Psychology & Physiology Teachings, Training Levels of Nature, Raven Grade Levels

心理学と生理学の教え、自然の訓練レベル、レイヴンのグレードレベル

Mr. Dave Menefee & Mr. Yoshio Furuya explained in explicit terms the needed levels of growth within their American Kenpo System. I remember thinking that these three stages are truly corporeal to me in my particular Alaskan Kempo development. I remembered my father telling me how important it was to be patient in my discipleship, as the moment that battle is joined will grow within nature's order and according to universal laws for me. He said that it should be a daily endeavor to feel nature's relationship growth within me. One conflict at a time. Both, my father, Cunningham sensei, Mr. Menefee, and Mr. Furuya, spoke the truth about this subject. I co-joined these three levels as fundamental to Alaskan Kempo. This concept is like gravity, it is a natural law process of development.

Alaskan Kempo has three main stages of learning, the first is Shodo 初度, the second is Ryodo 両度 & Ken 賢 and the third is Sei 聖 & Kunshi 君子.  By following a specific structure to the study of Alaskan Kempo, we accelerate retention of the knowledge, so that it can be of maximum benefit the moment that battle is joined. 

SHODO 初度 GRADE - NOVICE STAGE 初学段階

The original stage of learning is the early days of training, usually the white through brown belt levels. This level can be dangerous so caution and control is advised when practicing with a partner.  It is a time of learning when the student training lacks perspective, the student at this level should try to develop themselves mentally as well as physically.  They should also try to develop strong basics and perfect their stronger side first.  Once the student feels confident with this first side they may then precede to their weaker side, thus practicing on both sides of the body leads to more ambidextrous qualities. 

Movements at this level are executed in a crude manner lacking timing and co-ordination.  The student at this stage is taught how to do each move rather than how each move may be used is a combat situation. It is a time of intangibility and awkwardness.  The student must learn the value of working towards a goal and having the will power and conviction to see these goals to completion.  This stage of training emphasizes the importance of acquiring a proper attitude towards their study of the martial arts and that this is the first step to a better understanding of themselves. 

RYODO 両度 & KEN 賢 GRADES - SYSTEMATIC STAGE 体系的な段階

The mechanical stage is the level of training when the student is more impressed with their own physical prowess than their actual ability to fight.  Their movements are clear and precise but are applied mechanically and without sequential flow, an integral part of reaching the spontaneous stage.  The student is also more equipped to fight verbally than to fight physically.  This stage of training teaches definition.  The student at this stage may have a greater understanding of how each self defense technique works and may have a certain amount of success in applying this knowledge in actual combat; however their physical reaction and application, in some cases, may be spontaneous while on others it may not. 

SEI 聖 & KUNSHI 君子 GRADES - INSTINCTIVE STAGE 本能的なステージ

The instinctive stage; of all the stages of learning this is the most tangible and rewarding.  Where the ability of your natural weapons act without premeditation and forethought as if they had minds of their own.  Through all the students training the focus will have been to acquire and attain this level.  Once attained it will take continual training just to maintain this level of spontaneity.  This is the stage where the student’s weapons react without restraint, where the moves are executed with fluidity and sequential flow.  It is the student’s ability to flow through all three states of motion - solid, liquid and gaseous.