Introduction and Suggestions wanted

[kenponoob]

Hi,

As my kinda silly screen name says I am new to kenpo. I'm certainly not new to MA, as I have trained on and off now for the last 14 years or so. I have always wanted to learn more about American Kenpo. Right now, I don't have the means to attend a live dojo, so I went ahead and took the plunge with the home study course. I'm also working full-time and going to grad school.

I am new to home study type undertakings, so I'm gonna solicit the rest of the members for any advice they might have about going this mostly alone. And, if there are any members in the Massachusetts area, perhaps we could train together at some point.

What have YOU found to be the most productive way to learn this course at home? How do you train- do you set aside time each day, even if it's only 30 minutes or so? Again, any and all suggestions would be greatly welcomed.

Thanks!
Tom

[kenponoob]

I really would enjoy hearing any suggestions. You will be doing me a great service, and by extension, the system as well.

Enjoy your Sunday. Go Patriots!!!

[administrator]

Here are some suggestions that I give my students.

- Do set some time aside each day. 30-45 minutes per day is good. But you should try to set aside a 60-90 minute session each week so that you will get strength, endurance and speed training in.
- Work your basics - it's not all about techniques and forms
- Do bag-work about 2-3 times per week.
- Training with partner is very important. Without a partner, you will be able understand the form and flow of kenpo. But with a partner, you will develop timing and intuition.

There are many other ideas that will help. We have an Instructor Series DVD program that is loaded with training ideas.

Kevin Lamin

[The Tabasco Kid]

Well, I work full time and have 2 kids, so time scheduling has to get creative. I generally try to get my time either very early in the morning when everyone is still asleep or after everyone has gone to bed.

I printed out the workbooks and manuals for the belt level I'm working on and read them while I ride the train into work. I also ported the lectures onto my son's Nintendo DS Lite and watch them when I ride, as well.

[kenponoob]

These are some great suggestions. Thanks!

:cool:

[The Tabasco Kid]

No problem! When it come to the classroom portion of the techniques, I've found it best to watch the lecture for a technique, then read the Library of Kenpo entry for the technique, followed by the workbook.

[The Tabasco Kid]

Here are some suggestions that I give my students.

- Do set some time aside each day. 30-45 minutes per day is good. But you should try to set aside a 60-90 minute session each week so that you will get strength, endurance and speed training in.
- Work your basics - it's not all about techniques and forms
- Do bag-work about 2-3 times per week.
- Training with partner is very important. Without a partner, you will be able understand the form and flow of kenpo. But with a partner, you will develop timing and intuition.


For those of us who never boxed before, what is "bag work"?

[administrator]

Bag work is not for boxing only. It is very important in your training. It allows you to strike full force, develop timing, and to condition your weapons not to get injured.

We have a section on bag work in our Instructors Series DVDs.
Kevin Lamkin

[warrior-scholar]

Also, the Master of the Ring material is most useful in this regard. Supplementing your Library of Kenpo materials by training the drills in MOTR seems to me essential...it was a missing piece of my puzzle anyways.