Purple Belt Technique
One of the most neglected aspects of self-techniques is the nature of the attack. In Parting Wings, the angle of least resistance is to step back to 6 o’clock in reaction to the opponent’s two-handed high push. Notice that I had said “reaction” since the opponent has actually made contact with the push. As we part the arms with left and right extended outward blocks (palms open), the left neutral bow provides the bracing angle for the push. Anchoring our elbows will also aid in the parting of the opponent’s arms.
To improve economy of motion, we then round the corner from the right extended outward block (palm open) as we continue the flow and execute a right inward handsword to the opponent’s ribs as we shift into a left forward bow. We then shift back into a left neutral bow as we strike with a left outward handsword to the throat. The base technique ends with a right middle-knuckle strike to the opponent’s solar plexus as we shift back into a left forward bow, while using a gravitational check with our left hand to clear the opponent’s arms out of the way and/or create an effective path for the middle-knuckle strike.
Parting Wings is one of Kenpo’s 10 master key techniques.
