Self-defense Tips

Good tips that we all probably need to think about more and be sure to incorporate into our training.

The Essence of Kenpo

Credit to Miller's Kenpo Karate Dojo on Facebook for putting out some cool kenpo images lately. Things have changed a lot over the past several years, here is a link to my "Essence of Kenpo" image (kenpo notes link) done in 2018 compared to their newer and updated version. 

A plethora of seminars and tournaments

These are just a few that I have seen promoted but I'm sure there are many more. 

Kenpo clock

I saw this "kenpo clock" for sale on the internet the other day and thought that isn't a bad idea. However I could come up with a few better ideas for a kenpo clock than this one. 

How 'bout:

- Time to put the gi on

- Time to practice finger set

- Time to get to the dojo

- Time to check someone's height, width and depth

- Time to see if kenpo really works

- Time to watch "The Perfect Weapon" again

Techniques are like maps

 

Mark your calendars

 

A little too realistic

Facebook link to USSD Master Class advert

At the above link you will find a video on the USSD Facebook page from Master Jose Rodriguez giving some information about their upcoming Masters Seminar.

What caught my eye is Master Rodriguez demonstrating their version of Parting Wings (at least that's what it looks like, a defense against a two handed push.) Look closely, after he executes the block he throws an elbow strike to the jaw that actually connects!

We've all been there, in our attempt to make a technique as real as possible we get a little too anxious and actually connect with our fellow classmate. 

Usually what comes next is either a, "Ohhhh, are you alright? Sorry about that bro."

Or maybe even a, "Yup, that technique works."

Hopefully then we all laugh it off and chalk it up to a learning experience. 

But never forget, Kenpo actually works. We all have the bruises, bloody noses, and aching muscles to prove it.

The Kenpo Salutation Meaning

(from the Irish Karate Association Facebook page)

The Kenpo Karate Salute with the left palm over right fist isn’t exclusive to Kenpo, but something that is used in many systems with Chinese origins. It’s is a seemingly simple gesture, and was used as a greeting in China, but the meaning has additional interpretations from a martial context.

This gesture shows the duality of things, such as:

• Open (hand)

• Scholar

• Dragon

• Yang

• White

• Sun

• Hardness

• 5 Lakes

• Closed (hand)

• Warrior

• Tiger

• Yin

• Black

• Moon

• Softness

• 4 Seas

In Kenpo Karate we often refer to the open hand and the fist as: “The scholar” and “The warrior” respectively (and also “The Dragon” and “The Tiger”). But what does it all mean?

In Chinese there is a saying:

“To cultivate both the civil and the martial”

(wenwu shuangxiu – 文武雙修)

And in Japan they also have a similar phrase:

“To excel in both arts / sciences and martial arts”

(“bunbu ryodo” – 文武両道)

From a Kenpo practitioner’s perspective it means that in order to understand the martial, we need to understand the science and gain knowledge to not only understand HOW (the warrior) but also the WHY (the scholar) of what we do.

Additionally it’s implied through these sayings that:

Through our studies we ought to strive to become a more balanced human being. Create virtues such as respect, politeness / courtesy and self-control. And through diligent study and training to become a more understanding and compassionate human being and only show force whenever it is absolutely necessary.

What about all of the other symbolism of the fist and open hand mentioned above?

Another often used interpretation of the salute in Chinese martial arts is in the phrase:

“People in the 5 lakes and 4 seas are all brothers”

(Wuhusihai jie xiongdi – 五湖四海皆兄弟)

In this case, the Five Lakes is represented by your closed fist; while the open hand represents the four seas. And the understanding is that “The Five Lakes and Four Seas” represent their country (of China – or the world from their perspective).

So, we as Kenpo practitioners can take it to mean that we are all part of a Brotherhood.

The last one I’ll mention today is perhaps the most well-known meaning of the salute:

“Overthrowing the Ching to restore the Ming”

(反清復明 – fan Qing fu Ming)

This comes from a legend that implied meaning to the shapes of the hand. The left hand (open hand) began representing the sun (日); and the right hand, the fist, represented the moon (月); which together makes the Chinese word for MING (明); and was a secret “handshake” of sorts to signify that you stood with the Ming.

There are obviously other interpretations of the salute, but hopefully this basic overview has provided some clarity

The "kenpo wheel" patch

 

I have no information on the history of this patch, but it looks like someone put some effort into its design. 

Kind of a play off the Universal Pattern, it has the circle with overlapping lines representing the 8 directional points, like an octagon. 

I've seen it discussed before where the lines also look like kenpo sticks or clubs, as in Long Form 7.

And the colors of the lines represent kenpo's three depth zones:

Zone 1 - the closest depth represented in red

Zone 2 - mid-depth represented in orange 

Zone 3 - the outermost depth represented in yellow

This patch is readily available on many martial art supply websites.

available on awma.com

Circular Tiger and Dragon patch

 

I have no history on this patch either,  but I'm assuming it was just created by one of the many martial arts supply companies. 

Most likely they needed to offer an alternate kenpo patch and this is what they came up. Who knows? 

I used to see it for sale on many different martial art supply websites but now it is only coming up on one website that I can see, 

https://www.bokleipo.com/patch/266-dragon-tiger-with-kkenpo-karate-patch-35.html

Just cleaning out the "saved photos" file

You get these photos saved on your computer thinking you will do something with them and then you never figure out what to do. 

Probably a good time to just post them as is.

The Mr. Parker photo is an interesting one, someone used AI to clean up an old photo and make it look like a recent one. The only problem is AI didn't know what to do with the patch on Mr. Parker's gi so it looks like no patch Mr. Parker ever wore. Silly AI.

The photo of Professor Chow must have been taken when he was young, he has short hair and looks to be in very good physical shape. You almost get nervous just looking at the photo, like that strike could come at you at any moment.

And the photo of Grandmaster McSweeney is just a classic photo from the good old days of kenpo.

Cool Kenpo hoodie

Kind of a mysterious kenpo hoodie, Goggle searches for this hoodie have come up with nothing.

Perhaps it's one of a kind, but I hope not, I would buy myself one in an instant if I could. 

The search will continue.  

The perfect neutral bow

 

The Paper Tigers is on Netflix ..... watch it!

I did a quick post back in 2021 about the film "The Paper Tigers".

Here is a link to that post:

http://kenponotes.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-paper-tigers-official-trailer-2021.html

I probably should have written a little more about the film considering how good it was. But recently I saw it's now available on Netflix and so I watched it again and liked it even more the second time around. 

The kenpo community is represented well by Mr. Matt Page who plays Carter in the film, a kid that is picked on or at least always beat up by the Three Tigers when they are teenagers and involved in a bunch of challenge matches. Carter is a man now and has taken very good care of himself physically where the Three Tigers in one way or another are getting old. 

You might also know Matt Page as "Master Ken" on YouTube, creator of the lethal martial art known as Ameri-do-te where every technique contains at least one or two stomps to the groin.  

Anyway, if you have Netflix you should watch it while you can. It is a very well made and enjoyable film apparently made on a small budget, but for a small budget film it was done exceptionally well.

And one of the main themes of the film sadly hits close to home for most of us, and that is what happens to us and our martial art skills as we age. It makes you think but also reassures us that thankfully not all is lost.  

Below are a couple of movie reviews from a few years ago. 

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The Paper Tigers review – martial arts team reunites in likable comedy

(theguardian.com September 13, 2021)

Quoc Bao Tran, a promising film-maker whose previous work includes editing and action coordination, makes his writing-directing debut with this highly likable if formulaic action comedy about three middle-aged guys reunited when their old martial-arts master dies suddenly. The word on the internet is that Tran has been trying to get backing to make this for years, but the Hollywood studios he approached wanted him to whitewash it by casting at least one famous Caucasian actor. But Tran insisted on having the core trio played by two Asian Americans and one Black American and raised the budget partly through crowdfunding. The fact that none of the stars are huge names, and look just like schlubby dudes you might see on your street, makes this all the more accessible as a story about men who were once great athletes but have let their skills rust over a bit over the years.

A montage of scratchy videotape footage with timecodes dating the material to the 1980s establishes the once-close friendship between ace fighter Danny, speccy scrapper Hing, and smooth talker Jim. The three of them are the only disciples of Sifu Cheung (Roger Yuan), a master of gung fu (not kung fu, the characters insist elsewhere), who trains the kids on paint-can equipment in his garage when he’s not working as a chef in a local Chinese restaurant. In the present day the Three Tigers, as they were known, have drifted apart. Danny (Alain Uy, soulful) works in insurance and is struggling to cope with being a part-time father to his young son. Hing (familiar character actor and film director Ron Yuan, delightful) has got a little stout. Only Jim (Mykel Shannon Jenkins) still works in sports, as coach at a local gym. Meeting up again at their sifu’s funeral, an associate from old days (Matthew Page, hilarious as a smug white guy dispensing fortune-cookie proverbs in Cantonese) suggests that maybe sifu didn’t die of a heart attack, and maybe he took on another disciple after they left.

Tran adroitly layers the fight sequences, filmed with fluidity and at least substantially performed by the main actors themselves, between frothy layers of blokey banter. It’s not without its corny moments, especially the subplot concerning Danny’s relationship with his son and ex-wife, but that’s forgivable.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/sep/13/the-paper-tigers-review-martial-arts-team-reunites-in-likable-comedy

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‘The Paper Tigers’ Review: Delightful Middle-Aged-Manchild Martial Arts Comedy

(variety.com May 3, 2021)

With only a couple of clicks of the dial and a little dash of hybrid vigor, the hackneyed can be made fresh again, a point proven by Tran Quoc Bao’s silly and special little kung fu comedy “The Paper Tigers.” Balancing the naive structure of an old Shaw Brothers movie (a vengeance mission with an escalating series of fights en route to the Big Boss showdown) with the kind of male-midlife-comedy schtick that bought Judd Apatow a house or six, Tran’s irresistibly good-humored debut is a diverting blend of Hong Kong and Hollywood that delivers, on a slender, Kickstarter-enhanced budget, a rousing roundhouse hug to both traditions.

Danny (Alain Uy), Hing (Ron Yuan) and Jim (Mykel Shannon Jenkins) have become estranged in the 25 years since they were “The Three Tigers,” disciples of kung fu master Sifu Cheung (Roger Yuan) — scenes that play out with younger actors in lovingly re-created garage VHS footage. The ebullient Hing, trained in the arcane healing arts, now sports extra padding, a toupee and a busted knee. Jim, as a trainer, has remained in peak condition — his rippling biceps are on gratifying display in a selection of sleeveless tees — but has forgotten the specifics of his kung fu training. And Danny, the “undefeated” prodigy and Cheung’s anointed successor, has turned his back on his talents entirely. Now a meek insurance agent who constantly disappoints his son (Joziah Lagonoy) and his ex-wife (Jae Suh Park) by prioritizing work over fatherly hang time, his later-life “walk away” philosophy looks less like nobility and more like defeatism.

Then they learn of their sifu’s questionable death, and, egged on by their steroidally enhanced former nemesis Carter (Matthew Page, bringing excellent deadpan-lummox energy), the trio reunite to investigate. This obviously means having to progress through a whole bunch of beimo challenges against fitter and more vicious opponents, culminating in villain Zhen Fan (Ken Quitugua, also fight choreographer). Somehow, the stakes remain high enough while staying well inside the bounds of PG-13 violence, and if that means the fights are not the most spectacular you’ll ever see, it also gives the wit of their execution — abetted by Kris Kristensen’s nimble editing and Shaun Mayor’s pleasing photography — room to flourish.

Just as it’s unusual to see martial arts heroes in 40-something men whose biggest battles are with hair loss, creaky joints and divorced co-parenting, so it’s refreshing that this Apatovian threesome is non-white, yet their interactions nonetheless reflect the kind of mainstream-Americana upbringing that ethnic minority characters are rarely depicted as having enjoyed. The collective pool of pop-culture references encompasses “The Karate Kid” and TV’s “Kung Fu” of course, but quips about “Magnum PI” and “Sanford and Son” also zip by, and the early-’90s signifiers in the home-video sequences are spot-on — viz teenage Jim in a Soundgarden T-shirt accessorized with the exact hairdo and chain from The Rock’s infamous bumbag photo.

The three leads summon lovely chemistry, re-creating a dorky-kid dynamic in later life that feels like the perfect summation of the film’s almost Spielbergian belief that at 10 years of age we are our best and truest selves. Only here, it’s given added resonance that these formative friendships are between two Asians and a Black kid, whose racial differences are neither allowed to take center stage nor entirely ignored.

Which is not to suggest “The Paper Tigers” is overly concerned with right-on-ness. There’s an elision of Asian cultures throughout — the first group of “punk kids” the oldsters have to fight are put down as both “K-pop rejects” and “sushi lovers.” And while Carter elicits eyerolls every time he delivers some vaguely Confucian aphorism, it’s not wholly clear whether that’s because Danny himself is supposed to be Chinese-American (he does correct the pronunciation of “kung fu” to the more authentic “gung fu”) or whether it’s simply a reaction to the terminally white Carter’s try-hardism.

That vagueness is probably a wise choice, given the writer-director’s Vietnamese background and a cast that is variously Filipino, Korean and so on, and the film generates such goodwill that one can even see a kind of progressivism in so affectionate a portrayal of Asian Americanness, and to a lesser degree African Americanness, as hazily similar, pan-American identities.

Beyond that, “The Paper Tigers” has some gentle insights into the passage of time (though the parallel with Danny’s ability to slow time through meditation could use development) but mostly concerns itself with the question: Do you lose your kung fu when you get old, or do you get old when you lose your kung fu? And the answer comes with a charming dose of optimism that if old dogs can’t learn new tricks, aging “tigers” might still, somewhere deep down, retain all the old ones.

https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/the-paper-tigers-review-1234875188/

Well known Kenpo practitioner Sunnie Road in Deadly Art of Survival magazine

(from Amazon)

(Alternative cover only) The 23rd edition of our #1 Bestseller Martial Arts Magazine Worldwide. Featuring Sunnie Road, Robin Black, Austin Trout, and more. The Deadly Art of Survival Magazine continues to move forward, highlighting the latest legends of the Martial Arts Community. These women and men are not just martial artists; they live the code. Part of our collectible Martial Arts series, make sure to get your copy today! Join our Patreon (DAOS TV) membership to get a permanent 10% off discount code for our entire store (This applies to all future orders) Patreon members get their name included in our all of our print magazines! As well as access to free online seminars, free eBooks, and a free dojo or small business listing in our magazine!

link to purchase magazine on Amazon

Who is Sunnie Road? per Google "Sunnie Road is a martial arts instructor and owner of Zhen Studio. She is a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Kenpo, an investor, a day trader, a mindset coach, and a business strategist, according to her social media profiles and online store. She is also featured on the cover of Deadly Art of Survival Magazine and has a presence on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook." 

Maybe more importantly is this photo from Sunnie's Facebook page from 2019 (I'm assuming from her black belt test.)

If Mr. Tatum is at your black belt test enough said. 

Small circles - big success

Click here for "impossible 2 punch combo with rear hand" video on Facebook

There are a few sayings in kenpo that go something like, "big circles lead to big problems" or "the smaller the circle the better" or "where a line ends a circle begins".

Anyway, it is nice to hear those teachings wrapped up in a saying, but until you actually see it in action it may not mean much. 

Above is a link to a video on Facebook that shows exactly how effective a small circle can be from a recent boxing match between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford.

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"If you know boxing, you’ll know how hard this combo is to throw, even just on the bag, but never mind in a fight with Canelo Alvarez and actually landing the bloody thing.

There’s no denying that Crawford is the pound-for-pound king right now.

For me, he’s the GOAT.

That was an absolute masterclass performance against, in my opinion, one of the greatest of all time: Canelo."

Kenpo Karate well represented in Masters magazine

 

Mr. Parker, White, and Sahagun honored at the Shaolin Temple

(recently posted on Facebook by Alia White Cass) 

With great pride, I present the Stone Monument honoring Senior Master Bob White along with Grand Master Ed Parker, @kungfuphilip, and about 70 other North American Martial Artists.

"Respected Shaolin Monks, Masters, and honored guests,

It is with a heart full of gratitude and humility that I stand before you in this sacred place where discipline, wisdom, and spirit merge into a single, unbreakable force. To receive such an honor on behalf of my father, Bob White, is a moment I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

My father, like many, sought meaning in life through understanding the connection between mind, body, and spirit. He had a deep respect for the teachings of the Shaolin monks, for their unwavering dedication to mastering not only martial arts but the art of living with integrity, humility, and honor.

To have his name etched into the stones of this Temple — a place of such profound history and spiritual significance — is a recognition that transcends words. It represents not just the legacy of a single individual, but the shared values that Mr. White sought to embody in his own life: discipline, resilience, compassion, and respect for all living beings.

He was, in many ways, an eternal student — always learning, always growing.

On behalf of my family, I would like to express our deepest thanks.

Thank you, respected monks, for bestowing this incredible honor. My father would have been humbled by it.

May we all continue to strive toward harmony and balance, following the path of wisdom, compassion, and strength that you, the Shaolin monks, so beautifully represent.

Thank you."

Alia White Cass

"My Empty Hands" podcast

https://myemptyhands.net/

"I started Chinese Kenpo in the mid 90s. I have trained in Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Boxing, and Capoeira. I now train in American Kenpo, Hapkido, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

I was inspired to start a podcast as I’ve been a life long fan of the martial arts and want to hear about the experiences of my fellow brothers and sisters in the arts."

Credit to Mr. Reggie Darden for all his hard work at creating and maintaining his "My Empty Hands" podcast. 

Started in September of 2024 he is now up to 55 episodes and has interviewed some of the biggest names in Kenpo such as Jeff Speakman, Ted Sumner, Dennis Conatser, Darryl Vidal, just to name a few. 

Check out his podcast and let him know with a comment what good work he is doing for the kenpo community. 

Yellow gi tops

 I think it is probably a good thing the "yellow gi tops" never caught on.