White Tiger Dojo Naples, Fla
...The way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness...
Beach Training, Naples, Fl
"...Practice was very strict and was not like the practice at the Dojo today. Practice was done through a teacher with few students or, one on one training. A training place was sometimes a room floored with tatami mats, in a field, or on the beach. Instruction was always done in a natural environment..." - Gogen Yamaguchi
Ed Koschmider Sensei with students near Vanderbilt Beach, Naples, Fl '07
"...We train on the beach, in our backyards, wherever we can, our Dojo is everywhere..." Edward Koschmider, Sensei
Rank Guidelines
(This outline describes merely the highlights of requirements, all of which are subject to change!)
I have always felt that though a student may posses the physical skills and basic knowledge required for the next rank, it is a disservice to that student to promote them before they are mentally ready. As each individual matures at a different rate, the years required for promotions are approximate. – Edward Koschmider, Sensei
White Belt – A student can expect to remain a White Belt for sometimes two or more years. The White Belt encompasses the 10th through 7th Kyu of most other styles. In the White Tiger Dojo, it is considered an honor, and a true accomplishment to posses a worn out white belt! Changing belt colors as often as one changes clothing is NOT necessary. Therefore, accomplishments are marked in other ways at our Dojo.
Kata – Required Kata for students to learn at this level are:
Geki Sai Dai Ichi
&
Geki Sai Dai Ni
Other requirements – Students also have certain basic physical standards to meet, along with basic etiquette. Floor exercises are pulled directly from Kata to instill the concept of Bunkai-Oyo. Students are required to think and act at this level, putting their Karate in motion.
Green Belt – After several years of training, students will begin to train in earnest for their green belts. This belt encompasses the 6th through 4th Kyu in most other styles. Again, a student can expect to remain a green belt for usually two or more years.
Kata – Required Kata for students to learn at this level are:
Tensho (or Tenshou)
&
Sanchin
*These Kata are known as the “forever” Kata as, once learned, the student will perform these two Kata at every class session, and every testing! These are the Kihon Kata of Goju-Ryu.*
Other requirements – Students will develop their Kihon Ippon Kumite as well as Sanbon Kumite at this level. All techniques are taken directly from Kata (though not necessarily Kata that has been learned). Bunkai-Oyo is taught more in-depth, but still in the form of “floor exercises” which further puts the students Karate and mind in motion. Students are also introduced to Kakie. Physical requirements are double that of white belt.
Brown Belt – A student will have been training for about 4 or 5 years before being considered for Brown Belt. This rank consists of 3rd through 1st Kyu, as with most other styles. This belt takes 3 years to complete, no exceptions
Kata – Required Kata for students to learn at this level are:
Saifa
&
Seiunchin
Other requirements – Students must demonstrate that their basic techniques are finely honed – to include, but not limited too, Kata, Etiquette, various forms of 2 man pre-arranged sparring drills, Bunkai-Oyo, and Kakie. Physical requirements are double that of green belt. *other requirements apply*
1st Black Belt – Students will have trained a minimum of 6 to 10 years (continuously) before being considered for Shodan. At no time
will a student under the age of 18 be promoted to this rank! This is an attempt by Sensei to control the quality of Black Belts.
Kata – Required Kata for students to learn at this level are:
Shisochin
Other requirements – I do not like to discuss the requirements of Black Belts outside of my school. Suffice to say that the rank of Shodan is used for perfecting the basics.
"Ox" in the Gulf of Mexico
"Old" crew in Miami
Little Dojo, VA
Kakie
"Ox" and "Mongo", Naples FL
"...Everyone Works...Nothing is Free!..." Grandmaster Peter Urban
Ox and Mongo at the new dojo
My Niece Nicole after receiving her brown belt in TKD!
"Little Dojo" West NY, NJ
Adam "Mongo" Parris, Ed Koschmider, Sensei, and Ramiro "Ox" Farias
Training in VA
About the outdoor Dojo
...Sometimes a student will tell me that he learned in his Sensei's garage or house. Often, they will tell me this with a sense of embarrassment. They are embarrassed because they did not learn in a "proper" dojo.
I will always explain that it is an honor to learn at the Sensei's home or garage -- that is the best place to learn. What an honor to be invited to the Sensei's home!
A dojo is just a place. Sometimes you hear this about churches. Recently I watched a news report about a church that was destroyed by a tornado. The reverend was cleaning up and explained to the reporter that the church was not the building -- it was the people. In the same way, a dojo is not the place -- it is the students.
Some of the embarrassed students will also explain that their Sensei only had a few students. Few students? How lucky for them! The luckiest student is one who trains one on one with his teacher. For most of the time, I was my Iaido Sensei's only student. How lucky I was! I am not embarrassed by this -- I just thought how fortunate I was.
Whether you learn in a garage, a carport, a living room, or even a yard, you are lucky to be learning the best form of Karate. You should not be embarrassed -- you should be grateful for the opportunity to learn from your Sensei.
How should you repay your Sensei? By becoming a good student and eventually a good Sensei, so that you can pass on the art to the next generation of students. Who knows, maybe you'll teach in your own garage... Unknown Author
