Belts
Internal martial arts are held to be the most subtle, complex and sophisticated in the Chinese martial arts world.
(Bruce Frantzis)
Grades
With Sifu Waller, grades are a way of differentiating the
syllabus.
It ensures that each student has sufficient opportunity to learn each aspect of
the curriculum adequately before moving onto the next topic.
A beginner could not safely train vigorous kung fu material with an expert
student.
Belts
We offer grading and belts as a means of helping students to chart their
progress through the curriculum.
Belts indicate clearly defined stages of ability.
A belt symbolises that a student has reached a certain level of skill.
Coloured belts are for beginners.
Black belts indicate an intermediate or
expert student.
Red is for the advanced level.
What is the point of belts?
Progress. A lot of people are not
very good at learning and (given a choice) will tend towards laziness.
It is human nature to remain in our 'comfort zone'.
However, challenges unlock hidden potential within us all. We grow, we change.
Without a grading system, many people would not make progress.
Teaching aid
Belts serve as a teaching aid.
Our syllabus is complex and incremental. Each grade teaches a variety of skills
necessary for the grades that follow.
Without the foundation skills, you cannot perform more sophisticated
material.
By making students wear a belt denoting their level of skill, an instructor can
break the class into groups.
Each group can work on material appropriate to their ability level.
Work
Passing belts in any martial arts class typically involves
attendance, commitment, hard work and perseverance.
No reputable instructor issues belts to unworthy students.
A student cannot expect to pass a belt unless they have put in the work and
proven their skills.
The training spiral
Passing your belt does not mean that you have mastered any skill.
It indicates a degree of aptitude.
In order to gain true skill, it is necessary to re-address existing topics,
themes, form, exercises and drills.
Everything you do can be improved.
How you do it is as important as what you do.
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Page created 28 May 1995