Saturday, September 30, 2006

XMA Form 2

Extreme Martial Arts - XMA - is a blend of martial arts styles with gymnastics and theatrics. Lavallee's has very impressive A & B XMA performance teams. Lavallees has also integrated some XMA-style (without the gymnastics) into core curriculum. This is the context of our XMA forms.

The XMA write-up has four sections: the Youtube video (with a few annotations), a summary of the moves, a detailed write-up, and a few details to focus on.
---------------



-----------------
Summary Version

Kata, XMA 2, bow, turn right
tia - X block up forward, double downward punch (hands open), look left
tia -  hardbow left, chop left, triple punch left (rhythm: chop-punch, pause, punch-punch)
look right, hardbow right, chop right, triple punch right (ditto on rhythm)
punch forward, reach back and shift to back hardbow, double punch forward.

Turn left pushing down with the right, double side kick forward, spin 360, chop forward left, punch forward.

Front kick, skip front kick, spring 360 chop forward again, punch forward onto a knee.
Xblock up, spin 360, spread arms out like wings, fall to the kneee
standup, return to position facing right from the start
tia - face forward, double block down, softbow left, XMA, assaa

----------------------------------------
XMA 2 - Detailed Description

Stand with the legs together, hands at your side. Attitude.

Teicho says: Kata. Kata XMA Form Two, XMA Form Two.
Bow.

Step back with your right leg so that you face sideways while continuing to look forward (now over your left shoulder). Legs shoulder width apart. Arms stiff slightly out from the side. Here you need ALOT of attitude. Long pause.

Tia. Quickly, Right foot steps forward so we're facing forward, legs apart, X block up, double block down with open hands. Tia. Another long pause while you sllowly curl the fingers, start look forward to the left and dishing out a double-helping of attitude. I'm not kidding about this attitude. This extreme martial arts kata (XMA) involve some extreme acting.

Tia. Step forward to the left while chopping left in a reverse hard bow, then punch left with the right hand into a regular hard bow, slight pause, punch left, punch right. tia on each punch.

Now the opposite: stay in the hardbow left, chop and look right. Then hard bow right, punch right, slight pause, left, and right. tia on each punch.

Step forward with the left, punch right pulling the left hand into chamber. You are in a hard bow. Kiyah.

Keeping feet in place, turn back to your right putting both fists behind you (shifting into kindof a backwards hardbow), then double punch forward back into regular hard bow. aieeea

Step forward with the right leg while turning left so that you are standing with your legs together and facing left but looking forward.
Push down with your right hand.
Right side kick forward low, then high, plant the foot next to the other one. Spin left around as in 360 and then left chop forward, right punch, into hard bow.

Right front kick, jump front right kick, landing with your right leg crossed in front of the left. Spin on your right foot 360 again.

Finish 360 by stepping back with the right foot with the arms and hands outspread. In a ballet move, you lower to your left knee with both arms out to the sides. Your look shifts from forward to down and your hands shift from horizontal to the ground.

As your hands touch the ground, look forward and slowly move back to the starting stance where you are facing to the right with both hands in fists down by your side and you are looking over your left shoulder to the front with attitude.

Step forward with your right, double punch down to the side. Kiyah.

Put the right elbow down into the back of the open left hand while lowering a little: XMA form one.

Punch up in the air with the right. asssaaaaaaaae

-------------------------
XMA2 Details. .It's all drama and details....It's a good one for those of us that can't do high kicks or acrobatics and so I really enjoy this one.  So, lets review the details....

X Block over your head : hands are open, fingers tight together, it's slightly in front of the head
Double downward: It's actually a push down with the hands open and ending with them still open with the palms facing the ground and somewhat horizontal (as if you had pushed). During the next few seconds, the fist is slowly made, a finger at a time, while the look intensifies and shifts to the 45 left....
Punch forward, reach back: In the reach back, the forward hardbow is momentarily reversed into a rear hardbow and for a second, you actually look back. The emphasis is on the double front page and return to the forward hard bow.
Double side kick forward, spin 360, chop forward left, punch forward: After the side kicks, plant your right foot and spin off it. When you finish, be sure to plant your left foot forward and to a little off to the left, this gives you a better base for the chop.

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

XMA Form 1

(the video, featuring some juniors, is at the bottom of the page)

Stand with the legs together, hands at your side. A little attitude helps here.
Kata. Kata

XMA Form one, XMA Form one.
Bow.

Step back with your right leg so that you face sideways while continuing to look forward (now over your left shoulder). Legs shoulder width apart. Arms stiff slightly out from the side. Here you need ALOT of attitude.

Right foot steps forward so we're facing forward, legs apart, X block up, looking up.
Then slowly curl the fingers and move arms into a slow double block down.

Now Look left and add a double-helping of attitude.

Step forward to the left while chopping left in a reverse hard bow, then punch left with the right hand into a regular hard bow.

Now do the same to the other side: Stay in the hardbow left, chop right, punch right with the left hand shifting to a hard bow.

Left foot forward, punch forward.

Bring legs together facing Left. But look forward (over right shoulder) and Push down with your right hand.

Right side kick forward, plant the foot next to the other one.
Spin left around 360 and then left chop forward, right punch in hard bow.

Front right kick, another 360 spin, left chop forward, right punch, fall to one knee.

Stand, X block up, double block down.

Put the right elbow down into the back of the open left hand while lowering the body a little: XMA form one.

ASA

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Chuck Form One - professional write-up













Click "Play" to watch the video


Start Position: Set

Chamber Chucks

"Kata, Chuck form one".

Bow

Right leg 45 hard bow
Right arm: circle in, circle out, circle down(inside theigh), circle up, chamber

Left leg 45 hard bow
Left arm: circle in, circle out, circle down(inside thigh), circle up, chamber

Left leg position: left hard bow
Right arm: left hip, circle over, circle up, circle chamber
Back leg front kick, plant hard bow
Both arms: Circle up, circle down, circle up, circle chamber

Shift position right

Right leg position: right hard bow
Left arm: right hip, circle over, circle up, circle chamber
Back leg front kick, plant hard bow
Both arms: Circle up, circle down, circle up, circle chamber

Post (both legs together,chucks chamber)

Right arm: left hip, over, circle up, circle chamber
Left arm: right hip, over, circle up, circle chamber
Circle up

Horse stance right: circle down

Post: circle up

Horse stance left: circle down

Post: circle up, chamber

Bow (drop chucks in full grip)

Position

Monday, August 14, 2006

Three Set Kuma Tai

To start 2011, I'm updating this post from years ago by adding a video of Mr Galindo doing a very impromptu demo for me of the kata. Enjoy.





This is a somewhat confusing kama in which lines of people face each other across the room, do a few moves, run past each other, do some more moves, and then set up facing each other to do a variation on the same. I have seen only a few people do it elegantly (emphasis on the word few). But I have hopes.

So far, my efforts bring smiles (ok, smirks) to the instructor's faces along with comments about knowing my left and right, not trying to kneel and kick with the same leg at once, perhaps trying to land before kneeling etc etc.


Sometimes it starts with a passthrough where the kohai run past with a high five. It's a way to warmup and check that the lanes are clear.

One. Position. Ready. Ready, for one, means:
Face sideways, left side forward, legs together.

Front block down with left hand, right outward block with right hand.
Step forward with the left leg into a horse stance. The right hand in a chop comes across the chest, the left comes up showing knive edge (ie chop) .
Front right kick,s tepping forward, and then run across the floor.

Jumping right knee up, then front kick with left foot.

Land. Put right knee down and punch with the left.

Spin 180 (towards the side with knee down) finishing with back kick up with right foot and looking over your right shoulder (on your knees, hands on the floor).

Two. Position. Ready.

Xblock, step back into knife edge posture...front kick....return to knife edge posture...spining back hook returning to knife edge posture.......
Run across the floor...
jump front right kick finishing with a hardbow right foot forward and left punch out.

Circle kick with back left leg reversing punch.

Three. Position. Ready.

Turn sidesways and two outward blocks so you look like you are showing your muscles.
Slowly right punch into horsestance. Return to knife edge posture.
More running across the floor.
Flying side kick with right leg. Finish with knife edge.

Position.


Details to remember.
Open or closed hands? Many people get confused on whether their hands should be open or closed on different kata. On 3 set kuma tai, it's alot of open knife hands. For instance. on the first one, the left hand is in front open and the right hand is open in chop at chest level.
On the second hand, after the x block, both hands are again open in the same pose as one both before the front kick and then after the front and spin hook kick.
On the third one, after the double block and slow punch, you again hit that same pose with both hands open.

Slight jump to show agility. Although no instructor has mentioned it, there are a few times when you must leave a low posture to start running. For instance, on the third one when you are in a low horse stance. Instead of going directly into a run (which is awkward from a horse stance), it looks better if you start by sort of jumping up a tiny bit and then starting to run. Only my opinion on this one....

XMA Chuck Form One

Position
XMA Chuck Form One

coming soon.....

Eight Count Kicking

Taisha - Position
Class - Position

Taisha - Hands up
Class - Hands up - pull them both up in guard, legs together...

One - Right front kick - tia
Two - Left front kick - tia

Three - right side kick to the right - tia
Four - left side kick to the left - tia

Five - double right roundhouse low, high - tu, tia
Six - double left roundhouse low, high - tu, tia

Seven - heel kick, round house right - tu, tia
Eight - same to the left - tu, tia
Note - a heal cick starts as a side kick but ends with a backwards swing hitting with the heel. The roundhouse follows directly so the leg stays in the air.

Punch both hands down forward into Position,

Wait for taisho,

Then "thank you sir" going into relaxed stance.

This post sponsored by SpellingCity.com - Making kids too smart for spelling tests.

Six Count Kicking



Taisha - Position
Class - Position

Taisha - Hands up
Class - Hands up - pull them both up under the chin

One - Right front kick - tia
Two - Left front kick - tia

Three - right side kick to the right - tia
Four - left side kick to the left - tia

Five - right roundhouse to the right - tia
six - left roundhouse to the left - tia

Punch both hands down forward into a
Position,
Wait for taisho,
Then "thank you sir" going into relaxed stance

Advanced - Front choke Release

Attack - Two hands around your neck from the front

Release
- Grab the thumb of each hand pulling them up and out with your right hand as you step forward kneeing with your right knee and stepping across their body
- With your right hand, reach behind their and pull them forward across the body while you raise your left hand leveraging their face down into your right knee which comes up to their face a few times

tia tia

This site sponsored by the best learning program for Special Needs Learning or child gifted for Homeschool or Enrichment. Also, the best online skate shop

Advanced - Rear choke hold

Attack - From behind, a person grabs your neck with both hands

Release
- Reach up with your left hand across your neck and grab their right hand by the thumb. Hold it tight.
- Step out to the side with your left foot shifting your body so that you can slap with your right hand into the attackers groin.
- With the same hand that slapped, elbow up into the attackers chin
- With your left foot, step forward to the right and step back with the right continuing your rotation
- You left hand continues to hold their hand against your body, your right hand reaches behind their neck and pulls them to follow your rotation
- As they fall forward, knee up into their face and groin a few times.

tia tia

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

White Belt Appreciation Form


This is the very first kata. It's kind of a "pre-kata". None the less, it is hard to learn and hard to do right. The details matter.

The appreciation form forms the basis for Short One and Long One and Three Count Basics and many other advanced drills. When you test for your black belt, the first exercise is....the appreciation form.

Leader - Position
Team - position punching out forward and low with both hands into the "position" stance which has the legs together

Leader - Focus
Team - Focus - Putting right fist in front of you into left open hand with elbow out.

Leader - Horse Stance

Horse Stance (legs wide apart, knees bent) with both hands in fists pulled back into chamber. You stay with your legs in horse stance for the whole exercise.
Horse Stance. Arms in Chamber. 

One - Right inward block, leaving left hand in chamber
Two - Left inward block, pulling right hand back into chamber

Three - Right outward block, pulling left hand in chamber
Four - Left outward block, pulling right hand in chamber

Five - Right upward block, pulling left hand in chamber
Six - Left upward block, pulling right hand in chamber

Seven - Right downward block, pulling left hand in chamber
Eight - Left downward block, pulling right hand in chamber

Focus - Hands back into starting position with elbows out, arms horizontal, and the right fist into the left hand. Be sure to keep the horse stance low. Try not to grimace.

Position - Back to position with legs at shoulder width and two hands punching out & down.

Remember, fast punches, sharp high chambers, low horse stances, totally still between movements, and keep those shoulders square!
This detail is important. Unlike when you sparing, in horse stance, you keep your shoulders squared up at all times!

Congratulations, You are on your way.

Monday, July 10, 2006

Kata chuck form one

Stand with the chucks in each hand, held closed, slightly behind your butt.
(note - a nunchuck or chuck or nunchaku is a pair of 10" wood dowls connected by strings or chains)

Taisho says : "Chamber Chucks"

The kohai: drop a handle of each of the chucks, spin them backwards outside the arms up to the shoulders, then spin once forward outside the arms and catch them under your arms.

kata, kata
chuck form one, chuck form one, bow



Step forward with right leg into hard bow and spin only the right chuck:
- forward, outside arm, inside arm, outside arm, against the inside of thigh
- backwards, outside of arm and over shoulder
- forwards, outside of arm and finish under the arm pit

repeat with left leg forward into hard bow left and using left chuck

step to the left into left hard bow, facing left. With the right chuck:
- spin across the body against your the left side
- double spin from the left across your body striking the right side
- backwards, single spin onto shoulder
- forwards, spin outside of arm and finish under the arm pit

right forward kick into hard bow right with a wide stance and with both chucks:
- backwards, spin outside of arms and up to shoulders
- forwards, outside of arms and between legs
- backwards, outside of arms and over shoulders
- forwards, outside of arms and under arm pits

move right leg pivoting 180 on left so you turn from left to right finishing in hard bow right and strike:
- left chuck to right side
- spin once and to left side
- spin outside of arm and up to shoulder
- spin outside of arms and down under arm

front kick with left leg step forward finishing in wide horse stance and with both chucks:
- spin outside of arms and to shoulders
- spin outside of arms and to inside legs
- spin outside of arms and to shoulders
- spin outside of arms and under arms

step forward to the left (facing north with left leg) and bring right leg up to legs are together
- strike with right chuck to left side
- strike right side
- strike up t shoulder
- spin once outside of arms and into arm pit

Repeat with left chuck

Then both chucks:
- spin outside of arms, inside of arms, outside of arms and up to shoulders
- step right into horsestance spinning outside of arms and inside to legs
- step back to legs together spinning outside of arms and up to shoulder
- step into left horsestance spinning outside of arms and down into legs
- step back into legs together spinning up outside of arms to shoulder
- spin outside of arm and under arms
- bow grabbing both chuck handles into hands, lift right leg up, put it down so that your legs are shoulder width apart
- POSITION

Here's a full speed performance of kamaset..









Click "Play" to watch the video

Ten Count Kicking

The 10 Count kicking exercise is a showcase for those with great kicking skills. For the rest of us, it was a personal challenge which allowed us to focus on developing better technique. In my case, the slow extension side kick was one of my two major sources of anxiety (the other was the spinning hook kicks). After much work, I finally got so I could get thru it with a little pride.



X block facing forward to the left at a 45 degree angle (north west) with hands crossed over the head. Look right.

Karate chop with right to the right (north east), dropping left hand into chamber, side kick to the right (same direction as karate chop), tia, drop both hands so they kinda slap your thigh, and twist your feet so that your body is facing forward to the right, and you are looking forward to the left.

Karate chop with left to the left, (north west), dropping right hand into chamber, side kick to the left...


Total sequence
Side kicks - to right, then left
Round House - to right, then left
Hook back, then round house- to right, then left
slow tension side kick - to right, then left
side, round, round going from low to high - to right, then left

End with positon, bow, slap sides,



.

Kata Bookset

Bookset might be my favorite kata. It's dramatic, doesn't require great kicks or dexterity and has alot of interesting moves and details. There are four videos here: one of an elegant third degree black belt...check out how amazing she is....then, there's an instructional performance by Mr Vince where he talks you through the steps slowly and explaining the details, then  one of me as a green belt (please note, that was a long time ago, I'm better now but people keep asking why there aren't any videos of me so I put that one up), ....And a final one in which Kathy performs. There's also a photo of a good horse stance.
------------------------------------------
Jennifer M making it look elegant and easy!


Taisho -Kata
When you bow, you also bend the knees slightly.

Others - Kata, showing right fist by rotating it up in front of the chest (like its a weapon)
Taisho - Bookset
Others - Bookset, covering right fist with left open hand (as if we were covering the weapon), turning it forward and down, bowing, aheasa

Mr. Vince explaining each and every move!




the end of the bow, the two hands are pulled back to the right side with the right handle in chamber and the left hand resting on it. The hands are in the catstance position (but the legs are together slightly bent at the knees.




Look left, karate chop to the left, tia
Pull left hand back to your side putting the hand in a claw-like posture (kewsal? quesqu? - I'm looking for info on the name and significance of this hand position) and then with slow tension push it forward saying "ehhhhh" as you go.

Then, punch forward with right pulling left back into chamber, tia, look right, karate chop right, tia, then putting the hand into claw, pull it back to your side and push it forward saying "ehhhhh" as you go.



punch forward left, pulling right into chamber
punch forward right, pulling left into chamber
right backfist forward, aheasa

Pull your hands into chamber.
Work your feet from together to at least shoulder length apart by doing a toe,heal, toe

double hands down and cross (X block down - crossing hands in front of groin with hands like karate chops) - tia
Xblock up - tia
bring hands down to chest level keeping them close to the body, then double chop spreading arms wide - tia
with slow tension pull then in, then forward, pull right hand down into chamber.

Heres three punches forward as follows:
look forward up, punch forward and up with right
look forward, punch forward with left,
look forward down, punch down with right, aheasa

Here's two odd slow tension hand movements forward with steps and punches as follows:
look forward, step forward with left leg into horsestance pull right hand back to chamber, put left hand into kewsal claw position placing it on the right side of your neck, swing your left hand forward to where its way in front of you, pull it back to chamber punching with your right, shifting into hard bow forward (back leg straight, front leg bent)

then, put your left hand in knife hand position reaching under your right arm pit. Step forward with the right foot with the right foot pointed out to the right while bringing your left knife hand forward and pulling your right into chamber. Step forward with left into horse stance, then shift to hardbow while punching again with the right and pulling left back into chamber.

step back with the right left foot into a sideways-facing horsestanc e while striking forward with the right elbow (hitting it onto your open left hand)

step up to feet together while still facing left with the body but looking forward and chopping forward with with the right.

side kick forward, left punch forward falling into left knee down, right knee up.

Step back into horsestance with the right foot back with a left downward block - tia
Then punch right.

Repeat other way: Step back into horsestance with the left foot back with a right downward block - tia
then punch left



catstance but with legs together and right hand ontop of left in chamber
rolling back fist to the right with the right
punch with left hand to right pulling left into chamber

small adjustment step back with the left foot as you chop forward with the left shifting to a hardbow right

punch forward right (hardbow to the left)
punch forward left (hardbow to the right)
kick with the left leg finishing in a dramatic hard bow to the left with the right punch forward. pause.

push off your bent left leg for a big circle set to the right

hand in fist, bow, double punch forward into position stepping leg into shoulder width apart.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Rear choke hold

Grab - A person grabs your neck with both hands from behind

Release

- Clasp your hands in front of you around waiste height
- Raise both arms leading with the right elbow so that it is higher than the hands around your neck
- With your left foot, step forward towards the right (preparing to face your attacker)

- Continue to rotate to the right and when your attackants arms are under your arm (actually arm pit), hit down with your right elbow which breaks their grip - tia
- Pull your right elbow back up towards the left (this reverses your rotation) hitting the attacker in the jaw - tia
- Step back with your right foot, backfisting their face with your right hand as you settle into a ready stance. tia

Kama Set

This is the first kata with kamas (the sticks with blades). The kamas are fun since they are flashy and easy to handle (unlike those bloody chucks that keep swerving into tender parts of me at strange angles with surprising momentum).

A distinguishing feature of the kata is that it requires a pair of spinning back hook kicks which is a challenge for many brown belts.

OK. Just one more interesting point before we start. All of our weapons are the ones that peasants trained on during a period when they were forbidden to have weapons. So they trained with common farm implements. The kamas are basically scyths or harvesting instruments.



Below are some kama set demos. A newly done one (11/2009) by Mr Mike Sweeny where he performs it slowly. The second one is Jennifer performing at normal speed. The one lowest on the page is an old testing demo. The Kama Set is from Taekwondo as is kama set two. Want more info on how our system blends different martial arts traditions?



Mr Sweeny works from dawn to dusk and sometimes, his voice gets hoarse. Osu Mr. Mike.


This second one is of Jennifer which I found on YouTube, I think it posted by Christine Fingado who is one impressive kohai.

Kamaset Slow Instructional Video by Mr. Vince



Kamaset Full Speed Video by Mr. Vince



KamaSet Write-up

"Kata""Kama set"
Bow "Osu"

Hard bow left - Right hand punchHard bow right- Left hand punch

Circle set

Horse stance left- Both hands in mantis position right hand about shoulder level left hand parallel.
Cross stance- Right hand throat strike, left hand guard
Back leg front kick
Left hand v-cut, right hand v-cut, stomp and lower stance.

Horse stance right- Both hands in mantis position left hand about shoulder level right hand parallel.
Cross stance- Left hand throat strike, right hand guard
Back leg front kick
Right hand v-cut, left hand v-cut, stomp and lower stance.

Horse stance foreward- Both hands in mantis position right hand about shoulder level left hand parallel.
Right hand throat strike, left hand in guard
Back leg front kick, skip front kick, double back stirike (cross stance)

Horse stance back- Right hand in guard, left hand horizontal stab
Right hand throat strike
Back leg front kick, cross step, flying side kick
Plant horse stance, matis position.

Hands come across face to foreward horse stance
Mantis position, slide up round house, spink hook kick
Right hand guard, left hand horizontal stab
Spin hook, drop side kick
Spin up right, sezah one, left hand throat strike right hand guard

Circle set
Hard bow left
"USA!" v-cut foreward with right
Soft bow right
"USA!" v-cut foreward with left (added 2009)
"Black Belt Champions!"
left hand stab, right hand guard
Boot check "Asah!" Double back strike (relax stance)

Circle set,

Bow,

Courtesy.

KamaSet Summarized Writeup

With your kamas pointed down at your side...
kata - kata
kama set - kama set

bow

facing forward - punch left, punch right, circle set, position
turn left - right cut in, right front kick, left cut in/out, right cut/in out with stamp
facing right (do 180) do the same - left cut in, left front kick, right cut in/out, left cut in/out
face forward - right front kick, right skipping front kick finishing on right leg bent, left crossed behind
face backward (do 180) - side kick, two steps, (flying) side kick finishing in horse
face forward (do 180) - left forward side kick, spin clockwise 360 +180 to do a right spinning hook kick forward, finishing on ground, facing back, kicking up
finish by turning another 180

Kempo Kata Short One

The Kenpo Kata Short One uses the same sequence of blocks as the White Belt Appreciation Form (inward, outward, upward, downward).

Instead of staying still, you take crescent steps between the horse stances. Below is a video of Kathy on Short One, and a few notes on what to focus on. Enjoy learning it.



You will practice Short One  over and over. And over. It's likely you will perform Short One at every belt tests along the way including  the one for your black belt. And your second degree.

Hint: There's a big difference between doing it, and doing it well!  So, frame it in (ie learn the basic steps) and then start focusing on the details. Try to adopt the mentality that you've started a long and satisfying journey of understanding and mastering the art. The trip can last a lifetime. How energetic are your movements? How crisp is your push pull? How perfect is your balance?  How dramatic your presentation? How pure is  your focus?  Enjoy it.  I do. I've been working it now for 8 years and I'm pleased with my progress and the challenges ahead.

Taisho (the leader) says: Position,
Team echoes back: Position -

Taisho - Kempo Kata
Others - Kempo Kata, showing right fist by rotating it up in front of the chest (like it's a weapon)
Taisho - Short Two
Others - Short Two, covering right fist with left open hand (as if we were covering the weapon), turning it forward and down, bowing

Step right (still facing forward or north) into horse stance with hands in chamber.

This kata will basically be your four basic blocks, each done twice, in the same sequence as the white belt appreciation form while moving your horsestance around. One way of thinking of it is you are going to:

- block two punching attacks from the north with inward blocks, then you turn your head and see the attack from your left and yell, kiaa

- block two punching attacks from the west (left) with outward blocks, then you turn your head and see the attack from over your left shoulder and yell, kiaa
- block two attacks from the east (behind you) with upwards blocks, then you turn your head and see the attack from the right and yell, kiaa

- block two kicking attacks from the south (your right) with your downwards blocks, then you turn your head and see the finish, kiaa
- return to start position and bow out.

OK - back to the details of the form - From the horse stance with your arms in chamber, step back with left foot staying in horsestance while doing an inward block with the right hand. (as if you were blocking a punch) Tia .

(same on other side) Step back with right foot staying in horsestance while doing an inward block with the left hand and putting your left hand into chamber. Tia

Look over your left shoulder (to see the new attacker) kiaa

Turn to your left by stepping with your rear right foot and pivoting on your forward left foot and doing an outward block with the left hand. Step back with your left foot doing an inward block with your right.

Look backwards over your left shoulder (to see the attacker). Move your right back foot in adjustment step so that you are now facing the other way and do an upward left block. Step back and do an upwards right block. Look right.
Turn right by moving your back left leg while doing a right downwards block with the right. Step back and do a left downwards block.

Look behind you over your right shoulder and return to the starting direction while pulling your hands back into chamber with aieeesa. Finish by standing up by bringing in your left leg, showing the kenpo salute (left hand over right fist) and then go to position by stepping to the right (double punch forward and low). T set while stepping back to the right so legs are together. Bow and done.

Notes of what to focus on:
  1. Maintain great horse stances.
  2. Do not raise and lower your level through the kata. Keep your head at the same height as you move around.
  3. Make sure you hit each stance and stay in it for a second before moving on to the next. Even when the pace is very fast, it's important to freeze for a moment in each position.
  4. After each pair of blocks, be sure to turn your head towards the new direction as if you are looking and seeing a new attacker. The idea behind the kata is that you are defending yourself from attacks from each direction. This is why you look in the direction, as if to see a new attacker, before you turn to defend yourself.
  5. Each and every block should be very intense, a showcase.
Kenpo vs Kempo - What's the difference? Best I can tell nothing. Both are transliterations from Chinese. Remember that the capital city of China has been translated as various times as Peking, Beijing, and Peping into English because we do not have the same sounds (phonemes) in English as they have in Chinese. So we pick the closest sounds in English to correspond to the Chinese. Apparently, the sound in Chinese is something close to an n or m sound.

Kempo Kata Long One

Taisho - Kempo Kata
Others - Kempo Kata, showing right fist (assume we always start by looking North or forward)
Taisho - Long One
Others - Long One, covering right fist with left hand, turning it forward and down, bowing

This kata is much like short one but after each block there is a punch and then a second block. There are no pauses until the end. This kata was updated in 2007 primarily by the addition of the head turn after each pair of blocks.




1 step left into horsestance and arms in chamber


2 step backward with left foot into horsestance with inward block with the right hand, then punch with the left switching to a hard bow. Then back to horse stance with a second inward block with the right hand.


3 Repeat 2 with the right step back and left inward, right punch, left inward block

Hard Bow Stance
Notice the straight back leg, the rear heel is down.
Note that the Body is vertical, not leaning forward


4 look left, outward, punch, outward


5 outward, punch, outward,


6 look over your left shoulder, turn, up, punch, upward block


7 upward block, punch, upward block


8 look right, right downward block, punch, block


9 downward block, punch,


10 turn, face front saying aheasa going into deep horse stance stand up, raise fist, cover fist, step right to shoulder length apart and punch forward into position, aheasa