The kids program has been discontinued until further notice; Training in our adult program can begin at age 15.

Children’s Lil’ Budo’s Program

(Age’s 8 to 14)

Our children’s program has been built to compliment the teachings they are receiving at home and at school. The focus is on these key areas:

1. Self-discipline and encourage goal setting
2. Improve dexterity and self-awareness
3. Team building activities
4. Improve self image and confidence builder
5. Taking responsibility for actions
6. Identifying and avoiding dangerous situations.

We DO NOT believe in training our kids how to fight, but how to use their minds for defense. Our focus is not on the schoolyard, but other dangers that unfortunately have gripped our nation in fear for our children’s safety. Our goal is to enhance their physical abilities along with there ability to understand the environment around them and to utilize it for their benefit. The following is a general overview for the Children’s Program.

Tiger Level: Beginner

1. Basics of Taijutsu and being a good Uke (Training Partner)
2. Basic Postures or kamaes
3. Basic Strikes
4. Basic Understanding of Weapons and how they become an extension of your body. Mostly Hanbo Techniques & Bo
5. Basic Knowledge of the San Shin no Kata and the Kihon Happo

Hawk Level: Intermediate

1. Deeper understanding of the Beginner’s level
2. Improved Taijutsu and Ukemi Skills
3. Adding weapons to San Shin and Kihon Happo Training
4. Train with Basic Bo and Bladed weapons (Understanding the dynamics of bladed weapons and some defenses)
5. Timing and distancing improvements

Dragon Level: Advanced

1. Solid Understanding of the Basics and improving on skill with taijutsu
2. Movement becomes more defined and ability to move naturally showing improvement
3. Ability to demonstrate the Basics to new students (Kamaes, Dojo etiquette,  and Ukemi Skills)
4. Have solid understanding of Kihon/San Shin basics
5. Work with Flexible weapons (Kusari, rope, etc)

I hope this gives you a general idea of the type of training that is involved in the Bujinkan. If you need more info, please contact the dojo.

Ranking

Ranking is the Bujinkan is simple and not made to be the focus of ones goals. If you train, you will improve daily, therefore rank will come….do not get caught up with it as that promotes ego. Open you mind and heart and the rest is easy.

We start everyone out at White belt or 10 kyu (Basic rank), no matter what Martial Art experience you may have. We follow the recommend time period for ranking as set forth in the Black Belt manual of the Taka Seigi Dojo. However, there are exceptions to the rules as there are some folks that have a natural physical ability, especially in the earlier ranks that may move you along a little faster. DO NOT BE IN A HURRY! If you are serious about training in Budo, then you will always be a student because the learning never stops.

On average it will take you 2 ½ to 3 years to obtain the rank of Shodan (1st Degree Blackbelt). The following is a breakdown of how ranking flows in the Bujinkan.

Tiger Level: White to Yellow Belt (Yellow is in our dojo only)

• 10^th Kyu: White Belt
• 9^th Kyu: Yellow Belt
• 8^th Kyu: Yellow Belt & 1 Silver Star
• 7^th Kyu: Yellow Belt & 2 Siver Stars

Hawk Level: Green Belt

• 6^th Kyu: Green belt & 3 Silver Stars
• 5^th kyu: Green belt & 4 Silver Stars
• 4^th Kyu: Green belt & 1 Gold Star

Dragon Level: Brown Belt to Black Belt

• 3^rd Kyu: Brown belt & 2 Gold Stars
• 2^nd Kyu: Brown Belt & 3 Gold Stars
• 1^st Kyu: Brown belt & 4 gold Stars
• Junior Shodan: 1^st Degree Blackbelt No Stars, New Patch