2025 Western Black Belt Conference

5:00pm Doors open/Checkin

5:30pm Official Welcome & Warm-up

5:45pm - 7:30pm Advanced Basics training (A deeper look into Kihon and 'finding technique' in the middle of conflict)

7:30pm - 8:15pm A discussion and meditation on detachment with Mark Russo

9:00am Doors Open/Check-in

9:30am Group Photo & Warm-Up

9:40am - 10:40am 1st Degree Black Belt Principles (Experiancing the value of the basics in 'YOUR MOVEMENT')

5 min break followed by 10 minutes of Randori

11:00am - 12:00pm 2nd Degree Black Belt Principles (Using advanced timing and angling to achieve superior positioning and effortless counters)

12:00pm - 1:15pm (Lunch With Friends!)

1:15pm - 2:15pm Hanbo & Kusari Fundo

5 minute break

2:20pm - 3:20pm 3rd Degree Principles (Using confusion and misperception to create 'knee-jerk' reactions in an aggressor)

5 min break followed by 10 minutes of Randori

3:40pm - 4:40pm 4th Degree Principles (Muto Dori and the concept of 'Mu-Shin')

Closing Meditation (Training Sange-Mon)

6:30pm Group dinner/Birthday Celebrations (location TBD)

9:00am Doors Open/Check-in

9:30am Warm-Up & Randori

9:50am - 10:50am 1st Degree Kata

10 min Break

11:00am - 12:00pm 2nd Degree Kata

12:00pm - 1:15pm (Lunch With Friends!)

1:15pm - 2:00pm (Sword)

2:00pm - 3:00pm 3rd Degree Kata

5 min break followed by 10 minutes of Randori

3:15pm - 4:15pm 4th Degree Kata

4:15pm Closing Meditation (Taking Inventory on Gratitude)

6pm Master Russo treats Master Bragg to a wayyyy oversdue Steak Dinner, LOL!

• Hanbo
• Kusari Fundo (2 ft rope or similar)
• Training knife
• Bokken (wooden training sword)
• Meditaion Cushion
• mat shoes or tabi
• An open mind!

We will have plenty of extra items you can borrow. be comfortable with what you travel with

Host or Publisher Boulder Quest Center