Mr. Tatum on draining KI from one's meridians

(recently posted on Mr. Tatum's Facebook page as a follow up to his Stance Set 2 post)

In short, as KI passes through the body there are times when with the correct weapon one can channel the direction of KI or disrupt it in certain moments when one is engaged, but this is highly sophisticated and is only effective at the right time when the attacker is in a moment of reset or weakened. 

The type of Reiki is not passive but a very strong and purposeful application of your natural weapons. In some of the techniques, there are Clawing and or ripping that tear at the cluster of Meridian points much like intersections throughout the body that are vulnerable but only at the right moment. 

When I say right moment, I'm not talking about a standing still compliant student as you most likely have seen online that drops at the slightest touch but with a very harsh striking force that fellows the "Algorithms" of the body's nerve system which can affect other internal organs. 

Many techniques in the system follow this related structure of the Algorithm's paths and patterns. It is a fascinating study of the kenpo we have at our disposal. The use of this type of mastery is supported by several pretexted moves that activate the targets so they will comply with this method of striking. 

If you look at my daughter striking the inside of my arm with her elbow, then the heel palm you will see her allow her fingers to grasp the bicep and grasp the nerves over and around the bicep, but the strike of the elbow and then the palm heel activated or deactivated the use of the Bicep. This was and has been somewhat of an elusive art within an Art (kenpo) that is fascinating and gives one another edge to their training.

If you look at an overhead claw in use it may strike the bridge of the nose and then the fingers to the eyes, but then notice how the path of action continues down the torso, raking the chest and even down the stomach, (checking his height) in the process. When it reaches the point of no contact then there is an upward groin strike buy this downward rake has made it even more reactive to the strike. Because you have hampered the relay process to the last target. In this photo see where you can place your fingers on the meridian lines and how they spread out across the face the neck and the chest.

 

Stance Set 2

(recently posted on Facebook by Mr. Tatum)

With each stance the arms and hands now mirror the stances and footwork but in an inverse position to each other.

Each hand and arm position is lending and giving emphasis to the action of the transition from one stance to another while each stance change does the same for the arms and hand.

All the stances are kenpo stances in that they follow the parameters of the three depth zones in Kenpo, as do the arms and hands.

This unique exercise was very much a part of Mr. Parker's routine exercise and was an extract from his Kung Fu development phase after bringing his Kenpo to the mainland.

Further examination reveals how the Eagle moves about his prey by descending tearing clutching and thrusting his wings upward to lift his prey.

This descending and lifting of your prey play out in much of your kenpo today. An example is in the extensions where your heels hook under the chin of your opponent while the other knee is bracing against the neck and you want to cause a lifting break, you then need empirical from your lifting arms and hands to pull you upward against the fulcrum of your knee and one tucked under the chin.

To cause this upward break you are propelled into the air like an Eagle over and away from your attacker landing in a Crane stance.

At one demo I gave with Mr. Parker, he slipped into this bird of prey fashion of moving and when his attacker was face down, he swooped down with his arms flailing over his attacker and allowing his hands and fingers to become like talons as his ripped across his opponent in an (X) pattern tearing across his meridians which did affect the dummy in such a way not often seen.

I said you are tearing at the flesh but more importantly, you are draining his KI from his meridians.

As kenpo time moved on throughout its evolution this type of movement was not often seen outside of Kung Fu practitioners.

Although he defined every basic scientifically, he nonetheless appreciated the spirit of the animals such as the Eagle, the Tiger, the Snake, etc.: in his actions.

What made this form or set his was when he scaled it down to work within the parameters of Kenpo today.

Not the long stances of the past Kung Fu days. The stances and hand work matched each other within the outer rims that surround and separate the top to the bottom but work in harmony.

More in the C'Mon Maaan, Series... (March 31st, 2024 edition)

(from Mr. Conatser's Facebook page)

I was reading a recent article/post concerning comments which had something to do with the  whole system of awarding belts, grades and titles, which seems to be a sensitive topic for many karate practitioners... and also for those that don’t practice any of the various Arts, which often strikes a negative chord with many. 

The title/rank system was created to encompass a hierarchy awarded to practitioners based on their proficiency, knowledge, and contributions to the art. 

While some see it as a valuable marker of progress, yet others view it as elitist, egotistical or lacking transparency. 

Strong opinions on both sides seem to lead to some very critical comments.

In addition to any grading system, (which is another deeply emotional  topic), it is utilized by the majority of martial arts teachers. 

When the titles are awarded/created, they acknowledge not just the technical prowess but also proficiency in teaching, character, and contributions to an art's preservation and evolution.

 Any belt recognition/title is usually associated with one's leadership position in a given Association due to either foundation, time and or  contribution to the art practiced and taught.

While this rank/title system traditionally serves as a hallmark of recognition and structure, it seems to give grounds for a huge amount of criticism by some.

The primary reasons for this criticism most likely stems from the perception of elitism.

Some practitioners, (perhaps those without titles themselves), seem to view the awarding of titles as a form of exclusivity that creates a divide between those who hold titles and those who do not.

Actually using such traditional titles as "Grandmaster, master, sifu, sensei, or others are titles utilized by most today. 

This perception in question is, "what is the criteria" for earning these awards/ titles seems unclear or perceived to be biased, leading to feelings of resentment, jealousy, elitist, or alienation.

The lack of transparency in acquiring these titles are often criticized and raise concerns about the fairness, objectivity, legitimacy, and process, questioning whether they are truly earned based on merit, skill or just a proclamation of leadership.

Those that keep adding a prefix or suffix "title" prior to their name IMHO is unnecessary to remind everyone of your status whether (earned or just labled).

Humility is one of the admirable traits of a true leader given by those that want to honor such individuals based on their accomplishments and thus status.

The process of learning, for those that have maintained, persevered, evolved and earned such a title, maybe should be thought of just like the old Okinawan proverb: 'Your fist should remain hidden up your sleeve until somebody comes looking for it.’ - unless of course you court criticism.

Historical facts are ... the teachers of the martial Arts Ancestry were compensated with shelter, clothing, food and other necessities they may need, in exchange for spiritual and physical guidence.

Respect, Honor, and reverance was 'given' by the appreciative students who were the recipients of great knowledge, skill and spiritual guidence.

However, (and this is a BIG reality) as the "BUSINESS" of "teaching the Arts" came into development it brought many factors which in some cases affords the opportunity of some to utilize and misuse or "demand" positional respect instead of earning it from their students.

Let us realize "EACH of us needs ALL of us" and we must remain Humble and retain Honor to our Ancestors who walked before us and gave us the foundation of discipline, respect, skills, knowledge, and inspiration to pass on to the future generations these precepts to all we teach.

"It is our profound obligation"-!!

"Time will either promote you or expose you".

Jim Kelly, Bruce Lee, Enter the Dragon and kenpo karate

(from wikipedia)

Jim Kelly began his martial arts career under the tutelage of Sin Kwang The' (Shaolin-Do) in Lexington Kentucky.  He trained in Okinawan karate under the direction of Parker Shelton, Nate Patton, and Gordon Doversola. During the early 1970s, Kelly became one of the most decorated world karate champions in the sport. In 1971, he won four prestigious championships that same year, most notably, the World Middleweight Karate title at the 1971 Long Beach International Karate Championships. Kelly opened his own dojo which was frequented by numerous Hollywood celebrities and which ultimately landed him in the movies. 

Kelly was the first black martial arts film star. His first film role was a martial arts instructor in the thriller feature film Melinda (1972). He got it after being asked by the film's writer, to whom he was introduced by one of his karate students, to teach martial arts to its star, Calvin Lockhart. Kelly then co-starred alongside Bruce Lee in the blockbuster Enter the Dragon (1973). He played Williams, a martial artist invited to a tournament run by crime lord and renegade Shaolin monk Han. The role was originally intended for actor Rockne Tarkington, who unexpectedly dropped out days before shooting in Hong Kong. Producer Fred Weintraub had heard about Kelly's karate studio in the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles, went there to see him, and was immediately impressed. 

That film gave him his most memorable lines

Han: We are all ready to win, just as we are born knowing only life. It is defeat that you must learn to prepare for.

Williams (Kelly): I don't waste my time with it. When it comes, I won't even notice.

Han: Oh? How so?

Williams: I'll be too busy looking good.

-----

If you want to be "too busy looking good" may I suggest this Enter the Dragon inspired Jim Kelly "Williams" t-shirt based on the Black (Kenpo) Karate Federation cobra logo which appears briefly on the wall in a flashback dojo scene in the film. 

https://www.bathroomwall.com/products/enter-the-dragon-inspired-williams-jim-kelly-kung-fu?variant=8035137191964

Kenpo Kards

EPAKS Guide to the Kenpo Kards (Kindle Edition)

(from Amazon.com)

This book will guide you to an understanding of how the Kenpo Kards can help enhance and invigorate your workouts. It delves deep into every aspect and detail of the Kenpo Kards. Each feature and use is explained and illustrated in a clear and concise manner.

This book is designed to open many avenues of understanding and use of the Kenpo Kards. And through that new understanding, open new doors into exploring and comprehending the many concepts, theories, and principles of American Kenpo.

This book is a must for American Kenpo practitioners of all ages, ranks, and experience!

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kenpo+kards&crid=2JKGH2JJJDUJF&sprefix=kenpo+kard%2Caps%2C152&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

The full version of the revolutionary Kenpo Kards app is now available for Android!

This app has the ability to sort, study, and browse the Kenpo Kards in numerous ways. It even has the ability to call out the list of sorted Kards, so that you and (a) partner(s) can practice along as the list is played for you.

Here is a list of some of the things you can do:

* study all kards individually

* find and study a specific kard

* pick from a list of kards to study

* sort the kards based upon multiple features / aspects of a technique

* choose only the kards you practice

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=epaks+kenpo&i=digital-text&crid=2SK25HYXXZRTT&sprefix=epaks+kenpo%2Cdigital-text%2C121&ref=nb_sb_noss

You can still get the original physical Kenpo Kards (at least I think they are the actual physical cards) through the EPAKS official website. 

The physical cards will run you about $120.00 total where the digital version will run you about $30.00, however there were a couple of comments on Amazon saying that the App is kind of old and clunky and maybe a waste of money. 

If you are interested in the product you might want to go big or go home and just get the actual book and cards.

https://kenpokards.com/kards-catalog.php

They will call anything Kempo these days

These AI generated images are really getting dumb. I thought AI was supposed to be smart.

It literally got nothing correct.

Horrible neutral bow stances, no heel to toe alignment, hand placement is debatable, and for some odd reason they are all looking over into the corner of the room instead of up front.  

There are a couple of brown belts in front of the black belts, (black belts should be up front), I don't see any black gi's anywhere, and what is up with the aikido lady wearing her hakama?

This is not kenpo.

Kenpojoe's kenpo patch collection (explanation and update)

A fun video by Kenpo Joe Rebelo going over his kenpo patch collection. 

He has probably well over 100 patches!

Bruce Lee with Dan Inosanto

One of several photos of Bruce Lee with Dan Inosanto taken for the magazine Kung Fu monthly.

It's cool to see Mr. Inosanto representing in his Kenpo gi with the IKKA crest.

Seems pretty sketchy - "Ultimate American Kenpo Karate"

I'm going to call BS on this one. What do you want to be this was written by some AI computer or something?

Buyer beware, not all kenpo books are written the same!

(from Amazon.com)

Are you ready to immerse yourself in the captivating world of American Kenpo Karate? Journey through centuries of rich history and evolution as you uncover the secrets and techniques of this dynamic martial art. Renowned martial arts expert Zhang Wei Ming invites you to embark on an exhilarating adventure that will transform you into a master of American Kenpo Karate.

In this comprehensive guide, you will trace the roots of American Kenpo Karate and witness its remarkable evolution. Explore the visionary founders who paved the way, with a spotlight on the legendary Ed Parker, whose innovative contributions shaped American Kenpo Karate into the powerhouse it is today. Discover why American Kenpo Karate holds a unique and significant place in the world of martial arts.

Prepare to dive into the fundamental principles that form the bedrock of American Kenpo Karate. Flow seamlessly and harmoniously, like a river carving its path through the land. Embrace the stability and resilience of a rock, finding balance and strength in every movement. Discover the art of economy of motion, maximizing your efficiency and effectiveness. With each chapter, you will delve deeper into stances, footwork, strikes, and blocks, unlocking the true power and potential of your techniques.

Experience the thrill of mastering offensive techniques as you unleash advanced striking combinations. Hone your precision targeting and timing, delivering devastating blows with expert skill. Explore the art of angles and distancing, utilizing these strategic elements to gain the upper hand in combat. Real-life scenarios and examples will illustrate how to apply these techniques efficiently, ensuring you are well-prepared for any situation.

No warrior is complete without a formidable defense. Learn the secrets of effective blocking strategies and discover the art of redirecting and countering attacks. Unlock a repertoire of techniques that will leave your opponents stunned and powerless. Through practical examples and scenarios, you will witness the efficiency and effectiveness of these defensive techniques. Escape and release from grabs with ease, ensuring your safety and dominance.

Dive into the intricate world of joint manipulation and locks, where precision and control reign supreme. Explore the power of pressure points and master the art of wrist locks, arm bars, and flowing lock sequences. Witness the seamless flow of these techniques and discover their practical applications in real combat situations.

Expand your horizons with the way of the empty hand and weapons training. Learn how to defend against knife attacks and disarm your opponents with confidence. Immerse yourself in the beauty of traditional weapon forms and discover the art of improvisation and adaptation in weaponry.

Unleash the power of your mind with mental focus and conditioning. Develop resilience and mental strength through breathing techniques, visualization, and meditation. Enhance your combat skills and tactical prowess through controlled sparring sessions, where footwork and timing are paramount. Witness the importance of effective strategies and draw inspiration from the parable of the wise swordsman.

As you progress on your journey, you will encounter advanced training methods that will push your physical limits. Build strength and endurance with targeted exercises and stamina-building techniques. Cultivate discipline and perseverance, setting goals and tracking your progress along the way. Embrace the philosophy and spirit of American Kenpo Karate, embodying its principles in every aspect of your life. This comprehensive guide, accompanied by a glossary of key terms and a bibliography for further exploration, is your gateway to mastering this revered martial art. Embark on this thrilling journey today and awaken the warrior within. The path to becoming a true master awaits you.

About the Author

Zhang Wei Ming is a renowned master of all martial arts, with over 40 years of experience in the field. He began his martial arts training at a young age, studying various styles such as Shaolin Kung Fu, Wing Chun, and Wushu. He later discovered Tai Chi Chuan and was immediately drawn to its graceful movements and philosophical principles.

Over the years, Zhang has trained with some of the most respected Tai Chi Chuan masters in China, and has traveled all over the world teaching and sharing his knowledge. He is known for his deep understanding of Tai Chi Chuan philosophy and his ability to communicate its principles in a clear and accessible way.

Zhang is also a certified instructor in various other martial arts, including Karate, Judo, and Aikido. He believes that studying different martial arts can help to deepen one's understanding of the principles that underlie all martial arts.

In addition to his martial arts practice, Zhang is also a trained acupuncturist and herbalist, and has studied Traditional Chinese Medicine for many years. He incorporates this knowledge into his teaching, emphasizing the holistic nature of Tai Chi Chuan as a practice that benefits not only the physical body, but also the mind and spirit.

Zhang currently resides in Beijing, China, where he teaches Tai Chi Chuan and other martial arts to students from all over the world. He is committed to sharing the beauty and benefits of Tai Chi Chuan with as many people as possible, and hopes that this book will inspire readers to continue their own Tai Chi Chuan journey

Everyday life

 

Rules in Kenpo, why we have them, are they written in stone?

(recently posted on Mr. Tatum's Facebook page)

There are rules to govern progress in the early stages of learning Kenpo. For instance, one rule states to never turn your back on your opponent. This a good rule for beginners to always face your work and that you are not fighting more than one person at a time, but as you progress through the ranks you then can transcend this rule, by adhering to another rule, depending upon circumstances.

All rules have an exception which then can force one to transcend a rule by adhering to another rule.

Another rule of kenpo is too not to cross your opponent's center line without taking a target with your block or strike, such as in Shielding Hammer. (you take the nose of the attacker on the center line).

Another rule is don't have both hands on one side of your opponent's center line.

Yet we learn to do just that in Five Swords. So, what rule did we break to stay within the rule of safety?

Well, we traveled across his center line and reached the arc of his punch before he could use his other arm. Now depending upon the angel of the block it could create an angel of cancellation by directing the block (strike) in a downward angle causing his height to break and twist the left side of the body away from you.

This is also used in Defying the Storm. But the timing to cancel his width must be timed long before he has reached the apex of the circle of his wielding club.

In Ram and Eagle, we can turn our back for two reasons, one we occupied the rear attacker with a back knuckle then we traveled further from him as we engaged the front attacker. We then turned are back from the front attacker to cover for the rear attacker, but the front attacker was occupied with a Hammer Fist during this action of turning.

So, by adhering to a rule of how to cover properly, we transcended the rule of never turning your back.

Another rule early on is to always have your hands on top of your opponents, (the dominant position) and a good rule of kenpo.

This is illustrated in how we check our attacker's grabs, holds, etc.

In a technique like Scrapping Hoof, the rule is to check height, but when you are outside of his center line you check the width.

Crashing Wings, you are on the inside side, so you check height with two downward elbows until you get to the outside of his center line you then check his width by positioning yourself around and behind him, and then the outward elbow strikes continue to keep his width in check.

The paradox in kenpo is you need rules for different stages of learning, but every rule is made to be broken depending upon the circumstances, as long as you adhere to another rule.

Now by our moral compass in a civilized society, this may not stand true, but the Kenpo compass teaches that there are indeed times to break a rule.

One such rule you keep is to protect your family and loved ones at all costs, (all cost is a very broad brush).

In short, Kenpo teaches discretion in all encounters, and won't ask you to level your moral compass, which in the end depends upon your self-worth, your self-esteem, and your conscience to back any decision.

Be careful in defining another person by your own rules.

Some good advice from Mr. Hale

(recently posted on Mr. Hale's Facebook page)

During my journey of over fifty years, I've often been asked how someone could become a better martial artist.

Well, here's the best advice I gave myself a long time ago.

Showdown in Oakland: The Story Behind the Wong Jack Man - Bruce Lee Fight (available on Kindle only)

 

(from Amazon.com)

Many say this fight was the most important fight in the life of the famed martial icon Bruce Lee. True or not? You be the judge.

This book is the most detailed version ever written of the fight between Wong Jack Man and Bruce Lee in 1964, a fight which many insiders say spurred Lee on to create his personal art of Jeet Kune Do (JKD), Most importantly, it describes the context within which the fight occurred, how it all happened, why it happened, and what happened afterward. It is also a glimpse into the kung fu world of San Francisco Chinatown in the 1960s.

This fight has taken on an almost mythical status in the much studied career of the great martial icon Bruce Lee. Details unknown to the general public are revealed here for the first time ever and any student of martial history, Bruce Lee, or Jeet Kune Do should find this book a fascinating read. If anyone wishes to discuss this incident in an intelligent and thoughtful manner, this book must be read. Follow the author's careful reasoning as he takes the reader back in time to an incident which took place almost fifty years ago.

The true-life story behind this match is easily as interesting (perhaps more so) as any fictionalized movie portrayal of this singular encounter.

Eyewitness accounts, Chinese newspaper articles (with their English translations) and many old photographs make this meticulously researched book required reading for anyone interested in what actually transpired between Wong Jack Man and Bruce Lee in late 1964 and early 1965. These newspaper articles document the viewpoints of both Bruce Lee and Wong Jack Man on the fight at the time.

Get an inside look at what really happened and step back in time to the streets of San Francisco Chinatown in 1964!

https://www.amazon.com/Showdown-Oakland-Story-Behind-Bruce-ebook/dp/B00AR0KE1I

Royce Gracie (Jiu Jitsu) vs Keith Hackney (Kenpo Karate) - UFC 4

Kenpo Karate represented well.

How to keep your opponent from hitting back

(posted on Facebook a couple of years ago by Mr. White)

Sometimes your best defense is a good offense. 

Mr Parker used to joke about your opponent being too busy holding the spots that hurt to be concerned about hitting back.

A tribute to Professor Chow

A little more information on the history of the "Checkered G i"

(from a recent conversation on Facebook)

Joe Lewis came up with it from a black light hippy poster. - Norm Lane

Joe Lewis was asked to teach Tracy students freestyle sparring. He saw a psychedelic poster that caused your vision to fade in and out. He felt it was a great idea to put the design on a uniform to cause his opponents to defuse their vision during matches. - Joe Rebelo

The uniform was created by Ray Klinengberg and it was Joe Lewis who was the front man of the fighting team. Both Joe and Ray shared this story about how & why it was created at one of my Florida kenpo camps. - Sean P. Kelley

Joe Lewis and Dick Willet pioneered the concept. The checkers were of different sizes. It impairs depth perception and throws timing off. Dick Willet's black belts improved their win to loss ratio in tournaments wearing these. They were known as the "Wild Bunch." - Toby Massell

(link to part 1) http://kenponotes.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-checkered-gi.html

Kenpo's 21 basic concepts and principle of technique

 

Mr. Parker's belt pledges

 

A story told by Mr. White about how Mr. Parker saved someone's life

(from Mr. White's Facebook page)

I remember Mr. Parker driving up to my school in Garden Grove, CA. He told us he had just saved someone's life. We asked what happened and he replied that someone had cut him off on the road and they exchanged words. Mr. Parker said he did not get out of the car thus saving the other driver's life.

2024