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    Chinese Kung-Fu (Kenpo): An Introduction
    Chinese Kung-Fu (Kenpo): An Introduction
    Chinese Kung-Fu (Kenpo): An Introduction
    Ebook406 pages1 hour

    Chinese Kung-Fu (Kenpo): An Introduction

    By William D. Scott

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    About this ebook

    Learn the ancient self-defense system of Kempo with this illustrated martial arts guide.

    Kempo is one of the oldest, most dynamic martial arts. It is a derivative of Kung-Fu developed in southern China over a thousand years ago. This book proves that Kenpo, although an ancient military art, has direct application and relevance to our lives today.

    This kung fu book is designed to guide not only those seriously interested in learning kempo kung fu, but also to assist men, women, and children concerned about gaining better physical fitness, better over-all body tone and general well-being as well as a firm sense of self-confidence.

    Four Introductory Lessons, coupled with clear photographs, aid readers in executing with accuracy and safety all essential stances and techniques. After these have been mastered, the remaining lessons, accompanied by helpful exercises, can be practiced with ease. Rather than violence for its own sake, Kenpo offers defensive techniques for self-protection which can be mastered in about three months.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTuttle Publishing
    Release dateJan 5, 2005
    ISBN9781462912346
    Chinese Kung-Fu (Kenpo): An Introduction

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      Book preview

      Chinese Kung-Fu (Kenpo) - William D. Scott

      INTRODUCTION

      You are about to undertake a training program in the ancient Chinese art of Kenpo (a Southern Chinese derivative of Kung-Fu). Unlike other works in the martial arts field, this book is not designed to turn you into a killer or totally self-protected individual. Instead, its aim is to take you through the first step of learning the art, a step that should realistically take about three months.

      Through a program of exercise and practice, your body will become toned, your vigor increased and your confidence more assured. Women, men and children will find the regimen healthful and fun, as well as instructive. The exercises described in the appendices are basic gym-type exercises and are safe for those in average health.

      Preferably, the study of Kenpo should not be undertaken alone. Find someone to work with you and each can alternate leading the workouts described in the lessons and appendices. The person running the class at a particular time is called the sensei (or master). Experts concur that learning the art in small groups is more fun and more instructive.

      My philosophy is expressed by the Chinese characters on the title page — literally translated they read, To Fight for a Peaceful Heart. In order to obtain harmony with the world, you must first achieve a working balance between your mind and body (a task begun with this book). Once this harmony is achieved, a harmony of a higher nature must be reached between you and your world. In this way you become closer to the Life Force (or God) and therefore closer to the Oneness of the universe.

      A note on attire. At the beginning you may dress in loose-fitting clothing, but later you may wish to purchase a gi (the standard judo-karate outfit). Gis come in various colors and sizes and range from $15.00 to $25.00. You will be starting with a white belt (8th Kyu) denoting your rank, and it will usually come with the gi. Gis may be purchased from a local martial arts school, through a YMCA teaching a martial art and from various mail order houses, such as Honda Associates, Inc., 485 5th Avenue, N.Y., N.Y. 10017. It is important that you practice without shoes, as the feet are traditionally uncovered in the Chinese martial arts.

      The Kenpo rankings ordinarily used in the United States are simple. The following chart provides all the knowledge you need:

      STANDARD KENPO RANKINGS

      Each lesson teaches fundamental movements and defense techniques which should be practiced and memorized thoroughly. As you progress to the later lessons, more emphasis will be placed on learning the techniques.

      Two lessons describe kata forms. These katas actually originated in Okinawa and are responses to simulated mass attacks under ideal situations. They teach fundamental movements as well as concentration, and should be worked on until they become polished.

      Before starting a particular lesson, I recommend that you read it through first, studying the pictures in order to get some idea of what you will be learning.

      I wish you good luck, and if you stick with the program, I'm sure that you will achieve Orange Belt — the first step toward better mind-body coordination.

      INTRODUCTORY LESSON I

      This lesson is a basic introduction to the art of Kenpo. Pay great attention to it, as the following lessons build to a final goal — the attainment of Orange Belt.

      THE HORSE STANCE

      The Horse Stance is the most basic stance used in Kenpo. To assume the position, stand with your feet together, knees slightly bent (as in fig. 1) and slide your left foot to the left, one and one-half shoulder widths from your right foot. Keep your feet pointed dead ahead and your knees bowed outward (fig. 12). Your hands should be clenched in fists and held over your thighs. This posture is the Horse Stance.

      THE FORWARD STANCE

      To learn the Forward Stance, stand with your feet together, knees slightly bent. Slide your left foot to the left one and one-half shoulder widths, and then straight back one and one-half shoulder widths. Now bend your right (or front) leg at the knee (your right knee ending up over the center of your right foot) and keep your left leg straight with your knee locked. The final position (fig. 3), feet pointing forward, fists over thighs, is a left-rear Forward Stance. A right-rear Forward Stance is just the opposite (a mirror image) and is illustrated in fig. 4.

      If you picture yourself standing in the center of the face of a large clock (fig. 5), the Horse Stance will have your right foot in the middle and your left foot at 9:00. The left-rear Forward Stance has your right foot in the middle and your left foot at about 7:30. The right-rear Forward Stance has your right foot at about 4:30.

      This clock will be used throughout the lessons to describe where to place your feet. The starting position will always be in the center, and the movement always to a certain time on the dial.

      SALUTATION

      Before each lesson or practice session, teachers and students greet each other with a Horse Stance Salutation. The Salutation is also given at the end of each lesson.

      Slide your left foot out to a Horse Stance while raising your right fist, elbow bent, to a position in front of the center of your chest, as in fig. 6. (This fist signifies power.) Now, cover your fist with your left hand (signifying peace) as in fig. 7. Draw your left foot back to your right, drop your clasped hands to your waist, and bow forward with head and eyes pointing downward. In this way you show respect for your fellow students and for the ancient art that you are about to practice.

      THE REVERSE PUNCH

      The Reverse Punch is one of the most elementary hand strikes taught in Kenpo. To learn the punching technique, first assume a Horse Stance. Make fists (fig. 8) and place them in tight against your hip bones, palm-side upward (fig. 9). Your point of focus (the area you wish to punch) is located one arm's length in front of your solar plexus, which is the soft area just beneath your breastbone.

      As you begin the right reverse punch, your right fist leaves your hip, angling upward toward the focal point. As your elbow reaches your side, rotate your fist counter clockwise to a position with your knuckles pointing upward (fig. 10).

      The punch is now focused

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