Joe at Shindenkan Budo

Joe has been working very hard practicing the skills he is learning at Shindenkan Budo. He has learned much about focus, balance and agility, and how to defend himself. He has a wonderful instructor who instills in the children that sometimes they must use force to defend themselves but they are never the agressor.
Also, Joe's cousin Joel joined them for this class session which made it extra exciting. The children were able to work with Joel for a few minutes until the other instructor was ready. Joel is currently working to progress to the rank of brown belt. He is very good at the art and helps instruct. He and also goes through some of the moves with the instructor of the childre's class to show the children what they need to do and what the results are.
This week, after going through exercises for some time, the instructor chose two of the children from class to test for the rank of orange belt--the first rank in jujitsu. Joe along with another child Joe is friends with, Daniel, were chosen to be given the testing. At the end of class, the other children all seated themselves against the wall and Joe and Daniel proceeded to be tested. The instructor had them show certain moves that are required as well as questioned them on various aspects of stragety and motivation to see how their mental focus was and if they understood what they were doing.
After the test was over the instructor brought everyone back out on the mat and had them sit in a medatative state for a moment, focusing on their breathing. As they did this, the instructor went to the back of the class then came back to the front with two orange belts. First he had Daniel come up and sit before him then presented him with his orange belt. The class all bowed to Daniel. Then the instuctor had Joe come and sit before him and presented him with his orange belt. The class all bowed to Joe.
Joe is so excited and so proud of himself. I am very proud of him. He has worked hard and practiced to better himself in the skills he is learning both mental and physical.
Orange belt rank means he will stay in the beginning class but will be positioned at the front of the class with the other children behind him so that he will be an example for the other students in the class.
It was especially special that Joe had Joel there at class when he received his first rank. Joel and Sensi Ward helped Joe to take off his white belt and then put his orange belt on. It was a special evening.
Now Joe is working hard at bettering his balance and skills so that he may start his journey towards yellow belt. This morning before school, Joe had a few extra minutes so he asked me to let him know when I was ready to leave, he was going to meditate for a few minutes and proceeded to sit down in his little kneeling position and close his eyes and work at meditating and getting ready for his school tests today. :)