Students begin with a white belt. Some say this symbolizes the purity of the ”beginner’s mind,” which shows a willingness to learn. As students progress through the ranks they learn more curriculum, and explore what they already know to greater depth. Advancing in rank is a process of maturing as an individual.
Children follow the same curriculum as adults, broken down into smaller pieces. The Children’s curriculum joins the adult curriculum at green belt.
In their first class, all new students are introduced to material they will show to a test board at their first-degree black belt test and beyond. The Uechi-Ryu curriculum is small, only eight kata (forms) and a handful of partner exercises, but it is very deep. Students refine their work in every class and with at-home practice.
Here are some simple descriptions of the early Dan ranks:
Shodan (1st degree) Dedication
Nidan (2nd degree) Depth
Sandan (3rd degree) Immovable Center
Yondan (4th degree) Confidence
Godan (5th degree) Mature Practice