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Welcome to the first new self-defense
training concept
under our new format. In the future, the training concepts will
be
placed in their perspective sections. However for the first
training
section, we thought it would be good if we wrote a concept that would
encompass
all of the sections at once. Keep in mind what we have stated on
all of the Training Concept Sections now through Dragon Tales, train
slowly
on new ideas, and safely at all times. Training at a slower pace
on new material will aid in retention when it is needed. Safe
training
is always important to ensure that you can do so another day.
Another
point to keep in mind we found from several Kenpo Karate seminars we
have
attended over the years. Although altercations should be avoided
if possible, should you become involved in a self-defense situation the
best technique is to "find the door." In other words, the
path
to take in a self-defense situation is to escape. It is always
best
to be an unharmed Kenpoist then an injured hero. Yet, should
there
be no method of escape, then it is better to be prepared. This is
why our Training Concepts sections where developed. To aid the
Kenpo
student in their quest to better their Kenpo Karate knowledge.
Granted, these concept sections by no means state that we are experts
in
the field of Kenpo Karate. On the contrary, we at Dragon Tales
would
be the first to admit that Kenpo Karate is an ongoing process of
perpetual
learning and growth. These concept sections are merely ideas and
suggestions based on some of the material we have found and use.
We will try to keep everything in these sections useful to everyone and
keep the advanced technical jargon to a minimum.
Now to the new self-defense concept. How are we going to
incorporate
all three sections (empty-hand, blunt, and edged weapons) into one
Training
Concept. It is a lot easier then you might think. We will
just
take a universal training idea and run it through our Kenpo Filter to
work
for all three (the Kenpo Filter concept will be explained later).
And for this particular one we agreed on a training idea that we at
Dragon
Tales like in regards to study, not practical application. PLEASE
always remember when it comes to practical application to Keep It
Simple,
and the idea we have chosen isn't easy but it is fun. The idea we
have chosen is:
try
working everything you have backwards.
Now this may sound like a really silly pizza commercial, "Backwards
talking
am I now," however there is more to it then just that. Although
the
statement was meant to get your attention, working the self-defense
material
backwards has a lot to do with the Rearrangement Concept. There
is
a lot of material in the Kenpo system that will get you to the
Spontaneous
Stage of Motion, and the Rearrangement Concept is at the top portion of
the list. To explain that bit of technical jargon, for those who
don't know, here is a definition from Ed Parker's Encyclopedia of
Kenpo.
To Rearrange is to shift or change the sequential order of movements
within
a technique. The Rearrangement Concept is to take a set number of
moves in a technique and change the sequence so that the same pattern
isn't
repeated. In short, the concept is to rearrange the moves while
not
getting the same technique twice. This can be done numerically or
alphabetically. Since the later is easier, here is an example:
Take
the word CAT. Under the Rearrangement Concept you would get
the
base CAT, then CTA, ACT, ATC, TCA, TAC. The variations of the
technique
sequence can be utilized different methods of attack and response, thus
increasing the techniques effectiveness. A technical example
would
be Delayed Sword at it's base: RIght Inward Block, Right Front
Kick,
Right Outward Chop. With the Rearrangement Concept you would get
the base block-kick-chop, then block-chop-kick, chop-block-kick,
chop-kick-block,
kick-chop-block, kick-block-chop. Each having different methods
of
execution with defensive and offensive qualities being altered in
different
directions.
Although this a very basic illustration of what the Rearrangement
Concept
involves, it is a good place to start. Especially for this
training
concept. We at Dragon Tales have found this to be a fun and
insightful
tool for finding not only new applications for techniques, but to
better
understand the techniques themselves. So go wild, just don't
knock
yourself out. As far as Basic Training, you have about 200
Techniques
to choose from, depending on your level in Kenpo (even though a lot of
them have already been affected by the Rearrangement Concept).
With
the concept you can go as far as you want. With any of the
techniques
you can rearrange them from start to finish or just do them backwards
and
with the strikes in a different order. Remember though, with some
of the upper techniques the concept could take a while. Going
from
start to finish with Unfurling Crane could take some time. Yet,
as
with everything in Kenpo, it will take you wherever you would like to
go.
With Kenpo Club and Staff training, the Concept can also be utilized,
just
in a different way. For those of you in the AKKI, the options
with
Clubs are a lot more open. Any of the Club techniques and the new
Club material from the Club Journals (even though at this time only the
1st Level Certification Journal is available, we're just thinking
ahead)
can be "plugged into" the Rearrangement Concept. If you are in
the
IKKA, don't forget, all weapons material generally comes from the
self-defense
techniques. You can choose either certain techniques you want to
work on or Forms and Sets, put them through the Kenpo Filter, and with
enough training hours you should be ready for the Rearrangement
Concept.
As far as Staff training, well we are all pretty much stuck (ya right)
with the extremely bouncy Staff Set, and possibly techniques and Forms
and Sets through the Kenpo Filter. But as it was stated before,
you
will want to complete a great deal of training hours before trying new
material or the Rearrangement Concept.
And if you thought you needed a lot of training hours for Blunt
Weapons,
double or triple that amount for Edged Weapons. Quite often these
are more dangerous to the retainer of the weapon then an opponent
without
tons of training hours. It is similar to a doctor during an
operation,
oops isn't a good sign. Kenpo Knife training within the AKKI has been
going
at light speed with no brakes as far as new methods and material.
So there is a plethora of material to work with for the Rearrangement
Concept
and non-edged training tools. Kenpo Sword training is rather
untouched
territory for good reason. Like it or not, they just aren't
common
and lack the ease of extension that Knives have. However, we at
Dragon
Tales like a good challenge. From the IKKA's viewpoint on Knives,
and both groups on Sword training, start with the Kenpo Filter with
techniques,
Forms and Sets and well defined basics of motion. Then after a
whole
lot of training hours and with non-edged tools, try the Rearrangement
Concept.
However, remember to always be safe over changing your name to lefty
(or
worse).
In closing, we would like to re-establish that the Rearrangement
Concept
is very insightful towards the Spontaneous Stage of Motion, yet it is
not
the only principle that can take you there. The is the Equation
Formula,
Extemporaneous Motion, the Gaseous State of motion, and many
more.
But the greatest thing in Kenpo that will get you to the Spontaneous
Stage
of Motion is the most important element of Kenpo: YOU, the
student.
Without you the student, to train and study Kenpo, well then there
wouldn't
really be a point to any of it. Keep working and keep training,
and
you'll get there, we're all walking this path together.
Find
out about:
The
Kenpo Filter
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