*** Before signing up for this class, all students must have attended and successfully passed the "White Belt Level One" and "White Belt Level Two" courses.

Hello and congratulations for making it to the third and final stage of your white belt journey! This course will review and build upon what you've learned in Level One and Level Two, as well as introduce some new techniques and concepts. A major component of this course is learning the entire kata -  "Heian Shodan", where we spent a lot of time and effort in Levels One and Two to learn the first half of the kata.  

You already know by now, the importance of attending as many classes as possible (and watching class recordings when you miss a class, or would like to review what you've learned), trying your best in class, as well as practicing in between classes; so, it will come as no surprise to you that the final class of this program will be Grading Day, where you will demonstrate everything you've learned and how hard you've been practicing since the beginning of the course. Students who pass the test will be awarded their Yellow Belt, and invited to join the next course: Yellow Belt Level One; and students who do not pass will be invited to retake Level Three. 

[My teaching style: I will demonstrate each technique slowly first, explaining a couple of key points. I'll count the students through 10 or 20 of each technique slowly, making corrections along the way, and then we'll do another 10 or 20 at about 50% speed, and then the final 10 will be at 100% speed and power, so the students can work up a sweat and show themselves, and me, how hard and fast they can do their moves. Also, in karate, typically when the teacher counts the 10th technique, all the students verbally show their energy and spirit by shouting "Kiai!"  I refer to this as the 20-20-10 counting approach. I like to use lots of positive reinforcement, and to "say a lot with a little" when it comes to explaining the techniques, so we can spend as much time as possible actually training, rather than lecturing.   *** I strive to perform the majority of the techniques with the students, so they can follow along with me, but there will also be times when I will give them short periods of independent practice time, so that I can give individual feedback.]

Wearing a karate uniform will not be required, but it is encouraged that a white uniform and white belt be purchased, available on amazon for very reasonable prices (e.g., approximately $25), or at a local martial arts supply store. You'll find links to amazon suggestions in the "classroom" section of the first class upon registration, but any white karate uniform would be fine.

Course Outline: (Please note that this is just a basic and malleable outline of each class, and the amount of material covered in each class will depend on how everyone progresses.)

All classes will have the same structure: introductions & expectations; warm-up; basics; main lesson; fun finishing drill; sign-off.

Lesson #1: Warm congratulations and welcome to Level Three! Defensive sparring drills - review previously learned blocks and counters, and learn a new set of each.

Lesson #2: Kata turning drills - learn the two 270-degree turns in Heian Shodan, and the main sequences of the second half of the kata.

Lesson #3: Kicks, kicks, and more kicks! - Review front kick and roundhouse kick, and get an introduction to snap side kick (this kick is found in the yellow belt kata too)

Lesson #4: Self-defense - review the self-defense blocks against the 3 levels of attacks that were learned in Level One and Level Two, and learn the self-defense against roundhouse kick and side kick.

Lesson #5: Basics and line drills

Lesson #6: Perfect Your Stances - kata review, putting it all together.

Lesson #7: Offensive sparring drills - how to score points, using combinations and footwork.

Lesson #8: How to fall safely ("breakfalls"); midterm review.

Lesson #9: Learn to put it all together - Can you perform the whole kata by yourself??

Lesson #10: Leg-strengthening drills and kicks.

Lesson #11: Self-defense review; learn to be a good partner.

Lesson #12: Introduction to "bunkai" - understanding the self-defense applications of the kata.

Lesson #13: Creativity challenges - make up your own kata and self-defense techniques.

Lesson #14: Circuit training and fitness.

Lesson #15: Introduction to the yellow belt kata (Heian Nidan!)

Lesson #16: Grading Day! Today is the day to show off everything you've learned and show me how hard you've been practicing outside of class time. Every student will be assessed on everything that has been taught throughout the course, and will be sent a report card of their performance. Students who pass will receive a digital Yellow Belt certificate and will be invited to join the next program, "Yellow Belt Level One".