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ORANGE BELT Theory

The Theory on Orange Belt continues a Student’s basic education on aspects of the art of Kenpo Karate. Now considered an Intermediate Student, an Orange Belt is responsible for studying their Theory as early as possible. With the knowledge contained within the Theory section of this level, a Student can learn the fundamental principles of applying their form faster and more clearly. Be sure to study diligently and continue your education in the Martial Arts. 

ORANGE BELT DRILLS

ORANGE BELT KATA / TECHNIQUES

1. What is the history of Kenpo by individual? 

  • Bodhidarma - his name appears sometimes truncated as Bodhi, or more often as Dharma (Ta-mo or Daruma). A Buddhist monk from southern India who lived during the early 5th Century and is traditionally credited as the transmitter of Zen (Chinese: Chán) to China. 

  • Dazu Huike – A Chinese priest and Bodhidarma’s would-be student who had kept vigil for weeks in the deep snow outside of the monastery. He cut off his own right arm to demonstrate sincerity. (Shaolin Temple - China 525 A.D.) 

  • Japanese Priest (Mitose at Shinto Temple – Japan 1200 A.D.) 

  • 21 Generations of Mitose first sons 

  • James Mitose 

  • Professor William Chow (Hawaii – mid 1940’s) 

  • Edmund K. Parker (Hawaii – Early 1950’s) 

  • P.S. Wimberly (U.S. – 1973) 

  • Marcello Aguinid (1999)

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2) What were the individual contributions to the evolution of Kenpo? 

  • Mitose Family – Included moral consciousness when using the empty hand. Within the training they incorporated the arts, science, philosophy and the law. 

  • Edmund K. Parker – Added the fluid aesthetic. Parker, with help from Kung Fu master James “Jimmy” Wing Woo, developed “Traditional Chinese” Kenpo. Woo would develop most of the forms and sets which we now perform. (from The History of Kenpo website) 

  • P.S. Wimberly – Modernized Kenpo by developing the first training line up with the elements of energetic control and spiritual awareness.

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3) What does the awarding of the School Patch signify? 

  • The awarding of the patch signifies a person’s full acceptance as a Student in the ranks of the AKMA. The patch is revocable should the Student falter in the rules of the Dojo.

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4) What do the colors of the school patch signify? 

  • The colors of the AKMA patch are white and black, which represent the traditional Chinese colors of balance.

 

5) What does the shape of the patch signify? 

  • The outer curved lines represent the circular strikes and movements of our style. The pointed corners represent the straight line motions of our strikes and movements.

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6) What do the symbols on the patch signify? 

  • The Moon behind the Clouds – Traditionally symbolizes the left eye of the Instructor always watching you to ensure that your Kenpo is used only with virtue. Within the AKMA it now symbolizes the attention of the Seniors of the School, always on you to ensure you are who you say you are. 

  • The Dragon – Center of the patch. This is a mythical creature representing the spiritual strength of the Asian martial art. Within our school it now symbolizes the Student and the hidden potential that they can achieve. 

  • Chinese characters  –

Hand_character.jpg

Hand

(Representation of Physical Abilities) 

Head_character.jpg

Head

(Representation of Mental Abilities) 

Heart_character.jpg

Heart

(Representation of Spiritual Abilities) 

7) What is the name of the level you are training on? 

  • The name of the level is the Applications Level.

 

8) What is the purpose of the Orange Belt level? 

  • To practice and program the basic movements of Kenpo application. 

  • To continue to solidify your ability to use Kenpo in a real fighting situation. 

  • To gain the ability to transition smoothly from one move to the next in a fight.

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9) What is the emphasis of the level? (Physical, Mental, or Spiritual) 

  • Primarily Physical. 

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10) What is the percent of attention on yourself during training on this level? 

  • 90% - attention on self. To properly observe one’s self during practice and apply the fighting applications, strategies, and distance awareness. 

  • 10% - on the opponent to confront them. 

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11) What is the role of speed and power on the level? 

  • Negative, because moving faster than one can control their body impedes proper programming and understanding of the correct form.

 

12) What are the traditional names of the levels in Japanese? 

  • Hachikyu – 8th Degree White Belt (The previous level) 

  • Shichikyu – 7th Degree White Belt (The current belt you are on) 

  • Rokkyu – 6th Degree White Belt (The belt you are testing for)

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13) What are some of the long term goals for a Kenpo practitioner? 

  • To continually have a calm mind and spirit during practice. 

  • To develop and apply Kenpo in fighting situations (i.e. technique line and sparring). 

  • To continually develop the weak side to operate the body as a single unit. 

  • To develop awareness of the mind and control the negative thoughts that may arise during stressful situations. 

  • To develop an awareness of fighting distances. 

  • To develop Confront on various forces. 

  • To develop a safe and effective fighting strategy.

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14) What is the key to controlling a fight physically? 

  • Distance is the key to controlling a fight physically. Controlling and having knowledge of distance allows you to attack or defend successfully.

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15) What are the Distance Controls for the levels? 

  • Strikes and Kicks must make contact at three-quarter extension to maximize transfer of power. 

a) Orange Belt – 2 inches from the weapon to the target. 

b) Purple Belt – 1 inch from the weapon to the target. 

c) Blue Belt – 1/2 inch from the weapon to the target.

 

16) What are the Sparring Level Two Techniques? 

  • Cooperative energy. 

  • Approaches. 

  • Following out or letting your opponent go. 

  • Proper application of the Sparring Basic Strategy. 

  • Appropriate distances.

 

17) What are your Fighting Assumptions? 

  • Attack the target where it is going to be and not where it is at the beginning of the attack. 

  • Anyone can easily avoid, or block a single blow attack. 

  • When fighting with someone experienced, you must strike at least 3 to 5 times in a continuous combination to succeed. 

 

18) Where does one sight the opponent? 

  • One should always focus on the upper chest. 

  • To focus on the upper chest keeps the eyes from becoming fixed on any one blow. It allows the martial artist to see the beginning of all strikes. 

 

19) What should one do when physical fatigue begins to distract? 

  • Breathe fully.

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20) What are the four types of Breathing? 

  • Normal Breathing – The breathing that is done at normal everyday energy levels. 

  • Geared Breath – Coordinating your breathing with the amount of physical energy being used. (If one moves slowly one breathes fully slowly and vice versa) 

  • Ki’ai – Coordinating a tightening of your breath through a loud Ki’ai at the exact moment that contact is made. This helps steel your body against damage, to surprise your opponent, to maximize your physical potentials for more power, and to coordinate the spirit and body to peak at that exact moment of impact. 

  • Rejuvenating – Taking three deep rejuvenating breaths, each held longer than the one before, then blowing out the air. After the three rejuvenating breaths, take 2-3 deep cleansing breaths. If done correctly you should feel close to even.

 

21) What is the first rule of breathing? 

  • Breathe Ahead by filling your body with oxygen before a physically taxing activity.

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22) What are Long Run Monitoring and Short Run Monitoring? 

  • Long Run Monitoring is mental attention that is placed on the fluidity of your movements. 

  • Short Run Monitoring is mental attention that is placed on the precision of each movement.

 

23) What are your Grabbing Principles? 

  • Don’t attack the grab. 

  • Forget the captured weapon. 

  • Use what’s available. 

  • Go with the force. 

  • Change the situation when necessary.

 

24) What is Kenpo? 

  • It is a mixture of best effective points of many styles.

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25) Where did modern day Kenpo originate? 

  • With Ed Parker in Hawaii, USA.

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26) Where does a Kenpo Martial Artist draw their power from? 

  • A Kenpo Martial Artist draws their power from their spiritual strength first, and then their physical technique and mental strategies.

 

27) What are the two types of motions utilized by Kenpo?

  • The two types of motion utilized in Kenpo are straight and circular. Straight line motions are derived from Japanese Karate, while Circular motions are from Chinese Kung Fu.

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28) What is the Aesthetic of Kenpo Karate? 

  • Aesthetic is fluid and strong. A balance of precision and mobility.

 

29) What are the two styles of Martial Arts that make up the foundation of Kenpo? 

  • Karate (Hard) and Kung Fu (Soft)

 

30) From what country did Karate originate? 

  • Japan

 

31) From what country did Kung Fu originate? 

  • China

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32) What is the general aesthetic of most Karate styles? 

  • A hard aesthetic with the power based on inherent strength and physical effectiveness.

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33) What is the basic package of the Orange Belt level? 

  • Stability Principles 

  • Ground Power 

  • Striking Principles 

  • Confront Energy

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34) Principles of Stability 

  • Locate in the center 

  • Project down and create a heavy base 

  • Move with a unified body

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35) Principle of Ground Power 

  • As the Stability Principles are created, the Student allows the energy in the base to flow up and out through the striking limb and into the opponent’s body.

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36) Principles of Striking 

  • 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 one’s strikes and kicks immediately after contact is made. The striking limb retracts before the rest of the body rotates into the next strike. 

  • Momentum: Practicing taking an initial step every now and then in a combination to add power from gravity and centrifugal force. 

  • Penetration: Practicing driving each blow deep into the opponent’s body many inches past surface contact. One should feel as if their energy continues on into and through the opponent’s body.

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37) What is the spiritual energy of the individual ranks? 

  • White Belt – Neutral. Being able to be calm and in control. Not too causative, not at effect. Energy is even and in the middle.

  • Orange Belt – Confront. Being able to be at a level where you can deal with a forceful situation by being extroverted and in control. Not necessarily willing to fight the opponent, but certainly willing to tell him what you see is wrong, regardless of his retaliation. 

  • Purple Belt – Fight. Being able to throw physical attacks and accept them back regardless of the consequences from a place of rightness. You are willing to hit the opponent and be hit, and can keep your extroversion, calm, and control regardless of the outcome.

 

38) Why do we bow? 

  • As a formal greeting to another Warrior 

  • As a sign of respect 

  • To express thanks to another

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