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Know Your Belt
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| There are a number of different stories concerning the belt colours and how they have come about, in truth you would have to study Japanese history to get a real understanding. Below are a few myths which I like to believe, are why we wear coloured belts. |
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The white uniform represented the values of purity, avoidance of ego, and simplicity. It gave no outward indication of social class so that all students began as equals. The black belt with the white gi represents the polarity of opposites, or Yin and Yang. The student begins empty, but fills up with knowledge. |
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A student would start off with a white belt and over the years it will grow darker as his knowledge increased until the belt turned black. As the belt was made from silk it would slowly turn back to white meaning the master must go back to the beginning and refresh his mind on the basics i.e. he has come full circle. |
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| Whatever you believe one thing is for certain at Combat Academy if you have a belt you have earned it, so wear it with pride. |
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How to Tie Your Belt
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| 1) Hold the middle of the belt against your belly button, with the label facing out, on the left hand side. |
2) Wrap both ends around your back, and bring them to the front. |
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| 3) Ensure you have tucked the non-label side of the belt underneath the rest of the belt as you go around. |
4) Take the label end of the belt and bring it up underneath the TWO layers of belt in front of you. |
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| 5) Your belt should now look like this. |
6) Then let the label end of the belt hang down. |
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| 7) Bring the label end of the belt over the (back) of the plain end. |
8) Place your right hand into the gap you have just made. Take hold of the label end with your right hand and pull your hands back to form a knot. |
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| Any questions – ask a student with a neatly tied belt for help. |
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