How did you spend your weekend? Me? I was at Shayne Simpson’s Martial Arts with the other upper-level Adult Kenpo students training with Mr. Simpson’s instructor Skip Hancock. We spent six hours each day on the techniques from Kenpo’s Long Form 7, a form that focuses on using two sticks. Training with Skip is not about just learning techniques; it’s about studying the lessons stored in each technique. While one technique might take more than an hour to get the basic coordination and logic, others might be considerably quicker to pick up.
After experiencing the benefits of training with Skip for the first time a couple years ago one of my goals was to take advantage of every chance I get to study with him. Having access to train with Skip through Mr. Simpson, my instructor, has improved my art tremendously and helped me appreciate how much there is to learn about Kenpo. Even though Skip is Mr. Simpson’s instructor, he still works with each student personally and forms ongoing relationships with our students. This weekend was no different, while my skills with a club improved, I was able to refine sweeping out an opponent’s leg, and how to better tailor the art to my own strengths. Tailoring the art and all of the techniques to each individual’s Dominance Factors was a large focus of the training, and taking the time to do so allows each person to get closer to their maximum effectiveness.
Even though we were working on ideas in Long Form 7, because of the sophistication of the form and because we only learned the techniques on the right side it will be a little while before any of us who took the course are able put the form together. For those of you who are just getting started in Kenpo, you’ve got something to look forward to; there are opportunities down the road for you to train with Skip and I highly recommend all of you try and make all of them. If you’re a current intermediate or advanced Kenpo student and you missed the training be sure to ask when Skip’s coming next so you get the most out of your training!
Check out footage from the training here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAi6E1_VaeM&feature=share
-Mr. Alex Miller
Shayne Simpson's Martial Arts & Fitness in Bellingham, Washington. Teaching Kenpo Karate (Modern Self Defense), Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Combat Boot Camp Fitness, Kettlebells, Zumba, Woman's Self Defense.
