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WHITE BELT Theory

The training of the AKMA is not merely physical training; it is a full study of the Martial Arts. Within the Association, we will test you on every level; physically, mentally and spiritually. The theory is meant to test your ability to think and memorize. Take time to learn the information presented here. Don’t just memorize the questions, endeavor to understand the questions. Along with the manual there will be required books and movies that you should read and watch as well. All of this is done to deepen your mind and experience of the Martial Arts.

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Knowledge has always been key within Martial Arts Training. Study your theory, read your book, watch your movies, and train. Train as much as you can and let the full experience of the Training Line Up have its effect on you.

WHITE BELT DRILLS

WHITE BELT KATA / TECHNIQUES

1. What type of Martial Art is practiced here at the AKMA?

  • Kenpo Karate.

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2. What is the name of the School?

  • The Association of Kenpo Martial Artists, or AKMA.

 

3. When was the AKMA founded?

  • October 2007 in Burbank, California.

 

4. Who is the founding Sensei of the AKMA?

  • Marcello Aguinid

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5. Define Control.

  • The amount of attention one directs and focuses towards achieving the desired level of ability: physically, mentally, or spiritually.

 

6. Define Monitoring.

  • Mental attention that one places on the whole body to control it.

 

7. Define the word "Karate".

  • Empty Hand.

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8. Define the word "Kenpo".

  • Law of the Fist.

 

9. Define the word "Dojo".

  • Place of Enlightenment.

 

10. Define the word "Gi".

  • Uniform.

 

11. What is an Instructor within the AKMA?

  • An Instructor of the AKMA is a person who has been taught how, and has earned the right to teach aspects of the AKMA training lineup. This right is only awarded to Brown Belts and up.

 

12. What is a Sempai within the AKMA?

  • A Sempai is a Senior Instructor of the AKMA, who understands the training line up completely. This honor is awarded only to Black Belts.

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13. What is a Sensei within the AKMA?

  • A Sensei is an honorable instructor and source of a particular school within the AKMA. This honor is only awarded to a Sempai who has an in depth insightful understanding of the training lineup of the AKMA.

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14. What is the essence of Karate, the most important factor for success in training?

  • Control of Body, Mind, and Spirit.

 

15. What are the primary goals of the School?

  • To endeavor to teach students the principles of Kenpo while helping them gain a very real control of mind, body, and spirit.

  • To help people discover their truest potentials.

 

16. How many White Belt Levels were there in traditional Japanese style Ranking?

  • 8 Ranks of White Belt known traditionally as Kyus.

 

17. How many Black Belt Levels were there in traditional Japanese style Ranking?

  • 8 Ranks of Black Belt known traditionally as Dans.

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18. Within the AKMA, how many Black Belt Levels are there?

  • One

 

19. Emphasis of the White Belt Level

  • Physical

 

20. What is the purpose of the White Belt Level?

  • To gain a comfortable Physical Control over one’s body, and to program the basic moves as muscle memory.

 

21. What is the history of Kenpo by location?

  • Kenpo evolved through China, then Japan, then Hawaii, then to the mainland United States from around 525 A.D. to the present day.

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22. What is the history of Kenpo by the individuals?

  • Kenpo was passed from Shaolin Monks, to Chinese Priests, to a Japanese priest known as Mitose, then through 21 generations of Mitose 1st sons, then to James Mitose, then to William Chow, then to Ed Parker, then to P.S. Wimberly, then to the founding members of the AKMA.

 

23. What is the role of speed and power for the White Belt level?

  • Both speed and power are negative for the White Belt Level. The speed is kept slow so that the student can attain the appropriate form and control.

 

24. What is the traditional name of the level?

  • The traditional name of the level is Hachikyu, meaning 8th child, ungraded, and unproven.

 

25. What is the traditional name of the next level?

  • The traditional name of the next level is Shichikyu, meaning 7th child, ungraded, and unproven.

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26. What is the default Spiritual Energy for the level?

  • A White Belt must be able to create and maintain Neutral energy.

 

27. What are the Principles of Stability?

  • Locate in the Center

  • Project Down and Create a Heavy Base

  • Move with a Unified Body

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28. What are the Principles of Striking on the White Belt Level?

  • Rooting: Practicing segmented strikes in which the body sets and connects to the floor at the same time contact occurs.

  • Retraction: Practicing a pull back of ones strikes and kicks immediately after contact is made. The striking limb retracts before the rest of the body rotates into the next strike.

 

29. What is the Principle of Balance?

  • The placement of the center in relation to one’s supporting leg determines the person’s ability to remain in balance.

 

30. What is the Principle of Timing?

  • Making contact with the strike, kick or block immediately after planting fully.

 

31. What is the Principle of Alignment?

  • Front toe and rear heel line up in the direction of the opponent's center line.

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32. What is the Principle of Rotation?

  • When striking, one rotates fully from the Center and shifts 70% of body weight onto the supporting leg, while the other 30% stays to the turning leg.

 

33. What is the Principle of Sighting?

  • One gazes at the upper chest to see the opponent’s whole body and the beginnings of all motion.

 

34. What are the Principles of Striking?

  • Work the Hands Together and in Unison

  • Finish the Blow

  • Strikes occur at three-quarter extension

  • Variations of Striking Rhythm

  • Variations of Striking Angles and Altitudes

  • Variations of Striking Patterns

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35. What are the Principles of Kicking?

  • Muscle: Fully chamber the kicking leg

  • Body: Leaning away from the kick

  • Momentum: Constant acceleration from the ground to the target.

 

36. What is the percent of attention on yourself during training on the White Belt Level?

  • The student has 100% Attention on Self to achieve the desired Physical Control over the body.

 

37. What are the Sparring Level One Techniques?

  • Lead off with kicks in combination.

  • When you find yourself in hand range, do 2-3 good strikes and cover out.

  • Retreat on the diagonal when pressed.

 

38. Where is the Tantien, or Center, located?

  • This is the best single control point for the body located 4” below the navel.

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39. What are the two sources of Physical Power?

  • Inherent Power is power generated from the physical muscles, weight, etc.

  • Environmental Power is power generated through the use of Momentum, Centrifugal Force, Gravity, etc.

 

40. What were the individual contributions to the evolution of Kenpo?

  • Mitose Family: Over the generations the Mitose family included a system of ethics and morality, and a study of the arts, science, philosophy, law, history, and literature.

  • Ed Parker: Brought the art of Kenpo to the mainland United States; modernized the fighting principles, expanded the use of circular movements, and added a more fluid Chinese Martial Arts aesthetic to the form of Kenpo.

  • P.S. Wimberly: Added the elements of energetic control and spiritual awareness to the evolution of Kenpo.

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