Grandmaster Professor Don Jacob will be present to officiate our upcoming Grading, taking place Friday, March 27th through Sunday, March 29th, 2026.

Belt Grading is a formal assessment of each student’s skill, discipline, and readiness to advance in Don Jitsu Ryu.

The $175 grading fee is for a single grading assessment. It is not a payment for a belt. Belts are earned through performance and preparation, and they are not automatically awarded. Not every student will be promoted.

Eligibility is determined by attendance, technical development, and instructor approval. Students who are not ready will continue training at their current level until they meet the standard.

This process protects the value of each rank and ensures that every promotion reflects real progress.

This seminar is dedicated training time with Grandmaster Professor Don Jacob, the source of our system.

The $100 seminar fee is per student and provides focused, hands-on instruction directly from him in the principles and techniques of Don Jitsu Ryu.

This is not a regular class and not a demonstration. It is a rare opportunity for students to train under the founder and experience the system at a higher level.

Students will be challenged, corrected, and exposed to the standard expected at the highest levels of training.

Mandatory participation for Green Belts and higher.

Progress reports from the February 14th class are being sent out today, March 3rd. As this was our first round of progress reports, the feedback took longer than anticipated. We appreciate your patience and are committed to improving — our goal is to deliver reports much closer to the class date moving forward.

The next round of progress reports will follow the March 14th class, and we intend for that feedback to be delivered almost instantly.

Our Small Group Training program is a focused, personalized training experience designed to accelerate development beyond the regular class setting.

SGT is a supplement to regular classes — not a replacement. Students must continue attending their scheduled group classes. SGT provides additional, focused training on top of the existing class schedule.

Sessions are held in groups of 4–6 students, meeting twice per week in 30–45 minute sessions. The focus is on personalized skill development, advanced technique refinement, competition preparation, and building the confidence needed to progress through the belt system faster. Spots are limited per group to ensure personalized attention.

Personal referrals are the most powerful way our Dojo family grows. When you share Purple Dragon ATL with someone you trust, you are giving them access to a system that builds discipline, confidence, and character.

We are launching a Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser to support four critical initiatives that will shape the future of Purple Dragon ATL.

The Pilgrimage to Trinidad is a structured training immersion at the birthplace of Don Jitsu Ryu. This is not a vacation. It is a return to the root of our lineage, standards, and culture.

Participants will experience intensive training at multiple Trinidad Dojos, participation or observation in official events, exposure to senior instructors and Grandmaster guidance, and cultural immersion connected to the roots of the system.

Students train under different instructors across several Dojos — including Arima, Belmont, Valencia, and World Headquarters — building adaptability, technical precision, and mental toughness.

We have expanded what your membership gives you. Students now have access to additional training sessions beyond their enrolled class pack — giving you more mat time and more opportunities to develop.

Check the full class schedule here to find sessions that fit.

To upgrade your membership to a higher tier, speak with Shihan Hayden during any class or contact us at the Dojo. Students looking for even more focused development should also ask about our Small Group Training (SGT) program — a personalized add-on designed to strengthen technique, grading readiness, and confidence alongside your regular classes.