Kenpo as an Augmentation For Fitness-Introducing Kimono Grab

Kenpo is a sport that focuses on self-defense and is a great activity to augment a fitness program. It provides coordination, strength, flexibility, and self-defense. You may notice that all movements start with someone attacking while providing defensive positions.  Few are designed as an attack. The very nature of the sport is self-defense and an expressive art form of human body movement.  Kenpo practice helps create coordination of movement that balances growth in muscle and strength.

In Kimono Grab there are the traditional moves and the modified moves. Most people who engage in the sport focus only on the traditional moves. The traditional method is taught in most classes and strictly follow the founder’s approaches. The modified versions have great benefit for learning how to change sequences based on the events that are occurring in the engagement. 

For example, if an opponent attacks you and you are able to initiate the first movement in the sequence but fail to make the second one you are unlikely to adjust fast enough to keep momentum. Learning other methods and movements allows for quick adjustments to missed attempts to keep the fluidity of motion into more successful sequences.

Kimono Grab is designed to protect you when someone uses their arms and their body weight to gain control. Instead of fighting the momentum stepping backwards allows the opportunity to use that momentum to your advantage. It also has a secondary benefit of putting your opponent off balance which allows a regaining of control. One-on-one sports thrive off of maintaining leading momentum. 

Traditional Kimono Grab (Opponent Grabs Both Lapels):

-Step back with left foot.

-Reach over right arm to grab left wrist.

-Use right forearm to hit upward against elbows.

-Swing over the top of arms with right forearm and hit both arms to break the hold.

-Use the right hand to chop the neck (Can be modified with left hand).
-Right elbow to temple.

-Twist to left and deliver hammerfist to groin.

-Use back kick to sternum to create distance between you and the opponent. 

Modified Kimono Grab A (Opponent Grabs Both Lapels): 

-In single motion pin opponents right wrist with your left hand as you step back with your left foot and use an extended outward block to release opponent’s left hand from the lapel.

-Right handed raking hammer punch to opponent’s right arm radial nerve (Opponents right arm is still hanging onto your left lapel).

-Back knuckle strike to right temple and recoil. The left hand should free for soft block on right hand recoil. 

The video can help in the learning technique and sequencing.