Chuntian Academy International

"Perceptum ut apto" - Learn to adapt.

The C. A. I. Defense System

- Long Program

CAI- Intense-Defense : Is a scientific study of self-defense. Intense-Defense focuses on reflexes and comfortable, natural body movement to quickly end a violent attack. It is derived from ancient martial arts techniques and modern police and military methods that are functional and appropriate in today's world.

Levels & Skills

C.A.I. programs are based on a level system. Beginners start with basic defenses but quickly progress and learn to safely dissolve almost any open-handed or weapon attack. The C.A.I. method is a scientific form of self defense utilizing center-line theory, economy of motion and chi sao to safely handle a wide array of possible attacks.

Advancing in the Art

The key is economy of motion and use of chi sao to use an opponent's energy against them. Center-line theory maximizes your strength and speed while minimizing the opponent's. We do conditioning to develop strength, flexibility and power, but proper form and technique are the most important elements. We teach the entire C.A.I. system including weapons, wooden dummy training, grappling techniques with escapes and reverses, standing, kneeling, ground, chair defenses, single and double-arm chi sao and all forms.

Intense-Defense - the science of self defense

It all starts with Level 1. Exciting and new, but also easy and logical with quick progress. As you move on to Level 2, basic moves will feel like second nature. At level 3, 4, and 5 you will have an excellent set of skills for open hand or weapon attacks as you prepare to go past the beginner levels.

Student Levels: ( Basic Training )

Level 1 - ( No Sash - Introductory Class plus 1-2 classes )
Level 2 - ( White Sash 0 Stripes or 2 Marks on ID Card for Technician)
Level 3 - ( White Sash 1 Stripe or 3 Marks for Technician)
Level 4 - ( White Sash 2 Stripes or 4 Marks for Technician)
Level 5 - ( White Sash 3 Stripes or 5 Marks for Technician)

Continue Below for Long Program or Click Here for Short program.

STUDENT CREED

Creed #1: I will develop myself in a positive manner and avoid anything that could reduce my mental growth or physical health.

Creed #2: I will develop self-discipline in order to bring out the best in myself and others.

Creed #3: I will use common sense before self defense and never be abusive or offensive. All students are required to know each of their three creeds and be able to understand the meaning and application of each.

Bridging the Gap - beyond the basics, connect all your skills

The first 5 levels taught basic form and technique. Now you can put it all together, make it smoother, learn to control a situation with less energy and apply chi sao, control moves and elbow strikes. Entry technique lets you bridge the gap to the attacker. At this level, you will become much more confident in any situation.

Technicians:

( Specialized Progressive Programs )

Technician 1: To-The-Point Defense (T.T.P.)
Technician 2: Seize and Control Tactics ( S.A.C.T.) Tech.
Technician 3: Five Animal Survival Tactics (F.A.S.T.) Tech.
Technician 4: Official Full Student ( Si-Hing )
Technician 5: Formal Closed-Door Student / Ass't. Instructor (Si-Sook)

Program Students

( Advanced Levels Commercial Program )

Yellow Sash - Beginner ( 0 - 3 Stripes )
Orange Sash - Adv. beginner ( 0 - 3 Stripes )
Blue Sash - Intermediate ( 0- 3 Stripes )
Green Sash - Middle Intermediate ( 0- 3 Stripes )
Brown- High Intermediate / Formal-Closed Door Student (0-5 Stripes )

( Children have the middle sashes Dark Yellow, and the Purple Sash, before Brown )

*Note:The marks and the sash colors are only indicators to the instructors to know the student's specific level and training focus in large classes and serves in a small part a step-goal system. However, we do not like to emphasize belt colors as they mean nothing in real life, only in class.
Meaning of the Colored Belts / Sashes

The Tenets of Shaolin

1. Motivation
2. Confidence
3. Discipline
4. Perseverance
5. Respect
6. Community
7. Righteousness
8. Tolerance

Progressing in the Programs

Express Yourself - the art of combat, effortless defense

With experience, a full set of skills and excellent chi sao, you're ready to be creative within the system. Find the moves that suit you, your own unique style or way using these principles and tactics. Defense and counter attack will take less mental effort as your skills start to work automatically. Random and multiple attacker drills become a lot more fun.

The Ranks: (Dan in Japanese)

( Advanced Training and Skills / min 2 years )

1st Rank - Jr. Instructor Sensei ( Black Sash 1 Stripe )
2nd Rank- Instructor -Sensei ( Black Sash 2 Stripes )
3rd Rank - Jr. Teacher - Sensei ( Black Sash 3 Stripes )
4th Rank - Teacher - Senior ( Black Sash 4 Stripes )
5th Rank - Full Teacher ( Black Sash 5 Stripes )

Mastery - beyond technique,

ALL LEVELS AND RANKS ARE VALID WITHIN THE CHUNTIAN ACADEMY COMMUNITY ONLY. ALL RANKS 6th and up ARE HONORARY BASED ON TIME AND EXPERIENCED AS A TEACHER, AFTER YOUR 5th Rank C.A.I. TEACHER CERTIFICATION.

Centerline

The centerline runs down the center of your body. Your balance and strength flow up from the ground out through your centerline and most attacks are directed at your center. Therefore, we move away from the attack line, using our centerline to counterattack on an angle where we are strong and the opponent is weak, an angle where an opponent can not easily defend or counter.

Forward Intention

Maintaining forward intention, a dynamic forward energy even when still, allows you to sense and counter an opponent more easily with less energy and allow you to maximize economy of motion.

Economy of Motion

The system is not interested in beating around the bush, it goes directly to the point, ending a conflict quickly with minimal effort. The ideal defense is to end the conflict before a full attack can even be launched.

Face the Point of Contact

Our strength flows from the centerline, so we always face the point of contact to maximize our energy and simplify the technique. Our defense and counter attack will then maximize our strength and speed. This also helps build confidence that we can dissolve attacks from any size of attacker.

Simplicity

Simplicity is the overarching main principle. No flowery but impractical moves are part of the system. Maintaining forward intention and keeping it simple will allow you to maximize speed and end conflicts with the least effort possible. As students progress from beginners to advanced, they learn a lot of techniques but also learn the art of doing less for maximized speed, power and self control.

Rules:

Guard the center
Economize movement
Touch reflexes: Chi Sao
Watch the leading elbow
Use linear striking action
Avoid fighting force with force
Train to use two arms at the same time
Use pressure points to make striking techniques more effective
Use the same meridian pressure points as treatment of sports injuries

The 5 Principles of Simplicity in Combat

1. Protect and occupy the center-line
2. Get to the opponent's blind side (safe-zone)
3. Go with the flow, not force on force.
4. Circle to create momentum and to also disorient your opponent.
5. Do conditioning and reflex building drills,

Strategies:

Use entry technique
Attack the opening
Trap the leading elbow
Attack the opponent's balance
Pin the arms from the blind side (safe-zone)
Control the opponent's blind side (safe-zone)
Use the center line to force the opponent to use the outside path
Keep moving
Don't present a steady target for your opponent
Be calm, have confidence in yourself, let your reflexes guide you
Use elbows in close quarters, use palm or fist in the next distance, use kicks with front foot for further distance, use the rear foot in furthest distance.

Supplemental Special Programs:

Seminar Instructor

Security Technician

Seize and Control Tactics for Professionals ( Pro-S.A.C.T.)

Body Guard

Investigative-Security- Operations Technician (I.S.O.-Tech.)

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