(from Mr. Dennis Conatser's Facebook page April 21st, 2014)With the over abundance of individuals promoting, claiming, and wearing Advanced Ranks, I felt compelled to rem...ind everyone of what we should be truly focused on. While no one can stop a runaway train, we can educate and provide thought provoking media to help reveal the truly skilled and knowledgeable Kenpoists that are among us today.
Those of us who actually were direct students of FGM Ed Parker's were few in numbers, although many claim they were, simply were not. Yes, he may have signed your certificate (he signed them all), or worked with the host that organized a seminar for him, or sat on your test (he loved to watch upcoming Black Belts to inspect how instructors were teaching his Art), possibly even judged you in forms or fighting in a tournament. At the end of the day, usually after Seminars he thoroughly enjoyed spending time and mingling with all students at dinner or social gatherings often times talking Kenpo, telling stories or jokes. He indeed loved his flock.
Yet, we Instructors have an obligation and responsibility to teach with enthusiasm, "Passion", a never ending commitment for greater personal excellence, and service to others, which enables us to pass on quality knowledge enriching our unique lineage with our "9" core values. These are: honesty, creativity, curiosity, simplicity, respect, transparency, integrity, humor and humility. Examine, read, ponder, study, and re-read the following post, take a personal inventory of your journey and ask yourself if you are living up to these values.
While physical skills are mandatory prerequisites for obtaining a Black Belt, a true Black Belt is one who is expedient in his use of psychological strategy. Psychological strategy transpires when the attitude of a Black Belt is such that his spiritual qualities overcome his) physical fixations. When a Black Belt conveys kindness instead of hate, peace instead of animosity, and uses words instead of his fists, he is truly a Black Belt.
President Abraham Lincoln, in my estimation, conveyed this spirit. He was an expert when it came to utilizing psychological strategy. The following story is proof of his convictions:
Lincoln, in his youth, was hated by Sam Brown who looked for every opportunity to fight with him. One day an opportunity presented itself when Sam accidentally (or purposely ) bumped Lincoln. Using this as an excuse to start a confrontation, Brown challenged Lincoln to a duel. The choice off weapons were determined by Brown who naturally picked a weapon with which he was an expert -- that weapon was an ax. Lincoln refused the challenge and was then told that he had no choice except to name the time and place. Having no knowledge about fighting with an ax, Lincoln decided to take advantage of the two choices left him. According to history, Lincoln was well over six feet four inches tall while Sam was only five feet eight inches in height. Taking into account their difference in height, Lincoln answered, "I'll fight you tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. under six feet of water". The episode ended with Sam Brown shaking Lincoln's hand and saying, "Let me shake the hand of the man who beat me verbally." Lincoln's psychological strategy worked and both men later became good friends.
Should you lack knowledge of the Martial Arts and, Like Lincoln, be challenged to a duel by a Martial Artist who is an expert kicker and who allows you to name the time and place, give him this reply--"I will fight you tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. in the telephone booth located on the corner of___and_____". When your opponent arrives, invite him into the telephone booth with you and shut the door. The lack of space will thwart his efforts to retaliate with kicks. Psychological strategy would have triumphed again as you utilize environment as a means of defeat.
The following is a list of some of the qualities you should evaluate in critiquing yourself as a Black Belt in FGM Edmund K. Parker's American Kenpo:
1. Build a solid foundation of basics with knowledge of every
component part.
2. Have a thorough knowledge and understanding of principles
associated with your basics.
3. As you understand and internalize your principles, learn to
logically assemble them so that your moves flow with continuity.
4. Once internalizing all of the above in establishing basics that
are competent, reliable, and dependable TAILORING is your next
order of priority. Tailoring is the result of understanding what
constitutes good basics. It is the ability to randomly convert
your art from the IDEAL, to the WHAT IF, and finally to the
FORMULATION PHASE.
5. Develop creativity once having knowledge of formulating your
basics.
6. Know your forms from all levels -- skeletal to levels of
intricacy.
7. Know how to create forms as well as the what's and the whys so
that you'll be able to help the lower belts in their creations.
8. With your forms develop:
a. Basic principles of technique movement, understand the
central idea of each form and have both the ability and
desire to discover what they teach and how to apply that
knowledge to the art of self defense.
b. Your individual style of movement.
9. Know as well as teach the IDEAL techniques and their associated
themes and principles. Expand into the WHAT IF and the
FORMULATION PHASES.
10. Continue to improve your freestyle skills by participating in it
regularly. Include street freestyle in your class sessions and
the logical criteria that it is based on. Pass on your skills to
fellow members or students.
11. When freestyling remember:
a. Every angle that you choose as a defense your opponent may
choose as an offense, and vice-versa.
b. Stances are the foundation of your art.
c. Develop Timing - know when to move in and when to move
back.
d. Be a capable counter puncher.
e. Have a solid base move to build upon.
f. Be able to analyze motion so that you can employ proper
angles and directions when entering or departing.
12. Develop your ability to teach others. Remember to teach others is
to teach yourself.
13. Develop qualities of leadership that will influence, encourage and
guide those of lesser rank.
14. Cultivate an attitude of respect and regard toward others no matter
what their rank might be.
15. Develop diplomacy and use it wisely.
16. Encourage others to become IKKA members.
17. Continue to seek higher goals. Endeavor to continue learning and
updating your material.
18. Make every effort to continually improve yourself: physically,
mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
19. Remember that there are no stereotypes.
20. You will need three to five years of training, but that should be
ultimately measured in the number of quality, intelligent hours that
you train.
21. You must put time back into your school (teaching, etc.).
22. Your attitude should be positive and confident. Believe in yourself.
23. For Black Belts to obtain advanced degrees, their names must be
submitted to their instructor, and a thorough examination of their
knowledge and skill should be evaluated along with their time AT
the Art not just IN it, along with their accomplishments and service
rendered to the global Kenpo World as well.
24. Fraudulent, misleading, dishonest or illegal activity will be reported
to the proper authorities.
I hope we all embark on a positive journey.
