Even if you have a good attitude when training, and are serious about what you are learning, you still may have an improper understanding of what is required of you. "A good attitude" is not always enough. What is important is for you to realize what direction your training is taking you and to develop your skills appropriately. The following shows how I measure my students' progress and how I expect their skills to develop.

10th Kyu to 7th Kyu:
What is looked at is your ability to roll properly and move correctly. How to walk naturally and your knowledge of stances. Smoothness and naturalness are developed at this level. You must learn how to correctly deliver strikes and kicks, and be able to block them with balance and effectiveness. You are expected to overcome awkwardness and learn how to relax while in stances and in movement. We usually call this the "soft period," because everything you do should be slow, soft and natural. This is when the foundation of your correct taijutsu is developed. At this level, you should not concern yourself with real combat. This period normally lasts up to six to ten months.

6th kyu to 3rd Kyu:
What is expected at this level is knowledge of techniques. How to correctly execute locks, throws, complex striking and kicking applications, chokes and submissions. While a good foundation of movements has been developed up until now, you will continue to work to improve your footwork while adding realism. The basic movements will now be done with more speed and power. Your rolling and breakfalling skills should be developed to the point where you can receive realistic throws without injury. You should have a working knowledge of basic weaponry. This period is considered the "hard period," because you discover the true power of whole body taijutsu, begin to move realistically and with speed. This period normally lasts up to 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 years from when you began.

2nd kyu to black belt:
What is expected at this point is "putting it all together." Realistic combat skills, smooth natural movement which produces speed and power with ease. A seamless combination of hardness and softness, using each when appropriate. Whole body movement and awareness, top notch grappling skills, devastating striking skills, full knowledge of pressure points, the ability to perform at full speed, a solid foundation of weapons skills. In short, everything that is required to move you beyond black belt into advanced training. To reach black belt normally takes 2 1/2 years to 3+ years of active, continued training.

Of course, these are just the physical skills. They will, to some degree, contribute to the growth of your spiritual power. However, this spiritual growth depends largely on your life experiences. Your level of maturity is also a major factor in the awarding of your rank. For instance, a person who jokes around with firearms, pointing a gun at others, or shooting at inappropriate targets, is hardly a qualified gun owner. The same goes for this art. Unless you can show the due respect for the techniques being shown, you can't get past the lowest levels. Treat these techniques like a loaded gun. Realize the seriousness and the hidden power of what is being shown. Only then can you push through the barrier and obtain the inner secrets.

Shidoshi Ken Harding, 6th Dan, heads the Missouri Ninja Center in St. Louis. He started his training in 1984, has trained with Hatsumi Soke in Japan, and studies Japanese, Yoga, shiatsu, herbology and nutrition. He may be contacted via E-mail: Shadowswrd@aol.com.