Ballygunge Karate Institute Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal

From begginner to black belt, it takes a minimum of 4 years of rigourous training, with training sessions of 1 12 to 2 hrs per training session, and at least 2 training sessions per week. The minimum age for starting karate training is 5 years (a knowledge of english is also required so that the student can follow the instructions). There is no upper age limit, though good health is required- a weak heart can fail with 12 hours of rigorous training! our chief instructor, sensei b. S. Ganguli, is a 4th dan black belt of the jka, with a 'c' kyu instructors licence and 'd' kyu judge and examiner, which allows him to take examinations upto brown belt (3rd kyu to 1st kyu) levels. Black belt examinations, upto 3rd degree, can be taken by sensei anand ratna, 6th dan, head of the jka in india. Jka karate training begins with warm up excercises, which are usually tai chi at our dojo, before actual karate training. After the training, stretching excercises (usually yoga) are done to keep the body limber and fit.