I wanted to share some thoughts with you about gradings, so that you get an idea about what's involved and to prepare you and/or your parents/guardians for the event(s).
Some people believe that the day you turn up for the grading is the only day that counts ... and if this is what you believe, you are mistaken.
As Karateka, we are all being assessed all the time. If your sensei believes that your are capable of grading, your name will be put forward; if your sensei believes that you haven't worked hard enough, you won't be allowed to grade.
There are other factors that come into play with our dojo:
How many times do you regularly train a week
We keep training records on every student and log when you train and when you are absent. If I start to see more zeros than ticks against your name, you will not be allowed to grade. You should be training twice a week over a 3 month period to qualify for your grading unless you have a disability that affects your ability to train. Obviously, there are times when you will be absent because of work, holidays or illness but you should still be able to attend the dojo for a minimum of 70% of the time.
Sensei Oliver, who is the Chief Instructor of the JKR-UK, could ask to see the club's attendance record at any time to gauge your attendance and assess your attitude towards your Karate.
How much do you practise in your own time
Your sensei will know who has been practising hard because he or she spends a lot of time watching you and putting effort into your progress.
Whenever you are taught something in the dojo, you should find some time to practise it. 2 lessons a week and no practise won't improve your Karate.
Think of it as a building process ... every time you learn a technique and can do it well - you get a brick. Every time you learn a kata - you get 5. Every time you learn what the moves mean in a kata and can then can use some of the moves correctly for yourself - you get a window. For me, the roof is very important and it has to be strong to withstand the trials of life and it is continually worked upon and that is made up of my attitude towards my training, the codes of respect that I live with and the deep connection that I feel with a way that has sustained me over the years and given my life some meaning.
There are times when I forget things, especially as I get older ... but once I notice this happening, I work harder on that element of my training to replace the broken brick. Like everything in life ... my Karate has to be maintained.
Your attitude in the dojo
Be polite and courteous at all times, especially towards your elders. Etiquette is a very important part of Karate ... and how you live your life. Never make fun of anyone for not being able to do something; instead help each other to progress. Never ridicule each other in a dojo. Dignity isn't just for elders and a young persons confidence can be easily shattered ... the same can happen to an adult student facing challenging events in their lives.
Knowing when and how you can use your Karate is something that is periodically discussed in the dojo to make you aware of your responsibilities towards your Karate, yourself, your loved ones and others.
If you want help to understand a technique better or to learn more kata - ask your sensei or one of the seniors if he or she isn't there.
Meiyo's 2 dojos are always open before the lesson begins and you should get there before your sensei. You then have a chance to ask questions about anything that you're not sure about.
Be careful how you train with a partner: always remember to observe the etiquette and say the right words before and after kumite (fighting). Never try to damage your training partner - remember that we all have other things to do in life, be it school, work, looking after children (the hardest work!), being carers etc.
Your attitude in other areas of your life
For adults this assessment is a simpler one ... live a good life and don't be a bully. Help others where and when you can in appropriate circumstances. Never assume that someone is weak because they don't fight an issue for themselves ... where possible empower other people by offering help and letting them decide whether they want to take it or not.
Parents and guardians can have many reasons for enrolling their children into a dojo ... the child could be being bullied, may be in need of some self-discipline, may need to develop their ability to focus to help their school work, to develop their confidence or it could be that they simply want the child to be fitter and more active and be able to defend themselves. Try to be sensetive to each other's needs.
As a young person, your attitude at home and at school is something that your sensei will be concerned about at this club. Bad behaviour towards your parents and school could result in you not being able to grade or train at this club.
I recognise that growing is a difficult process and that young people face a tremendous amount of pressure ... if you are concerned about anything or want advice about how to tackle an issue in your life, please feel free to approach me at the dojo. I may not have the solution but I will try to find someone to help you if it's possible.
Mondays at the ICCA, Nottingham
At Meiyo Karate Club, we recognised that we needed 3 sessions per week to give you as much flexibility as possible to meet the grading requirements.
I discussed this issue with club members and parents before asking the Indian Community Centre Association for an additional training slot. You all wanted it. The management committee of the ICCA kindly agreed to give us the Monday evening slot on a trial basis. This means that if you live locally and don't use it as part of your 2 lessons per week commitment towards grading ... we may lose that training slot and you will have to attend a Sunday morning lesson at Bestwood Estate Community Centre - or you won't be able to take any gradings.
Please remember that Meiyo Karate Club is a 'Not-for-profit' organisation and that most of your training fees go straight to the Community Centres that we work with. All of our instructors are unpaid. We learn and teach Karate because it's something that we love ... and it's our contribution towards helping the next generation of humans ... and keeping the art alive.
Parents and Guardians
While this blog piece is aimed at the whole club - it's been written with adults in mind for one main reason - you as parents and guardians are still an important part of the process of learning Karate ... even if you don't put a 'gi' on and train yourselves. So please sit with your young person and discuss this piece with them and take an active part in the development of their Karate ... and don't discard the option of putting on a 'gi' and training with your child, as it can be a good motivator for both of you.
Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu
Club Instructor
Meiyo Karate Club
Sensei Yamazaki provided us with yet another inspiring seminar in September. 
It's important to remember the route you took in the development of your Karate - although a personal journey, the influences of your Senseis will have made their mark upon you. This is why we try to provide images of your development so that when you go on to become a Dan grade or a teacher yourself, you'll have a pictorial history of your own development and will remember people like Yamazaki Sensei and Oliver Sensei and the parts that they play, and will continue to play, in the development of our Karate.
