Captured Twigs

As the description says, this is just an example of the technique. It is done at a moderate speed, but with emphasis where needed. Not too fast so that you can't see what's happening. Not too slow as to get the feel of how it should work.

---

Illustration

Here is our illustration of the Ideal Phase of the technique. You will notice that this illustration is unlike any of the written versions of the techniques to date. It contains a number of unique features, such as: not only what you are doing to the opponent, but also what the reaction to what you are doing should be; and both a horizontal and vertical clock of directions.

We feel that this illustration method is far superior to any other and leads to a more precise understanding of what is being done. So, if you start seeing this illustration methodology anywhere else, you know where it came from...

Clock Legend:
H = Horizontal (think flat on the floor)
V = Vertical (think standing up - straight thru your center-line)

---

CAPTURED TWIGS

Situation: You are in a normal stance (facing 12:00H) with both of your arms at your side (toward 6:00V) with the opponent (at 6:00H) (facing 12:00H) applying a rear bear hug, with your arms pinned above the elbows, to your chest area.

1) Raise your left hand (toward 1:30V) and pin both the opponent's hands to your body with your left palm (pinning check) (toward 6:00H).

2) Step to your left (toward 9:00H), with your left foot, into a horse (facing 12:00H) (stabilize base) with a right back hammering hammer-fist to the opponent's groin (minor) (toward 6:00H).
Result: The opponent's lower body should be thrust backward (toward 6:00H), and should attempt to release the bear hug to cover the groin, but your left hand should prevent this from happening.

3) Turn your body to your right (clockwise H) (toward 3:00H) and draw your right foot toward your left foot (toward 9:00H) into a right close 90 degree cat (facing 3:00), while raising your right hand (toward 12:00V), palm up (toward 12:00), on the inside of the opponent's right arm to clear it from your body (positioned check).  Simultaneously with the previous moves, raise your left hand (toward 12:00) to your left solar plexus, palm forward (toward 3:00H) on the inside of the opponent's left arm to clear it from your body (positioned check).

4) Execute a right front heel stomp to the opponent's left arch of foot (minor) (toward 6:00V).
Result: The opponent's upper body should bend forward (toward 12:00H) and should attempt to grab the foot.

5) Step to your right (toward 6:00H), with your right foot (gauge), into a right side horse (facing 6:00H) between the opponent's legs (positioned check) with a right snapping obscure elbow to the opponent's chin (major) (contouring) (toward 12:00V), while simultaneously shifting your left hand to your right solar plexus (positioned check), palm forward (6:00H).
Result: The opponent should be thrust up (toward 12:00V) and back (toward 6:00H) and collapse to the ground, face up (body on 12:00H - 6:00H line).

6) Reposition your right arm, by dropping your right elbow (toward 6:00V), to a right vertical blocking position, while also maintaining your other defenses (positioned check).

Deflecting Hammer

As the description says, this is just an example of the technique. It is done at a moderate speed, but with emphasis where needed. Not too fast so that you can't see what's happening. Not too slow as to get the feel of how it should work.

---

Illustration

Here is our illustration of the Ideal Phase of the technique. You will notice that this illustration is unlike any of the written versions of the techniques to date. It contains a number of unique features, such as: not only what you are doing to the opponent, but also what the reaction to what you are doing should be; and both a horizontal and vertical clock of directions.

We feel that this illustration method is far superior to any other and leads to a more precise understanding of what is being done. So, if you start seeing this illustration methodology anywhere else, you know where it came from...

Clock Legend:
H = Horizontal (think flat on the floor)
V = Vertical (think standing up - straight thru your center-line)

---

DEFLECTING HAMMER

Situation: You are in a (passive) normal stance (facing 12:00H) with both of your hands raised to shoulder height, palms forward (toward 12:00H) (positioned covers) with the opponent (at 12:00H) (facing 6:00H) executing a right thrusting, step through, front (toward 6:00H) to your lower abdomen area.

1) Step back (toward 6:00H) with your left foot into a right neutral bow, while delivering a right parrying downward block to the outside of the opponent's right lower leg (toward 4:30H) (counter clockwise V) (positioned cock), while simultaneously raising (toward 12:00V) your left open hand to your right solar plexus (positioned check), palm forward (toward 12:00H).
Result: The opponent's kick should be diverted to your right-rear flank (toward 4:30H) (close center line).

Note: Your blocking arm should continue its rotation until it reaches 3:00V (path of travel).

2) Shift forward (toward 12:00H) into a right forward bow, while rotating and extending your left open hand (clockwise V) (until you fingers point toward 3:00V) to pin the opponent's right arm, at the elbow, against their body (pressing/pinning check) with a right push-drag forward (toward 12:00H) - to close any needed distance between you and your opponent (optional).
Note: The opponent's right foot should now begin to plant (toward 4:30H).

3) Without losing any momentum from your previous moves, deliver a right inward hammering elbow to the opponent's face (toward 12:00H) (cut the circle) (borrowed force).
Result: At this point the opponent should collapse to the ground backward (on the 12:00H – 6:00H line), face up (toward 12:00V).

4) Shift backward (toward 6:00H) into a right neutral bow, and reposition your right arm, by dropping your right elbow (toward 6:00H), to a right vertical blocking position.  Simultaneously, rotate (counter clockwise V) (until your fingers point toward 12:00V) and retract your left hand to your right solar plexus (positioned check), palm forward (toward 12:00H), while maintaining your other defenses (positioned check).

Sword of Destruction

As the description says, this is just an example of the technique. It is done at a moderate speed, but with emphasis where needed. Not too fast so that you can't see what's happening. Not too slow as to get the feel of how it should work.

---

Illustration

Here is our illustration of the Ideal Phase of the technique. You will notice that this illustration is unlike any of the written versions of the techniques to date. It contains a number of unique features, such as: not only what you are doing to the opponent, but also what the reaction to what you are doing should be; and both a horizontal and vertical clock of directions.

We feel that this illustration method is far superior to any other and leads to a more precise understanding of what is being done. So, if you start seeing this illustration methodology anywhere else, you know where it came from...

Clock Legend:
H = Horizontal (think flat on the floor)
V = Vertical (think standing up - straight thru your center-line)

---

Sword of Destruction

Situation: You are in a normal stance (facing 12:00H) with both of your arms at your side (toward 6:00H) with the opponent (at 12:00H) (facing 6:00H) executing a left roundhouse punch (toward 7:30H) to the right side of your face area.

1) Step back (toward 6:00H) with your left foot into a right neutral bow (toward 12:00H) (stabilize base) with a right thrusting extended outward block to the inside of the opponent's left forearm (toward 4:30H) (open center line) (positioned cock), while simultaneously raising your left hand to your right solar plexus (toward 12:00V) (positioned cover), palm forward (toward 12:00H).

2) Draw your right foot (toward 6:00H) toward your left foot into a right transitory 45 degree cat (facing 12:00H), followed immediately with a right snapping front kick to the opponent's groin (toward 12:00H) (minor), while your right arm remains in a vertical blocking position (positioned check) - maintaining contact with the opponent’s left arm.

Result: The opponent’s lower body should be thrust backward (toward 12:00H) with the upper body bending forward (counter rotational) (toward 6:00V), while the right hand attempts to cover the groin and the left hand is prevented from doing so by your left blocking arm.

3) Replant your right foot into a right neutral bow (positioned check) (toward 12:00H) with a right inward diagonal hammering hand-sword to the opponent's left back of neck (toward 10:30H) (toward 7:30V) (major).

4) Immediately, reverse the motion of your right hand back to the opponent's left forearm (positioned check), while maintaining your other positioned checks.

Result: The opponent should collapse to the ground (on the 12:00H - 6:00H line), face down (toward 6:00V).

Alternating Maces

As the description says, this is just an example of the technique. It is done at a moderate speed, but with emphasis where needed. Not too fast so that you can't see what's happening. Not too slow as to get the feel of how it should work.

---

Illustration

Here is our illustration of the Ideal Phase of the technique. You will notice that this illustration is unlike any of the written versions of the techniques to date. It contains a number of unique features, such as: not only what you are doing to the opponent, but also what the reaction to what you are doing should be; and both a horizontal and vertical clock of directions.

We feel that this illustration method is far superior to any other and leads to a more precise understanding of what is being done. So, if you start seeing this illustration methodology anywhere else, you know where it came from...

Clock Legend:
H = Horizontal (think flat on the floor)
V = Vertical (think standing up - straight thru your center-line)

---

ALTERNATING MACES

Situation: You are in a (passive) normal stance (facing 12:00H) with both of your hands raised to shoulder height, palms forward (toward 12:00H) (positioned covers) with the opponent (at 12:00H) (facing 6:00H) executing a direct two-hand push (toward 6:00H) toward your chest.

1) Step back (toward 6:00H) with your left foot into a right neutral bow (toward 12:00H) with a right downward horizontal forearm block (toward 6:00V), hand open (margin for error) and palm down (toward 6:00V), on top of and perpendicular to (on 3:00H – 9:00H line), the opponent's forearms.  Immediately, shift forward (toward 12:00H) into a right forward bow (toward 12:00H) with a left vertical thrust punch (minor) to the opponent's sternum (toward 12:00H) (fit).

Note: Your left vertical thrust punch must pass on top of your right blocking arm.

Result: The opponent's forward momentum should be halted and your right arm should restrict the opponent's arms from moving upward (toward 12:00V).

2) Circling (toward 1:30V) inside and on top of your left arm, execute a right snapping outward back-knuckle (toward 12:00H) to the opponent's right temple (major), while simultaneously shifting back (toward 6:00H) into a right neutral bow (counter rotational force) and opening your left hand (margin for error), dropping it diagonally downward (toward 7:30V) (bending your left arm at the elbow) on top of the opponent's arms (both – if possible) (pressing check) - replacing your right arm.

3) Return your right arm to a blocking position (positioned check), while maintaining your other positioned checks.

Note: At this point the opponent should be thrust back (toward 2:00H) and collapse to the ground (toward 6:00V).

Delayed Sword

As the description says, this is just an example of the technique. It is done at a moderate speed, but with emphasis where needed. Not too fast so that you can't see what's happening. Not too slow as to get the feel of how it should work.

---

Illustration

Here is our illustration of the Ideal Phase of the technique. You will notice that this illustration is unlike any of the written versions of the techniques to date. It contains a number of unique features, such as: not only what you are doing to the opponent, but also what the reaction to what you are doing should be; and both a horizontal and vertical clock of directions.

We feel that this illustration method is far superior to any other and leads to a more precise understanding of what is being done. So, if you start seeing this illustration methodology anywhere else, you know where it came from...

Clock Legend:
H = Horizontal (think flat on the floor)
V = Vertical (think standing up - straight thru your center-line)

---

DELAYED SWORD

Situation: You are in a normal stance (facing 12:00H) with both of your arms at your side (toward 6:00V) with the opponent (at 12:00H) (facing 6:00H) applying a direct right hand grab to your left lapel (toward 6:00H).

1) Step back, with your left foot, (toward 6:00H) into a right neutral bow (facing 12:00H) (stabilize base) with a right thrusting inward vertical forearm strike (minor) to the inside of the opponent’s right forearm (toward 7:30H) (positioned cock), while simultaneously raising your left open hand to your right solar plexus (toward 12:00V) (positioned cover), palm forward (toward 12:00H).

Result: The opponent’s grab should be broken.

2) Draw your right foot (toward 6:00H) toward your left foot into a right transitory 45 degree cat (facing 12:00H), followed immediately with a right front snapping ball kick (minor) to the opponent’s groin (toward 12:00H).

Result: The opponent’s lower body should be thrust backward (toward 12:00H) with the upper body bending forward (counter rotational) (toward 6:00V), while the hands attempt to cover the groin.

3) Replant your right foot (toward 12:00H) into a right neutral bow (toward 12:00H) (positioned check) with a right outward downward-diagonal hammering hand-sword strike (major) (toward 12:00H) to the right, back of opponent’s neck (borrowed force) (toward 4:30V).

Result: The opponent should collapse down to the ground (on the 12:00H-6:00H line), face down (toward 6:00H).

4) Reverse the motion of your right hand back to a vertical blocking position, while maintaining your other defenses (positioned check).

About The Kenpo Yantra

What is the Kenpo Yantra?

This is the symbol we use as our logo at EPAKS, Inc. Its called the Kenpo Yantra. The Kenpo Yantra is an unusual name - so, why use this name? To understand that, one must first understand what a Yantra is and how it is used. Second, one must understand why an Indian term was chosen.

There are three things from which a Hindu studies – Mantra, Tantra, and Yantra. Most people have heard of Mantra – or phrase, which is repeated over and over to focus concentration or bring about a wanted goal. Lots of people have heard of Tantra (aka yoga) – or physical use of the body for inspiration and health. However, few have heard of Yantra – or symbol on which one should ponder to derive knowledge and enlightenment.

In other words, a Yantra is a symbol that is used for the advancement of the mind through realization. So, the Kenpo Yantra is a symbol specifically designed for the advancement and realization of knowledge in Kenpo; i.e. - it is a symbol that should be studied and pondered upon in order to advance one’s understanding of Kenpo.

From this, one can say that the Universal Pattern is a Yantra about Kenpo – and it is. The Universal Pattern is essentially a symbol to represent the study of motion from linear to circular paths and visa versa. So, how is the Kenpo Yantra any different from this? The Kenpo Yantra does not represent the study of motion; rather it represents the concepts, theories, rules, and principles of motion. From one perspective, one could say that the Kenpo Yantra is an opposite of the Universal Pattern. Where the Universal Pattern is a symbol to represent the study of motion – the Kenpo Yantra is a symbol to represent the study of the ideas that define and explain motion.

Ok, so that explains the term Yantra, but why use an Indian term – why not Chinese, Japanese, or American? An Indian term was chosen specifically because India is typically considered the origin of the martial arts. Bodhidarma (Daruma – from the Japanese) traveled to China, from India, in approximately 527 A.D., spreading the Buddhist faith. With him, he also brought a form of martial art that then also spread throughout China and the rest of Asia. So, just as the original Kenpo patch had writing and symbolism from China out of respect and recognition – the Kenpo Yantra uses the term Yantra out of respect and recognition to India.

For a more complete history of the martial arts, please consult SGM Edmund K. Parker’s Infinite Insights Into Kenpo Series – Book I.

Inside the Kenpo Yantra

 The Kenpo Yantra contains numerous figures, shapes, and symbols. It even contains every number and letter in the alphabet. However, a complete description of all the information contained within the Kenpo Yantra would require an entire book by itself. This chapter is meant to serve only as a starting place. It will highlight and expose only a few examples, and hopefully start you on the path to exploring the Kenpo Yantra on your own.

What you should find about the Kenpo Yantra is the following: the more time you spend examining the Kenpo Yantra, the more information you will be able to find within it.

These are just a small sample of some of the concepts, principles, and figures that can be found within the Kenpo Yantra:

Some of the Figures Contained in the Yantra

 Some of the American Kenpo Theories Contained in the Yantra

 Some of the Symbols contained in the Yantra

What Qualifies a Symbol as a Yantra?

 In order to qualify as a yantra, the following figures must be in the symbol:

• Contour
• Bindu
• Triangle
• Star
• Lotus
• Circle
• Square

 

Each of the figures required to qualify as a Yantra