Testing can be a good method of guaging progress and of enhancing training. It can also be a crutch. Tests will be held every four to six months. Way of Harmony is currently affiliated with Aikido Association of America (AAA). All testing will be done according to AAA policy, modified for individual needs and instructor preferences. Which is to say that when you're ready to test, you'll know. You may request a test, and that request will either be accepted or declined.

Notes:

• All practice day requirements are counted from the last test.
• Many techniques have omote (front) and ura (rear) variations which you must know
• The sensei or testing committee may wave any requirements, or add other requirements.
• Test requirements are a combination of AAA and Northeast Aikikai
• Sixth Kyu combines seventh and sixth kyu of AAA tests. This may be modified in the near future.
• All test requirements are subject to change and instructor's whim.

6th Kyu: (Yellow Belt): 30-50 practice days

Basics

1. Seiza
2. Forward Posture
3. Unbendable Arm (AAA)
4. Rolls
   1. Mae Ukemi - Forward rolls from kneeling and standing
   2. Koho Tento Undo - Rolling backward and forward from kneeling and standing
   3. Ushiro Ukemi - Tumbling backward completely from kneeling and standing
   4. Mae Ukemi Breakfall
   5. Ushiro Ukemi Breakfall
5. Empty Hand Strikes - Shomenuchi, Yokomenuchi and Munetsuki
6. Funakogi Undo - Rowing exercies
7. Shomenuchi Ikkyo Undo - Raising and lowering arms as if cutting with a sword

Techniques

1. Katatekosatori Ikkyo - Cross-hand wrist grab - First Technique and pin
2. Katatori Nikkyo - Lapel grab - Second Technique and pin
3. Katatekosatori Kotegaeshi - Cross-hand wrist grab/wrist turning throw with pin
4. Katatekosatori Kokyunage - Timing throws
   Includes cross-hand wrist grab/timing throw controlling the head
5. Shomenuchi Kokyunage
6. Katatetori Shihonage - Aihamni and Gyaku hamni
7. Shomenuchi Iriminage
8. Kokyudosa - kneeling or standing

5th Kyu: (Yellow Belt with Stripe): 60 days

Basics

1. Ki Tests and Exercises
2. Hanmi No Kamae - "Half-body stance"
3. Banzai no Kamae - Stance with feet shoulder-width and both arms raised
4. Zengo Undo - Raising and lowering arms as if cutting with a sword, with 180 degree pivoting motion
5. Happo Undo - 8 direction kata - Raising and lowering arms with movement as if cutting in eight directions
6. Tekubikosa Undo - "Crossing the wrists" exercise - High and low.
7. Kamae with Bokken - Five basic sword stances
8. Bokken and Jo Suburi - Demonstration of basic strikes with sword and staff

Techniques

1. Katatetori Sankyo -Same side wrist grab/ "Third teaching;" both nage waza (throwing) and katame waza (pinning) variations required
2. Katatetori Shihonage (omote & ura)
3. Katatetori Kaitenage - Same side wrist grab/ "Rotary throw". Tenkan variation required
4. Shomenuchi Ikkyo (omote & ura) - Downward strike to the head/ "First teaching" and pin
5. Shomenuchi Iriminage
6. Shomenuchi Kotegaeshi - Downward strike to the head/ "Wrist turning" throw and pin
7. Yokomenuchi Iriminage
8. Yokomenuchi Sokumen Iriminage - Strike to the side of the head/ "Side of the face, Entering throw" (technique performed in the manner of Sayu Undo)
9. Ryotetori Tenchinage
10. Munetsuki Kotegaeshi - Thrusting strike to the chest / "Wrist turning" throw and pin
11. Ushiro Tekubitori Kotegaeshi
12. Morotetori Kokyuho

4th Kyu: (Blue Belt): 80 days

1. Shomenuchi Nikkyo (omote & ura)
2. Yokomenuchi Shihonage (omote & ura)
3. Tsuki Iriminage
4. Ushiro Tekubitori Sankyo (omote & ura)
5. Ushiro Tekubitori Kokyunage
6. Ushiro Tekubitori Kotegaeshi
7. Ushiro Ryokatatori Kotegaeshi
8. Ryotetori Tenchinage
9. Ryotetori Kokyunage (variations required)
10. Suwari Waza:
    Katatori Nikkyo
    Katatori Sankyo
    Shomenuchi Ikkyo

3rd Kyu: (Blue Belt with Stripe): 100 days

1. Katatori Gokyu
2. Morotetori Iriminage (2 ways)
3. Ryotetori Kaitenage
4. Ushiro Ryokatatori Sankyo (omote & ura)
5. Ushiro Ryokatatori Kokyunage
6. Ushirohijitori Kotegaeshi
7. Shomenuchi Sankyo (omote & ura)
8. Yokomenuchi Iriminage (2 ways)
9. Yokomenuchi Kotegaeshi
10. Tsuki Kaitenage
11. Munetsuki Kokyunage
12. Suwari Waza:
    Katatori Nikkyo
    Shomenuchi Iriminage
    Shomenuchi Nikkyo
    Shomenuchi Kokyunage
13. Hanmi-Handachi:
    Katatetori Shihonage
    Katatetori Kaitenage
14. Bokken: Happo Giri - cutting in eight directions

Randori - 1 person

2nd Kyu : (Brown Belt): 200 practice days, attendance at one Aikido seminar since 3rd kyu

1. Morotetori Nikkyo
2. Katatori Menuchi Iriminage
3. Ryotetori Koshinage
4. Ryokatatori Kokyunage (variations required)
5. Ryokatatori Kotegaeshi:
6. Ushiro Tekubitori Shihonage
7. Ushiro Tekubitori Jujinage
8. Ushiro Katatori Kokyunage
9. Ushiro Kubishime Koshinage
10. Shomenuchi Shihonage
11. Shomenuchi Kaitenage
12. Yokomenuchi Gokyu
13. Maigeri Kokyunage:
14. Hanmi-Handachi:
    Katatetori Sankyo
    Katatetori Shihonage
    Shomenuchi Iriminage
    Yokomenuchi Kotegaeshi
    Munetsuki Kotegaeshi
15. Jo Kata 1: 13 movement Kata
16. Randori - 2 persons

1st Kyu : (Brown Belt with Stripe): 300 practice days and attendance at 1 Aikido seminar since earning 2nd Kyu

1. Katatori Menuchi-5 techniques
2. Morotetori-5 techniques
3. Ryotetori-5 techniques
4. Shomenuchi-5 techniques
5. Yokomenuchi-5 techniques
6. Koshinage-5 techniques
7. Tantotori
8. Hanmi-Handachi (Ushiro Waza)-5 techniques
9. Jo Kata 1: 21 movement Kata
10. Jotori - 3 attacks minimum. Then use jo and do techniques with uke trying to take jo

Randori - 3 persons

Sho-Dan : (Black Belt): 400 practice days and attendance at 1 Aikido seminar since earning 2nd Kyu

1. All of 1st Kyu requirements
2. Tachitori
3. Bokken Dori "Seizing the wooden sword" 3 attacks minimum
4. Jotori "Seizing the staff" - 3 attacks minimum
5. Jo Kata: 31 movement Kata
6. Henkawaza
7. Randori - 4 persons