The grading syllabus within the dojo serves as a structured method of training, whereby long-term progress can be achieved by breaking down all that's required to be studied into smaller, structured, more manageable chunks. Although learning the contents of the syllabus is very important to gaining an overall understanding and competence in the art, there is no mandatory requirement in the dojo to attend regular grade examinations. It is fully acknowledged that some students may simply not wish to attempt these kinds of assessments and may perhaps instead choose to train with no interest in rank and in accordance with their own individual aims or aspirations.

At the dojo, each student is respected for their experience, not simply their grade. Therefore, what students learn will be solely dependent on their overall competence as opposed to what colour belt they wear around their waist. No student will be restricted because he/she wears a white belt for ten years! Every student is respected as an individual. Because of this, each student also holds the critical responsibility of learning, training and applying the various methods learned in a safe and productive way.

"Do not think of grades as the ultimate goal for the karate-ka. This can invariably lead to a swollen ego, which will be directly proportional to the shade of your belt! Instead, try to use the ranking system in the way as it was originally intended; As a series of stepping stones that make crossing a wide lake that much more manageable. The largest of all structures on this planet can always be broken down into many microscopic atoms and it's when these particles are bonded together, that the product of a thousand dreams are formed. What's most important is that you are there, practicing with full intent and above all, enjoying every minute of it."

Our syllabus can be broken down into five sections (see below). Each section develops a particular set of skills and together (with sufficient practice) make-up the ability to produce a complete karate-ka, who fully appreciates and understands every part of what he or she learns.


Section 1: Kihon (fundamentals)

The roots of a tree can represent the first element of kihon. Without strong roots, the tree will not flourish. One of the main highlights of traditional karate training is its huge emphasis on the perfection of basic movements. This is extremely critical and provides the bedrock for all other development. The basic techniques in the ESKK® can be sub-divided into two sections:

1a) Sonoba zuki/uke/geri (stationary striking/blocking/kicking) - The student settles into uchiwadachi (inner circular stance) and practices the various classical techniques with the emphasis on creating 'heavy' power and practical application. Here, all the strikes are aimed to vital points of the human body and all kicking techniques are performed flowing and to targets below the waist as was originally intended.

1b) Kihon waza (fundamental techniques) - Here, students move up and down the room performing techniques in various transitional postures. Primary technique in movement can be developed here along with the understanding of some critical principles that underline the art. All kicking techniques in kihon waza are performed higher and with the emphasis on limb control, balance and co-ordination. This actually complements the opposed style of kicking mentioned above and enables the student to acquire a much more ‘rounded’ ability with the lower limbs.


Section 2: Renraku Waza (combination techniques)

During the practice of renraku waza, students move up and down the room, practicing various groups of techniques together in set combinations. This element is performed in two distinct sections to fall in line with the kihon waza above. Combinations techniques are learned from both uchiwadachi (concentrating on close range applications and limb seizures etc) and from the longer stances (to incorporate kicking and boxing range applications with the emphasis on lower limb control and speed/sharpness of movement).


Section 3: Kata (form)

Kata is the heart and soul of karate. The fifteen forms that are practiced by the ESKK® serve as the nucleus whereby all principles, concepts and techniques are utilised. The key to practicing kata productively, lies in the training of ohyo (application), bunkai (analysis), kime (focus) and seme (pressure). By understanding the principles associated with the kata, the karate-ka can adapt and respond with the correct action. If you only practice kata for technique, then your karate will only be limited to within the 'walls' of your own movement. This will impede your training on a physical, mental and spiritual level. The kata practiced in our dojo are:

Naihanchi - Pinan Shodan - Pinan Nidan - Pinan Sandan - Pinan Yodan - Pinan Godan - Kushanku - Seishan - Chinto - Passai - Wanshu - Rohai - Neseishi - Jitte - Jion

Kumite is the general term for the practice of karate with a partner and encompasses various methods of training from pre-arranged techniques to all out 'free fighting'. Our grading syllabus incorporates the following methods of training, but this does not limit the karate-ka to the practice of other methods within the class in order to increase their abilities:

4a) Yakusoku Kumite Shodan (Pre-arranged exchange of techniques level 1) - This is a series of ten techniques that have been designed to supply the karate-ka with the basic skills required for dealing with a straight-line attack. Good timing, distance, co-ordination, limb control, use of vital points and power generation can be developed here, in addition to learning principles that can be adapted endlessly as a response to physical confrontation. The karate-ka is also able to get an appreciation into the realistic application of the many techniques, which are usually expressed as 'blocks' in the modern Japanese terminology (post 1900). Later on in the syllabus (3rd Kyu to 1st Dan), these techniques are naturally expanded to incorporate ‘spontaneous continuation’.

4b) Kaeshi Kumite (Returning exchange of techniques) - This is a series of only two drills that are split up into basic, intermediate and advanced methods. In kaeshi kumite, both partners learn to blend and respond to the tactile energy and seme (pressure) exerted by the aggressor. These techniques are flowing in nature and have subtle transitions that enable the practice to change from left to right (and vice versa) without any ceasing of movement. They form a very fundamental method, which is used to gain experience for the more demanding drills later on.

4c) Kakie (Push hands) - This exercise involves a greater reliance on tactile awareness, which is a critical sense used primarily in close combat range where reaction to visual stimuli would be too slow and ineffective. It allows the practitioner to ‘feel’ the partners force and ultimately flow spontaneously with a seamless and correct response. There are many ways to practice kakie and this exercise serves as an introduction to freely expand further with both time and experience.

4d) Kihon Gumite (Fundamental exchange of techniques) - These are the traditional pre-arranged techniques of the Wado Ryu style. They encompass all the classical budo principles including tai-sabaki (body movement), kyusho bunkai (vital point analysis) and allows the student to appreciate the different methods of timing and interception.

4e) Kata Bunkai (Form analysis) - As the karate-ka progresses through the syllabus and learns new kata, he/she has to analyses these appropriately and demonstrate a number of effective ohyo (applications) of each. This will ensure that every student will have the ability to ‘think outside of the box’ and adapt kata to his or her own abilities and experiences. Later on in the syllabus (3rd Kyu to 1st Dan) it is a requirement to be experienced enough in order to perform ‘amalgamated’ bunkai from 2 or more separate kata.

4f) Ji Yu Kumite (Free fighting) - This is where all of the principles learned through the constant repetition of kata and pre-arranged techniques can be applied on an ‘uncooperative’ opponent. This is progressed from an early stage and some of the limitations/flaws imposed are gradually removed with training to allow the more experienced karate-ka to practice in a controlled, but realistic way.


Section 5: Other

The final element of the syllabus includes the following five sections:

5a) Taiso (Warm up & Stretching) - This is introduced into the syllabus from the student’s very first lesson. It is important that the body and mind is prepared for the session ahead and the exercises here help to focus the mind and prepare the joints and muscles, which are specific to the major karate techniques. Many of the exercises within the warm up and stretching routine relate directly back to the movements found in the traditional kata and work on developing core flexibility, co-ordination, balance and strength.

5b) Conditioning - The ESKK® has incorporated a series of traditional body conditioning exercises into a flowing, two man prearranged exercise that should takes around 15 minutes to complete. This aims to condition the main parts of the body used in karate including the forearms, legs, abdominal's, chest and the primary weapons of the hands. Conditioning was considered a vital part of training in Okinawa, as it helps to prepare the body for the stress of impact. 

5c) Tameshiwari (Breaking) - Although breaking is viewed by many as only a demonstration practice, it can also be used to build confidence in technique, teach proper form and mental intent and show the correct penetration and focus of strikes. At the ESKK® , we treat breaking as much more of a mental exercise than a physical one. It is irrelevant to us whether or not you break the object. What’s more important is ‘how’ you attempt to break it.