As students at KICKS progress in their Martial Arts journey they need to learn the Kenpo Creed for each Belt Level. These creeds embody the Spirit of Kenpo and are an important part of the Character Development at KICKS Martial Arts.
YELLOW BELT KENPO CREED
I HAVE NO WEAPONS, JUST EMPTY HANDS. BUT IF I AM FORCED TO PROTECT MYSELF OR OTHERS FROM HARM, THEN HERE ARE MY WEAPONS – “KARATE,” MY EMPTY HANDS
ORANGE BELT KENPO CREED
I AM JUST A BEGINNER IN KENPO 5.0, BUT I PROMISE THAT I WILL HONOR AND RESPECT MY PARENTS AND MY INSTRUCTOR BY AVOIDING NEGATIVE HABITS AND DISRESPECTFUL ATTITUDES.
PURPLE BELT KENPO CREED
I PROMISE I WILL NEVER USE MY SKILL JUST TO HURT OR MAKE SOMEONE AFRAID. I WILL FIGHT ONLY IF I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE. I WILL NOT LOSE MY TEMPER, AND I WILL ONLY USE MIGHT FOR RIGHT.
BLUE BELT KENPO CREED
I WILL NOT FIGHT OUT OF PRIDE, BUT I PROMISE THAT I WILL USE MY KENPO 5.0 SKILLS TO DEFEND THOSE WHO CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES. I WILL FOLLOW MY TEACHER’S INSTRUCTIONS AS AN EXAMPLE FOR MY OWN STUDENTS TO FOLLOW.
GREEN BELT KENPO CREED
I PLEDGE I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TO INCREASE MY SKILL AND MY KNOWLEDGE ABOUT KENPO 5.0. AND AS A TEACHER, I WILL LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
1st BROWN BELT KENPO CREED
AS I CONTINUE TO INCREASE MY SKILLS AS A STUDENT AND TEACHER OF KENPO 5.0, I PROMISE I WILL NEVER MAKE FUN OF ANY STUDENT OR INSTRUCTOR, EITHER IN PUBLIC OR IN PRIVATE.
2nd BROWN BELT KENPO CREED
IF ANOTHER STUDENT OR INSTRUCTOR SHARES PRIVATE INFORMATION WITH ME, I WILL NOT REVEAL IT TO ANYONE ELSE BUT DISCUSS IT ONLY WITH MY INSTRUCTOR.
3rd BROWN BELT KENPO CREED
I BELIEVE IN THE RIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES. IN PROTECTING THIS RIGHT, I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE.
BLACK BELT KENPO CREED
MY SKILLS AND INNER STRENGTH WILL CONTINUE TO GROW ON MY MARTIAL ARTS JOURNEY AS I TRY TO ACHIEVE A BALANCE OF WISDOM, STRENGTH, AND KINDNESS
Kenpo Creeds & Character Development
There is a lot more to Martial Arts for Kids than kicking and punching. Yes, that’s the fun stuff and all the children love hitting the focus pads and kick sheilds. Their eyes light up when they get to perform their self defence techniques on our Adult Instructors. However the physical side is just that, it’s only one side of the system. Proper Martial Arts training also strengthens the Mind and the Spirit.
It is not always easy learning new techniques. trying to get your body to do things it hasn’t done before takes patience and perservernce. Failing but never giving up takes humility and courage. Working with others at different skill levels takes self-control and respect. Listening to the Instructor requires courtesy and obedience. The long journey to gain a Black Belt requires loyalty and integrity. All of this character development occurs naturally in their minds as they train on the mats, but they also stay locked in their mind and guide their actions when they are off the mats.
They say it takes doing a task 20x to form a new habit. By attending KICKS a couple of days each week the children are setting good habits that continue outside of KICKS and will stay with them for life.
When we pick them up from school they know to meet at a certain location of the school and to wait patiently until eveyone arrives and they can be loaded onto our KICKS Coutesy Bus. Then when they arrive at KICKS they know to either get changed into their training gear or to enter their designated study space to do their homework. They know that they have to spend time studying and training before they get to play with their friends.
The routines at KICKS set them up with good study habits that help in the early stages of school. The habit of studying straight after school before taking time to relax and play with friends is something that will raise them above average in their later academic life. While other children procrastinate and kill time after school watching TV, listening to music or playing video games, the children in KICKS are staying focussed on improving their knowledge to succeed in any area they set their mind to.
