Hello
I have had very similar experience to what Carol Kaur describes. Many years ago, I studied different Kenpo/ Kempo styles. Later, when I first met Kali and Silat players I had to rethink a few things. I still believe the kenpo / kempo styles are fine arts, of course. Silat teaches jurus-jurus more as "conceptual tool boxes" from the onset....at least this is my opinion.The student understands earlier that many applications or buah can flow from just one or two of these "capsules" of movement . The emphasis on very dynamic foot work adds a level of development that , I think , is realized earlier in the silat practitioners as well. Kenpo initially starts the student with Technique "whatever"...lets call it "A" is for the man who steps with right foot throwing 2 handed push,... technique "B" is for the man stepping with L foot, throwing , right hook , left hook....technique "c" is for R hand grabbing L wrist followed by L straight punch...etc.
In the earlier Kenpo levels , I think there is tendency to contemplate which techniques might need to be used for an engagement....sort of like the options scrolling down the internal HUD of the Terminator in the movies. I think its probably much later at black belt levels that these many techniques are "dissolved" , so to speak... where all the tools from the many set techniques are spontaneously applied to the demands of the moment without consideration for specific attack combinations. No disrespect to Kenpo at all....I still enjoy playing around with some of the material I learned from it. I just think they arrive at the same or ,at least similar , endpoint at a different time.( Kenpo is NOT the only system that has this approach....so I don't mean to specifically focus on them....but they are a fine example of this particular training model)
Now ,when working with new students who have done Kenpo style arts for a while , I also get the bewildered response when I say "it doesn't matter.." when they ask me about what foot steps where or what they are to use for an attack....and I have had this from a few black belts too. Perhaps that shows an inadequacy in my own teaching style .....but, I do find it amusing just because I understand how they are thinking since I had a similar training foundation. When I first came to silat I wanted to think in terms of "technique"....fortunately my teachers broke me of that quickly , hee, hee...
I think ,generally, if previous training gets in the way, that is a limitation produced by your mindset, predjudices and inability to let go of your old experiences, empty your cup and move forward. Often the base developed from other experiences prepares you for what is ahead .
That doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend kenpo/ kempo to some one who had that as an option compared to number of other arts. Its a good system , overall, I think.
With Respect ,
Doc