The necessity to reconcile the modern spirit with the technical completeness typical of Kempo Dankan makes it unique, and hard to explain to people without experience teaching or practising it.
Kempo Dankan practice is regulated by the Confucian principle of Yin-Yang balance. Basic gymnastic training is associated with technical-martial study, both individual (Kata) and in pairs (Kumite). The use of arms is complementary to unarmed technique.
The gymnastic programme includes the progressive practice of technical physical training, gymnastics in contraction, Chinese traditional exercises and Yoga, based on the rules of oriental energy medicine.
Individual study of basic martial technique includes 15 fundamental strokes with legs and arms, on the ground and jumping, as an extension of the gymnastic-energy programme. The study of Kata — individual, armed and empty-hand exercises — embraces modern forms elaborated by the Soke as well as ancient models and traditional series executed in pairs. The study of rhythm and breathing, and the search for mental stillness and harmony, go further than the martial training itself, making the exercises introspective.
Individual technique is applied in armed and unarmed fighting and personal defence. Even minimal contact in attack is rigorously forbidden, since Kempo Dankan is based on the no-contact principle, exalting precision and power as well as its educational aspects. Its applications have no sporting aim and above all seek to develop self-control and non-violence.
The study of personal defence against one or more opponents, armed or not, requires knowledge of vital points, levers and projections — aiming above all at the control of emotions, more than at a feeling of self-confidence.
Practice is completed by the Che Cheng diet, Tuei Na finger-pressing, Kwatsu technique, and the study of the oriental philosophical principles that regulate it.
Kempo Dankan is an eclectic educational system that rejects any restrictive definition as merely martial, defensive, gymnastic or sporting. It can be considered an outright pattern of life, characterised by improvement, sacrifice, balance, cooperation and loyalty — a complementary and fascinating path towards one's inner consciousness. Physical and mental health are the main tools for a better prospect of life. Harmony among Man, Society and Nature are the philosophical and secular foundations of Kempo Dankan.
Today, like 5,000 years ago.
The learning of the Kempo Dankan gymnastic and technical programmes is organised in levels, each related to a specific technical practice tied to its own belt graduation. The breadth of these programmes makes the study unlimited.