What does "Motion Kenpo" mean?

[Kenpojujitsu3]

Originally Posted by Hand Sword

O.K. I admit it's not been said outright like that, however, when referring to it as "motion kenpo", or any other label, and it's teachings or lack there of, the tone has been degrading. Saying things like that's just the commercial version is the same as saying it's not my way, as mine is the correct way. Bottom line, There's no need for an us versus them attitude, here on martial talk! The differentiating can be done without that tone. "Motion Kenpo" is different, as no one other than that camp refers to it that way. When people ask you what you study do you say "motion Kenpo", or just kenpo? As for your uderstanding or my not making my point clear, I am saying Emphasize your way/s and don't refer to the other ways, or, what they're lacking. Basically, I'm saying, let's get away from the "those people" kind of speech, and that's exactly what it is.

I've never seen anything like "that's JUST commercial kenpo" but I have seen "That's commercial kenpo". That "just" turns a differentiating statement into a degrading one. I've only seen the differenciating statements. Personally I do it all the time as I differentiate what I teach from what others teach as a matter of reference not a matter of degradation. I teach Kenpo with an emphasis on the principles and concepts of Ju Jitsu that I feel enhance Kenpo's already formidable arsenal. I feel it allows kenpoists to have a greater ability to control and regulate their intent as well as a greater understanding of how, when and why to control and regulate. I feel it gives them more options to control the situation without inflicting harm if necessary and by inflicting deadly harm if necessary. I feel that adding (more like emphasizing) the Ju Jitsu concepts stresses proper basics, anatomy, leverage, and bio-mechanics more so than many that don't emphasize the Ju Jitsu in Kenpo. This doesn't slight anyone, it's just how I FEEL about my approach to teaching and training. In the previous statements I haven't downed anyone I just explained why I fell what I do is an effective path in training based on my experience with other paths of training. I see the same when I hear about SL-4. They're not saying they are better. They are saying why they do what they do as opposed to what others do. In short it's a "I do this type of Kenpo BECAUSE...." instead of just "I do this type of Kenpo."

[Flying Crane]

Originally Posted by Kenpojujitsu3

I've never seen anything like "that's JUST commercial kenpo" but I have seen "That's commercial kenpo". That "just" turns a differentiating statement into a degrading one. I've only seen the differenciating statements.

I have seen postings that used the terms "commercial" and/or "motion" to describe the kenpo done by some, and it was definitely not a flattering term, in the context. Now maybe that was not the intended message of the poster; I don't know. But from how it has been used, it gave me the impression that "commercial" and/or "motion" kenpo is, in the poster's opinion, a "lesser" art.

I can understand why someone might feel that a system designed to be commercially propagated and taught to the masses might be lacking. There are definitely logical and logistical reasons why the finer points of the art don't get passed along in this context, at least not to most students. When the masses are the client, most people aren't up to the challenge, and don't have the commitment or the ability to learn the finer points that might make something that is "good" into something that is "excellent".

OK, on a philosophical level, I can understand and agree with this idea.

However, "motion" seems to describe an approach to training. And as I stated above, I have seen the term used in a less than flattering way. It implies that a "motion-based" approach is an inferior approach. This is what I am trying to understand: what does the term "motion" imply, as far as a training philosophy, and why would it be inferior to another approach?

I appreciate the replies I have seen so far. Obviously those out there who are doing what might be termed "commercial" and/or "motion" kenpo don't agree that it is lacking. I guess that just because somebody may feel that something is inferior, doesn't necessarily make it true. This is why I made a public thread of this question. If we can get a solid understanding of what "motion" refers to, and why it might be inferior, then the insights of those who are actually training this way become more valuable..

[Hand Sword]

Originally Posted by Kenpojujitsu3

I've never seen anything like "that's JUST commercial kenpo" but I have seen "That's commercial kenpo". That "just" turns a differentiating statement into a degrading one. I've only seen the differenciating statements. Personally I do it all the time as I differentiate what I teach from what others teach as a matter of reference not a matter of degradation. I teach Kenpo with an emphasis on the principles and concepts of Ju Jitsu that I feel enhance Kenpo's already formidable arsenal. I feel it allows kenpoists to have a greater ability to control and regulate their intent as well as a greater understanding of how, when and why to control and regulate. I feel it gives them more options to control the situation without inflicting harm if necessary and by inflicting deadly harm if necessary. I feel that adding (more like emphasizing) the Ju Jitsu concepts stresses proper basics, anatomy, leverage, and bio-mechanics more so than many that don't emphasize the Ju Jitsu in Kenpo. This doesn't slight anyone, it's just how I FEEL about my approach to teaching and training. In the previous statements I haven't downed anyone I just explained why I fell what I do is an effective path in training based on my experience with other paths of training. I see the same when I hear about SL-4. They're not saying they are better. They are saying why they do what they do as opposed to what others do. In short it's a "I do this type of Kenpo BECAUSE...." instead of just "I do this type of Kenpo."

Either way, the difference of what one does is emphasized by saying "that's commercial". What is implied there between the lines, is also present, which is "I don't do that stuff", or "those people". As for what I'm feeling from your writing, just to make myself clear, I've never claimed YOU, or anyone else specific, as feeling, or saying this. However, I just pointed out, that, through my time here, I've seen the tone and writings definitely downing what is considered "motion kenpo".