What Is, and Why An Index?
To execute certain movements anatomically correct, the body must move through specific “indexes” to recruit/disassociate muscle groups, bone structure, and other tissues for maximum performance. This process involves what appears to be in the beginning often exaggerated movements. However, this part of the training process of the body, and even the movements that appear to be overly elongated have a significant purpose in execution in and of themselves.
In fact, this methodology, in the beginning, is not only equally as fast, but affords maximum effectiveness in strength, power, and structural integrity for beginning students and therefore instills confidence in their execution. Even more important, as the movements are learned and hard synaptic pathways created, the movements began to move more toward the internal, and the “indexes” become smaller when necessary and less obvious in some executions.
This is one of the major confusions created in Modern Kenpo-Karate because students would “watch” Mr. Parker and attempt to mimic his movements in some cases, without any clear understanding of what they were observing.
In the beginning, you must first learn the Phonetics of proper movement (not motion) or Index. Then, you learn the alphabet for Singular Execution. Followed by learning to execute through the Index to perform the alphabet or Printing. Eventually, over time the Printing becomes smaller and more consistent. From there you physically move into the Cursive Stage where your Printing movements begin to round the corners and start to flow as you learn the rudiments of Writing. But like anyone new to writing, the rounded corners are once again exaggerated as you continue to recruit all of the necessary anatomical groups and principles for maximum effect as your efficiency improves. Ultimately the writing becomes a Scripted movement and flows effortlessly.
With Scripted Movement you know what you are going to execute and what you need to do to make it happen with an Assumption of Success because of the knowledge contained therein. This is a philosophically different approach from learning Motion, which for some operates under an Assumption of Failure approach perspective and because motion is an abstract concept that can only be taught through mimicry.
Finally, some movements become natural Shorthand. When you reach this level of execution, these movements are now so internalized; the body internally configures itself with little external movement or effort to reach the same level of efficiency.
However, without the external movement of training over time, the internal energy sometimes described as “chi,” cannot be obtained. This why there is no “chi” in Motion teaching and why Mr. Parker emphasized, “Let Time be your measure to skill and knowledge.”
This methodology is not something new and I did not invent it. It is only new to those who study motions sans an understanding of human anatomy and body mechanics that eliminates long term mechanical efficiency for personal preference execution. A method that is still quite effective when modeled by an effective knowledgeable teacher, but a step below what is seen in modern-day coaching of athletics.
This is the method I was taught by Sifu Ark Wong and Mr. Parker and is Ed Parker’s old Chinese Kenpo Teachings updated to modern training methods and understandings and reflect Mr. Parker’s own personal methods of execution that were never transferred to his branded Kenpo Karate because it is labor-intensive from the teacher’s perspective, requiring a teacher who is more focused on the method of execution over the immediate short-term results. Both can be effective, while the latter is effective and creates longevity in the practitioner as well. Mr. Parker’s evolution is well documented on film/video and to the discerning many of the things not taught or even mentioned are demonstrated when you know what to look for.
I have been accused of suggesting somehow that I was given “secret information” from Mr. Parker. (We’ve heard that one before right!). This is not secret information, but simply info that wasn’t used or fully developed in the arts. Beginning after the original Kenpo Karate of Chow, and during the Chinese Kenpo phase, only to be sidelined for the creation of the branded Modern Kenpo out of necessity, but still being developed personally by Mr. Parker with his son. A viewing of Ed Parker Sr. on film and video will clearly show all of these same stages of development as he grew and evolved over the years.
The problem is Modern Kenpo students began observing Mr. Parker in the later stages of his personal development before he passed and mistakenly presumed his Shorthand Movements would yield them the same efficiency. The problem is their Shorthand movements lack the foundation and time necessary for proper inculcation into the body memory to support the function.
The proper stages of learning and subsequent execution may not be cut short for expedient or personal preference applications. Where Tailoring is a major component of Modern Kenpo in the Parker Lineage, this methodology doesn’t apply along with a plethora of other hard principles, over and above the conceptually based vehicle that it is by design.
Instructors from other more traditional Chinese styles, as well as others already know this, and it would not be considered anything special. A simple Discussion with GM Douglas Wong or Dr. Carl Totton could clear that up quickly. They may not express it the same way, but there is a reason these arts are “forms” based on, what appears to be, exaggerated movements. However, when you look at knowledgeable and seasoned instructors, they seem to accomplish a lot with very little movement.
Once again, this is not secret information but may appear to be if you study a style, any style, that excludes this type of training for expeditious appeal. Instructors of lesser skill and knowledge suggest this but in reality, to call something a secret suggests there is information being withheld when it is not.
At this level, the focus is on the mechanics of what you do with the aim being ultimate function and longevity. Modern Kenpo is satisfied with the results, Old School Chinese Kenpo/Chúan-Fa wants more than immediate results. It demands structure and longevity and only teachers with knowledge will Tailor for you.
In other words, Old School Chinese Training. When you observe the videos on the net, you begin to understand why some look the way they do. It isn’t all bad instruction. Some of it is the flawed vehicle that lesser instructors cannot raise to a higher level of efficiency because of their own lack of knowledge, not present in the vehicle they have chosen. While many things may be extrapolated from the vehicle, it still has a functional ceiling because of the inherent knowledge necessary to be a successful teacher.
In real life, there are always tradeoffs. You can go to a “trade school” and get a “certificate” in a skill. Or you may get a more deliberate, well-rounded education that includes those skills, and get a “Diploma.” When you go into a local strip mall full of kids and choose Modern Kenpo, you trade long term skill, knowledge, and efficiency for quick, and not in all cases, effective self-defense skills. Unfortunately, you cannot have it both ways, and which one you get will depend on the teacher’s experience and education level. Quick maybe, or long term for sure.
I think Ed Parker said it best himself. “Let TIME be your measurement to skill and knowledge.” Quick general skills violate that approach because it uses, conceptual information. Parker also said, “General information always produces general results.” I couldn’t have said it better. In other words, part of Mr. Parker’s Dream was to take the old school approach of the Chinese Training methods and distill it down to a functional American Version that eliminates much of the cultural accouterments that artificially elongated the process. Think of it as Old School Chinese Qung-Fu meets modern-day coaching and Ed Parker training innovations. And, the next time I see you, I’ll physically prove it to you, if you ask.