Weeks 3 to 6

For yellow belt testing, students must perform several karate sets/sequences:

• Basics 1,
• two beginner forms,
• and three combos.

Each of these sets/sequences is made up of many individual moves. (For example, Basics 1 is made up of more than a dozen unique strikes and blocks.) We've made detailed tutorials for these fundamental moves.

Students should focus on learning the fundamentals before moving onto memorizing the sets/sequences in their entirety. We recommend watching each tutorial video thoroughly and performing the techniques little by little. Students should take full advantage of the videos by...

• using the full screen option to get a closer look,
• pausing often to practice a move, and
• re-watching the video as many times as possible. 

Gradually, you will learn these fundamentals and will physically adapt to the exercises. This will act as a strong foundation for the rest of your martial arts training. 

2. Attention During Practice

There are many aspects to studying martial arts. We ask for students to focus on the following attributes during their study, as all are key components to achieving success. We commonly associate these elements with the overall level of a student’s performance. A student should be pay careful attention to...

• Balance - Good balance increases one’s ability to execute a technique properly and with maximum efficiency. Keeping your head straight, avoiding leaning your body out of alignment with your center of gravity, and careful weight displacement when moving, especially when shifting stances and turning, are all essentials to maintaining balance.
• Power - Power is often defined as speed times weight. This means that the faster a certain mass travels, the more impact it will have upon an object it strikes. When applying this to martial arts, we find that it is often affected by a myriad of factors; technique, flexibility, speed, muscle mass and strength. When all of these variables are working together in harmony, we find that we achieve power.
• Speed - Generally, the faster a technique is executed, the better it is. This, however, is predicated on the technique being executed correctly. If a technique is performed incorrectly, speed does little to enhance it, nor will it increase the chance for success in its’ application. Correct technique is always enhanced by optimum speed. Training to be fast means that we focus on the concept or ideal of moving as explosively and as dynamically as possible.
• Correctness of Techniques - It is an absolute truism, that when we perform a technique correctly, as opposed to incorrectly, our technique will have the best chance for success. Correct technique enables one to maximize effort, as theres is less chance for wasted motion and energy.
• Correctness of Stance - Correct stances are the foundation for executing powerful hand techniques and the launching point for the delivery of powerful kicks. The natural byproduct of correct stances is enhanced leg strength and power.
• Rhythm - Rhythm is the mind’s natural sense of timing, when in motion. To have proper rhythm is to move with maximum efficiency at the proper moment in time. That is to say one’s sense of timing and rhythm determines action/reaction. Our mind’s perception of when to move or execute a technique and the action to do so, often affects our ability to successfully strike a target, and block or dodge a blow. It is a skill that is develop over time and practice.
• Intensity - The ability to exude a heightened level of emotional commitment at will is an intangible quality that has no specific formula. We associate this quality in most sports and, specifically, in battle or confrontation. Easily identifiable traits of this state of mind and emotional being are shown in facial expression, quality and volume of the voice and explosiveness of movement. It is the absolute-pure, elevated state of mind, body and spirit.
• Mental Focus - The mind’s ability to concentrate without distraction from internal and external forces is something that every human struggles with. We speak of it when learning, working, and in sport and artistic endeavors. It is a universal goal to improve our mental focus as it allows one to learn with the greatest of efficiency and perform at maximum levels of proficiency. It is therefore a key quality to have when doing the martial arts.

3. Finding Answers

If you have a question about your training or the curriculum, we encourage you do the following:

1. Start by searching the Student Video Library - The Student Video Library contains answers to questions IMA students have asked. You can use the search function by entering words or phrases that relate to your question.
2. Next, try asking your mentor and/or fellow student - If applicable, ask your mentor or a fellow student. Mentors and fellow student may be the quickest and easiest way to get the answer.
3. Finally, ask an IMA instructor - Using the Message Center link at the bottom of the CyberDojo page, send your questions to IMA Instructor. We will respond within three business days by posting our answer in the Student Video Library.

4. Outline of a Karate Class

To give your online training more of a traditional feel, consider adopting some parts of normal karate class:

• Class begins with
  • recitation of the Student Creed (see the Student Handout in the File Library)
  • bows toward the American and Japanese flags and towards the group leader
  • seiza (sitting on feet) for 30 seconds
• Warm Ups
• Training (one or two of the following per class)
  • Basics 1
  • Forms
  • Combinations
• Optional Training (similar to the material in the Achievement section)
• Class ends with
  • recitation of the Student Creed
  • bows toward the national flags and then the group leader.
  • seiza
  • "class dismissal" bow

Weeks 3 to 6

Goals and Benchmark

Your goal for these four weeks is to learn the fundamentals of  Basics 1, Forms, and Combos. Also, continue checking the Tips & Other Information section and Achievements section, watching all new videos that become available. Each week you should aim for at least two hours of logged training.

By the end of this training stage, you should be familiar with (but not competent at) the following techniques:

• In Basics 1, all Individual Moves and Other Tutorials
• In Forms, all Other Tutorials
• In Combos, all Other Tutorials

Also, you should have 12 hours logged by now.