Exploring American Kenpo

A friend of mine invited me to learn “Checking Hands,” an exercise frequently done in the American Kenpo school where he studies. I met up with him for a lesson. I’d already done “Sticky Hands” a few times, which was a good place to start. Gradually my friend led me to more and more aspects of this close-range exercise… Well, actually… In “Checking Hands,” one can play with distance too. Not to mention a third dimension in the form of ducking and slipping. The most marked attribute of karate sparring is darting in and out. “Checking Hands” introduced me to a close-in, three-dimensional approach to engaging in a combat art. And I gained a little insight into the karate kata (forms) that I’ve memorized.

Over time, I became more confident with bringing in elements from my karate kata to the “Checking Hands” exercise. The most frequent techniques I tried were from the Goju-ryu style kata(s) which I’ve memorized. Perhaps I was responding to some of the circular techniques my friend employed (Goju-ryu is known for circular motions). I felt validated in my bunkai (interpretation of kata/forms) of all the kata I’ve learned no matter what style I’ve learned for executing them. Offhand I can’t think of any of my bunkai which doesn’t involve being up-close and personal with my imaginary opponent. And because I absolutely love bunkai the hour I spent with my friend went very quickly.

I was intrigued and wanted to know and do more.

My friend invited me to the school where he studies and of course I accepted. I arrived a bit early, already ready to go, wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt. This was, after all, a different art and I was a guest. My gi (uniform) and obi (belt) are regalia, and there’s etiquette surrounding time and place for wearing these things. In T-shirt and sweatpants I stood out, but only as a beginner in any martial art stands out. And that’s exactly what I was – a first-timer.

That said I did hear the late Professor Remy Presas whispering, “It is all the same…” https://www.thestickchick.com/post/it-really-is-all-the-same

Yes there were familiar elements and even familiar techniques; so familiar that I had the Japanese names flitting through my mind.

In fact we did one of my favorite sparring tricks as a line drill. I doubt anyone but my friend knew the combination is a favorite of mine. The American Kenpo sensei (instructor) had his own take and his own way of teaching it. I usually set someone up for this with a fake. We didn’t do a fake – this was a simple line drill with a specific purpose. The sensei had us over-extend the reverse-punch in order for us to really feel the forward momentum used to execute the roundhouse kick. I have thrown this combination hundreds of times over the years, perhaps thousands: in the air, hitting a bag, sparring in class, sparring in tournaments, and sparring with my friend. I’ve even taught this to students. But I’ve never bothered to dissect it, to stretch it beyond “normal” parameters, to understand the body dynamics involved. I should incorporate such exploration into my personal practice.

For part of the class my friend worked with me one-on-one, introducing me to commonly taught sequences and their applications. He did these sequences to me (gently of course) and I tried them on him. My friend’s explanations were peppered with concepts like “shearing force” and creating “zones of obscurity.” Creating “blind spots” where someone doesn’t see the next technique coming is something that deserves more of my attention not just for my sparring, but also for my bunkai. My friend taught about using body dynamics to more effectively and rapidly launch the next technique. And the next. I can definitely bring that to all aspects of my karate.

During the last part of the class I watched the class run through forms one right after the other. American Kenpo forms are short in duration. My friend told me that hands-on learning is an integral part of memorizing the forms. This resonates with me because I quite often teach bunkai in conjunction with teaching kata. I have a long way to go before I research and test every kata I’ve memorized, but my visit to the American Kenpo school has given me a bit more motivation to do some deep dives into, at the very least, the kata I most often teach and the kata(s) I need to present at my next belt test.

I was honored when, after walking me to my car, the instructor invited me back. I absolutely will take him up on it sometime.