Beginners Manual

Practical Self-Defense

Traditional Form

Techniques {1 Stripe} Basics {1 Stripe}

1: Inward Defense Stances:

2: Outward Defense 1: Attention

3: Blocking the Sun 2: Horse

4: Sweeping Serpent [A/B] 3: Crane

5: Kimono Grab 4: Bow [Neutral]

6: Striking Asp [A/B/C] 5: Twist

7: The Dancer 6: Cat [45/90]

8: Cutting the Pagoda 7: Kneel [close/wide]

9: The Bridge

10: Bear Hug [Free in Back] Blocks:

1: Inward

2: Outward

Kata {1 Stripe} 3: Upward

Short 1 4: Downward

5: Extended Outward

Need to know:

Name all 7 Stances Kicks:

Name all 5 Animals 1: Front Snap

Definition of Kenpo 2: Wheel

Definition of Karate 3: Knife Edge

What does Salutation Represent 4: Rear Thrust

Kenpo Creed 5: Cross Over Side Thrust

Strikes:

Foot Maneuvers: 1: Single Punch

1: Jump Switch 2: Double Punch

2: Cross Over Step Out 3: Half Fist

3: Twist Stance [Advancing/Retreating] 4: Asp Hand

4: Cover 5: Hand Sword Chop [Inside/Outside}

Northwest Kenpo Karate Protocol and Discipline

“Karate-do”, The Empty Hand Way. The study and practice of the empty

hand way. Karate-do is practiced in and out of the dojo. It is a combination of

spiritual discipline, physical education and self-defense.

The Karate student is always a student, no matter where he or she may

be. He or she must always observe proper etiquette. He or she must always

respect and honor those who teach and instruct.

Verbal Respect

5th through 10th degree black belts shall be addressed as “Shihan”

2nd through 4th degree black belts shall be addressed as “Sensei”

Brown belts & 1st degree black belts shall be addressed as “Sempai”

Personal Hygiene

Wash your GI and workout clothes after every class

Shower before and after class

Brush teeth and wear deodorant before class

Keep finger and toe nails trimmed

Practice good hygiene every day, in and out of the dojo!

Bowing

Bow upon entering the training area (the dojo) then bow to the instructor

and any visiting black belts.

Bow facing training area when leaving

Bow before and after work with partner

Bowing is a way of showing respect for your partner and your dojo

Training Area (Dojo)

The training area is for training not for playing – please come to train and

learn

Wear appropriate training clothing

No food or drink, except water in the training area

When coming in late, wait at edge of training area to be bowed in before

you enter

When leaving early ask permission from instructor and bow out

When adjusting uniform, clothing or belt do not face the instructor or other

guest black belts

Attitude

We are all human with many strengths and weaknesses. Always show up

with a positive attitude. You get what you put in. Leave your anger and negative

attitude out of your training. Be ready to learn and help others learn.

Train with a Positive Attitude

Negative thoughts produce negative results

Respect the words and ways of the instructors

Avoid self-conceit and arrogance

One who brags will never earn true respect

Conceit and boasting brings dishonor upon the school and one’s self

Take your Training Seriously

Be prepared at all times

You must try hard at all times

Pay attention and focus

Practice as often as you can

Be

Patient

Kind and Understanding

Truthful

Supportive

Confident

Trustworthy

Respectful

Forgiving

Brave

Do Not Be

Jealous

A bragger

Arrogant

Rude

Hateful

Deceitful

Disrespectful

Vengeful

Terms you should know

Block: Defensive maneuver of force meeting force

Bushido: Way of the warrior, pride in duty, discipline in conduct and

humility in one’s self

Check: To restrain or hinder an opponent from taking action

Dojo: The gym, the place where we train, Training Hall

GI: Uniform

Kata: A set routine of strikes, blocks and kicks against imaginary

opponents, which teaches techniques, power, speed, agility and

breath control

Karate-do: Empty hand way or way of the empty hand

(Kara = Empty Te= Hand Do= way)

Kenpo: Way of the fist or Fist law

Kiai: Spirit yell used to scare your opponent, get air out of your

lungs and bring forth inner strength

Marriage of Gravity: Uniting strength, mind and breath while

dropping your body weight

Parry: Defensive maneuver of redirecting force

Shihan: Master or Professor, black belt ranking 5th to 10th degree

Sensei: Teacher or Instructor, black belt ranking 2nd to 4th degree

Sempai: Senior student or assistant instructor, brown belt and 1st

degree black belt

Speed: Double the velocity, quadruple its impact

Torque: Force produced by axis of rotation

Kenpo Creed

I come to you with only Karate,

Empty hands.

I have no weapons, but should I be

forced to defend myself, my principles

or my honor, should it be a matter of life

or death, of right or wrong, then here

are my weapons,

Karate,

my empty hands.

White Belt Technique Description

(These descriptions are for Reference only and are not designed to teach)

1) Inward Defense: Defend against a front right step-through punch.

Step forward with your right foot into a right neutral bow while executing a

right inward block (left hand up by face). Execute a right inside hand

sword-chop to the attacker’s right clavicle (collar bone). Draw your right

foot towards your left into a cat stance, gaining distance from your

attacker. Your right foot now comes into a crane stance. Finish by

executing a right front snap-kick to the attacker’s groin. Cross over step

out.

2) Outward Defense:

Defend against a front left step-through roundhouse punch.

Step forward with your right foot into a right neutral bow while

simultaneously executing a right outward block (left hand up by face).

Execute a right asp-hand strike across the nose followed by a right inside

hand sword-chop to the clavicle (collar bone). Draw your right foot back

into a cat stance gaining distance from your attacker. Your right foot now

comes into a crane stance. Finish by executing a right front snap-kick to

the attacker’s groin. Cross over step out.

3) Blocking the Sun:

Defend against a left step-through overhead hammer fist strike.

Step forward with your right foot into a right neutral bow. Execute a right

upward block (left hand up by face). Pivot into a forward bow, then

execute a left palm heal strike underneath your opponent’s chin. As you

pivot back into a right neutral bow, execute a right inside hand sword-

chop to the attacker’s clavicle (collar bone). Cross over step out.

4) Sweeping Serpent A/B:

A: Defend against a right advancing front-kick.

Step forward with your left foot to a 45o angle into a left neutral bow.

Execute a right downward block to the kicking leg. Bring right foot into a

crane stance. Execute a right knife-edge kick to the attacker’s left knee.

Cross over step out.

B: Defend against a right advancing front-kick followed by a right back

knuckle strike.

Step forward with your left foot to a 45o angle into a left neutral bow.

Execute a right downward block to the kicking leg. Pivot into a horse

stance and execute a left outward block while simultaneously executing a

left reverse punch to the attacker’s body. Cross over step out.

5) Kimono Grab:

Defend against a front two-hand lapel grab and push.

Step back with your left foot into a right forward bow. Grab attacker’s left

wrist with your left hand, pinning both of their arms. Pivot into a right

neutral bow while executing a right upward block under your attacker’s

arms at the elbows. Then quickly execute a right inward block down on

top of your attacker’s arms, knocking their arms off you. Follow with a

right inside hand sword-chop to their clavicle (collar bone). Right step-

drag, right horizontal elbow and left palm heel smash to their temple.

Pivot to a reverse bow while executing a right hammer fist to the groin.

Finish with a right rear thrust kick their body, pushing your opponent

away. Cross over step out.

6) Striking Asp A/B/C

Defend against front two-handed lapel grab and pull in.

A: Step Forward with your right foot into a right neutral bow. Grab your

attacker’s left wrist with your left-hand pinning both of their arms to your

chest. Using marriage of gravity as you step in, execute a right asp-hand

strike to your opponent’s solar plexus. Then with your right hand execute

an asp-hand strike across their nose. Finish with a right inside hand

sword-chop to their clavicle (collar bone). Sweeping their hands down.

Cross over and step out.

B: Step forward with your right foot into a right neutral bow. Grab your

opponent’s left wrist with your left hand, pinning both of their arms to your

chest. Using marriage of gravity while you step in, simultaneously

execute a right asp-hand strike to your opponent’s solar plexus. Your

right hand then reaches behind your opponent’s neck pulling them down

and causing them to bend over. Finish with a strong right thrusting-chop

to the back of the neck. Cross over and step out.

C: Step Forward with your right foot into a right forward bow. Grab your

opponent’s left wrist with your left-hand pinning both of their arms to your

chest. Using marriage of gravity as you step in simultaneously execute a

right ridge-hand strike to their groin. Sweeping their hands down. Cross

over and step out.

7) The Dancer:

Defending against a two-handed choke from behind.

With your left hand, check over your right shoulder as you step with your

right foot behind your left into a left twist stance. Execute a right hammer-

fist strike to the groin. As you twist out using torque, pivot into a close-

kneel stance while executing a left ridge-hand again to the groin of your

opponent. Cross over and step out.

8) Cutting the Pagoda:

Defending against a front right step-through punch.

Step forward with your left foot into a left neutral bow, executing a left

inward block to the outside of your opponent. Pivot to a forward wide-

kneel stance. Follow with a right horizontal elbow to your opponent’s

right ribs. Pivot back to a left neutral bow as your right arm checks their

right arm with an outward block, simultaneously executing a left

horizontal elbow to your opponent’s solar plexus. Then pivot to a left

wide-kneel stance, scooping their right arm out of the way using a left

outward block. Simultaneously finish with a powerful half-fist strike to the

throat.

9) The Bridge:

Defending against a two-handed shoulder grab from behind.

Step with your left foot into a horse stance. Simultaneously grab both of

the attacker’s wrists. Quickly flipping their palms face up, step behind

your left foot with your right into a twist stance. Twist the attacker’s arms

as you end up untwisting into a left forward bow. Execute a right front

snap-kick to your opponent’s right knee. Using marriage of gravity as you

plant from the kick, push on their right arm, simultaneously pull on their

left arm. Pivot into a reverse bow. Execute a right reverse vertical-elbow

strike to your opponent’s solar plexus, followed by a right reverse

hammer-fist to their groin. Cross over and step out.

10) Bear Hug (Free in Back)

Defending against a bear hug from behind with your arms free.

Execute double asp-hand strikes to the top of the attacker’s hand.

Quickly follow with double reverse elbow strikes to the inside of your

opponent’s arms, striking the radial nerve. Simultaneously strike your

opponent in the face with the back of your head, and stomp down on your

opponent’s right instep (top of the foot) with the heel of your foot. Follow

by sliding your hands down to grab your opponent’s right hand. With your

thumbs in the back of their right hand, controlling the wrist, step forward

with your left foot. Turn and face your attacker and step back again with

your right foot. From a left forward bow execute a front shin-kick to the

face of your opponent. Using marriage of gravity as you plant from the

kick apply strong pressure to your opponent’s wrist, ending with breaking

their wrist. Cross over and step out.

Short One

1) Start in attention stance. Bow and step out with your left foot

into salutation. Step straight back with your left foot pivoting

into a right neutral bow. Right inward block.

2) Step straight back with your right foot into a left twist stance.

Untwist into a left neutral bow. Left inward block.

3) Draw your right foot to your left and step out to a 90o angle,

making an “L” pattern with your feet. Pivoting into a left neutral

bow. Left outward block.

4) Step straight back with your left foot in to a right twist stance.

Untwist into a Right neutral bow. Right outward block.

5) Make a “V” step with your right foot (fixing your toe-heal

alignment). Simultaneously cover, facing the opposite direction

into a left neutral bow. Left upward block.

6) Step Straight back with your left foot into a right twist stance.

Untwist into a right neutral bow. Right upward block.

7) Draw your left foot into your right and step out to a 90o angle,

making an “L” pattern with your feet. Pivot into a right neutral

bow. Right downward block.

8) Step straight back with your right foot into a left twist stance.

Untwist into a left neutral bow. Left downward block.

9) Cover your left foot back to the direction you started in and

return to salutation. Bow out, back to attention stance.

History of American Kenpo Karate

The most popular theory of the origin of the Chinese martial

arts is credited to an Indian Buddhist teacher named Tamo.

Tamo (known by the Chinese as Bodhidharma and by the

Japanese as Darua Daishi) arrived in China about 527 A.D.

Tamo introduced Zen philosophy to the Chinese people, which

became the foundation of their religious structure. Tamo taught

in the Shaloin monastery in the Hunan Province. The monks

were religiously devoted to his teaching, but they lacked

concentration and would fall asleep during meditation. Tamo

devised an exercise program, which he called the 18 hands of

Lo-Han, to help strengthen them physically and mentally. It is

believed from here came the birth of structured Chinese boxing.

The next great transition took place about 1206 – 1333 with the

monk Chueh Yuan redefining the system to 72-hand form. Pai

Yu Feng and Li Ch’eng, students of Shuen Yuan along with the

studies of Tamo, formed the basis of today’s Shaolin style of

Kung Fu. The essences of the animals were used to teach this

principle. They were the tiger, leopard, asp (snake), crane and

the dragon.

From 618 – 1308 the martial arts spread to include Okinawa,

Korea and Japan with the travels of students and priests from

the Shaolin monastery. Chinese-Okinawa relations were very

close, but 1470 saw the ruler of Okinawa confiscating all

weapons. A few Okinawans immigrated to China to learn what

was then known as Chinese Kenpo. The martial arts continued

to be studied in secrecy in Okinawa (1609 – 1903) because of

Japan’s domination. It was during this time Karate (Hands of

China) was changed by the Japanese to mean “empty hands.”

By 1903 Okinawa had formed five main styles (ryu): Kobayashi-

ryu, Shoreiji-ryu, Goju-ryu, Kosho-ryu and Uechi-ryu (which

were named after their founders). Shorei was taught Chinese

Kenpo by Buddhist priests in Southern China. About 1916,

Gichin Funakoshi introduced his technique to Japan and later

formed the Shotokan system. Around 1840 the Chinese Martial

Art Ch’uanshu was brought to Hawaii by way of Chinese slaves.

The art was only taught to the Chinese and not to the other

races. Soon the Hawaiians were included in their studies.

James Masayoshi Mitose brought Kenpo teachings to the

Hawaiian people just prior to World War II. According to his

ancestors, Tamo was the founder of their system – Shorinji-ryu

Kenpo and Kosho-ryu Kenpo. Mr. Mitose called his art Kenpo

Jiu-Jitsu. From there Mitose passed his art onto Professor

Chow and the onto two men, Adrian Empardo and Edmund

Parker. Adrian Empardo then created Kajukenbo and Edmund

Parker became the founder of American Kenpo. Ed Parker

brought his teaching to the main land and was the first to teach

American Kenpo to all the races.

Edmund Parker: Father of American Kenpo 1931 - 1990

The Five Animals of

Kenpo Karate

Tiger

The Tiger is the symbol of strength and

bravery. The Tiger’s spiritual

characteristic is bravery through never

showing fear. It attacks straight

forward, charging without regard to its

own safety.

The Tiger represents the training of the bones and upper body

strength; very low stances are stressed from which powerful

hand techniques are delivered. Movements are short, snappy

and hard. Long-range techniques with aggressive tactics of

upward attacks and clawing,

attempting to rip and tear the

muscles and tendons from the

bone, are emphasized. Breathing

exercise is done with dynamic

tension.

Crane

The Crane is considered a

noble animal; its

characteristics are

tranquility, calmness and

fluidity.

The Crane represents

powerful energy in training.

The power is rooted in the feet and permeates throughout the

body. The Crane stresses balance and long-range techniques.

The Crane’s calmness in

confrontation allows it to use

the force of its opponents to

defeat them. The breathing

exercise is done slowly and

shallowly from a Crane stance.

Leopard

The Leopard is smaller, quicker and more cautious then the

tiger. It relies on its skill and intelligence through technique in

combat.

The Leopard’s fighting tactics emphasize leaping and lunging

attacks to the midsection and throat. Its techniques are

characterized by narrow stances and fast striking, using its

quick and sharp strikes to penetrate weaker targets. The

Leopard represents the development of lower body strength

and hand speed. Breathing

exercise is done with loud and

explosive exhaling of air.

Asp

The Asp (Snake) represents the cultivation of Chi (internal

energy of one’s self). It symbolizes discretion, compassion and

foresight. The Asp has calmness, ability to be still and can

become either soft or hard as needed.

The Asp stresses flexibility with fast shooting strikes using

whipping, bobbing, circular and springing short and long

attacks. It appears weak, but in an instant, it has remarkable

strength. The whole body moves endlessly and is soft yet

strong, flexible yet firm. The breathing exercise is done slowly,

deeply and softly.

Dragon

The Dragon is a mystical animal, which represents the spirit of

the martial arts. Its quality is to be positive when confronted or

when fighting. The Dragon can throw off its opponents while

remaining focused.

The Dragon stresses low twist stances, leg sweeps, strong

swift kicks and many hand techniques. This style develops self-

confidence and spirit through grace, flexibility and flowing

movements. The Dragon represents advanced technique and

form. It is the goal of the martial artist to reach the way of the

Dragon through much practice and hard work.