from the February, 2013 issue of Kiai!

Photo Essay: Kagami Biraki, January Color Belt Promotion Tests

 

Enjoy these photographs from recent events at Thousand Waves.

Kagami Biraki – Kids

On January 5, the first Saturday morning of 2013, children from all programs gathered in the dojo for a Kagami Biraki New Years workout. For the past few years, Thousand Waves has been adapting for children this Japanese tradition which is celebrated in dojos all over the world. Meanwhile, parents met downstairs to be informed and give opinions about Thousand Waves finances and plans.

Kagami Biraki included many spirit challenging exercises. Here, Aaron rocks the side plank.
Jun Shihan Sarah leads the students in a spirit challenge exercise.
The workout included stance meditation.
After the workout were performances of kata.
To end the morning, students were asked thought-provoking questions to help them set goals for the new year.

Kagami Biraki – Adults

On Sunday, January 6, the adults had their traditional early morning Kagami Biraki.

 

Students lined up in several rows facing each other, anticipating a vigorous workout.
Love of karate shines on the faces of the adult students.
Jun Shihan Sarah trained right along with the rest of us.
Senpai Alan joined us while on leave from the Marines. Here, we are all doing stance meditation.
Intensive stance meditation brought out the best in many stances.
As is traditional, Kagami Biraki ended with group performance of kata. Here is Pinan 5.
Jun Shihan Nancy and Kyoshi Martha join the group performing Pinan 2 at the end of Kagami Biraki.

Promotion Tests

On Saturday January 19, 2013, color belt students in the Junior and Youth programs were tested for rank advancement.

Junior Tests

The younger students, of the Junior Program, arrived early on Saturday morning.


As the test began, Junior students lined up to introduce themselves and answer questions about martial arts history.

Students enthusiastically showed their best kicks.

Students were tested on their backfist strikes while holding horse stance.
Blue belts and up love their basic self-defenses.
Four students were promoted to green belt, and graduated to the Youth program.

With the test over, only the belt ceremony is ahead. Their blue belts off, these boys are ready for yellow belt.
A proud moment for this new blue belt & Jun Shihan Nancy. To see a photo of all the newly promoted Juniors, click here.

Youth Tests

Later on Saturday afternoon, students in the Youth program tested for promotion.


The Youth test began with basics for all levels. Here, blocks are tested.
Punches were thoroughly tested – in the basics section, and also as part of kata.

Kicks were another important part of the basics section.
Jun Shihan Sarah corrects Danny's alignment for kicking.
Junior black belt senpai help with the more advanced kicking section.
Junior black belts are important helpers in the test. Here, Senpai Michael takes a fall for Charles in intermediate self-defenses.
Students testing for brown and advanced-brown belt perform Pinan 3.
The teachers are happy to award the belts at the end of the test. To see a photo of all the newly promoted Youth & Teens, click here.

Adult Tests

Adults tested for color belt rank advancement in the evening of Wed., January 23.

Senpai Sarah Kranz is on the alert in case anyone gets hurt.
Arturo demonstrates Intermediate self-defense #2 on Todd in his test for brown belt.
Jeff demonstrates the outside wrist lock on Senpai Debbie in his test for advanced-brown belt.
Outside wrist lock was thoroughly addressed in the adult test. Here, Jun Shihan Nancy demonstrates a fine point on Jun Shihan Sarah.
At the end of the test, all the promotees received their new rank simultaneously. Click here to see their formal group photo.