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In Karate they are called kata, in Korean arts they are hyung, and in Chinese arts they are called Taolu. Whatever you call the dance like movements of your own art, the fact is Forms are an integral part of any martial arts system. They often times demonstrate various concepts of movement that are vital to complete understanding.

The first form a student in American Kenpo is taught is Short Form 1. The central theme behind this kata is the idea of moving away from an attack by stepping back (as opposed to moving forward or into an attack).

From Kata 1, the themes grow in sophistication and employ the understanding of more elusive concepts. But, as part of the learning process it is important for students to demonstrate their understanding of these concepts by creating their own form.

My question is, what is your favorite form, what is the concept behind the form, and why is it your favorite?

**It might be helpful if you include a video link, as we are all of different practices, and may not be familiar with your particular form.**

I like this kata, to me it demonstrates Shotokan's use of Linear motion, which is a fundamental idea behind Japanese/Okinawan Martial Arts.

Because Kenpo is a Heinz 57, incorporating every martial art under the sun, it employs the use of hard karate (Linear motions) and the chinese concept of soft karate (circular motions).

One technique, at the 44 second mark, is very much like a technique we use in Kenpo called Sword of Destruction. (We just add a kick)

Thanks for sharing! What is it about this kata that makes it your favorite?

I love watching Martial Art movies and trying to see if I can pick out similarities in the techniques they use and my own. ninja

Awesome! Good luck with the competition! your comment about using mass reminds me of a time when one of the girls at my old school asked if I had been losing weight. I told her "hell no, I don't really diet...I binge eat so I can work on my back up @$$" (back up mass is the term we use in kenpo)

why do you think that?

Just make sure you keep good posture and a solid foundation! I work with an Aikido guy, and if I do that, he's got his work cut out for him.

I've been told I'm a good defensive grappler, I'm really good at fending people off and tiring them out, but I'm not very offensive. I haven't grappled in such a long time! stressed

Yeah, it's called the long greeting. We use it at the start and end of class, it is our salutation and salute. Part of it is traditionally used in Shaolin practices and I believe but am not certain that Ed Parker added on his own part. (I'll have to brush back up on my Long Greeting)

We also use it in the beginning of Sets and Forms as a formal introduction.

In Kata specifically we use our hands to signify which form we are doing. Placing the right index finger (in this case bent in half) over the left handed outward facing handsword, we signify without speaking which form we are doing.

Half fingers represent short forms, and full fingers represent long forms. The number of fingers represents which form you are performing...I have no idea what they do once the get to short/long form 6....??

Here's a good vid that explains it

I'll have to get back to you on that. It is pretty long, but we also have a Short Greeting, which is just a bow accompanied with the left handsword over the right hammer fist.

As for the long greeting...It's a tradition that has been taught that I would have to look through my journal to find the exact story behind it. I'll get back to you on it.