Creeds and Affirmations

Kenpo Creed

The Karate Pledge of Honor (or Kenpo Creed) is a pledge as it relates to the 'staircase' of the belt ranking system.

The use of the voice is an essential part of our training program. The voice represents a seam, as it were, between the mind and body; the mind chooses to say something and uses the body to say it. The continual reinforcement of the mind/body connection throughout the lesson counteracts the tendency to “space out” because of the increase in endorphins in the blood brought about by the body’s reaction to exercise.

Just as important are the things said in the pledge, affirmations and directive responses. The pledge and affirmations focus the class on the values and intentions that we feel one should bring to serious training in the Martial Arts. Though the good intentions and high values of our students are an assumed fact, we feel it is important to reiterate those same values and intentions to each other whenever we train together. The directive responses help to focus the student’s mind on the task at hand during each part of the lesson.

Kenpo Creed

With honor, we will apply ourselves

to the study of Karate,

placing foremost the improvement

of both mind and body,

to develop a better understanding of our fellow man.

Striving for the ultimate serenity

that can only come through a

complete understanding of ourselves,

we approach life's problems

with the patience Karate has given us.

Never will we unjustly dishonor our fellow students,

our teachers, the AKKA organization

or the art of Karate

through misusing the secrets we are learning.

To this, we the students of AKKA do swear.

STAIRCASE OF DEVELOPMENT

Gold Belt Pa Chi (8th Grade)

Personal decision of the individual to apply themselves to the staircase of development.

Orange Belt Ch'i Chi (7th Grade)

"With honor, we will apply ourselves to the study of Karate, placing foremost the improvement of both mind and body."

Intended outcome: Through physical design of specific motions and movements and basic self-defense techniques and postures we begin to understand the positioning of the body. We can, at will, elicit any state of mind we desire, at any moment in time, under any conditions, thus giving us optimum choice at all times.

Ultimate outcome: Each level will compound the previous level of development until a natural body-mind fusion emerges into focus allowing us to approach life's challenges as an individual (body-mind as one).

Purple Belt Liu Chi (6th Grade)

"To develop a better understanding of our fellow man."

Recognizing that the mold of the human is determined by past reference, one's experience will adopt for them beliefs, ideals, values and rules through which they will continue to live until change becomes more resourceful or pleasurable.

The Ego (reticular activation system) functions as the doorkeeper to our consciousness. Anatomically, it is the cone-shaped complex of nerves radiating from the brainstem. The nerve fibers filter incoming sensory information and determine, based on the mold of the human, whether it is to be a part of the very tiny trickle of information that is permitted into our "precious" consciousness.

Ultimate outcome: Understanding the development of perspective and holding ourselves to that higher level of understanding.

Blue Belt Wu Chi (5th Grade)

"Striving for an ultimate serenity, that can only come through a complete understanding of ourselves."

Intended outcomes: We depart and develop from the previous by researching our own mold, understanding our own rules and recognizing certain realignments that must occur for peace of mind.

Ultimate outcome: Recognizing the interdependence of I and others bursts the fluffed ego and we now focus on true mastery.

Green Belt Ssu Chi (4th Grade)

"We approach life's problems with the patience karate has given us."

Ultimate outcome: By understanding the power of state, the human mold and our own rules for peace of mind, we are now properly equipped with the tools necessary to overcome challenges that may have previously seemed unconquerable.

Brown Belt San Chi/Ehr Chi/I Chi (3rd, 2nd, and 1st Grades)

"Never will we unjustly dishonor our fellow students, our teachers, the AKKA organization, or the art of Karate, through misusing the secrets we are learning."

Ultimate outcome: We now root in traditional values through an experienced insight of our now highly valued discipline (Kenpo).

Black Belt I Tuan (1st Fragment)

"To this, we, the students of AKKA, do swear."

Intended outcome: We absolutely commit to human development and excellence. Ultimate outcome: Extract the essence and live it.

Student Creed

I intend to develop myself in a positive manner and to avoid anything that would reduce my mental growth or my physical health.

I intend to develop my self discipline in order to bring out the best in myself and others.

I intend to use what I learn in class constructively and defensively to help myself and my fellow person, and to never be abusive or offensive.

Other Student Affirmations and Directive Responses

I intend to hold myself to the highest standard of the Martial Artist.

-or-

I demand and expect more from myself than anyone can ever imagine.

We are a professional Black Belt organization.
We are motivated.
We are dedicated.
We are on a quest to be our best.
ASA!

The Three Rules of Karate

Honesty in the Heart
Knowledge in the Mind
Strength in the Body

The Three Rules of Basics

They must be accurate
They must be focused
They must be fast

The Three Rules of Kata

To elicit a state of mind
To train for total awareness
To encode movement and breathe properly

The Three Rules of Self Defense

Do not anticipate
Perfect your technique
Move swiftly with focus

The Three Rules of Kumite

Safety first
Respect your opponent
Total self-control

Focus!

Focus in the eyes
Focus in the mind
Focus in the body

Eyes on Who?

Eyes on you, Sir!/Ma'am!

Rule #1: Run or you look lazy!

Sir!/Ma'am!