Kenpo-Introducing Thrusting Wedge and Wedge

Self-Defense is considered an art form of movement due to the quick paced action of movement. It is similar to dance, gymnastics and other sports. In self-defense, movements are practiced over and over until they are internalized and memorized for faster paced reaction when needed. It is often beneficial to practice in a class with others to get a feel for the speed and pressures to use while practicing by oneself.

At times an opponent may be attacked through a choke or a high grab to the chest. The Thrusting Wedge and the Wedge offer two different moves for self-defense. The Thrusting Wedge works well when the grab is in motion and isn’t settled yet. The Wedge works well when someone is attempting to choke you or has already set their grab.

The movements entail two different hand positions. In the Thrusting Wedge there is a heart shape between thumb and fore finger with palms outward while in the Wedge there is the palm locking over the other palm. The thrusting wedge hand positions affords outward momentum while the wedge hand position reinforces the hand structure for a spear.

Thrusting Wedge (High Two-Handed Grab):

-Opponent attempts high two-handed grab.

-Make wedge with hands and strike to eyes.

-With left hand grab opponent’s right wrist and pull arm down.

-Strike opponent’s sternum and slide elbow up to chin.

-Use right hand to claw opponent’s face.

Wedge (Opponent has two handed choke hold from the front):

-Place your left hand with the palm down into your right hand as you step forward with your right foot. (Both hands are near your stomach).

-Strike both hands in the direction of the opponent’s forehead while using the forearms to break the opponents choke hold.

-Retract wedge to the stomach and then strike forward to opponent’s solar plexus.

-Recoil

Kenpo is for pure self-defense with no attacking moves.

Kenpo as an Augmentation For Fitness-Introducing Kimono Grab

Kenpo is a sport that focuses on self-defense and is a great activity to augment a fitness program. It provides coordination, strength, flexibility, and self-defense. You may notice that all movements start with someone attacking while providing defensive positions.  Few are designed as an attack. The very nature of the sport is self-defense and an expressive art form of human body movement.  Kenpo practice helps create coordination of movement that balances growth in muscle and strength.

In Kimono Grab there are the traditional moves and the modified moves. Most people who engage in the sport focus only on the traditional moves. The traditional method is taught in most classes and strictly follow the founder’s approaches. The modified versions have great benefit for learning how to change sequences based on the events that are occurring in the engagement. 

For example, if an opponent attacks you and you are able to initiate the first movement in the sequence but fail to make the second one you are unlikely to adjust fast enough to keep momentum. Learning other methods and movements allows for quick adjustments to missed attempts to keep the fluidity of motion into more successful sequences.

Kimono Grab is designed to protect you when someone uses their arms and their body weight to gain control. Instead of fighting the momentum stepping backwards allows the opportunity to use that momentum to your advantage. It also has a secondary benefit of putting your opponent off balance which allows a regaining of control. One-on-one sports thrive off of maintaining leading momentum. 

Traditional Kimono Grab (Opponent Grabs Both Lapels):

-Step back with left foot.

-Reach over right arm to grab left wrist.

-Use right forearm to hit upward against elbows.

-Swing over the top of arms with right forearm and hit both arms to break the hold.

-Use the right hand to chop the neck (Can be modified with left hand).
-Right elbow to temple.

-Twist to left and deliver hammerfist to groin.

-Use back kick to sternum to create distance between you and the opponent. 

Modified Kimono Grab A (Opponent Grabs Both Lapels): 

-In single motion pin opponents right wrist with your left hand as you step back with your left foot and use an extended outward block to release opponent’s left hand from the lapel.

-Right handed raking hammer punch to opponent’s right arm radial nerve (Opponents right arm is still hanging onto your left lapel).

-Back knuckle strike to right temple and recoil. The left hand should free for soft block on right hand recoil. 

The video can help in the learning technique and sequencing.

Kenpo as a Self-Defense and Fitness Sport

Kenpo is a street technique and self-defense sport. It has a number of benefits that include self-defense, agility, speed, and fitness. A healthy lifestyle includes being well rounded in a number of areas. This includes intellectual activities, artistic creation, spiritual engagement, sports, social engagement, civic engagement, and general fitness. This helps in fostering well rounded ability and perspective. 

We sometimes think that such things are for the very young but we cannot stop there. What we teach the youth is also important throughout our lives and helps us find a balance. We know that many people have a hard time staying committed to workout routines. There is some stress for people who have to go to the gym and find that exercise is boring. By incorporating various sporting activities you can engage in cross training.

The background of the sport is beneficial to understand. Kenpo was popularized by Ed Parker from Hawaii in the 1960-70’s. He adjusted the system from more ancient methods that date back a few hundred years.  It is believed that a Chinese monk brought the style to a Japanese monastery around the 15^th century. From there it has been adjusted and changed for Americans.  Modern practice is street oriented. 

The system seeks to create the fewest moves possible for defense. It is designed not to waste energy or motion and allow one to flee a difficult situation while immobilizing the opponent. I have engaged in the sport for some time and have learned that personality mixed with training is important. This is a sport for pure self-defense and fitness and should not be engaged by those who seek to intimidate others. 

Even though the video does show the basic moves it is first beneficial to understand the fundamental stances, blocks, and movements. Knowing the basics helps one to build the proper sequences that lead to flawless execution. If the basics are off then the rest of the sequences are likely to be misaligned creating a level of weakness in practice. Once incorporated into a poor habit it can be difficult to change.

The very first earned belt you will receive will be the yellow belt. You can get a feel for the sport in the video.