For martial arts students there is no recognition more personally gratifying than being invited to test for your next belt level. At every level there are specific criteria that must be met or, preferrably surpassed, to successful rank up. We follow a 10 rank system at Bushi Martial Arts Academy to reach black belt. The order of ranks we follow for Goju Ryu training in our club is as follows:

10 White belt 0 Black belt half rank

9 White belt 1 stripe 1 1st degree black belt

8 White belt 2 stripes 2 2nd degree black belt

7 Yellow belt 3 3rd degree black belt

6 Orange belt 4 4th degree black belt

5 Green belt 5 5th degree black belt

4 Blue belt 6 6th degree black belt

3 Brown belt 7 7th degree black belt

2 Brown belt 1 stripe 8 8th degree black belt

1 Brown belt 2 stripes 9 9th degree black belt

10 10th degree black belt

Tournaments are strictly voluntary but we highly encourage our students to join the competition team as it benefits them in so many ways. Being part of the competition teams also means extra training opportunities. Although competing requires special gear and weapons, we can provide our students with most of what is needed at no added cost. Competitive members compete in sparring, forms, weapons, and jiu-Jitsu applications (self-defence). From Timmins to Toronto, Hearst to Ottawa, there are yearly events where the competition is steep and we battle for podium positions!

Added training opportunities are provided throughout the year. From special seminars exposing students to Master instructors from around the world, to our Spring and Fall training sessions with Kyoshi Mike Sywyk, special training opportunities provide students with the chance to train with instructors of international reknown. Seminars out of town are optional but we consider seminars for which a guest instructor is invited to our club to be mandatory for all members.  The Spring and Fall training are opportunities for Bushi Martial Arts students to train directly with Sensei Conrad's Instructor.

These are traditional gatherings that occur twice per year within the Eastern Martial Arts Coalition. These events provide students with opportunities to train with other EMAC instructors and even try their hand at a martial art that is completely new to them, such as kung-fu, Kenpo, and Iaido to name a few. Gasshuku training stations are age and level specific so everyone gets the most out of their experience. To add to the spirit of unity among EMAC members, these Gasshuku also include a tournament to celebrate some friendly competition among federations and invited clubs. Although students are highly encouraged to take part, gasshukus held out of town are optional. For Gasshukus hosted at home, participation is considered mandatory.

Pine, Paulownia, concrete, bricks, bottles, coconuts, angel stone - we've literally tried our hands at all of it. Before you say it...we know that these things don't hit back. The objective is for our martial artists to test and exhibit their self-confidence, inner strength and conditioning. A stack of bricks is not very menacing. A person with a fist or an elbow that can break through them, however, is. This is our most cherished event. Every student leaves this exhibit successsful, proud and astonished at the extent of their inner strength.