To help you better understand the martial arts as a whole, we will break down the "systems" of training in 3 distinctive categories. Although there are hundreds of variations of systems, we will highlight the most well known in the United States.

Sport martial arts: These systems include: Tae Kwon Do ( Korean Olympic - kicking art), Judo (Japanese Olympic - throwing art), Jujitsu (Japanese & Brazilian ground & joint manipulation art), and American Boxing. In these arts, primary goals are based on rules, a point system, or opponent submission. Although each is very good in its specific field of study, over-emphasis on one specific area of martial arts limits one's ability to defend oneself in a realistic street encounter.

Self Defense Martial Arts: These systems include: American Kenpo, Shaolin Kempo, Kaju Kenpo, Lima Lama (American), Aikido (Japanese), and Filipino Arnis (Philippines). These arts have integrated key aspects of other arts into their own with the intent of ending a confrontation in the shortest amount of time with the highest level of efficiency and effectiveness based on logical reasoning and realistic application. Since efficiency and effectiveness will always be improved upon, these arts will continue to evolve and be at the forefront of combat/self defense training.

The Shaolin/American Kenpo Karate system is a complete self defense system based on logical reasoning and realistic response to any type of attack. This covers all areas of self defense including: defensive blocking and evasiveness, striking, kicking, grappling, throws, takedowns, joint manipulation, multiple attackers, weapons training and weapons defense. To help you achieve these skills, Los Altos Karate (and many other martial art systems) use a belt coloring system to allow a student to learn and develop the knowledge and abilities at an efficient pace of training and to also aid the instructor in teaching the student at an efficient pace.

Los Altos Karate's belt rank colors from White Belt to Black Belt are as follows:

• White - Yellow - Orange (Beginners Ranks)
• Purple - Blue - Blue/Green (Intermediate Ranks)
• Green - Green/Brown - Brown (Advanced Ranks)
• Black Belt (Expert Rank)

After Black Belt you can continue your training of study into the instructor rankings of Black Belt. There are 10 degrees of Black Belt.

• 1^st Degree Black Belt — Instructor
• 2^nd Degree Black Belt — Head Instructor
• 3^rd Degree Black Belt — Chief Instructor
• 4^th Degree Black Belt — Senior Instructor
• 5^th Degree Black Belt — Master
• 6^th Degree Black Belt — Head Master
• 7^th Degree Black Belt — Senior Master
• 8^th Degree Black Belt — Senior Head Master
• 9^th Degree Black Belt — Grandmaster
• 10^th Degree Black Belt — Senior Grandmaster

Intermediate ranks — In the intermediate levels of training, the student will begin to transform his/her basic foundation movements into more sophisticated techniques and will become more proficient with his/her beginning material. Power and fluidity becomes a primary emphasis as the student learns new material and techniques. Sparring and partner drills are required for advancement to advanced ranks.

Advanced ranks — In the advanced ranks the student's memory and physical abilites have improved to such a degree that new theories and ideas can be integrated in the advanced material while giving feedback about what was learned. Speed, agility and timing become the primary emphasis as the student begins to formulate and understand the complete Kenpo system as a whole. From an internal standpoint the student shows leadership qualities and carries him/herself in a confident outgoing manner.

Black Belt Rank — For the student to achieve the rank of Black Belt, he/she must perform with direct and focused execution of all basics, techniques, forms and maneuvers with a partner and understand the principals, terminology, and sequential motion on all material up to black belt. A ten page thesis relating to Kenpo will be required before testing for the rank of Black Belt. Power, speed, agility, balance, timing and accuracy merge together as one in the execution of Kenpo. Focus, determination and the warrior fighting spirit are at your command, ready for action when necessary. Honor, loyalty, respect and dedication shine forth as the student achieves the rank of Black Belt. Once the Black Belt rank is achieved, the student becomes an expert and is shown the due respect of such an accomplishment by having all other students show a bow of respect as the black belt enters the room. This proper etiquette response instills inspiration in all other students on their journey to Black Belt.

When the student has trained and learned properly all the required material by attending class on a regular basis and has demonstrated on a regular basis the proper attitude, skill and rank requirements needed to attain the next level, then the student will receive *at any time* a test notice with all of the required information and testing fee.

On test day, the student will arrive at least 15 minutes early to get ready and prepare for the test. (Do not be late for a test as you will not be permitted in after the test begins). Normally a student will be testing with a group of other students. We do offer private testing for an additional fee if you cannot make the test date or the student may wait until the next group test date becomes available. Below is a time chart on how long approximately the student will be testing for their next rank. The Testing Fee Chart is in the student login area.