful, show more Perseverance, develop Character, increase Confidence, learn to avoid negative peer pressure – the list of benefits is endless
Along the 4-year journey (approx.) to Black Belt our structured programmes improve so much more than just physical fitness. Hundreds of families have commented that we drastically improve all the benefits that parents want for their child to be the best version of themselves.
Becoming a Black Belt improves; Confidence, Focus, Respect, Discipline, Modesty, Determination, Self-Control, Perseverance, Courtesy, Grit, Integrity, Resilience, Self-Esteem, Positive thought…. The journey to Black Belt is paved with many valuable skills. Oh, and yes, it improves self-defence skills.
We are not a seasonal recreational sport (football, rugby, gymnastics, etc), we are a Martial Arts school. We have designed our Martial Arts School so it parallels the school education system and you will notice this throughout your LIFESKILL journey to Black Belt and beyond.
We are not a Karate ‘club’ we are a Martial Arts School whose aim is to improve EVERY one of our students lives. Becoming a Black Belt will help our students to be the best version of themselves they can be. Our Black Belts are proactive students.
Achieving 1st Dan Black Belt is equivalent to achieving GSCE’s. Achieving 2nd Dan Black Belt is equivalent to achieving A-levels. Achieving 3rd Dan Black Belt is equivalent to a degree. Just as with any educational path, the more educated you are the more successful you are likely to be.
During enrolment onto Basic Training you need to prove to your Sensei’s you are committed to becoming a Black Belt. Students either want to be a Black Belt or they don’t, if students are unsure then that automatically means they don’t want to be a Black Belt.
Training to Black Belt improves so many skills that are transferable to everyday life, being a Black Belt opens up so many doors. If you qualify to enrol on one of our Black Belt programmes I look forward to working with you for many years on your journey to Black Belt 2nd Dan and beyond.
Commitment
Commitment is a big part of being successful. On our Masters & Leadership programme we teach students about the importance of commitment. Commitment is what makes things happen – without commitment nothing ‘worthwhile’ happens. The below quote is from W. H. Murray a famous mountaineer and Himalayan expedition leader:
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.”
Here at Kaizen-Do, what we understand from the above is that students who want to become Black Belts and live the Black Belt lifestyle must commit. If I want to get good marks at school, then I must commit to doing homework and trying my best in class. If I want to progress in my career then I must develop my value. If I want to become a Black Belt, then I must try my best in class and work on my personal development and self-discipline sheets.
Students that commit to becoming a Black Belt become Black Belts. You will have noticed this message at the Academy:
Goals + Commitment = Success
Commitment is a very big part of success at our School.
What Kaizen-Do Karate has done for me
We have taught 1000’s of students over the years and those that have committed to Black Belt have received MANY MANY benefits that have helped them in their schoolwork and careers. Check out some of these below. For more information download their reports and read first hand the benefits they have achieved.
Thoughts about getting to Black Belt and Beyond at
Kaizen-Do Karate.
As you already know, we are NOT a typical sports club and we are definitely NOT a Karate ‘club’. We are a Martial Arts School that prides itself on the Personal Development and self-discipline content of our programme. Being accepted to train onto Black Belt is an honour and achieving Black Belt is a priceless achievement that will help you in so many ways. Please have a read of the ‘thoughts about getting to Black Belt and Beyond at Kaizen-Do Karate’.
How Do I Qualify to train to Black Belt ?
Your Sensei’s are likely to be evaluating you suitability for Black Belt training over the next few weeks. Prove to them you deserve to enrol onto the Masters& Leadership programme. Students must.
Have a good attitude
Attend classes regularly (2 or 3 per week)
Be active on their Personal Development journey. Reading the books and completing the Black Belt Skills for Success sheets.
Be active on their self-discipline journey
Showing Sensei’s that they are improving themselves outside of our schools 4 walls, by completing homework, reading, self-discipline sheets. The self-discipline programme is not ‘just for kids’. As adults we should want to improve.
If you tick all the above, you are likely to be invited to apply for the programme. You will then need to complete a 3-part application form. Following assessment of your application form the Sensei’s will then decide the next steps; whether you qualify for a trial or need to follow an action plan.
Good luck.
Sensei Dervish.
5th Dan Black Belt
MD & Chief Instructor
BSc Sport & Exercise Science. PGCE.
