In Okinawa, belt mean no need rope to hold up pants

But here in BlogLand  ... Belt mean Zen work damn hard.

So, I took my Yellow Belt Test last night - almost 4 months to the day since I started practicing Kenpo.

I know it's only the first rank you can earn. (Everyone starts as a White Belt, which pretty much = total noob.) But I have to say that I'm kinda proud of this pretty new accessory of mine. Because it represents a lot of hard work on my part. And because I've really enjoyed every step of earning it. Kenpo makes me feel more fit, more confident and, well, happier. My teachers are great, my classmates are nice, and the learning is fun. :)

The test was basically an on-command demonstration of Yellow Belt Techniques and Basics with a smattering of oral quizzing in between. It took a little less than an hour.

This is brief outline of most of the things I had to know and be able to do to earn my Yellow Belt - along with a few iPhone photos a classmate snapped for me during my test. (Thanks, Megan!)

TECHNIQUES: (The parenthesis is the attack, the Technique is a defense against that attack)
1. Delayed Sword (right hand grab or punch)
2. Aggressive Twins (two hand push to chest)
3. Sword of Destruction (left hand punch)
4. Deflecting Hammer (right front thrust kick)
5. Spreading Branch (rear bear hug, arms pinned)
6. The Pincher (right headlock from 9:00)
7. Checking the Storm (right overhead, followed by round-house club attack)

TECHNIQUES (Short Three):
8. Destructive Twins (front two hand choke, pulling in)
9. Crashing Wings (rear bear hug, arms free)
10. Twirling Wings (rear two hand choke, arms stiff)

FORMS:
Star Blocks
Leg Exercise

STANCES:
Attention
Horse
Neutral Bow
Forward Bow
Reverse Bow
Cat (45/90 degree)

MANEUVERS:
Step Through
Step Drag
Drag Step
Push Drag
Switching

BLOCKS:
Inward
Vertical Outward
Upward
Downward
Extended Outward
Push Down

PUNCHES:
Straight
Vertical
Uppercut
Vertical Back Knuckle

STRIKES:
Straight Heel Palm
Underhand Heel Palm
Horizontal Heel Palm (in/out)
Hand Sword (in/out)
Elbows (in/out/up/back)
Overhead Elbows (in/out)

FINGER TECHNIQUES:
Overhead Claw (in/out)
Flea-Bite

KICKS:
Front Snap (ball)
Side Snap (knife-edge)
Rear Snap (back-heel)
Wheel (instep)
Knees
Rear Scoop

Next stop: Orange!

Kiai!

Zen