I think it would be fair to say that all of us who were about to attempt the grading that night, which also included Chris, Peter, Richard and Mark, were tense with nerves and in those few moments before the grading had withdrawn into themselves, focussing on what was to become a memorable grading.

The support was clearly evident, not only from other dojos' but also from our family and friends. My parents came, which I was of course pleased about, as they had wanted to see their daughter practising karate after I had often told them about its benefits but I was naturally worried for them as I warned them that they may see me in a different light, exhausted and under pressure! Would they be shocked, find the evening all a bit too much, or would they understand what was being achieved? Luckily for me their experience was one of enjoyment, amazement and awe and my Mum particularly found it quite overwhelming. They said, ‘The dojo had an electric atmosphere, and was incredibly buzzy'. They also said they couldn't get over how wonderful, caring, and extremely supportive everyone was - a nice compliment for all who participated in the night's events.

The grading was broken up with technique, conditioning, bag work, self defences and Kata's. Even though I had trained and prepared for this grading, my uncertainty and nerves were getting the better of me. However, Seido had taught me the importance of meditation to help focus the mind and release your hidden potential and so I had spent a little time for quiet reflection at home before the grading which helped enormously . . . this is encouraged as part of Reiki also, which I also began practising in 2003. (I believe now more than ever that our conscious mind often holds us back, being responsible for lack of self belief and negative past programming which can thwart our progress and journeys.)

Passing this grading was particularly special for me because I have always regarded the Advanced Yellow Grade as a real bench mark of achievement (largely, I think, because it is the grade prior to sparring – eek!) and doing so in front of my parents made it all that more special. To be honest, without seeming slightly over-dramatic, I actually felt the exhilaration one feels when looking at a beautiful mountain range or a stormy sea! I truly felt “in the moment” and Kaicho's meditation ‘One Breath - One Life' came to mind as I reflected on what I had managed to do – I had overcome my fears and nerves, and made the very most of those two hours!

However, gradings are not just about personal achievements - they are all a reminder of the most important part of the Seido philosophy, helping and supporting each other, and this grading was an excellent example of that! I experienced this first hand when at the very end of this grading the final push ups were really testing my ‘non-quitting' spirit to the limit and I had not felt so exhausted in a long while, but just as all my strength seemed to drain away from me, and I did not think I could manage that last heave up, my friend and fellow yellow belt Richard screamed in my ear ‘Get up!!' and that scream of encouragement gave me the strength, with one final ‘Kiai', to lift my aching body up on the last ‘Ju'! (Thanks, Rich!) That was support and encouragement in its purest form, and what these gradings are a reminder about. A grading I certainly won't forget in a hurry!