SLAYER NEWS About Dragon Kenpo Karate
How are we doin'? by Coach Ron Pfeiffer
Iron Hand Training, Gu Fu Method by Matt Williams
Summary of Dragon Kenpo by Steve Amoia
Closing Comments
TIS THE SEASON
Another holiday season and another Christmas challenge from Coach Pfeifer. For the past three Christmas's the World Dragon Kenpo Karate Club has had their usual promotional exams as well as their Adopt a Family Project. This year was little different. This year Coach Pfeifer planned an overnight bash that just kept getting better as the night went on. It all started with exams followed by volleyball, a pizza party, swimming, a late night movie, and then lights out.
Coach Pfeifer asked us to go to Love Inc to adopt a family. Love Incorporated is a wonderful place in Burlington Wisconsin that has an Adopt-A-Family program. This program allows groups to use their resources to provide holiday assistance to low income families who are facing hardships and challenges of their own. This worthy holiday program provides gifts and other needed items to families with minor children in our area.
The parents and students arrived at the YMCA for the promotional exams with their arms full of gifts. At the beginning of the interview process of the exams Coach Pfeifer issued his challenge for anyone to match his $20.00 donation for this family. This years family consisted of a mom, dad, and three girls. The family had to go from two incomes down to one due to the moms respiratory problems. Due to the many wonderful and generous donations from our group we were able to give approximately $600 worth of gifts to our family; $125 gift certificate for horseback riding, 4-slice toaster, an electric griddle, P.J.'s/clothes for mom and dad and of course all the toys, C.D.'s, D.V.D.'s and goodies the girls were wishing for.
Our Dragon Kenpo group has come through year after year for these struggling families. This program allows our students to see how fortunate they are and how they can help the less fortunate in our community. Karate is not just about defending ourselves, but also about defending others. When someone is pushed down we must help them up when we can. Thankfully our Dragon Kenpo group understands this and it makes for a wonderful group of people when we gather. You should have seen the last potluck dinner we had. Due to everyone's generosity we ate like royalty. Friends have been made, families joined, and hearts opened due to the wonderful program led by Coach Pfeifer and his staff; Jeff Hansen, Ken Hansen, and his son Ronny Pfeifer (who not only is a wonderful role model in class for the younger students, but also is the groups go-fer and he does it with a smile). We’d just like to take this opportunity to thank all of them for showing us that life is not just about ourselves, but others too. None of us knew that when we signed our children up for karate that we not only would receive fantastic self defense skills, but also fantastic lessons in life.
Sincerely,
Tim & Maria Starck
Iron Hand Training: Gungfu Method
INTRODUCTION
Dating back to the origins of Martial Arts, the conditioning and strengthening of the hands has been emphasized in most all disciplines internationally. From Karate to Gungfu, Muay Thai to MMA, practitioners have been setting routines not only to improve their forms, strikes and defenses, but also to improve the striking surface most commonly, the hands. The term Iron Hand (or Iron Palm) refers to the Gungfu method of strengthening the fingers, palms, wrists, backhand and forehand to a hardness and consistency comparable to iron. This set of routines helps to increase striking power, defensive strength, and dexterity of the hands, without altering the physical appearance of the hands, fingers, and other associated areas. Iron Hand training in itself should not be regarded as a martial art, but as a key component to add to martial arts practice, as merely strengthening the hands to the consistency of iron is not a method of self-defense, or self-preservation. Possessing knuckles as durable and reinforced as a sledgehammer is quite pointless without the knowledge and ability to effectively utilize those knuckles for self-defense or self-preservation. Conjointly, it is in the belief of the author that attaining a high level of striking knowledge should not be considered sufficient without a strong and durable surface with which to strike. Many people consider that in today's civilization, conditioning the hands in this way, or practicing martial arts in general, to be altogether unnecessary due to the relatively low probability of physical combat situations. People fear the possible damage sustained to the hands during improper training, yet do not consider the likeliness of hand-damage during a physical altercation, after striking an opponent to the head for example. The probability of one being involved in physical combat is relatively low, but not non-existent. It is of the author's opinion that one should always strive to be prepared, regardless of the situation, that is true knowledge.
DIT DA JOW
As with many martial arts systems, throughout the years there has been an increasing concern that taking practice in Iron Hand training has many potentially negative side-effects. However, it should be noted that the development of arthritis, and the deterioration of the joints and sinew has been directly related to the lack of use, or misuse of conditioning formulae, or other training material. Interestingly, perhaps the most significant aspect of ones Iron Hand conditioning is not the hands physical contact with a striking surface. The application of a liniment known within the Chinese martial arts and herbal medications communities as Dit Da Jow is far more beneficial on it's own than merely striking blocks, boards or bags alone. Dit Da Jow, depending on the source and formula, can be used to increase chi/ki cultivation, strengthen muscle fibres, tendon, sinew, ligaments, bones, fingernails, and skin, as well as for building healing properties in the applied region. It has been regarded also that the use of this medicinal recipe is not only effective for Iron Hand conditioning purposes, but may also be used as a natural treatment for arthritis, osteoperosis, and also for the expedient healing of bruising, bone fracture, as well as for muscle and tendon pulls or tears.
It is in the opinion of the author that Dit Da Jow must be applied as directed every time a practitioner of Iron Hand trains. Failure to do so could cause severe side-effects including, but not limited to bruising, sprains, fractures, muscle pulls, and may eventually lead to arthritis or other joint and bone diseases. In application, Dit Da Jow must be used before the beginning of each exercise, and following each exercise. The Jow should be poured into a cupped palm, and rubbed vigorously into both hands and wrists, ensuring total coverage. The rubbing should not cease prior to 30 seconds. It cannot be emphasized enough that complete coverage is essential to using the Jow, as any unmasked areas will not receive the full medication found within the Jow. When rubbing, be sure to use quick, firm strokes, warming the hands as you spread the Jow across the intended areas. With continued use of a superior Dit Da Jow formula, you will not only notice that your hands will begin to feel more solid and that you will be less susceptible to bruising and cutting, but your skin will also become much more smooth, and less rugged. If your hands are naturally rough, it will be that much more noticeable.
TRAINING BAGS
Much like a boxer uses a heavy bag to increase the throwing-power of his punches Iron Hand practitioners use training bags to increase the strength of their strikes. In most cases, there are a variety of bag-types, ranging from novice to expert practice construction.
Beginners: These canvas bags are traditionally filled with Mung Bean and sometimes Rice (though not normally). It is generally regarded within the Iron Hand community that as you strike the bag, Mung Bean will be broken down into dust, and be released in small amounts. The pores of the hand will absorb small amounts of this and assist in strengthening and conditioning the hand and skin, in conjunction with Dit Da Jow liniment. A well-constructed, hand-made beginners training bag should not retail for more than $20.
Intermediate: The next level bags come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavours. Many come with smooth river rocks, others with gravel or sand. The ones I found to be most effective were a simple combination of herbs, and gravel. If you choose to use a gravel-filled training bag, if not purchasing through Mr. Benefield at ironpalmarts.com, I recommend you inquire as to their cleaning process, as an uncleaned shovel full of gravel will release contaminants into your hands as you strike down. Other medicines that may be contained will undoubtedly claim to increase strength and dexterity in the hands, as well as aid in restoration of the hands after training, etc.. These bags should also not sell for more than $20.
Advanced: The third level training bags are also made of canvas, and normally contain steel shot, and your typical herbal mixture. As such, these are generally far more expensive than your beginner, and intermediate training bags. Advanced level striking bags can cost anywhere up to $100 though you should not spend more than $80.
If you are ever curious about the Chinese herbal medications inside your striking bag, and would like to know the healing qualities they contain, visit alternativehealing.com Chinese herb dictionary, as they have a wide variety of medicines you might find to be common within your Iron Hand training.
PRACTICE
When practicing Iron Hand training, always ensure that you are not STRIKING your training surface, but rather dropping your hand onto it using gravity as your force. Drop your hand from about chest height, landing on the training bag placed at about waist height. Your training bag should be placed atop of either a cinderblock, or other large and smooth rock-surface. Unpolished granite works best, however is usually quite expensive, thus a simple series of cinders is very effective, both in practice and cost. One should refrain from the use of cement slabs (patio-stones) as they become too delicate over time, which could potentially cause confusion as to a students own abilities.
When performing your routine, the first step is dropping the hand onto your training bag, placed on your striking surface. The second step is to then remove the training bag, and have a folded towel take its place. A hand-towel serves this purpose best, folded twice to ensure both that it is not too thick so as to not provide density in your hand-dropping, as well as to not be as dense as the stone which would hinder your training as well. Breathing should also be taken into consideration as an essential part of iron hand training. Always ensure that your tongue is placed at the roof of the mouth (palette), and that with each hand-drop you exhale through the nostrils. This practice will ensure that the Chi-flow is properly kept steady, and also promotes proper cultivation of Chi. Additionally, it is important that one does not hastily race through the routine, as hastened breathing has its own adverse effects. Always remember to shake the hand lightly after each exercise, exhaling slowly and deeply prior to applying Dit Da Jow. Finally, it has also been highly regarded as useful to strike a heavy bag using your fist, backhand, knife edge, claw, phoenix eye, and palm strikes after utilizing the Iron Hand striking bag. Doing so will further assist you in attaining your goals within this practice.
COMMENTS
In my personal experience, I have encountered many individuals that claim to offer Iron Hand training in the form of a 200-page manual, and even offer cheap solutions to the usually stated as drastically overpriced medicinal herbs and formulae you purchase from true practitioners of Chinese medicine, and Iron Hand Gungfu routines. In late 2003 I had the pleasure of meeting an individual named Chase Benefield, a long-time practitioner of Iron Hand arts. A well educated man in the field of both Iron Hand and Chinese herbal remedies and medicines, Chase at this time was just in the process of starting his own e-business to supplement his current offline sales of Chinese remedies, relative to the practice of Iron Hand. His website at www.ironpalmarts.com has been my only source for Iron Hand related herbs and liniments since. I have tried a variety of liniments and herbs from sources claiming to be the greatest in some form or another, and just plainly ended up wasting my money. With honesty and certainty, I can say that his liniments are very well priced for the quality of product received.
As for your own personal training, if you ever have any questions, you may feel free to contact me via email at nimpact at rogers dot com. Always remember, if you are practicing Iron Hand correctly, you will feel the difference not only during strike practice, but also simply every time you clench your fists. One should NOT find it necessary to break bricks, boards, or other objects simply to find if their hands are strong enough, or for demonstration purposes. Remember, you may be able to break a board, but as Mr. Bruce Lee once said, "Boards don't hit back.".
Matt Williams WDK
Indiana WDK Tai Chi participants are, left to right, Gordon Moffett, Tracy Robertson, Roberta Gregory, Sara Gregory, Beverly Snawder, Mike Gregory, Barbara Bunuan, Jim Shelton, Jacob Patus, Jim Patus. Not pictured but attending two or more sessions are Jackie Baker and Levois Davis. Build It and They Will Come
By
Jim Patus
Our Dragon Kenpo training group at Ivy Tech Community College in Sellersburg Indiana got beyond the training partner phase in 2005. A good venue for the group has always been a problem. Our college has grown to the point that there is seldom an empty room at any time of the day or night. We found a nice wide hallway that worked well for a while but the space was soon encroached upon by computer kiosks for student use and later by a coffee vendor. It looked bleak for a while but the coffee vendor retired to the student lounge leaving us with a reasonable space for a half dozen Kenpo enthusiasts. At this point I backed off on promoting the group to Ivy Tech students because we just didn't have the space.
Coach Pfeiffer has been actively promoting Dr. Paul Lam's Tai Chi curriculum. Classes for the semester ended at Ivy Tech in finals were over by mid-December. The college was open but there were no classes. Our Dragon Kenpo group could not meet at its usual Saturday time because the college was closed on weekends during the winter break. I thought that this was a perfect opportunity to see if there was any interest in Tai Chi. I sent out an email to all faculty and staff to see if there was any interest. I really didn't expect any response. I got several responses. We scheduled six sessions at noon on weekdays. Most of those expressing an interest had some previous experience in yoga or martial arts. One had even had a Tai Chi class. A total of twelve people were involved for two or more of the six sessions. Given the overall experience of the group I treated it as a crash course to get everyone up to speed on the basics.
This semester I will be working primarily with the same group for twelve weeks using Dr. Lam's curriculum and methodology. We have a session scheduled on Tuesday evenings and a duplicate session on Saturdays preceding our Kenpo training session. My goal for the twelve weeks is to get the group through the six basic and six advanced movements of Tai Chi for Arthritis (both directions). At the end of the twelve weeks I hope to start another group on Tai Chi for Arthritis and have the existing group go on to another one of Dr, Lam's introductory programs such as Tai Chi for Beginners, Tai Chi for Health, or Tai Chi for Arthritis II. Eventually we may have a group moving on to the 24 Forms.
We have already experience an invigoration of our Kenpo program. A couple of Tai Chi participants have started attending both sessions. Currently it seems that Tai Chi is easier to promote than Kenpo, at least at our location. I'm hoping to get a lot of cross training between the two groups.
So, if space is a problem, how are we going to handle the anticipated growth? We have been practicing in a very conspicuous space and have been noticed. The college Directory of Community Services has invited us to share a new 800 square foot room. We may use the space if we continue to offer our programs and bill them as community service. (What a deal!) They will help us advertise our programs and growth is almost guaranteed. We also have plans for an outreach Tai Chi program at a nearby housing facility for elderly and disabled individuals.
I will propose to the college that we offer community service courses in Tai Chi and self-defense. The introductory Tai Chi sessions will cover the 12 forms of Tai Chi for Arthritis and the introductory self-defense sessions will cover the World Dragon Kenpo white belt techniques (similar to Coach Pfeiffer's program at UWP). These sessions will run for one semester and be offered every semester gratis. Those wishing to continue in Tai Chi, Kenpo, Traditional Karate, or Okinawan weapons may do so in one of the following ways: Students may continue at no charge if they join a student martial arts club, which we will create. Members of the community may sign up for a continuing education course whose sessions are concurrent with the club sessions. Faculty, staff, and their families receive a waiver of fees for continuing education classes.
In traditional martial arts study, belt levels begin at white, and progressively become darker to the rank of red, which signifies an instructor. A belt ranking in Dragon Kenpo refers to an exposure to various teachings and specific self-defense techniques; however, the ranking does not signify a mastery of the concepts. Dragon Kenpo is a flexible self-defense system that challenges the mind and body, and encourages each student to master himself.
Law of the Fist
Kenpo, which derives from the Japanese word Kempo, means Law of the Fist. Dragon Kenpo traces its roots from the original Kenpo, which originated in the Shaolin monasteries of Northern China. Kenpo was brought to Japan from China in the 17th century. After many modifications, the martial art became known as Kosho ryu Kempo, or the Old Pine Tree school. Most modern forms of Kenpo trace their roots to this school. In 1916, a native of Hawaii, James Mitose, was sent by his parents to study the ancestral arts of self-defense. He studied for fifteen years in Kyushu, Japan, and then returned to Hawaii to share his knowledge and wisdom. In 1936, Mr. Mitose opened his first dojo, or training facility, in Honolulu. He named his dojo the "Official Self-Defense Club."
One of Mr. Mitose's students was William K.S. Chow, who had studied kung fu for several years. Mr. Chow drew upon his previous kung fu teachings, along with the new knowledge gained from Mr. Mitose, to form a new art called Kara-Ho Kenpo. In 1949, Mr. Chow opened his first dojo at a local YMCA. To reinforce the unique nature of his teachings, he called his art “Kenpo” Karate, which represented a departure from the accepted spelling of the word “Kempo.”
It was at Mr. Chow's dojo where a young man would study and become one of the most significant proponents of Kenpo. In 1954, Mr. Edmund Parker earned his black belt in Kara-Ho Kenpo. Mr. Parker introduced many innovations to the art, and later taught celebrities such as Elvis Presley. His teachings are referred to as Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate.
Founder of Dragon Kenpo
Dragon Kenpo was founded in 1992 by Mr. Ed Hutchison, and was recognized by the United Kenpo Karate Association. Mr. Hutchison, who was a former police officer, holds a 4th degree black belt in American Kenpo, along with a Red Sash in Shaolin Kung Fu. He produced and promoted a home study video tape series of his self-defense system. This video tape series was analyzed in a detailed research study in 1997 by Professor Bobby Newman of Queens College. Dr. Newman concluded that "…The current results indicate that subjects who study well-made martial arts instruction tapes will be able to learn the techniques as efficiently as from an instructor."
The Path of Dragon Kenpo
Kenpo is a Do, which in Buddhist Zen teachings represents a path towards enlightenment. Kenpo is a method of self-defense, but more importantly, it is an art that centralizes the body with the mind. Those who study the art of kenpo not only become masters of fighting, but also masters of themselves.
Dragon Kenpo builds upon Mr. Ed Parker's tailoring principle, which states that a student learns by their own abilities. In essence, every student creates their own unique art form. Dragon Kenpo strives to enhance the talents of each student, and to expand their personal development.
Reference Source
Original Dragon Kenpo Academy Training Materials.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu: www.kimsoft.com/polwar.htm.
Lee Bachman: www.leebachman.com.
Dragon Kenpo by Matt Williams: http://www.myspace.com/dragonkenpo.
Motion Kenpo Studio by Doug Turner: http://www.motionkenpo.info/.
World Dragon Kenpo Schools of Self-Defense: http://www.dragonkenpo.us. An online resource and distance learning site managed by Coach Ron Pfeiffer.
Suggested Reading
Lee Bachman: Kenpo Foundations.
David Carradine: Spirit of Shaolin.
Bruce Lee: Fighting Method Series.
Bruce Lee: The Tao of Jeet Kune Do.
Edmund Parker: Infinite Insights into Kenpo Series.
Inspirational Quotes
"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." Muhammad Ali
"Like a novel, when you read your opponent's preface, you will understand your opponent's overall limitations." Lee Bachman
"One important aspect of proficiency in kung fu and in all phases of life is purposefulness. The ability to act deliberately rather than arbitrarily. Most of us spend our lives in a random fashion, reacting to stimuli without thinking, as though we were chemicals in a compound, instead of creatures of free will." David Carradine
"Pity the student who does not surpass his master." Leonardo Da Vinci
"The soul that is within me no man can degrade." Frederick Douglass
"First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win." Mahatma Mohandas Ghandi
"Your enemy can teach you to be a better person." His Holiness, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama.
"The difference between an ordinary punch and a knockout punch is emotional content." Ed Hutchison
"We must combine the toughness of the serpent with the softness of the dove. A tough mind and a tender heart." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Our sense of power is more vivid when we break a man's spirit than when we win his heart, for we can win a man's heart one day and lose it the next. But when we break a proud spirit, we achieve something that is final and absolute." Bruce Lee
"I don't hold a belt. A belt holds up my pants." Bruce Lee
"I learned that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, be he who conquers that fear." Nelson Mandela
Closing Comments by Coach Pfeiffer
Do you want to see improvements in this publication over the next year? Send in your ideas! Feedback is important! Let us know what you would like to hear about!
If you have an article that you would like to submit email any staff member. Comments and questions are welcome too.
All Student/Instructor members are reminded that advancement and promotion are not automatic. Contact Coach Pfeiffer or your local instructor if you have questions or to request advancement information.
Is your school having an event? Let the Dragon Kenpo community know by placing it in the Slayer News! We are here to help you and your students get the most out of your training...
Please remember to keep your information updated so that the World Dragon Kenpo Schools of Self Defense can serve you in the best way possible!
We welcome and encourage biographies and article submissions from our membership. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind.
1. Single space.
2. Please use only one space after sentences.
3. Use paragraph breaks instead of one long passage.
4. Please proofread your submissions for typos.
5. WDK reserves the right to edit all submissions for clarity and proper usage.
6. Please submit with an MS Word document.
7. If you would like to list your web site or email address, please include them at the end of your article or biography.
WDK retains the copyright to any submitted material; however, you maintain redistribution rights to your work. We would appreciate acknowledgement that your article was initially published in Slayer News.
