Saturday, February 1, 2014

Mepojan Series – What It Teaches You - - Chief Instructor's Blog February 2014


In my April 2013 blog, I discussed the Kibon series and what you learn from it.  In my June 2013 blog, I discussed the Pyung Ahn series.  In my October 2013 blog, I discussed Shipsu and in the November 2013 blog I discussed No Pe Hyung.  In this blog, I will discuss the Mepojan series.

Note:  If you are not a Black Belt I strongly suggest you do not practice these concepts.  These are Black Belt concepts and assume you have the mechanics, power, and energy to make use of them; else you may just confuse yourself and are also not focusing on what you need at this time to advance.  I share these more advanced concepts so everyone has a bigger vision of where this art form can take them.

If the Kibon series is about learning to crawl and walk, Pyung Ahn series is more about learning to run, Shipsu is about learning to run with style, control, finesse, and independent of the physical body, No Pe Hyung is learning to have power, control and style while maintaining constant focus, then Mepojan is about short, compact moves that directs energy and minimizes physical exertion.

The origin of this series is unknown but all research indicates it came from China to Okinawa.  In Okinawan the series is called Naihanchi (which means "fighting holding your ground" according to some literature) and in Japanese they are called the Tekki forms (which means “horse riding”).

As in the Pyung Ahn series, Shipsu, No Pe Hyung, Mepojan series also helps students focus and practice linear strikes, practice throwing techniques without reciprocals, combinations, staying centered and balanced in techniques, and grounding. 
  • Horse Stance Outward Ridge Hand
  • Horse Stance Hook Punch
  • Horse Stance Low Block
  • Horse Stance Combination Medium Block/Low Block
  • Horse Stance Upper Cut Punch with guard
  • Horse Stance Inward Guarded Low Block
  • Horse Stance Combination Outward  Hammer Fist/ Hook Punch
  • Horse Stance Stamping Side Kick
Mepojan series also allows students to practice and master short strikes
  • Horse Stance Knife Hand Block to the side of the body
  • Horse Stance Inward Guarded Low Block
  • Horse Stance Upper Cut Punch with guard
  • Horse Stance Outward Knife Hand
  • Horse Stance Outward Knife Hand
  • Horse Stance Elevated Forward Punch with knife hand guard
  • Horse Stance Medium Block with knife hand guard
  • Horse Stance Stamping Side Kick
Another key to the Mepojan series is to learn and master maintaining your ground as you move from side to side and transition into the next technique.  Hips should remain level throughout these movements. 

Mepojan series is also about minimizing the need of extraneous motions in your moves and techniques to generate power.  These techniques should be performed with minimal or no upper body torso motion (e.g., twisting the torso) to generate power.  The power comes from the stance, grounding, and energy projection.

Directing energy at will, independent of the physical, is another key aspect of the Mepojan series.  It is one thing to master projecting energy, but are you projecting it exactly where you want?  Are you projecting it independently of your physical body movement?  Examples are below:
  • Horse Stance Outward Ridge Hand
    • In the opening move to Mepojan One, the outward ridge hand should be practiced as an energy move to displace an opponent.

 
  • Horse Stance Inward Guarded Low Block
    • This technique should be practiced as an energy slice through an opponent’s collarbone and collapse them to the ground.
 
  • Double Inward Punches followed by the Combination Outward Hammer Punch/ Hook Punch
    • In the opening move to Mepojan Two, the double inward punches should be practiced as gathering energy followed by projecting it at will with the Combination Outward Hammer Punch/ Hook Punch.
 
  • Stamping Side Kicks Outward/Downward away from the body
    • In Mepojan Two the Stamping Side Kick Outward from the body allows students to practice projecting energy outside their physical body in order to ensure effective, linear side kicks to the ground.  
 
  • Attack Stance Medium Block to the side of the body
    • In Mepojan Three, the opening move Attack Stance Medium Block to the side of the body allows students to practice projecting energy in a direction independent of the direction of their stance.
 
As in the all other hyung students should also practice and study the techniques and combinations in the Mepojan series in self-defense applications, including the transitions.

There are many advanced concepts to be learned and practiced in the Mepojan series and each one can be applied to concepts or techniques in the basics or other hyung.

Couldn’t we practice short strikes even in Kibon Hyung?  What about no reciprocals as a drill or exercise in other hyung?  How much extraneous motion is in your other hyung that you can work to eliminate? Have you examined where you are directing your energy in your other hyung?  Are you conscious of where and how you are directing your energy in all your hyung?

Regards,
Kelly

"When the student is ready, the Master appears." - Buddhist Proverb