The different martial art disciplines found in KAPAP

KAPAP is a hotpot of martial arts, taking the tasty bits that offer the best self-defence techniques. Each of the disciplines - very briefly covered here, owe their roots to other martial arts and can be traced back further and further, but here we are concerned with showing which techniques can be seen to be similar to those in commonly practised martial arts that most people have heard of or tried. Firstly there is Muay Thai and kickboxing, these both offer similar skills and are employed within KAPAP for a whole host of reasons, for strength, fitness, flexibility, body conditioning, for general accuracy with kicks and punches as well as the techniques to get the maximum power into those strikes.

Phillipino martial arts is bought into play with knife and stickwork such as Eskrima, Arnis or Kali , playing an important part in self defence - either you may have a stick like object to hand or your attacker utilises such a weapon then knowing howing to disable them and be able to deal with them is more power to you. Another Asian weapons skill bank is swordship which comes from the Japanese "Kendu". The push and pull technique - incorporating balance and leverage, and two points of contact come from Judo /Jujutsu and karate the grappling is also from Judo /Brazilian Jui-jitsu which forms the backbone of ground work but it is adapted to use in real life situations.

Muay Thai - The art of eight limbs, or, the science of eight limbs: elbows, fists, feet and knees. Based on several different forms of Thai kickboxing that are centuries old, Muay Thai itself has encompassed western style boxing techniques. The elbows are heavily utilised for there ability to cut above the eye - bleeding into the eye and obscurring vision, clinches are also used in order to deliver blows whilst in close quarters.

There are 6 points for the defence moves;

• Blocking: all parts of the body are used to block blows from the opponent.
• Redirection: the fighter parries blows to deflect strikes, making the blows glance instead of the defendant receiving the full scale of the blow.
• Avoidance: Moving the targeted body part out of the way of a strike and then retaliating immediately, whilst the opponent is still carried along on the momentum of their attack.
• Evasion: Dodging the blow from the opponent by jumping or moving out of the way.
• Disruption: the defender uses a blow, kick or jab to stop the opponent just as they move in for attack, it is pre-empting the opponents movements and intentions.

Kendu - The Japanese martial art of sword fighting, 'kendu' translates to sword. This martial art requires protective clothing as even a blunt sword can do damage. There are gradings but no belt system and a person must be over 46 to reach the highest level of dan. There are 10 kata and strikes may be either with the edges of the blade or the tip.

Eskrima - the Philipino martial arts includes weapons of varying lengths and types. It has a grading system, although all belts are black and then numbered according to expereince and ability. The use of one or two weapons for defensive and attack meant that many students would sustain injuries, especially as the aim was to hit the opponents arm or wrist rather than the 'sacred cane' - this made it less popular than the empty handed martial arts. The modern, evolved version of Arnis uses empty handed tactics as well as one or two weapons or sticks.

Karate - meaning literally 'empty hand', is a striking martial art - using kicks, elbows, punches and knee strikes. This martial art goes back centuries and although not entirely clear it has its origins in Japan or China, although the name karate is Japanese. The grading is done through a club and earns you a belt of a different colour each time you prove your abilities through demonstrations of kata's and combat. The different colours of the belts was first used in Judo are representative of a student's belt becoming darker and darker over time through a dying process throughout their years of study, one theory is that the belts just get dirtier until they turn black. Modern karate belts are just given colours and progress in the order of white, yellow, orange, green, blue, brown, black.
Three areas of study include: the fundamental moves; 'kihon', the forms; 'kata', and sparring; 'kumite'. The kata's are sequences of specific moves included defending and attacking poses or positions and these are practiced ritually and very often with other students in lines and groups. These play an important part of the gradings but actual specifics vary from club to club.

Jujutsu - The predecessor of Judo and BJJ formulated from the close combat martial art that involves use of a short weapon or no weapon at all. The exact origins are unknown and there is disagreement over it being devised in Japan or China.

Judo - originating from Jujutsu in Japan, it was developed by Dr Jigoro Kano as a refinement into the sport known today as Judo. It is all about balance, leverage and fine control of the body and movements. Co-ordination and fast reflexes combine with technique so that skill and timing can overcome a weightier or larger opponent. Pinning, joint locking, chokes and throwing techniques, all amount to a collection of moves that are effective as self protection - although the martial art, as with most of the Asian styles, it is more than just a series of fighting/defending moves - there is a deeper, spritual background that is that is about the meditation and focus of physical exercise and discipline.

Brazilian Jui-Jitsu - Developed in Brazil when Judo was taken over there way back in 1914. The main aim is to defend against a larger, stronger attacker and utilises locks, chokes and grappling. Used in cage fights and MMA, this is used in competitions widely. With its roots in Judo and Jujutsu it also shares the use of coloured belts to signify grading and ability.

So there is an overview of all the different martial arts, how they all share a common theme that involves people of different builds defending themselves against attacks, either empty handed or with weapons. They all work on similar principles that use techniques to turn the opponents moves against them. This is the basis of KAPAP, the most succinct and evolving martial art around.

Difference between Muay Thai and kickboxing

Kickboxing is more popular as a fitness martial art, it only uses four points of contact unlike Muay Thai. Some techniques are similar to both but Muay Thai uses elbows and knees whereas kickboxing only uses kicks and punches.

Cardio and weights

The circuit training style of cardio is used during the session, with as many exercises as there are attending members so a really good workout is guaranteed. There are punch bags, weights, body weight exercises, skipping ropes and whatever Dale can think to add in. With 2 minutes spent on each and sometimes a break between them, these are intense and draining, working all different muscle groups and you really get as much from them as you want to, or can, put into them - over the weeks it is a sure fire way of seeing improvements in your fitness levels, being able to complete more repetitions and feeling energised at the end of sessions. Superb.