All students begin as white belts and progress through the ranks of yellow, green, purple and brown. Black belt testing is done after a semester of training with the chief instructor of the school. A student may attain their black belt in slightly less than 4 years. Any physical limitation can be overcome or accommodated. The only real limitations are those in your mind.
Students begin by learning control, distance and technique drills.
Once they have reached a certain level of proficiency, they move on to free sparring. All sparring begins with light contact with no techniques to the face, back or joints. Face contact is allowed only in the black and brown ranks. All students green belt and above learn the jo, or short staff. Students may also learn forms with other weapons such as samurai sword, nunchaku, sai, tonfa and bo staff.