3rd Degree Black Belt: Sandan
NOTE: This is Sensei Kristalyn's current rank. These rank requirements are posted for reference only, as Sensei is currently not certified to promote beyond Shodan at this time.
Techniques: Further exploration weapon combat & defense techniques
Sparring: Standing & ground grappling techniques, 2 on 1 sparring, weapon sparring
Defense Training: Continue pressure point training; develop 1 of each: club disarm, knife disarm, gun disarm, 1 of each animal (these must be effective in a real situation); combinations 53-59
Weapons: [4th weapon] Form 2, Iai 2, 6th weapon basics, [6th weapon] Form 1 (see weapons section)
Forms: (see forms section)
- Choose one of: Circle of the Leopard, Snake, OR Five Dragons Face the Four Winds
- Branches of the Fallen Pine
- Sanchin (using dynamic tension)
- Sho Ton Kwak
Minimum time in rank: 4 years
There are many different styles of martial arts, some ancient and some modern. New ones pop up all the time. But, almost always, the newer styles stem from ancient traditional roots. The first style I ever studied (Ryuchi) was a blend of Shotokan, Goju-ryu, and Okinawan weaponry, under Shihan David Nori. The style is only about 50 years old, very new in comparison to the old traditional styles. I then studied Shoalin Kempo for a couple years, and I have added some of those forms and techniques to my curriculum.
For those who are interested, here is the breakdown:
Basics- Stems from all styles of martial arts.
Defense/combinations- Most come from the Shaolin Kempo system.
Forms- all from "Kata Shichi-kyu" to "Kata Shodan-Ho", are unique to the Ryuchi system, but are inspired by Shotokan and Goju-ryu forms. The underbelt weapon forms are also unique to Ryuchi, but inspired by traditional Okinawan Kobudo. Other forms are adopted from Shotokan, Goju-ryu, and Shoalin Kempo. I will make a note of which forms come from where in the rank requirements.
