Monday Miyagi 113009
Continuing from last week’s search for balance in my life, I was reminded of Kenpo’s Universal Pattern. The following description is c/o Kenpista.com – Enjoy!
A three dimensional pattern of movements conceived and developed by Ed Parker as a directional key to movement. This extensive pattern is a useful learning tool to enhance students’ knowledge of motion. It is also a design that can aid you in systematically understanding the interrelationship of linear and circular movements and the paths in which they travel. Once understood it can be applied to selt-defense techniques, forms, freestyle. etc. As you learn to correlate moves within the ppattern, alternative moves become instinctive and spontaneous. You must not, however, get caught up in the manner of study, but the reasons involved within the study. – (Ed Parker’s Encyclopedia of Kenpo – Page 131)
The universal pattern is often viewed from two points of view. The shape of the heart placed upright (the proper way it should be worn) and with one circle above the other.
There are many concepts that can be illistrated with the Universal Pattern such as:
1) Angles of Attack – The eight major directions from which you or your opponent(s) can attack or defend (north, east, south, west, northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest). Encyclopedia of Kenpo, pg. 9
2) Angle of Departure – The most desired angle of escape when fading back or covering out and away from an opponent. Encyclopedia of Kenpo, pg. 11
3) Angle of Efficiency – Refers to (1) the positioning of your feet and/or body whereby the alternatives in terms of weapon availibility are increased proportionately; (2) the positioning of one’s body to make a particular attack more operative or effective. Encyclopedia of Kenpo, pg 12
4) Angle of Deviation – Securing the most desired angle when getting out of the line of attack, but allowing that same angle to enhance your own angle of attack or execution. Encyclopedia of Kenpo, pg. 11
5) Conceptual Box – A visualization concept used to teach students how to obtain proper angles of execution. The concept entails visualizing the outline of a box in front of you. This imaginary box is then used as a guide to better understand the various paths and zones in which an arm or leg should travel when blocking or striking. Encyclopedia of Kenpo, pg. 30
There are many ways to compound the use of the universal pattern. You can think of its use in a tubular fashion as indicated above or view it as two dimensional plane made three dimensional. The variables are endless and it suggested that you use your imagination to think of other possibilities.