To be 4th degree, or Yondan, means that the student has been an established teacher with a continually growing number of students willing to endure sempai duty under their tutelage. This is a senior belt and political and developmental by nature, so the Yondan has demonstrated professional standing in their communtiy. They have developed bridges of training for their students with at least two other martial, yogic, or healing art systems.

The Yondan is the model or exemplar of the system. They are living the life of a "fully functioning human being," are regarded by others as fonts of knowledge of how to live life fully and peacefully interact with society.