© Evan Pantazi

© Of this edition. Budo International Publ. Co.

All the studio photographs are the work of Alfredo Tucci.
All rights reserved for the Spanish language edition and for any another. The total or partial
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The Vital Points
of the human body in Martial Arts
Advanced Level
 Evan Pantazi 5

PROLOGUES

After the resounding success and the public’s magnificent reception of the
first book by Professor Evan Pantazzi, it is a pleasure for me to at last present
his very much awaited second text. This book is the result of an entire year’s
work. We could say that it is a kind of “Complete second-level course” in which
he once again analyzes many of the very varied aspects of this subject that
were studied in the first book as well as some new ones that were left only
hinted at, like electromagnetism and Ki, which will undoubtedly broaden the
knowledge of students and followers.
The book includes some of the most interesting texts that Master Pantazzi
has written, like the chapter dedicated to the application of Grappling from
Kyusho Jitsu, or the one that focuses on healing through the use of vital points.
At the same time, it includes an extensive group of technical series never
before published in which students will find many suggestions from Professor
Pantazzi for the practical application of the themes analyzed.
Despite its title—“Advanced Level”—this book can readily be read
independently of whether one has or has not read his first book. The themes
analyzed in each chapter are perfectly complete, but no doubt both books
together will give a much wider and complete idea to the student of all the ins
and outs that make up the many aspects that surround this subject, which
should be a fixed and solid subject in the study of all Martial Arts.
As always, we must stress that whatever your style is, this book is within
your reach. Kyusho Jitsu is not a Martial Art, rather a part that has been hidden
for a long time from the knowledge that composes almost any Martial tradition
but that has remained hidden a long time as part of an almost esoteric heritage
that only a few have come to study. Nowadays, at last, this knowledge is open
to everyone and to all the styles with the work of Master Pantazzi and his
organization, Kyusho International, perfectly accessible on internet for the most
interested, at www.Kyusho.com. I would just like to add that there is a large
collection of classes on video and DVD format that those interested can
acquire through www.budointernational.com.

Alfredo Tucci is the Managing Director of

BUDO INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING CO.

Kyusho and Law Enforcement is a shining example of how martial arts fit in
the modern society. The state governed by law is depending on an effective
and competent police force, a police force that will use only the means
necessary to complete a task as safe a possible for all parties. When force
meets force things break, and in human aggression, there are humans that
break. The training of Kyusho helps the police to control a violent person in a
way that will lower the risk of injury for both the officer and the suspect.
The knowledge of Kyusho results in a boosted self-esteem which in term
 6 Kyusho-Jitsu

results in a more confident behavior from the police officer. These two factors
are very important in police work when acting in a potential dangerous
situation.
Since Kyusho usually doesn‚t leave any marks or does damage,
the physical part of the intervention will not be questioned afterwards.
This also means that the suspect mostly felt it was alright.
My experience is that Kyusho works really well in police work. Every time I
touch a possible suspect, I touch a pressure point. Always ready to activate it
and start to control the suspect using it.
I am privileged to also teach Kyusho once a week to other police officers in
Stockholm. Most officers are astonished that it can work so easy and the
training sessions are much appreciated. They now use Kyusho in a natural way
and have great success with it.
Master Evan Pantazi has taught me a lot of invaluable techniques during the
years. His teachings are full of joy and are taught with perfect pedagogy.
I think his contribution to law enforcement agencies around the world is
absolutely outstanding.

Detective Inspector
Henrik Engelkes
Stockholm County
Narcotics division

Kyusho works! It may seem surprising to hear a head and neck surgeon,
trained in the traditions and teachings of Western Medicine, to make such a
bold endorsement. Moreover, this attestation does not come solely from being
on the receiving end of a seemingly innocuous strike to the jaw that results in
my lying flat on the floor ˆ a strike that in fact is actually a perfectly executed
open palm to “Stomach 5” and an exhibition of the power that lies in the
techniques and applications of Kyusho. Rather, my endorsement of Kyusho, as
described, taught, and mastered by Shihan Pantazi, arises from the fact that
these techniques and teachings work predictably, can be executed by
practitioners of multiple styles of self defense, and can be explained
anatomically and physiologically, whether viewed from the Western or Eastern
Medicine standpoints. Additionally, Shihan Pantazi remains at the forefront of
the study and the promotion of the concepts and principles of Kyusho, always
seeking to further his own knowledge, and subsequently his students‚
knowledge, of the applications of this powerful martial art.
Practitioners of Western Medicine have a distinct advantage in our ability to
conduct anatomic studies of the human body. Cadaver dissections performed
in the first year of medical school give us the opportunity to observe and learn
the locations of nerves, muscles, blood vessels, bones, and organs.
We again see these structures when we engage in our surgical rotations.
We learn predictable locations for these anatomic structures; in most cases,
even when anatomic variations arise, these have been well-described and fall
 Evan Pantazi 7

into predictable patterns. Additionally, we have the ability to make physiologic

measurements in our patients that help determine predictable responses to
various stimuli, as well as various treatments.
Practitioners of Eastern Medicine deal with energy in the form of Chi which
flows along described meridia as Yin and Yang energy. However, one cannot
go to the anatomy lab and dissect a cadaver to see each meridian. Instead,
these energies flow within a living subject and do not lend themselves to
cadaver dissection. Similarly, there are not direct quantitative measurements of
energy that can be performed which would be analogous to, for example,
a blood pressure measurement, a potassium level, or an EKG. Subsequently,
practitioners of Eastern Medicine work with defined points which have distinct,
predictable affects on human physiology when these points are stimulated,
triggered, or affected in various ways. Acupuncture/acupressure techniques
have used these points for the purposes of healing for thousands of years.
Kyusho shows us that these points may be effectively targeted for the purpose
of self defense and applied to multiple disciplines within the martial arts.
One must note that Western Medicine and Eastern Medicine are not mutually
exclusive. Both deal with the same subject and “paint on the same canvas”,
the human body. One should not be dissuaded from the value and effectiveness of
the principles of Kyusho because we cannot dissect out and point to Gallbladder
31 or Liver 9 on an anatomic specimen. Early practitioners of Western Medicine
learned predictable patterns of physiologic behavior in response to certain
treatments well before the anatomy, physiology, or pharmacology of the response
was fully worked out. The slowing of the pulse from pressure on the carotid sinus in
the neck was identified well before the anatomic reflex of Herring‚s nerve (branch of
Cranial nerve 9 glossopharyngeal) and a branch of the Vagus nerve to the heart
(branch of Cranial nerve 10 Vagus nerve) was fully described. It is possible that
ancient practitioners of Eastern Medicine identified certain responses to activation
of a given point well before there was full understanding of a given meridian.
The student of Kyusho learns over time the application and activation of the points
via hits, rubs, and grasps to maximize the effect of his or her martial arts skills.
Shihan Pantazi‚s research, application, and subsequent teaching of the principles
of Kyusho allow us to empower our martial arts practices with the knowledge of the
pressure points, their locations and the physiologic ramifications of activating them,
a knowledge that has been based on years of Eastern Medicine practice.
Additionally, Shihan Pantazi has worked to bridge the gap between the Eastern
Medicine and Western Medicine understandings of Kyusho by engaging in
physiologic studies of the affects of activating the pressure points.
For the martial arts student who embraces the concepts of Eastern
Medicine and pressure point concepts, Shihan Pantazi‚s Kyusho teachings will
show you an exciting and enlightening approach to the application of pressure
points to whatever martial arts discipline you perform. You will learn
applications that obviate the need for sheer strength, either allowing a “less is
more” philosophy to certain strikes, or a Yin-Yang approach, with a soft strike
to one point setting up a subsequent hard strike to a second point.
For the martial arts student who may be skeptical of the energy meridia as
 8 Kyusho-Jitsu

taught in Eastern Medicine, I ask you to be open minded as you approach the
study of Kyusho. Consider strikes you have performed to favorite targets,
look at the points that are in those areas, and evaluate the responses that have
occurred. Now compare those with the teachings of Shihan Pantazi as put
forth in his applications of Kyusho. I will guarantee that either you will find your
success with these targets can be explained based on the pressure point
activated by your strike, or you will find that your success may be enhanced by
applying a different strike or variation of that strike to the target you have
chosen. In either case, you will find that the principles of Kyusho provide
predictable, highly effective results.
We are unique as martial artists because we learn our craft by both striking and
being struck. In learning Kyusho, we not only deliver strikes to the selected points,
but we in turn will periodically be struck on these points while in class to learn
their effects. Pressure points lie at areas where nerves cross, where a nerve
bifurcates, or where a nerve comes up to the skin these points lie along each
individual energy meridian according to Eastern Medicine. From a Western
Medicine standpoint, these pressure points are nerve rich areas which when
struck elicit a response either from direct nerve stimulation, with its associated
reflexes, or from the bodies attempt to recoil from further potential injury to a vital
area innervated by these nerves. As a result, an accurate strike to a pressure point
is unmistakable and clearly different from the effect of sheer force when a strike is
“off target.” As you proceed with the study and application of the principles of
Kyusho, the difference between feeling the sheer force of an inaccurate though
albeit hard strike (whether delivered by you or received by you from an opponent)
and feeling the effect of an accurate strike on a pressure point (again, whether you
are delivering the strike or receiving it) will rapidly become evident to you.
Additionally, as time goes on you will be surprised to find that a less forceful strike
can be exponentially more effective when a pressure point is accurately targeted.
I encourage you to learn the points, the methods of striking them, and the
results of such strkes as Shihan Pantazi describes them, just as a surgeon
learns the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Shihan Pantazi‚s
approach to Kyusho is a refreshing one because he is a perpetual student of
the martial arts. This approach is infectious and can be found among all of his
students. It is not unusual for him to come up to us during class and to inform
us that he has been experimenting with some new way of striking a point. We
will then proceed with trying different variations of the strike, and he will note
the effects with respect to these variations, the body types and energy types
on which the strikes were used, the direction and force of the strikes, and
potential applications. He is always a participant as well as our teacher, and his
enthusiasm for Kyusho and for the martial arts in general is truly exemplary.
No matter what form of martial arts you practice, I am sure you will find Shihan
Pantazi‚s principles and applications of Kyusho to be a tremendous addition to
your martial arts armamentarium.
Arthur M. Lauretano, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Instructor in Otology and Laryngology
“Harvard Medical SchoolInstructor in Otolaryngology”
 Evan Pantazi 9

Tufts University School of Medicine

I am a retired Lieutenant from the NYPD and have spent over 20 years in the
streets of New York City. The information and training I received from Evan
Pantazi and the Kyusho International Instructors has been invaluable. Fifteen of
those years were spent in undercover assignments and the Narcotics Division
of the NYPD. Our teams were assigned to the worst sections of New York City
to combat crime and drugs. During this tenure my teams and I effected over
5,000 arrests. I can truly say that learning pressure points saved my life and the
lives of my fellow officers. I cannot understand why this information is not
being taught to every police officer and police academy recruit in the country.
This information would reduce line of duty injuries to police officers and also
reduce injuries and excessive force complaints from civilians. The techniques
are simple to apply with great results. All professional martial artists should
study Kyusho Jitsu as well as all law enforcement, corrections, military and
security personnel. The streets are dangerous. I cannot emphasis enough that
you must have the most up to date training material available to protect
yourself and the lives of others.

Gary Gione, Retired NYPD Lieutenant

President Elite Defensive Tactics

Leading this group is Evan Pantazi, with the direction of understanding not
only the effective use of Kyusho as a martial art but also as a healing art.
Although respect is given to the concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine
(TCM), Pantazi has sought to encourage his organization to bring in the latest
understanding of the Western Scientific Method (WSM). Modern neurology,
physiology, and biomechanics has helped to add a special component to the
understanding of Kyusho.
Where will Kyusho go in the 21st century? A great deal of Master Pantizi‚s
time and personal resources have been dedicated to answering that question.
He has helped set up a multi-year medical study of Kyusho that is now in its
second year in conjunction with compiling the most comprehensive sources for
Kyusho information available in a modern way utilizing Master Pantazi‚s
education background.
This book is Master Pantazi‚s latest effort to further people‚s understanding
of Kyusho. I encourage you to read it and re-read it to search out the riches
that Kyusho has to offer.

Dr. David Ellis, D.C

 10 Kyusho-Jitsu

Chapter 1
 Evan Pantazi 11

MEDICAL STUDIES PART 1

Over the years we have been asked what Kyusho does to the human
body and especially the brain. This is a major concern of many who
would like to pursue the art but have reservations for those reasons. We
have been researching this side for two decades where we have learned
much, yet still not enough. For this reason we are embarking on a major
Medical Research project, not only to increase our understanding of what
is taking place, but also for improvement and tangent ramifications. By
learning how and why Kyusho effects the human body enough to effect
the nerves, muscles and organs or even alter conscious levels of an indi-
vidual, we can also get further information on health issues, longevity or
increased performance and efficiency. Aside from the implications with
Kyusho think of what increased understanding of human function or per-
formance could do in modern Medical procedure or even in athletic
endeavors such as the Professional Sports world.
Prior research, although inconclusive, has established that Kyusho
and the effects were not only worthy of study, but also inexplicable in
Medical terms. This in itself was enough to raise further interest and
investigation into this unchartered area of human physiology. It has been
a long time since the first study and much has been learned by the prac-
tioners rather than the Medical community until now.
Dr. Sergio Espejo (a Kyusho International representative), of Juarez,
Mexico has embarked on setting this major study into motion. With
painstaking detail Dr. Espejo and his preliminary team have mapped out
a plan to investigate Kyusho thoroughly and safely. This preliminary team
consists of: Dr. Genaro Tamayo, General Surgeon......Research field:
(Clinical Epidemiologist), Dr. Alejandro Ibarra (Psychiatrist), Arnulfo
Ramos (Physiology and metabolism of the exercise) and José González
(Acupuncturist). By bringing together many high level professionals from
a diverse set of disciplines, many more qualifying, quantifying and rese-
arch avenues may be established.
The study is set up in several steps, which will be systematically esta-
blished, conducted and investigated for other possibilities.
The team of Medical, Psychological and Physiological professionals
brought together for this project will investigate it from several areas of
concern in regards to the safety and health of the subjects.
The second part of the study will take place in the Medicine School of the
Biomedical Sciences Institute of the Autonomous University of Juarez
City (Escuela de Medicina del Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas de la
Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez). Along with the preliminary
studies to set criteria, methods and parameters for safe testing and uni-
 12 Kyusho-Jitsu

form measurements will follow a rigorous an detailed study Kyusho’s

Physiological effects on the human body.
The actual series of preliminary studies have begun and yielded inte-
resting results already, lead to the first step in the Medical Study itself to
begin in March 2005. Another astounding part of this research is that
portions will be open to the public, as will the results. Where the prior
studies were all conducted behind closed doors this information will be
available to all. Our thanks to Budo International as they have agreed to
publish these studies and the findings with periodic updates for it’s rea-
ders. The reason why it will be included in a Martial Arts Magazine is sim-
ple… an understanding of the self with it’s strengths and weaknesses is
the very bedrock of all Martial Arts. It is also the first time in that Martial
Artists will learn the Art in a scientific session the way a medical student
learns anatomy. March 2005
Along with the Medical Study there will be further investigation into the
nerves, location of the points on these nerves with actually cadaver
study, live demonstration, application and training. The attendees will
learn how the nervous system controls the entire body, how they can
control the nervous system and be a part of this
landmark session. Simultaneously run with
a instructional training session, all partici-
pants can understand from several levels
what this mysterious Art within their Art
can do for them, as well as how to inte-
grate it into their arsenal. Everyone is
welcome to be a part of this special
event in the historical evolution of
Kyusho and Martial Arts as a whole.

Separate Studies
Although we are embarking on
this Medical study we are still loo-
king at other areas and ways to
scientifically measure what
occurs to the human body.
November 5th - 7th, 2004 at the
International Kyusho
Convention where Doctors,
Nurses, Emergency Medical
Technicians and Physiologists
came together with several of
 Evan Pantazi 13

the worlds leading Kyusho experts and practioners from 6 Countries.

During this convention several Kyusho Knockouts were performed while
both the Practioner and Recipient’s brain waves were simultaneously
measured and recorded, with startling results. This type of study was
first conducted 3 years ago with great result, yet limited as measurement
devices were still in their infancy. Today verification of prior data and new
discoveries were instituted via updated technology and understanding
from the preliminary project. Although analysis of the data is still under-
way some interesting findings can still be shared with our readers.
Sensors were first connected to both the initiator (person performing
the transfer of energy via Kyusho application) and the recipient (person
receiving the energy transfer via Kyusho application). Brain wave activity
in both parties were high due to the surroundings, large number of gathe-
red people and anticipation of what was to take place. Given time to
relax and calm their minds so as to be reflected in the measurement devi-
ces the initiator was instructed to perform the technique spontaneously
when ready. Each person had a unique transfer of energy from a Kyusho
application, each responding in differing levels of unconsciousness.
Although the method of application was different, in each test the brain
waves of the initiator were replicated in the receiver as the Knockout was
performed and even for a brief period after in the altered conscious level
of the recipient.
Kyusho International is committed to understanding, instructing and
certifying people in this incredible Art. Seeking the truth and escaping
the theory and myths that are perpetuated to this day, is the foundation
of this endeavor. Working with highly skilled Martial Artists from style
and Scientists of several disciplines, in conjunction with the leading
Kyusho experts in the world today we will accomplish this goal… and let
you know!
Kyusho International is conducting separate studies in conjunction
with Medical Doctors and other Scientific Professionals in several
Countries. This will allow for a more diverse and accurate study as all
cultures, time zones and geographical locations will be included.
14 Kyusho-Jitsu
 Evan Pantazi 15

MEDICAL STUDIES (2ND PART)

As promised, this March 25 through the 27th, 2005 we launched the
first in a 5 part series of Medical Research projects designed to determi-
ne what physiological (or Psychological) effects Kyusho had on the
human body. (Primarily 5 are slated but as far as any investigation or
research project unfolds, more research and possibilities also unfold).
This preliminary team consisted of: Dr. Sergio Espejo (Micro Surgeon
and Kyusho instructor), Dr. Genaro Tamayo (General Surgeon & Clinical
Epidemiologist), Dr. Alejandro Ibarra (Psychiatrist), Arnulfo Ramos
(Physiology and metabolism of the exercise) and José González
(Acupuncturist). Special thanks also for the open support to; Dr. Gabino
Sierra, (Chief Instructor and Coordinator of the anatomy and dissection
classes at the Medical University. Dr. Rafael Cataño (Director of the
Medicine School), Dr. Hugo Staines (Director of the Biomedical Sciences
Institute), Dr. Felipe Fornelli (Rector of the University). By bringing toge-
ther many high level professionals from a diverse set of disciplines, many
more qualifying, quantifying and research avenues may be established.
In conjunction with 2 well-known Kyusho experts, Jim Corn and Evan
Pantazi of Kyusho International, the study was destined to turn out many
interesting findings. Even a Bioengineer that is heading up research into
killing amoeba with vibrations was present… not your typical Martial Arts
venue by any means!
The study was held in part at the Medicine School of the Biomedical
Sciences Institute of the Autonomous University of Juárez City (Escuela
de Medicina del Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas de la Universidad
Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez). Again our thanks to Budo International as
they have agreed to publish these studies and the findings with periodic
updates for it’s readers. Many new insights were seen by all the Doctors
and Attendees alike, giving scientific proof and validation to Kyusho
Methods and practices. The seminar itself was broken down into 3 major
parts; Martial Applications, Educational Aspects and Research.

Martial Application
First was a seminar where all attendees’ work diligently with Kyusho
nerve attacks to the arms especially, but included other targeting as well.
For the Arms alone each of the attendees were shown about 20 Kyusho
Targets, where time was dedicated to single point application. This was
to instruct the individual as to the location of the point and how to use it
to stimulate the nervous system and facilitate certain body dysfunction.
They were then instructed how to access them in motion and under
 16 Kyusho-Jitsu

simulated and constant attack. The levels of speed, spontaneity and

stress were then introduced to increase skill; confidence and practicality
of the learned methods until a high degree of familiarity and potential
were absorbed. No one left that session doubting that this was the most
efficient and devastating method, nor did they leave with any doubts to
it’s effectiveness or their confidence in their new skill!

Anatomical Study
Next was the anatomical study of the internal Arm structures with
as well as the neurological connections into the central nervous
system and brain. Beginning with a lecture and anatomy session just
prior to actual observation, where all attendees were brought to the
Medical School and Biomedical Sciences Institute of Juárez,
Chihuahua, México, of the actual arm and neck dissection. Seeing
first hand on a real Cadaver, the internal structures (the anatomical
location of the nerves and the surrounding muscle, tendon and bone
structures), gave each individual real understanding to these internal
aspects that far exceeded typical study of pictures or illustrations.
Seeing how the nerves lay inside the arm and how the methods of
Kyusho actually taught the most efficient way to attack these structu-
res was an incredible education. In addition seeing the dynamics
when the arm was twisted or moved and the changes of position on
these internal structures yielded even more insight into accessibility of
the Kyusho Targets. Now add the knowledge of the connections into
the central nervous system and how it could indeed influence internal
organs and body functions, and possibilities expand even more!

Research
The final segment was back to the practical application in Martial
practices with continued study of additional anatomical phenomenon
such as the Vago Vasal Reflex. Dr. Alejandro Ibarra had brought in
scientific measurement instrumentation and gave a short but detailed
lecture, which included experimentation, measurement and how some
of our Kyusho targets and methods initiated this reaction.
In this process free reign was given for additional research into energy
fields in the body (with discussions on electromagnetic fields genera-
ted anatomically and nerve impulse/vibration), Sound as applied to
Kyusho methods and the No Touch phenomenon. Discussion on not
only neurological aspects, but with circulation, respiration sympathe-
tic and parasympathetic alteration made this truly a landmark event.
 Evan Pantazi 17

This will fuel not only additional studies and support from additional
Medical, Scientific and Governmental bodies
Dr Sergio Espejo the Project coordinator and Chief Medical Liaison,
will be publishing the committees findings in the near future and we
will also have them published for the readers understanding. No vide-
os or photographs were taken as to protect the privacy of the Cadaver;
it is not something that will be marketed for consumption, but rather
open to all for personal education. It is open to anyone with interest
and especially for those that instruct this art it is paramount to a well
rounded understanding.

Conclusions
Validation from the very onset was initiated when Dr Sergio Espejo
explained a bit more internal aspects of our lung and heart revival
methods. The Lung revival on the Kyusho International video
#1 specifies striking the LI-10 point of the forearm to restart a persons
breathing, or even calm such occurrences as hiccups and some cases
of coughing. This being that the nerve on which LI-10 lies connects at
the spine at the Cervical 4, 5 & 6, also connecting at the Cervical 5 is
the Phrenic nerve which innervates the diaphragm. Simply stated this
means that our striking the LI-10 on the forearm indirectly stimulates
the function of the diaphragm and illustrates why we can revive the
lungs via this point on the arm. Another validation for the heart revival
was that the point on the back we use, facilitates an intercostal nerve
and enters the spine at the
Thoracic 5 dermatome. This is also
where nerve impulses are transmitted
to the Pericardium (sack around heart),
given a greater understanding of this
vital method as well.
Some interesting notes is that all
Doctors and scientific personnel in
attendance concluded that
Kyusho has real physiological
effect on the human body,
through observation, measure-
ment and even experience
when they felt and verified cer-
tain results. As a side note, we
even had demonstrations of
two types of energy projection
 18 Kyusho-Jitsu

or what is commonly called the No Touch KO. This resulted in real

physiological affect, not psychological as some have alluded to in the
past and as verified by Licensed and renowned Doctors. We have
known all along this was a real entity and the value of Kyusho, what is
new and exciting is the basis of provable dynamics through modern
science!
This will dramatically change future of the Martial Arts, as two main
factions will diverge, that of sport and that of reality based practice. So
far in the last century we saw a convergence due to a lack of true tea-
ching and understanding of the traditional arts. But as this fundamental
aspect is reinstated back into the way the Martial Arts are thought of and
taught. All arts will be absorbing and infusing Kyusho back into their arts
as the Medical Community verifies and validates the methods of Kyusho.
It will be (as it has already started), in every Style and Art, from Tai Chi to
Grappling Arts, to even the way Law Enforcement programs are set up.
This is as stated before a new chapter in Martial Arts for the 21st century,
without the Medical Investigation it would not be as widely accepted, nor
as recognized, this was the most important first step.
The openness of the Mexican Medical Community as well as the
Government of Juárez, Chihuahua, México has opened this new door of
possibility and future endeavor. We as Martial Artists will be indebted as
it brings the true methodology of the Ancient Arts (as well as the
legends), into the light and into the hands of anyone interested in it. Prior
to this the real meaning and information of the human potential the true
method was only kept in secrecy for a select few, leading to the
Martial/Sport convergence. This is no longer the case.
Next April we will be not only continuing this project but initiating dee-
per research and investigation into the head and neck regions of the
body. You are not only able to be a part of this historical study, but you
are encouraged to participate… reading about it is one thing, but “expe-
riencing” it is quite another. This year we had people from just a couple
of countries involved, next year we already know of delegates from 4
additional countries that will attend. This includes Doctors and other
Medical personnel in conjunction with many Martial Arts Instructors and
practioners, as they realize the true worth and important ramifications on
all aspect of the Medical field as well! Case in point is the revival method
for heart attack that is a foundation of Kyusho. We have had scores of
our members and students utilize this method to save lives, if the Medical
Community can test and verify if this is a quicker, safer and more reliable
way than the current CPR practices, this would have Global impact.
The link has already been observed, now with continued study this could
prove to be a major advancement in this field.
 Evan Pantazi 19

Something else to consider…. In so many Tournaments, Professional

and Amateur Boxing matches as well as the newly adopted UFC, K-1 &
Pride type fights, when a contestant is knocked unconscious there is a
quicker and more reliable way to help them, however with the laws as
they are, it would not be in accordance with legal parameters. This
coming year we will be investigating the head and neck more in depth.
In particular the Kyusho Revival method, will be a focal point of this con-
tinued study. If proof it is found by the Medical Community involved, this
will have widespread ramifications on the treatment of these fallen
warriors. With a faster revival and recovery time, safety will be dramati-
cally increased as well as deeper understanding of the causes and
effects.
People will even watch these and even the older matches again and
see how Kyusho is actually and inadvertently used.
This is changing now as you actually see these contestants hunting
Kyusho Targets and you can see the cause and effects… now we just
need the remedy! As a more specific example in one of the earlier UFC
fights Tank Abbot caught his opponent with a hook to the back of the
Jaw. This is known as the TW-17 target or point…. And the opponent
was rendered completely unconscious. The body reacted exactly as has
been explained in this column several times and we as trained Kyusho
Practioners recognized it immediately. The ringside Medics were not
able to bring the man about with smelling salts and you could see the
anxiety that was ensuing as they tried desperately to revive this man. A
properly trained individual could have quickly revived this man saving
precious time with his unconscious state.
How important is this Medical Study? Anytime we have advancement
in Medical Knowledge, it is paramount. If only one extra life can be saved
from a heart attack, one extra person can be revived from unconscious-
ness it was worth it! But think of the open possibilities that will stem form
these findings….
Kyusho International is conducting separate studies in conjunction
with Medical Doctors and other Scientific Professionals in several
Countries. This will allow for a more diverse and accurate study as all
cultures, time zones and geographical locations will be included. For
updates on the session an how to be a part of it, you can research it on
the Internet at: http://www.kyusho.com/medstudy
20 Kyusho-Jitsu

“Kyusho International is
conducting separate studies in
conjunction with Medical Doctors
and other Scientific Professionals
in several Countries. This will
allow for a more diverse and
accurate study as all cultures,
time zones and geographical
locations will be included.”
 22 Kyusho-Jitsu

Chapter 2
 Evan Pantazi 23

Instructional Series nº 8
On the body there are a great number of viable targets to nerve struc-
tures that will cause a loss of body control, reflexive actions and other
disruptive affects for the body’s normal functions.
Typically when attacking the body the results were based on mass,
strength and condition, but when attacking the nerves these limitations
are no longer as concerning. As all nerves lay between muscle, tendons,
ligaments and bone structure there are many accessible areas where we
can attack the neurological structure (responsible for all body function
and control), rather than the supportive structures surrounding them.
Using these charts and the designations given (again using standardi-
sed Acupuncture terminology), we will address the proper angle, direc-
tion and method best suited to getting between these supportive struc-
tures. This will insure that we are attacking the internal aspects of the
body where even the largest and strongest individuals have no innate
protection. As stated many times, these are by not the only points
available on the body, but for combative or defensive measure they
are the most accessible, practical and effective.

Advanced Body Point

There are many points on the human body that have been explo-
red in previous articles and many realized their incredible potential for
damage or dysfunction of the human body. But there are others that
have not yet been discussed, as they are far more disruptive to the
human body. They are more directly corresponding to the internal
organs and bodily functions. And as many of these points lay on
the back and are considered advanced for two main reasons.
First as mentioned their dangerous potential to internal organs
and body functions… but the second reason is that for one to be
able to access them in real struggle, you must be advanced in
your Martial Skills.
Some of these points have been mentioned briefly, or in other
context within the Kyusho Practioners methods, mainly the
Healing Methods that will be discussed in greater detail in follo-
wing articles. These points on the back are commonly referred
to in Acupuncture terms as the Shu Points. The reasons why
they are more dangerous or damaging is due first to the proxi-
mity to the spine and that they directly affect the Central
Nervous System rather than peripheral nerves. There are 12 that
we use in targeting with each having their own angle and direc-
 24 Kyusho-Jitsu

tion. However they all will make the body first splay open when attacked
prior to the specific dysfunction can occur.
In the following descriptions the Acupuncture numbering system, it’s
Chinese name and its anatomical location will be preceding the method
of attack and the ramifications to the recipient. Bear in mind these points
all lay in between each rib in the intercostal space, where a Nerve, a Vein
and an Artery all lay together. All of these points may cause pain and dis-
comfort if pressed, but the true method for all should be a strike to with
a single knuckle (several options on the hand), for the desired affects to
be possible. Persons with larger back
muscles must be hit with more force
to penetrate through the heavier
and denser muscle mass.
It must also be mentioned that
these should not be tried hapha-
zardly and a knowledgeable and
qualified instructor should be pre-
sent. It is also not the scope of
this article to instruct you to
attempt or use these points in any
manner but rather to note for his-
torical record what has been expe-
rienced and what may occur. Any
and all of these points can cause
permanent damage to the spine
and inherent manifestations there-
of.
BL-13 (Bladder • 13) • Feishu
Back-Shu of the Lung
1.5 cun* lateral to the lower
border of the spinous process of
the third thoracic vertebra (T3).
This point must be struck down
and in at a 45 degree angle
toward the lung itself with a
penetrating weapon and
motion. This will cause the
body arch forward; arms to
first extend then fold in toward
the front of the attacked side.
This will be followed instantly
with a paralysis of the
 Evan Pantazi 25

diaphragm and portions of the lung to restrict or impede normal brea-

thing. When struck with sufficient force, the recipient will feel as if suf-
focating.
BL14 (Bladder • 14) • Jueyinshu
Back-Shu of the Pericardium
1.5 cun* lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the fourth
thoracic vertebra (T4).
This point must be struck in at a 45 degree angle straight toward the
spine and in toward the heart, causing a constricted feeling in the chest,
pain numbing of the limbs and possible arrhythmia of the heart. When
struck with sufficient force, the recipient will feel as if having a heart
attack. The Pericardium is a protective casing around the heart itself.
BL15 (Bladder • 15) • Xinshu
Back-Shu of the Heart
1.5 cun* lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the fifth
thoracic vertebra (T5).
This is the point utilized by the Kyusho Practioner as a healing method
to restart the heart if stopped. The point must be struck in at a 45 degree
angle up and in toward the spine and heart, causing a constricted feeling
in the chest, pain numbing of the limbs and possible arrhythmia of the
heart. When struck with sufficient force, the recipient will feel as if having
a heart attack.
BL16 (Bladder • 16) • Dushu
Governing Shu
1.5 cun* lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the sixth
thoracic vertebra (T6).
This point should be struck straight toward the spine with a penetra-
ting (rather than grazing) attack. This will immediately dysfunction the
entire body, cause intense pain followed by numbing of various body
parts.
BL17 (Bladder • 17) • Geshu
Diaphragm Shu
1.5 cun* lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the
seventh thoracic vertebra (T7).
This is a point that can also be utilized by the Kyusho Practioner as a
healing method to restart the breathing if stopped. The point must be
struck in at a 45 degree angle up and in toward the spine and diaphragm,
causing a paralysis of the diaphragm to restrict or impede normal brea-
thing. When struck with sufficient force, the recipient will feel as if suf-
focating.
BL18 (Bladder • 18) • Gan Shu
Back-Shu point of the Liver.
 26 Kyusho-Jitsu

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the ninth
thoracic vertebra (T9).
This point must be struck in at a 45-degree angle straight toward the
spine and in toward the liver, causing severe pain, nausea, internal brui-
sing or damage the organ itself.
BL19 (Bladder • 19) • Danshu
Back-Shu of the Gall Bladder
1.5 cun* lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the tenth
thoracic vertebra (T10).
This point must be struck in at a 45 degree angle down and in toward
the spine and kidney, causing severe pain, physical dysfunction and con-
trol of legs.
BL20 (Bladder • 20) • Pishu
Back-Shu of the Spleen
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the ele-
venth thoracic vertebra (T11).
This point must be struck in at a 45 degree angle straight toward the
spine and up toward the Spleen or Liver (from opposite sides), causing
severe pain, nausea, and physical dysfunction.
BL21 (Bladder • 21) • Weishu
Back-Shu of the Stomach
1.5 cun* lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the
twelfth thoracic vertebra (T12).
This point must be struck in at a 45 degree angle straight toward the
spine and up toward the stomach causing severe pain, nausea, and
physical dysfunction.
BL22 (Bladder • 22) • Sanjiaoshu
Back-Shu of the Sanjiao
1.5 cun* lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the first
lumbar vertebra (L1).
This point must be struck in at a 45 degree angle down and in toward
the spine abdomen causing severe pain, complete physical dysfunction,
internal bleeding with possible kidney damage.
Caution Avoid the Kidneys
BL23 (Bladder • 23) • Shenshu
Back Shu point of the Kidneys.
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the
second lumbar vertebra (L2).
Strike this point down and in toward the spine and bladder, causing
the legs to dysfunction, severe pain and loss of control of the bladder
retention.
Caution Avoid the Kidneys.
 Evan Pantazi 27

BL25 (Bladder • 25) • Dachangshu

Back-Shu of the Large Intestine
1.5 cun* lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the fourth
lumbar vertebra (L4).
Strike this point down and in toward rectum, causing the legs to
dysfunction, severe pain and loss of control of legs and bowel functions.
Again just a caution that experimenting with these is not encouraged
and can cause more permanent problems with the recipient’s health.
 28 Kyusho-Jitsu

They are extremely dangerous and difficult to

access in a personal attack. Maybe Nature was
again trying to protect the human being from
severe damage in survival situations. And as
noted in most of these articles the real worth of
studying these points is in their inherent health
and healing possibilities!

* Cun (otherwise know as AU or Anatomical

Unit) is a traditional Chinese Medical term depic-
ting a body specific measuring system. This is
accomplished by using the individuals own
thumb width at the base of the nail, as
an anatomical unit of measure.
Evan Pantazi 29
Chapter 3
 Evan Pantazi 31

Sealing the breath

As mentioned in several prior articles, the study of Kyusho includes
attacks to many structures of the body. Our primary concern has been
with the nervous system for the immediacy of affect and the less dama-
ging or permanent ramifications on the recipient. Methods such as attac-
king Blood Vessels, Muscle and Tendon as well as Skeletal targets are
much more damaging to the individual. One other key process method
that although not as benign as the nerve attacks, is much less outwardly
noticeable than the others just mentioned, this is called sealing the bre-
ath or attacks on the respiratory system.
There are several ways to affect the breathing process of the body
with a myriad of targets on the body that can achieve this. First let's
look at what the process of breathing is and why it is a part of life
maintenance as this will give us greater insights into dysfunctioning it
as well. In order to survive humans need oxygen delivered to their
cells where it is utilized for essential processes. Some cells can go
without oxygen for a short time, however other organs such as the
brain are made up of cells that can only make the energy necessary for
survival in the presence a continual supply of oxygen (known as aero-
bic metabolism). Many tissues of the body differ in their ability to
withstand anoxia (lack of oxygen). The brain and the heart are the most
sensitive. Initially a lack of oxygen affects organ function but over a
relatively small period of time, irreversible damage is done (within
minutes for the brain) and revival is impossible.
One of the major effects that occur when you induce a restriction or
lack of oxygen is the impairment of the individual's judgment.
You may not realize it, but this lack of oxygen on the also impairs your
ability to think clearly and rationally, or even function physically. Another
thing to consider is that the body will instinctively go into a survival mode
as it tries to escape. As the urgency increases so too does the effort
using more oxygen in the muscles and blood, causing a faster draining.
Some other aspects that can restrict breath physically would be extra
weight or pressure inside the abdomen. This is an explanation of why
heavier people run out of breath easily, along with the extra drain on the
blood oxygen level used in the muscles for moving the extra weight.
Knowing how the function takes place and what affects its normal stasis
is also an education in how to dysfunction or restrict it. But we must also
look to the anatomy for these possibilities.
Looking at the organs we see that the lower portion of the lungs rest
on top the diaphragm, a muscle which is attached to the lower ribs, ster-
num and some of the vertebrae. When inhaling and exhaling, the muscle

* These are the points that lay within what is named the upper warmer.
 32 Kyusho-Jitsu

contracts and expands allowing the expansion and contraction of lungs

to fill with air and expel it after use. This is a very simplified description
of the process as there are more structures and mechanics at work.
Structures such as the intercostal muscles in the chest and others in the
abdomen, are also involved the process, these will all come into play as
we employ the breath sealing methods. (Any of these attacks used on
someone fatigued or breathing hard from overexertion will cause more
instantaneous and disabling effects).
Now all muscles are contracted and relaxed through systematic elec-
trical stimulation, which occurs from the impulses in the Brain, Central
Nervous System as well as the peripheral nerves. Thereby attacking the
nerves via the pressure points of the body, we can easily disrupt these
contractions and expansions necessary in the breathing process. With
this understanding and knowledge, we are now armed and ready to
explore how to attack the body and affect this life sustaining function.
Looking first at the front top half of the body for ease of access, we
have several options to tap into the nerve system. The targets or points
called L-1, ST-15, ST-17, SP-20 and GB-22 (nomenclature in acupunctu-
re terms), will cause the spasmodic contraction of the Bronchi or air
tubes going into the lungs. This makes it difficult for air to flow into or
even out of the lungs, leading to impaired motion and in some cases
even the though processes are impaired as the body tries to regain this
vital process. If timed with the breathing itself we can also get more dra-
matic results. Say for example the opponent has just exhaled and to refill
the lungs for normal function, if we attack one or more of these specified
targets we can severely restrict this ability. The individual will experien-
ce not only the sensation of suffocation, but also the fear, panic and
ensuing rationality of cognitive thought. If they are attacked after the
lungs have been filled, the air will be restricted from exiting causing quite
a different reaction. When we breathe in our body takes in and absorbs
oxygen, this is replaced with the toxic carbon dioxide for expulsion. If
cannot be expelled it becomes a danger... Why is it dangerous, because
the carbon dioxide displaces the oxygen, and since we need oxygen to
live this acts is an asphyxiant causing headaches, drowsiness and loss
of ability to maintain concentration, over longer periods even death.

* L-1 is two ribs down from the clavicle and below the indention of the
shoulder and clavicle itself. This point should be struck down and in
toward the center of the chest with a small penetrating weapon such as
a knuckle.
* ST-15 lies directly over the nipple and halfway between the nipple
and clavicle. This point again struck to pinch the nerve against the rib as
 Evan Pantazi 33

in the Lung #1 point just mentioned, will also spasm the bronchial tubes
restricting the air into the lungs.
* ST-17 located under the nipple itself when punched directly in toward
the lung will cause not only a spasming of the bronchial tubes, but also
a constriction of all intercostal muscles. This will cause a contraction of
the entire chest cavity putting additional pressure on the lungs themsel-
ves.
* GB-22 lays one rib up and lateral to the nipple on the side of the
body. This point punched directly in toward the lung will cause a spas-
ming of the bronchial tubes, and a constriction of the intercostal muscles
on the same side. This will cause a contraction of the entire chest cavity
putting additional pressure on the same side lung as well as not allowing
the diaphragm to work fully.
Moving down the torso avails other targets on the nerves and conse-
quently other physical structures involved in the breathing process. The
best targets for this are SP-21, LV-14, CV-14, CV-12 K-21 and GB-24.
However these targets will cause a different internal dysfunction, that
being the abdominal region in general and the diaphragm in particular.
We must also think in reverse terms as when the diaphragm is sent into
spasm it will contract violently and pull in air to fill the lungs. If the spasm
is severe enough then the muscle will have a level of paralysis making it
difficult to exhale and consequently inhale a fresh supply of air. The
opposite possibility exists as well where you can completely dysfunction
the muscle and therefore will not be able to take in air. This forced the
expansion of the diaphragm, emptying of the lungs as well as the paraly-
sis of the muscle can stay in spasm and make breathing in air very hard,
just as it feels when the wind is knocked out of you.
** SP-21 located on the side of the ribs half way between the pit of the
arm and lower edge of the ribs in the intercostal space.
This should be attacked straight in toward the lung, which will cause a
sharp expansion of the diaphragm forcing the air from the lungs.
It will also paralyze the diaphragm so it cannot contract to pull in more
air. The severity of the attack will determine the level of paralysis and is
made worse as the intercostal muscles will also constrict on the attacked
side placing more pressure on the lung itself.
** K-21 has the same results as does the SP-21, only more effect on
the intercostal muscles and connective tissues as well. This point has
much more affect on the breathing process than the SP-21
due to its effect on more structures and the diaphragm itself.
This point must be struck up and under the edge of the rib and toward
the SP-21 for the most penetrating and paralyzing effect.
Now as a reverse method as the two just mentioned we have the tar-

** These are the points that lay within what is named the middle warmer.
 34 Kyusho-Jitsu

gets that do not send a shock of energy into the diaphragm, but rather
force it into a contracted state so that exhaling is now impeded. These
attacks are struck away from the diaphragm and diverge impulses away
as a result.
** LV-14 must be struck at a 45-degree angle down toward the kidney
with a smaller penetrating weapon so as to strike in the intercostal space.
This will effectively hit the nerve against the rib and force the contraction
of the diaphragm as well as the intercostal muscles. Struck well this can
cause confusion, lack of physical control and or unconsciousness.
 Evan Pantazi 35

** CV-14 will have the same effects as the LV-14, but will affect the
diaphragm on a much more intense level. That is because there is no
protection from ribs or any other structures... not even the muscle in
this area overlap and the nerve plexus as well as the diaphragm are
directly attacked. The angle and direction to best accomplish this is
down and in at a 45 degree angle toward the lower tip of the spine.
Struck well this can cause confusion, lack of physical dysfunction of
the whole body and or unconsciousness.
** CV-12 will have the same affect as will the CV-14, but not as
intense. What it will do more so than the CV-14 is affect the connec-
 36 Kyusho-Jitsu

tive tissue from the spine causing distress on two sides of the diaph-
ragm simultaneously. Again down and in at a 45-degree angle toward
the lower tip of the spine this also strikes the stomach causing vomi-
ting, confusion, lack of physical control and or unconsciousness.
** GB-25 is also capable of causing the above manifestations des-
cribed, not to as great a level but still worthy of mention. Striking this
point straight down and toward the back of the body will effect only
portions of the diaphragm and is not as incapacitating as the others
which effect the whole. There are more points that will cause similar
results, although not as powerful or effective. And as Kyusho is epi-
tome of efficiency in combat, they will not be addressed. However
when attacking the abdomen we also cause a vago-vasal response
which is an attack on the blood (in the next issue).
All of the above mentioned targets are focused on the source or
organs responsible for breathing. But why then can we also make
"some people" restricted in breath from striking a more distal target
like LI-10 located on the arm. This is because when we attack this
nerve the message is transferred into the CNS at C-5, which also is
location that the phrenic nerve emanates from and directly affect the
diaphragm.
The back of the body contains even more targets that will also
accomplish the sealing or impeding the opponents breathing.
They are potentially more dangerous due to the proximity of the spine
and possible damage to that structure. They are also more dangerous
as they affect the nerve impulses far greater that frontal body points.
These are all taken into account by the Kyusho Practitioner but in a
more guarded respect.
Extra potential with this method of sealing the breath, also lays in
the concept of double strikes like augmented "block" hand position
(as well as many other hand postures and configurations). By simulta-
neously attacking two of these targets exponentially greater results will
occur. Taking just the Augmented hand position mentioned, if the
upper had struck down and in on the ST-15 while the lower hand
struck up and in at the LI-10 on the arm... or better yet the K-21, you
will affect not only the bronchial tubes, but also spasm and paralyze
the diaphragm as well. This is just one example of how or why Kata
was considered deadly. There are myriads of these hand postures in
Kata, and why they were so highly regarded and passed down from
generation to generation as the encyclopedia of the Budoka.
 Evan Pantazi 37

Healing
Where there is a way to use something in a negative manner,
also contained must be the positive method. This lays in the healing pos-
sibilities for this specific knowledge and targets. Let's take the problem
of Asthma, as it seems to be more and more prominent in modern life.
Asthma is the spasmodic contraction of the bronchi and can be trigge-
red in many different ways. For our investigation we will just refer to an
episode manifested by over exertion of the asthmatic individual. The BL-
11, 12 & 13 (on the left side only), become blocked and the muscles knot-
ted over them... you can even feel a marked difference from left and right
sides.
By slapping this area it causes the relaxing of all tissues and the per-
son can regain breath. This is of course a simplified explanation and will
be covered more full in healing sessions as well as later chapters.
The body is a miracle in construction and function, working with
Kyusho the practioner is privy to its amazing possibilities as well as vul-
nerabilities.
Chapter 4
 Evan Pantazi 39

Takedowns & Controls

Our readers have openly requested the work of this magnificent
Master, Evan Pantazi. His book has had deep impact in the sector, a
project that came to definitively complement his already long video
and DVD series.
Beyond the specifications of each style, Pantazi’s proposal is sim-
ple: try, apply, and experiment with the vital points in order to take
full advantage of his knowledge in applying our own techniques.
However, this won’t prevent Pantazi from proposing his own com-
binations in his latest video and DVD project for Budo International,
this time dedicated to the application of takedown techniques and
control of the adversary. The takedown places us in a superior situa-
tion always when it comes accompanied by an adequate control
technique. Pantazi takes advantage of the large arsenal of Kyusho to
facilitate the loss of support in the lower limbs as well as the neu-
tralization of the adversary in combinations of groups on the vital
points of the body. A magnificent new effort that he introduces us to
at length in this article.

In the Study of Kyusho the practioner quickly learns that any point
attacked well can produce a loss of body control that can drop the oppo-
nent to the floor. This is evident from not only the head points, as one
might expect, but rather anywhere on the body. So why then do we take
an entire training level to teach specific takedowns? The answer is sim-
ple, the way in which you need to attack many of these points for the
felling of the opponent, is not usable for many individuals in their profes-
sions. Professions like Law Enforcement Officers, Emergency Medical
Technicians, Security Personnel, or other such positions require low level
control methods that will not be seen in this politically correct society.
However getting a person under control and downed so as to minimize
risk and injury to not only themselves, but others in proximity.
Understanding just a few targets that can be accessed form any angle
and training them into natural motion is the key. Also the knowledge of
exactly what will occur when a target is used is extremely important and
will give the user a strategic advantage. When you know which way a
body will react or move, what else becomes available and how to esca-
late into more powerful application if the need arises, reduces unplanned
scenarios, thus reducing stress and panic response. After well acquain-
ted the training must then escalate in stress, speed and intensity as it will
also accustom the practioner to the rush of adrenaline and it’s effects.
After these targets are trained in this manner the effects of adrenaline are
 40 Kyusho-Jitsu

either negated or the practioner learns to work with them still in affect.
In conjunction with this training we need to have two other capabilities
that of incapacitation (in severe emergency situations), and continued
control. The Pressure Points used in Kyusho/Dim Mak being the easiest
way to access the bodies Nervous System hold the key. For example
let’s look at the Mental Nerve Target (M-HN-14), as this has 3 ways of
activation, 3 levels major angles of access and 3 of control. This yields
not only incredible versatility, but the ultimate in control options for the
user.
Pressing this nerve down and in toward the center of the neck will
weaken the neck muscles to enable the practioner to turn the opponents
head and maneuver them in many directions, forward, backward, side-
ways and especially downward. Rubbing this point rapidly will immedia-
tely dysfunction the legs and body control dropping the opposition just
as quickly. And for times of increased need, by striking this point the
level of consciousness is also possible up to full unconscious state. All
of these methods can be obtained whether you are in front,
to the side or even behind which
increases the value of this tar-
get considerably. Now
maneuvering, downing or
even restraining the assai-
lant or perpetrator is easily
accomplished via this and
many more targets.
Now as accessible as this
point is we must have a full
array of targets for any
circumstance or need. Another
equally versatile and effective
target is just behind
the jaw and under
the ear lobe, TW-
17. This point has
long been known
by Law
Enforcement,
Military, Security
and Martial Artists
alike, but what is
not commonly know
and vital for times of
 Evan Pantazi 41

need is the maneu-

verability and
dysfunctional level
of use. For example
we can full steer the
opponent alternate
pressures on both
sides, lift, drop or
even knock them
with minimal force.
The main angle to
work this nerve root
is toward the tip of
the nose, by slight
variations in angle
and method of appli-
cation yield star-
tlingly different
results.
Another target is
located on the front
of the sternocleidomastoid muscle on the same level as the Adam’s
apple. The nerve is a branch of the hyperglossal nerve and ties in with
the vagal nerve, this point also shares the maneuverability factor as the
TW-17 and has the added capability used in choking maneuvers. As the
reader may be aware there are two main ways to choke an individual into
submission and or unconsciousness, choking the air supply or blood
supply. Choking the air is a long and perilous method as the minutes
panicked struggle of mode, can result in injury to the practioner.
However the Blood Choke takes just a few seconds, however there is still
danger as the opponent reaches and grasps in instinct to remove the
threat. But by using the ST-9 this is instantly stopped when used
correctly. By rubbing down and in on the ST-9 the nerves dysfunction the
arms (causing them to drop away from attacking the users face or head)
and weakens the entire body function so the seconds prior to the effects
of the blood choke are safer for the application.
When an opponents arms are above yours in a grappled position, all
of the above points will be difficult to reach and apply. However there are
many targets that can be reached that will control the opponent by taking
them down quickly and temporarily causing body dysfunction and he
ensuing confusion it causes for the recipient. ST-11 is one such point
that will drop the attacked side of the opponent by stopping nerve impul-
 42 Kyusho-Jitsu

ses to reach the

muscles on that
side of the body,
below the point.
Accessed by rea-
ching in the ster-
nal notch, but to
the side and in
back of the cor-
ner of the
collarbone.
The nerve
must be
pinched
against the
back of the
collarbone and
downward to
affect the
dysfunc-
tion and
best acti-
vated by rea-
ching across as to straight on with
your hand.
Also available from under the
grasp of the opponent are a couple
easily targeted nerve points that will
drop and or temporarily dysfunction the
opponent on top of the pelvic structure.
GB-26, is located on top of the hip bone
(Iliac Crest) and is a branch of the L1
Iliohypogastric nerve. Pressing or striking
this nerve against the bone will cause severe pain, paralysis and dysfunc-
tion of the lower limb. This will drop the opponent down onto the attac-
ked side allowing the practioner to restrain or escape. In some people it
will even induce dizziness.
The other being BL-23, located two finger widths laterally from the ver-
tebrae, just under the 12th rib is another branch of the Subcostal Nerve,
struck or pressed down and in at a 45 degree angle toward the genitals
can cause, severe pain, loss of muscle control and dizziness. One of the
really impressive uses for this target is the ability to stifle a shoulder or
 Evan Pantazi 43

hip throw instantly.

As the Judoka or other
throwing expert rotates
their back and hip toward
you for positioning and
leverage, merely rubbing
this nerve access down
and in buckles the legs
and weakens their
base. Caution is nee-
ded during training as
the loss of their base
may cause lower back
injuries when extra tor-
que is now placed
totally on the lower
back. And as a side
benefit of this method for stopping the throw, they will drop into a perfect
position for the blood choke as mentioned above or even a rear guard or
mount. Also for Law Enforcement officers, this is an excellent method to
drop the opponent from behind for control or to gain advantage when
placing the resistant perpetrator in a vehicle or cell.
Enhancing Conventional Martial Arts takedowns is also a viable and
effective use of Kyusho Jitsu. Although in Kyusho we train to cause this
level of bodily dysfunction to incapacitate and drop an individual we still
practice many takedowns used in many arts. These vary from leg
maneuvers to joint locks to even sacrifice moves. Any method you use
to drop or throw an opponent, whether it came from Aikido or Shotokan,
can be enhanced with Kyusho.
Starting with a conventional foot sweep, when we use a point called
Spleen-6 on the inner shin one hand width up from the anklebone, we
can accomplish two different takedowns. As hitting this point up makes
the leg also jump up and back we no longer need to use the larger and
more strength oriented pulling action of the conventional sweeping
action. When opposing a much larger individual you yourself could pos-
sible incur damage to your leg or joints by straining against the weight
and strength of a larger opponent. But by using Kyusho effectively and
kicking this point up and in at a 45 degree angle, they will go into a reac-
tion called withdrawal reflex, where their own nervous system makes
their leg pull up and back to unbalance them. If we target the same point
down and in at a 45 degree angle, this will weaken the ankle and lower
leg using the natural paralysis reflex. This is where all the surrounding
44 Kyusho-Jitsu

and weight bearing muscles

loose control and collapse, as
the support is no longer there.
This has very serious potential
damage to the ankle and knee
joints as the muscles are
paralyzed and the weight
drops onto these now unsup-
ported and twisting areas.
The weight will be dispersed
in a lateral action that joints
are not designed to do, cau-
sing damage to internal liga-
ments and connective tissue.
Even the tendons in this
area of the ankle which
surround the ankle with
exception of the shin bone on
the frontal aspect, contain
what is called a Golgi Tendon
Body. The Golgi is known as a
mechanoreceptor of which
there are 2 types: muscle spin-
dle cells and the Golgi Tendon
Body, each muscle has both
types, the function of
which is to prevent mus-
cle damage.
The muscle spindle
cells are in the belly of the
muscle. They monitor the
stretch put on the muscle
(they monitor the length of
the muscle). If the muscle
is stretched too far, the mus-
cle spindle cells send a mes-
sage to the spinal cord, which
relays a message back instanta-
neously to cause the muscle to
contract (shorten) so the muscle
isn't overstretched. The GTB is in
the tendon of the muscle and it mea-
 Evan Pantazi 45

sures muscle tension. And even though it sounds the same as the mus-
cle spindle cell, it's not, the Golgi gives your brain feedback on small por-
tions of the muscle so the brain can not only know how the whole mus-
cle is doing but also how each of the individual parts of that muscle is
doing. When the GTB senses too much tension on the muscle (As in a
stretch from our rubbing attack), it sends a signal to the spinal cord,
which in turn causes the muscle to relax to reduce the tension. The
major difference between the GTB and the muscle spindle cell is that the
muscle spindle cell causes the muscle to contract to keep the muscle
from overstretching and the GTB causes the muscle to relax to reduce
the tension. So as each tendon has this inherent in it, then attacking this
as taught in the Arm with a rubbing (stretching) action, the muscle rela-
xes and the leg collapses.
Leg hawking or as some call it, reaping, we can again use the pressu-
re points to work the
same takedown with
two dramatically dif-
ferent results. We
can heel kick into a
point called Bladder
57 located at the
base of the calf
muscle where it joins
the Achilles Tendon.
Kicking this point up
and in at a 45 degree
angle will cause the
withdrawal reflex of
the nervous system
to lift the leg, (the
same point and
method is viable for
reaping maneuvers
as well). This can
also be directly kic-
ked to drop an
opponent from
behind as the leg
uncontrollably jumps
forward and out
from under them at
such a rapid pace
 46 Kyusho-Jitsu

that the balance is virtually impossible to shift in time to prevent falling.

The second way to use these two maneuvers is to aim down and in on a
point called Bladder 55, laying just on top of the calf muscle under the
back of the knee. This will cause a collapsing of the leg which is some-
times a safer method than lifting the leg, as the users balance at that time
would also be in jeopardy. As we age this becomes a more important
manner to achieve the takedown, as muscles and joints weaken as will
balance, so by knowing kyusho targets we increase versatility and pos-
sibility for skills that increase with age.
Also bear in mind that any of these targets and many more can be
used as an entry method for a throw, positioning, takedowns or so many
possible reversals, that it can not be covered in a single article. But
hopefully this can serve as a beginning into your own individual research
and skill enhancement.
Following a logical progression from learning individual Kyusho Point
targeting, into multi-
ple points acquisi-
tion comes the next
level of takedown
and control. From
dropping to thro-
wing, control or res-
traint, minimal effort
is needed from the
practioner. Some of
these targets and
methods mentioned
in this article can be
seen in the new
video compilation,
shot and produce by
this magazine. But it
will be the hands on
training with consis-
tency and urgency
that will enable you
to master the control
that Kyusho can give
you… train well!
Evan Pantazi 47
 50 Kyusho-Jitsu

Chapter 5
 Evan Pantazi 51

ATTACKING THE TENDONS

AND MUSCLES
The study of Kyusho includes
dysfunction of several body
functions such as neurological, vascu-
lar, respiratory, digestive and other
functions including the function of
the Muscles and Tendons.
Ancient texts also describe these
muscle and tendon attacks in
general, but never do they get
into the specifics of what
occurs or the actual way to
accomplish this on the
human body. Besides the
physical destruction of
ripping, puncturing or
otherwise destroying the
actual structures,
there is a non-dama-
ging neurological
method for success-
ful results in this
regard.
 52 Kyusho-Jitsu

There are two types of neurolo-

gical mechanisms called mecha-
nanoreceptors: the “Muscle
Spindle Cell” (MSC) and the “Golgi
Tendon Organ” (GTO), often refe-
rred to in Kyusho as the Golgi
Body. Every muscle has both
types for the safe and coordinated
interaction of contraction and
expansion, with their function
being to keep the muscle from
being damaged. By correctly
attacking these receptors, we can
therefore disrupt the normal func-
tion and capability of the structure
and therefore the body’s ability to
move or use them.
So we have two structures that
guard the muscle, the MSC func-
tion is to make sure the muscle
doesn't get damaged by being
overstretched and the GTO func-
tion is to make sure that the mus-
cle isn't torn from its origin and/or
insertion by a sudden increase in
tension". That's why the GTO is in
the tendons (to keep the muscle
from being torn from the bone) and
why the MSC is the belly of the
muscle (to keep the muscle from
be "shredded" from being overs-
tretched). Without the MSC you
could have muscle damage but
will still be attached to the bone at
its origin and/or insertion. Without
the GTO you could have the mus-
cle torn from the bone at the origin
or insertion but the belly of the
muscle would not be in itself
damaged.
 Evan Pantazi 53

Tendon Attacks
The main structure that will cause physical dysfunction of a tendon
(the fibrous cord of tissue that connects the end of a muscle to the bone
or other structure) is the GTO. Every muscle has one end that is firmly
attached to bone called the origin (or the end of the muscle that stays in
place or is rooted). While the other end of the same muscle is attached
to another bone called the insertion and can be thought of as the struc-
ture that will pull the other bone closer. For example, when you contract
the biceps, you pull the lower arm toward the upper arm. The muscle
ends in tendons and the tendons plug the muscle into bones.
This is where the GTO comes into play.
The Golgi Tendon Organ is in the actual tendon itself with the sole
function being to measure muscle tension. What is happening is that a
group of individual muscle fibers are plugged into a GTO like several
power cords plugged into a single outlet. The GTO monitors the pressu-
re on that group of muscle fibers giving your brain feedback on small por-
tions of the muscle and it’s function. This allows the brain to not only
monitor how the whole muscle is doing but also each of the individual
parts of that muscle. When the GTO senses too much tension (contrac-
tion) on the muscle it sends a signal to the cord that causes the muscle
to relax to reduce the tension or possibility of damage.
The GTO is activated by a significant increase in tension so the best
method of attack to a GTO is a deep and rapid rubbing action simulating
a quick and potentially damaging occurrence in the muscle. It is at this
time that the muscle completely relaxes also causing the antagonistic
muscles also relax. The rubbing action must mimic the direction of the
tendons contractive and expansion direction (in the direction of the con-
nection from muscle to bone as the same reactions will not occur if attac-
ked in a perpendicular direction).
As an example by correctly activating the GTO in the elbow,
at the base of the triceps, all of the muscles in that particular arm will be
relaxed as rapidly as the attack. This can also be used very efficiently to
dislocated joints as the muscles and tendons can no longer contract and
hold the joint firm (when practicing this serious and permanent damage
to the joint can occur. This level of destructive capability is the underl-
ying reason the demonstrators of Kyusho use very little strength and
effort, so as not to cause damage and why many believe the recipient is
faking as the dysfunction belies the perceived need of power). Another
physical manifestation in this is the dysfunction of both legs as well that
can be explained as follows: As the brain sends an electrical signal down
the spine to maintain strength in the leg muscle, when the severe electri-
 54 Kyusho-Jitsu

cal message is sent from the arm to the brain this

urgency supercedes the electrical message from the
brain to the legs and therefore they dysfunction as well.
Not a bad response for such little effort, total body
dysfunction with a simple little rubbing action, such is
Kyusho and why it may appear false to the unknowing
viewer.
Another example would be a rubbing action on the
Quadriceps or Patella tendon (an extension of the
Quadriceps Tendon). By a deep and rapid rubbing
action up and/or down he length of the tendon, the
complete leg will relax and the knee joint will hyper
extend backwards from lack of muscle tensing capability
to keep it in place. This can be done with a forearm from
a kneeling position, or if you have hold of the ankle with
one arm and use the other for the rubbing action. Or if
you are using your legs, a sliding kick against the tendon
or even with an object such as Police Baton will cause
the same dysfunction.
One more example would be in the Achilles
(Calcaneal) Tendon just under the Calf (Gastrocnemis)
Muscle. Many grapplers use this for an extremely effective ankle lock
submission as well, due to the painful nerve reaction. The best manner
to cause the inherent muscle weakening is to not simple push into this
sensitive spot, but to do so with a deep rubbing action. Also remembe-
ring that the quicker the rub, the more intense the pain,
dysfunction and physical reactions will be.

Muscle Attacks
The Muscle Spindle Cells (MSC) are actually in the belly
of the muscle itself and monitor the stretch put on the muscle (they
more accurately monitor the length of the muscle). So if the muscle is
stretched too far, the (MSC) send a message to the spinal cord which
relays a message back instantaneously to cause the muscle to con-
tract (shorten) so the muscle isn't damaged by being overstretched. It
may sound the sound the same as the Golgi Tendon Organ but it's not.
The major difference between the GTO and the (MSC) is that the
Muscle Spindle Cell causes the muscle to contract to keep the muscle
from overstretching. Whereas mentioned, the GTO cause the muscle
to relax to reduce the tension on the affected muscle.
The MSC is activated by the muscle being overstretched so again
 Evan Pantazi 55

he best method would be a rubbing stretching action, as in the GTO,

however with the opposite reaction of muscle contraction. And whe-
reas the body of the muscle is larger and more pliable, a sharper more
penetrating action is needed compared to the GTO. So the correct
weapon is a bone structure that will efficiently attack the MSC. Also
the larger the muscle body is, the more force and penetration it will
need to get the desired dysfunction and or reaction.
What happens when the MSC is attacked well is that the particular
muscle sharply contracts. This in turn can affect all attached or connec-
ted structures and resembling an implosive action. Lets say we attack a
biceps with a knuckle punch directly to the center, but with a slight drag-
ging action. This will first rapidly stretch the muscle fibers causing the
MSC force the reactive muscle contraction. This will quickly pull the fore-
arm in at the same time as the deltoid, latissimus and pectoral muscles
also contract causing the body to cramp on the side and front as well.
This allows us unrestricted access to the back of the head and body.
Taking the latissimus muscle for another example, by striking straight
in pain will of course be felt, but by adding a dragging action to the stri-
ke as if to mimic an overstretched muscle and therefore the MSC, a much
more dramatic action occurs. First a sharp contraction of the muscle
followed by paralysis and again exposure of vital points on the head,
neck and back of the opponent.
One more example is the large muscle group of the Quadriceps,
located on the front of the upper leg. By striking in at a 90 Degree
angle into the bone, pain and dysfunction will naturally occur, but it will
be significantly enhanced by dropping down at a 45-degree angle on
the muscle. This will again activate the MSC by simulating the dan-
gerously overstretched condition of the muscle. This contracts the
whole quadriceps, so fast that it can easily cause a hyperextension of
the knee, severe pain and paralysis of the entire leg. Obviously cau-
tion is needed here, but even more so as the vascular tissue can also
be damaged leading to varied states of hematoma, not necessarily on
point of impact. Meaning the blood leaked by the damaged blood
vessel can pool elsewhere on the leg, clotting and potentially causing
further health issues for the recipient.
By knowing and continuously recognizing (through practice), exactly how
the opponent’s body reacts, moves and dysfunctions will increase your rea-
diness for many possible needs. Strategy becomes more the focus rather
than that of defense, or dealing with unknown situations which in turn will
lead to increased stress and less physical control. By knowing and com-
pletely understanding the human reactions with each move and exploiting
it in strategy, you will ultimately gain advantage in personal defense.
 56 Kyusho-Jitsu

All of the Tendons and Muscles in the body can be effected as men-
tioned, not limited to the very few discussed. They also are in close pro-
ximity to nerves and as such by attacking either the Muscle Spindle Cells
or the Golgi Tendon Organs; you may also be affecting proximal nerve
structure. One more note is that since each of these methods do send
nuero messages even without a proximal nerve being affected (they are
spinal cord reflexes), that they indeed further weaken or setup all other
nerves for follow-up if needed.
Evan Pantazi 57
 58 Kyusho-Jitsu

Chapter 6
 Evan Pantazi 59

CHI AND ELECTROMAGNETICS

There is no other topic in the Martial Arts that stirs as much

controversy or polarization as the topic of Chi (also known as Ki, Qi,
Prana and many more). This supposedly mystical and magical force
has been long derided as bunk by some as well as highly sought after
by others. The truth of the matter is that it can easily be explained in
modern western terminology and recently even measured.
It is always dangerous ground to tread, as many do not understand
the mechanisms of this phenomenon. It has also been a widespread
practice for those that do know it, but cannot readily explain it,
use more esoteric terms and explanations leading to confusion and
disbelief from many. Hopefully this explanation and set of facts will
help you relate to this concept and make it easier to understand.
Modern Science has clearly determined that our bodies possess
an electromagnetic field, quite similar to the earth itself. Modern
Medicine has documented that the brain sends and receives
electrical charges via the nervous system and is a predominant
operational mechanism of all our muscles and life functions.
By understanding that these electrical forces are the same as what is
referred to as Chi (or all cultural renditions of it), may make the whole
concept a bit more understandable.
Moving electrical charges give rise to magnetic fields and if its
motion changes, this magnetic field is altered and in turn produces
an electrical field originating electromagnetic radiation.
These electromagnetic fields are generated by electric motors,
appliances and even by power transmission lines, as one would
expect. But in fact electromagnetic fields (EMF’s) occur naturally
wherever there is the movement of an electron. The flow of blood
through a vein or artery for example creates it’s own electromagnetic
field as does the flow of electrical impulses from the brain and
through the nerves. So this manifestation can be explained in
non-mystical terms as opposed to constantly using the more
esoteric names associated with the phenomenon.
Electromagnetism, is simply the electrical and magnetic
properties of the elementary particles. Based on repulsion of similar
electrical charges and the attraction of unsimilar electric charges this
is an underlying principle of atomic structure as well as the
properties of light or other forms of radiation. Because this
phenomenon can be easily observed, it is the most thoroughly
 60 Kyusho-Jitsu

studied and understood of the fundamental forces of nature.

It has even been suggested, researched and somewhat
documented that such fields, particularly those around electrical
transmission lines, may cause or promote various cancers however
research is still ongoing and this generally accepted link has not
been conclusively established. For example the ongoing question of
mobile phones which transmit and receive waves, (whereas radios
only receive), have given rise to debate on the effects of these fields
on our environment and bodies. And a relatively new development
in humans appears to be that absorption of Electromagnetic Fields
being accountable for brain tumors among those that excessively
utilize mobile phones. The tumors typically occur in the area above
the ear positioned exactly where the transmissions from antenna
occur.
A pioneer in this field of research is Dr. Robert Becker, a recognized
authority in the field of Bio-Electric Science and other specialists have
concluded that some biological effects of EMF include; oddities
in developing cells,
animation of Proto-
Oncogenes inducing
certain cancers, influ-
ences on embryo
development, the pro-
duction of neurochemi-
cals which induce
behavior change, over-
production of free radi-
cals, changes in the
bodies’ biorhythm,
lower the immune func-
tion, induce stress, dys-
function of the auto-
nomic nervous system,
headaches, depres-
sion, sleeping disor-
ders, deterioration of
the memory, and many
more affects. It is also
known that EMF’s
affect the central
nervous system.
 Evan Pantazi 61

Free radicals are basically particles in the body with a net negative
or positive charge and can be affected by electromagnetic fields
more than ordinary particles. It is important to note for later
discussion that stress can increase the amount of these free radicals
in your system. Eating lots of antioxidants, which are contained in
fruits and vegetables, can repair these particles, but more interesting
to note is that meditation, amazingly enough, is also an excellent
way to neutralize these damaged particles.
Although all electromagnetic fields do not cause problems for
humans however those that have wavelengths similar to the
wavelength in a molecule of water for example would. This type of
EMF would pose affects as the body is primarily comprised of water,
is involved in every bodily function, and makes up 70- 75% of your
total body weight. Water helps you to maintain body temperature,
metabolize body fat, aids in digestion, lubricates and cushions
organs, transports nutrients, and flushes toxins from your body as
 62 Kyusho-Jitsu

well. So in affect alterations in our natural Electromagnetic Field

could affect our entire body and it’s functions. Water molecules are
capable of absorbing the energy from EMF’s of shorter waves and
the main reason and mechanism behind microwave cooking.
A radio wave however having a much longer wavelength, pass
directly through the human body where minimal energy absorption
takes place and consequently much less damage or affect.
Since the human has this innate field of energy we must be aware
that we can increase, decrease or alter its normal flow with our own
electric field or that of another’s. This occurs daily, but because of
the regular occurrence, we are only sometimes aware of this
phenomenon. We have all felt when someone approached us from
behind, not hearing or seeing them but by feeling a presence.
We have all felt if someone next to us has a lot of energy or are in a
depressed state, drawing from us and making us feel the same.
We have all experienced becoming nervous or anxious near someone
that is in that state as well… these and more everyday occurrences
are in fact a transmission of electrical fields from one another.
And however acceptable these occurrences are we still tend to not
accept that it can be controlled. But it can be and has been a major
part of many cultures and disciplines since the beginning.
There is nothing mystical about it, the electromagnetic field we
live in and the one we embody, are of the same nature. What needs
to be understood is that this natural phenomenon can be controlled
to a certain extent by an individual. It can also be channeled and
used in many ways individually or in groups all guided by the mind.
To illustrate this we go to a well-used technique used to help
people feel this field and its affects on the body. Standing or sitting
in a relaxed position bring your hands up to chest level 6 to 8 inches
apart as if holding a soccer ball. Keep your hands and body relaxed
as you concentrate on the area between the hands. You will begin
to feel sensations manifesting in increased heat, itching, vibrations,
thickness or other such feelings as everyone is individual and will
have differing energy and physical composition. Now this can be
explained by the increased flow of blood present in the muscles and
other tissues of the palms. In fact reddening or speckled coloration
will be seen after a short time and due to the mind leading the blood
to the point of concentration. Your brain is the electrical generator
and the nerves and other structures of the body are the conduits.
By directing your attention to a specific area you will increase
sensitivity and physical function or activity in that area, in this case
 Evan Pantazi 63

your palms. It is the conscious or concentrated positioning of your

electrical field that draws with it the blood, as your blood is
approximately 90% water and can be affected with electromagnetic
fields or energies as noted above.
Now that is for some a revelation or new experience in and of
itself, but there is more that can be felt. Aside from the
above-mentioned sensations we can also feel the electromagnetic
fields themselves by using another such method. Keeping that
same position and feeling you accomplished, start slowly and gently
bouncing the hands slightly toward and away from each other. You
will begin to feel a magnetic repulsion just like when you hold the like
ends (both positive or negative charged), of two magnets toward
each other. This will illustrate the EMF and your ability to control or
manifest it in a localized area. But we are not yet done with our
experiment; we can now make others feel our energy or electrical
field. By having another person go through the above two exercises
and feeling the energy present have them continue to hold their
hands in that position without motion now. After having gone
through the exercise yourself and having the same energy fields built
in your hands, place them perpendicular to their hands while causing
them so as to appear as if both people are holding the same ball.
Then have one of the persons begin to again slowly and gently
bouncing their hands back and fourth. Now you would expect
yourself to feel the same magnetic repulsion as before, but what is
really amazing is that the other person holding their hands still will
also feel this.
Getting more involved, we know from science that all energy will
flow from greater to lesser amounts. This being the case we can
then manipulate energy using this rule and the EMF of others.
To illustrate this in greater detail, or more accurately in actual physical
demonstration, here is yet another method for you to try. You will
need at least 3 people for this exercise, where you have two or more
stand facing away from you in a single file line. Have them place their
hands in a relaxed manner on the shoulders or the person in front of
them with the first person in the line standing relaxed with hands by
their side. The one person at the back of the line doing the
experiment should stand back from them a few feet in distance.
Have that person stand relaxed with feet comfortably apart in a
balanced state with both hands at the kidney level of the person in
front of them. Hands should be relaxed with palms up to receive the
electrical field from the line of people in front. The person accepting
 64 Kyusho-Jitsu

the energy should feel heat or an energetic feeling coming from the
person line in front into their hands. Then feel as the energy travels
up their arms down the body and legs into the earth. At this time the
line of people in front will be drawn back and feel the energetic pull.
It is important to note that the pull can be resisted, but for the sake of
this exercise should not so that the understanding of the
phenomenon is realized.
The line of people being pulled will feel a general sense of being
magnetically drawn back as the amount of energy in several people
combined by touch, will naturally flow to the lesser amount in the
sole individual accepting it.
These are simple but illustrative exercises to realize the potential,
but we must also realize that it is just a beginning and that control of
the EMF and other body physiological aspects are entirely possible.
Now this can be applied to the entire body and is another
explanation of Chi Gong and similar practices and why it can cause
physical alteration of the human. If we can channel energy to an
area then it is also possible to channel energy away from an area.
We can calm and balance agitated or excessive electrical fields or
again using the law of opposites (Yin and Yang or in this reference
Positive and Negative), add energy to an area or agitate already calm
balanced fields. It is how the healing process, say of a Mother and
Child occurs when a child is upset and has agitated or abundant
energy. By holding the Child and trying to feel that Childs pain or
remove this agitated energy, the Mother is able to calm the child.
Again these are all natural occurrences in everyday life that we
have become so accustomed to that we now take them for granted.
The ancient cultures did not have the distractions that modern
society does and they observed, documented and worked with
these natural laws far more than modern cultures. These simple
explanations and exercises can help us realize the impact of nature
in all of us as well as how to work with and control them to an
extent. As can be expected this is not an easy task and takes
dedicated, consistent and long practice and preparation.
Consequently this intense regime of training is why many have either
given up the pursuit, have not been aware of it or even put it off as
myth. It is also something very difficult to describe, as each
individual is just that, they will feel their own unique reality,
so it is something you must ardently work at to achieve rather than
just knowing about it. As always there is no substitute for
experience and time.
 Evan Pantazi 65

Chi & electromagnetics part 2

With the understanding of what Chi, Ki, Prana, etc. is, we now
turn our attention to how it fits in to Martial Arts, Healing, Health
Maintenance and other various applications in life. As we are able to
feel the electromagnetic field and also attach and attract other
peoples magnetic field we are ready to discuss how to move it first
within ourselves and then in other people.
Looking at ourselves as just a conduit of natural forces, we are a
continually alternating with positive and negative electrical forces.
The Sun and atmosphere rains down positive energy as it seeks the
negative pull of the earth. The earth in turn absorbs this energy as it
moves toward its core… where the negative electrical energy
generated now emanates outward away from this core, the excess
spewing from the two poles of north and south. Just as the earth
itself, we are a constant flux of positive and negative qualities,
absorbing and emitting energy and electromagnetic fields from the
poles north and south as well.
Now first let’s focus on the idea that we are quite able to move or
concentrate the energy flow in our own bodies as well as others.
To demonstrate this stand or sit in a relaxed position bringing your
hands up to chest level 6 to 8 inches apart as if holding a soccer
ball. Keep your hands and body relaxed as you concentrate on the
area between the hands. You will begin to feel sensations
manifesting in increased heat, itching, vibrations, thickness or other
such feelings as everyone is individual and will have differing energy
and physical composition. Now this can be explained by the
increased flow of blood present in the muscles and other tissues of
the palms. In fact reddening or speckled coloration will be seen
after a short time and due to the mind leading the blood to the point
of concentration. Your brain is the electrical generator and the
nerves and other structures of the body are the conduits.
By directing your attention to a specific area you will increase
sensitivity and physical function or activity in that area, in this case
your palms. It is the conscious or concentrated positioning of your
electrical field that draws with it the blood, as your blood is
approximately 90% water and can be affected with electromagnetic
fields or energies as noted above. An old Oriental saying states
“The Chi follows the Mind, the Blood follows the Chi” and now this
can be more readily understood.
 66 Kyusho-Jitsu

Next without disturbing your posture, use just your mind or

thoughts to feel the energy of both hands fall from the palms and
only down to the small finger edge of both hands. Do not try to
force it, but rather be aware of the feeling it is there. After holding
this here for a bit to fully experience your accomplishment, now
bring the electrical energy out to the back of both hands only…
this may be a little harder for some as the area is greater, but with
continued patience it will occur. Again after a pause to feel and
appreciate what you are able to do, move the energy again, this time
to the top edge of the hands at the thumb and forefinger side.
Once accomplished, experienced and appreciated, bring all the
electromagnetic energy back into the palms as originally felt.
The last facet of this exercise (a small portion of what is called
“Buddha Palms” Chi Gong), focus the energy to all your finger tips
and thumbs. Bringing it back to the palms, briskly rub the hands
together and all over the surface as if washing your hands,
to finish the exercise.
This small but extremely important exercise will allow the
practioner insights in how to manipulate the energy of the entire
body and in others as well. This can be practiced daily for increased
possibilities and greater control… but with anything moderation is
always recommended. But a word of caution, building energy in the
body is not recommended as it causes imbalance and unnatural
energetic flow and stasis of the human organism. We must maintain
a balance of this energetic phenomenon as in nature for our normal
function, health and safety. It is when outside or overabundant
inside influences disturb these fields or natural energetic flows that
illness, good health and/or normal functions of the human body and
mind are also altered.
We can also alter or move others energy using it in healing,
by balancing and smoothing disruptive wavelengths.
To demonstrate this, again assume the standing or seated position
you had during the last experiment. Bring the electromagnetic field
first to your palms and maintain this feeling. Also have another
person do the same exercise to feel the same electrical field inside
until a good amount of energy can be felt. Then have them slightly
bounce their hands in and out a bit so they feel the magnetic
repulsion that will occur. Once they have accomplished this
sensation have them steady their hands in the original position.
You as well should do this to achieve good energetic sensations,
but then turn your both hands vertically and bring them to the
 Evan Pantazi 67

openings of your partners hands as if now both of you are holding

the same ball. At first you will both feel the increase in
electromagnetic energy from the both sources, but now let’s have
you alone manipulate the energy field by bouncing your hands
slightly while your partner keeps their hands still. What will happen
is that the person with the still hands will feel the magnetic repulsion
you are creating by bouncing your hands. Then still your hands and
let them do the same. This is just a small glimpse of what is
possible with the electromagnetic fields present in the body.
Now as Martial Artists, we have our fair share of aches and pains
from training and induced by the very methods we practice.
That said let’s explain that pain is electrical energy that is
concentrated in a small area due to many possibilities. If energy is
restricted then the bodies natural responses are either pain, agitation
(such as nausea, rashes, dizziness, etc) or numbness (as well as
dysfunction). This pooled or blocked energy must be manipulated to
flow normally again and to eliminate said disruption. What is really
remarkable is that a persons pain can be felt by another person,
much like with the hand experiment above. With this understanding
and the key concept that electricity always flows from the greater
source to the lesser, we will be able to eliminate pain from another
person. Bear in mind if there is major damage to tissue, you will not
be able to eliminate the pain entirely as other factors will be present.
To demonstrate this will need someone in pain, but that is not
uncommon but maybe not readily possible at this moment, so we
will describe one such method that will clearly depict one formula for
taking pain from another using the electromagnetic fields and
electrical flow. Say your partner has a pain somewhere in their back,
ask them to lay face down and just relax. Kneel beside them so that
you may take one of your hands, (it will not matter which one) and
hover your palm above their back, staying about 6 to 8 inches away
as in the original hand exercise. Slowly and mindfully feel the
electromagnetic field between your palm and their back. As you
scan the area you will feel alternating pressure or heat on your palm,
the area with pain will register the most such sensation to you.
Once this area is located (you can do this by having them tell you
where the pain is to feel the differences and actually suggested at
first, but after some experience you will be able to find it on your
own), keep it in mind. Now repeat the process with your opposite
hand, but this time feel for the area with the least electrical force.
This may feel colder, weaker or have less vibrations but you will feel
 68 Kyusho-Jitsu

the lesser energetic field. Now lightly place one palm on the high
energy spot and the opposite on the least energetic spot.
The pressure should be very light as if you press down you would be
placing energy into them rather than having it felt by you. What will
happen after a short period will be that the palms of your hands, as
well as the persons back, in these two spots will begin to feel the
energy transfer from the greater to the lesser sources. This will be
felt as heat and vibrations or a pulsing, which is how electricity
actually moves. After a few minutes if you slowly take your hands off
their back, the pain will be diminished or completely removed
depending on your skill and experience with this method.
These exercises will not only let you understand Chi and
Electromagnetic fields of the human more, but help one realize the
way we are directly connected to the universal forces. The first step
is becoming sensitive to it, as we walk around life we are bombarded
by so many stimulus that we tend to ignore or block most of it out.
A good first step is to relax and become aware of what it feels like to
just be. From there you will be sensitive to or be able to feel things
like your own breathing or heartbeat... this is an important
accomplishment, as if you reach too far, too soon you will only
hamper your efforts. All of this is actually the basis of acupuncture,
acupressure (Shiatsu, Tui Na, Rekki, etc.), and all Traditional Oriental
Medicine.
Which brings us back to the Martial Arts interest in this natural
phenomenon. Why it is so prevail ant in many ancient and traditional
arts is that it makes all techniques that much more effective.
It is also how as the Martial Master ages, they were still revered for
their incredible prowess and capabilities far beyond their younger,
faster and stronger students.
By understanding the energetic fields and flows in the human
being along with a developed sensitivity to them the practioner gains
extra skills. For example we all have felt the energy surrounding an
angry or agitated person, whether standing near us or even
approaching. This is due to their increased electrical output and
increased Electromagnetic Field (EMF). Driven by their blood
pressure rising as well as the speed and force of the blood through
vascular tissue, the increased heartbeat to pump this and in turn all
internal actions. Even as their muscles tense, it is accomplished via
more nerve stimulation and increasing resistance, forcing more
electrical flow and EMF. Learning to be sensitive to energy then this
extra energy can be sensed and anticipated rather than reacted to.
 Evan Pantazi 69

Now as all Martial Arts were founded on Yin and Yang we must
also look to the disruption of this energy field rather than only the
sensing of it. If it is possible to affect another’s external energy, so
too it follows that you can affect the internal. Say for example you
disrupt the EMF of an individual enough as to block or stop a natural
flow of energy. This will have a ripple effect on the status of the
receiver. For this demonstration you will need to palm slap your
partner, the best place to readily feel the effects will be on the
pectoral muscle. With a light slap to the muscle have your partner tell
you where they feel the hit’s effect, how far it spread and how deep it
penetrated. Then have them gently rub the area to nullify that feeling,
then with the same pressure as the first slap do it again, but this time
have the same energy in your palm that you felt doing the original
hand exercise. When you slap this time let that energy feeling in your
hand transfer into their chest muscle and have them report the
results. They will be deeper and more widespread and this is just the
tip of a very deep study and body of knowledge and skill.
You do not need to know or be able to control this energy to make
Kyusho work, but it will greatly enhance your skills if you do. So now
the question is not if it is real, but rather are you willing to work for it?

“As we are able to feel the electromagnetic

field and also attach and attract other
peoples magnetic field we are ready to
discuss how to move it first within ourselves
and then in other people”
1 2

3 4

5
1 2

3.1

4
72 Kyusho-Jitsu

Chapter 7
 Evan Pantazi 73

HEALING
Kyusho (VITAL points) actually brings with it the connotation of
life sustaining qualities. These vital structures and components of
the anatomy are the very essence of the human, learning how to
damage is the easier and darker side of the idea. Another of the
main components of Kyusho is the healing aspect also inherent in
the educational process. This also lends a variation for the term
“Self Protection” as we are much more likely an opponent of
natures ills. How many times have you been assaulted by
headaches, backaches or nausea compared to how many times
you have been attacked in a hand to hand conflict?
That said there is also a lot of confusion with healing methods
employing the vital points of the human body. With more theory
than is necessary (as with everything in modern society,
we tend to over think, over work, over do virtually everything),
and it does not need to be so. Nature is simplistic, following very
few rules that manifest in so many ways, so to it is with healing
methods. You may even be asking why this topic is even relevant
to Martial Arts in general. Please understand that by studying the
healing aspects to a deeper level of understanding and proficiency
you will also increase your Martial Ability as well. Before we get
into actual descriptive methods let’s take some of the myriad of
benefits you will gain in parallel with the Martial Art needs!
Practice Time: Let’s face it there are many more opportunities to
practice healing (and more willing partners), than it is to find those
that do not mind severe pain induction and loss of body function or
unconsciousness! When friends, family and even co-workers find
out that you can relieve their pains and discomforts there is no end
to the amount of practice they will allow you. How many times has
someone told you they had pain, well instead of offering
compassion or sympathy what if you actually could take charge
and rid them of it? How valuable a skill is that, how satisfying and
feeling would it be, how much more could you expand your
relationships and or acquaintances? But going back to the original
intent, how many people would actually seek you out?
Slower Pace: By using the healing methods you will also be
forced to work at a slower pace, this is often the problem in
teaching the Martial Art skill first as people’s adrenaline, sense of
contest and I dare say ego at times make them rush. In their rush
 74 Kyusho-Jitsu

they will often miss the target or angle or depth of penetration or

correct method of attack. This is also why so many that have
briefly trained get frustrated and do not persevere through the
sometimes daunting learning curve. True education and profound
understanding are highly resistant to rushed study. With slow
careful and thoughtful point manipulation will come a higher
degree of skill and proficiency, in time speed will naturally increase
with these, but not feel as such.
Tactile Skill: As you go slower, probe deeper between the
muscle, tendons and bones to locate, access and manipulate the
nerves in a more intimate level. This actual feeling of the nerves
with your fingers will give you a deeper understanding of them and
all surrounding structures, increasing your accuracy and tactile
abilities with them. You will gain sensitivity in touch and
manipulation as well as the synergy that comprises a human being,
it is not by accident that some of our better practioners are actually
Doctors of many varied disciplines. As you work on more and more
people you will also see the same issues time after time so you may
begin to see patterns or natural laws within the body. These also
reflect in the Martial use as well as other more intimate possibilities.
Positioning: Also by working with the nerves to heal you will be
able to control the posture or positioning of your subjects body.
You will see and feel the best way to position and arm
(for example) to best reach and manipulate a point so that the
overlaying or surrounding structures are out of the way. In Martial
use we do not have this luxury, but by understanding it in healing
manipulations you will recognize these opportunities much quicker
and respond much more efficiently, even in conflict.
Variation in concept: The more you use these Vital Points in
more aspects of everyday life, the better you will assimilate them
and naturally flow to them. You will notice through more and more
diverse practice in healing and martial use, that you will begin to
see you are always on point! You shake someone’s hand, you put
your hand on someone’s shoulder, you hug a loved one…
your hands and fingers will be ever increasingly on these points.
You have developed a natural feel for them and will have an
uncanny ability to find them in all endeavors, looking or not,
trying or not. Can you think of how that could benefit you greatly
in grappling or multiple opponent scenarios?
 Evan Pantazi 75

Understanding pain: Pain is symptomatic and stems from a

deeper problem, whether it is physical damage of a structure,
or a block or cessation of natural body function/s. By working
with ridding pain, you can not help but understand how to also
induce it. After working with many people in pain and working to
eliminate it, you also develop almost a sixth sense of it.
You will be able to tell something is wrong with someone upon
sight, how valuable a concept is this in battle!
Understanding Dysfunction: With a persons pain comes
varying levels of physical dysfunction as well. Someone with pain
looses fine motor skills in all other areas of their body. You have a
headache for example, the more severe the pain, the more limited
your overall physical strength, will or spirit. Something as benign
as hiccups can limit the physical prowess or functionality,
continued hiccups start to divert the mind, the will or concern with
everything else. You see physical aspects of pain and dysfunction
are inexorable intertwined with the mind and spirit… this is an
invaluable lesson in both the Healing and Martial Arts.
Now that we have a better understanding of a small number of
benefits learning to heal with the Vital Points (Kyusho) we are free
to really explore some of the concepts of healing. The following
may offend some people, but it is not the intent, it is offered to
clear some misconceptions and extraneous information. Relieving
pain via Kyusho does not require heavy Oriental Healing study or
Theories, it requires a simple manipulation to balance what has
become unbalanced through overuse, stress, emotional situations,
natural inducement or even poor posture.
Realize that everything you touch, taste, see, smell or do is
either an influence on or influenced by your nervous system.
Everyday we are bombarded by outside stimuli in ever
increasing amounts, sights, sounds and even thought!
Our nervous system must collect monitor and then respond to
all of these influences… even if you are not consciously aware
of them. It is no wonder that the body responds in severe and
traumatic ways, from simple discomfort, to pain to even
physical dysfunction. As these responses become more than
the body can handle they become less balanced and natural,
it is our position to rebalance and calm the body so that the
pain or dysfunction can dissipate.
 76 Kyusho-Jitsu

Those that have followed this Art, or are even just getting started
in investigating it, has come across the term Meridians. Meridians
are not physical entities or vessels as some believe, but rather an
imaginary line like those in the child’s game of connect the dots.
The dots in this case are specific Vital Points that all correspond
with one another in a like manner, as well as various body
structures and functions. The genius of those cultures before us
that observed and experimented to find all of these
interconnections is understated and profound. There are 14
external meridians (the ones we will work with) and several more
internal meridians or intercommunicating structures. Each of these
meridians has an inherent directional flow of energy that we must
know. As in any line (Meridian) it naturally flows in only one of two
directions. If you look into any book on Acupuncture, Acupressure,
Shiatsu, Tui Na or any point healing methods you will readily find
this information. The points on these lines are numbered and will
help you understand and remember the direction of this flow.
A meridian is labeled from 1 to however many points that are
associated (as in the Bladder Meridian up to 67) and depicts the
flow… always from point 1 to the highest number.
As we have already seen from our Martial application of Kyusho
we can cause pain (by causing a block of energy), numbness
(by reversing the energy) or dysfunction (by forcing or reversing
the flow). Pain is a specific buildup (from blocked natural energy
flow) in a particular area. Our mission would be to release these
blocks and promote the natural flow again to relieve that pain.
In cases of physical damage pain may be relieved, but will not be
stopped until the damage is repaired.
Now it is not necessary to understand the underlying cause of a
specific pain to relieve it, (as you get more in tuned and
experienced in healing this will become easier to understand).
For example let’s look at a common malady of so many people,
that being headaches. To relieve someone’s headache, you do
not need to understand whether it was brought on by stress,
dehydration or so many other causes to relieve it.
A headache will be in one of two dermatomes (or sections) of
the head, central or lateral. The position of the persons pain will
dictate what you must do to alieve this pain. For pain located in
the lateral portions of the head we would work with points located
 Evan Pantazi 77

on the Gall Bladder Meridian, for those more central we would

work on points on the Bladder Meridian.
As mentioned pain is a concentrated block of energy and you
must open the flowing again to its normal pattern to alleviate the
pain. Second is that to break a blockage is much like opening a
blocked drain in your sink. When you take a plunger you must
push and pull to dislodge the obstruction. When using this
concept for headache relief you will first introduce more energy
(and pain) just prior to pulling it and releasing it. To release after
the extra surge is introduce we will drain it from both sides of the
block to assure the best release. Also once removed instruct the
patient not to touch their head as it may re-introduce too much
energy and they will regain their headache.
Lateral Headaches are on the Gall Bladder meridian that there is
a block of energy. To release the energy and relieve the pain the
three main to use are the GB-1, GB-20 and the GB-21.
1. Place your hand on the patients forehead to hold as you
press with your opposite hand from the back up and in at a 45
degree angle, into the both GB-20’s hard and hold for 3 seconds,
then quickly release. Repeat this 3 times.
2. Next take your fingers and drag firmly down from the GB-20’s
to the GB-21’s where you press in hard and hold for 3 seconds,
then quickly wipe off the sides of the shoulders. Repeat this 3
times.
3. Next and one at a time lightly flick a finger tip from the back
of GB-1 and off the front of the temple. Repeat 3 times each side.
For Central Headaches the energy block is on the Bladder
meridian. The two main points that you will need to work with for
this area headaches are the BL-2 and the BL-10.
1. Place your hand on the patients forehead to hold as you
press with your opposite hand from the back up and in at a 45
degree angle, into the both BL-10’s hard and hold for 3 seconds,
then quickly release. Repeat this 3 times.
2. Next take your fingers, held as if making a peace sign and
then quickly rub down both Bladder meridians next to the spine.
Repeat this 3 times.
3. Next and one at a time lightly flick a finger tip from under the
eyebrow from BL-2’s off the front of the brow. Repeat 3 times
each side.
 78 Kyusho-Jitsu

Again as an extra draining method

you can add the energy pull, down the
arms from the martial arts revival
lessons.
Both of these headache remedy
methods may be repeated if necessary
and when first lear ning may be
needed. But as you get the feel for the
method and the concepts you will
become better attuned and capable of
completely relieving the individual with
one application. As extra draining you
can add the energy pull, down the
arms from the martial arts revival
lessons on the first Kyusho Video from
Budo International.
There are deeper lessons as alluded
to earlier in these methods, more so
than just understanding how to break
up a blockage and restore proper
energy flow.

“As we have already seen

from our Martial
application of Kyusho we
can cause pain
(by causing a block of
energy), numbness
(by reversing the energy)
or dysfunction (by forcing
or reversing the flow)”
80 Kyusho-Jitsu

Chapter 8
 Evan Pantazi 81

VITAL POINTS APPLIED TO GRAPPLING

As Modern Martial Arts has brought Grappling into the limelight, it is
imperative that the Martial Artist also prepare for this eventuality.
With any Martial Endeavor maximizing your potential, while minimizing
output is the quintessential goal. Kyusho assists in this goal far faster,
easier and more efficiently than other concepts. Again knowing the
weaker anatomical structures of the opponent and automatic
responses to them not only gives the Kyusho Practioner an edge
of surprise and efficiency, but also in strategical aspects as well.
From the standing clinch, the takedowns and controls…
even to the finish work, every component of Grappling is
prime territory for this knowledge and skill. With

the wide
placement of all the pressure points there is always a possible
target available, so no matter what situation you have your
opponent in, or worse they have you in, there is a solution to give
you the advantage. It also does not give your opponent the
capability to know what or where you will be targeting.
Let’s take it to the clinch where many real fights as well as
competitions start, where both fighters are standing and fighting for
position, balance and advantage. As many people are aware
(especially trained fighters), of throws, sweeps and sacrifice moves,
 Evan Pantazi 83

they are maneuvering to feel and offset them. They have

developed a natural feel for them and may even possess superior
size, strength and or endurance! The equalizer to all of these is a
proper knowledge and training in Kyusho. While the opponent is
feeling and moving with you their mind and intent is to look for the
opportunity where you are vulnerable in balance and or position.
They pay little attention to what or where your hands are as they
seemingly pose no threat. They do not foresee that with a twist of
the wrist you can target their elbows Golgi Tendon Body that will
neurologically weaken their entire body as it moves in response to
their own nervous system rather than with their control of mind and
thoughts. Their body will automatically and instantly respond to
you not them… how valuable is this in conflict? By quickly and effi-
ciently locking out their elbow and easily transferring their balance
without their ability to control it, you have gained the entry, position
or takedown… but this is only a beginning!
Once felled you move into perhaps a side arm bar, but they are
familiar with this from practice and able to work with it. Until you
again press L-8 on their wrist weakening their arm, sending pain into
them which alters their mindset to withdrawal or protective mode
rather than mounting a counter. Before they know it they are sub-
mitting, but not from the arm bar where they were last thinking, but
from the pain and dysfunction from a body or head point you have
also employed. Rolling from point to point you have not only taken
charge of the physical, but the mental and in doing so rendered their
spirit into confusion. This is because the attacks not only come from
you, but are felt inside causing involuntary reaction to your initiatives.
The nerves of the body will yield predictable results and for the
Martial Artist trained with them, it is not always the younger, faster,
better conditioned individual that has an uneven advantage.
They can flow from control to escape to submission by connecting
a series of available targets that they can also make available and
predict. Or if the opponent was skilled enough to recover and
mount a counter, you can easily offset this again and again.
By merely knowing where these targets are vulnerable and how the
opponent will react physically to each target, you can plan a
strategy. Maneuvering them from position to position without
letting them regain their balance, base or composure.
We have studied several of the nerve targets so far as well as the
 84 Kyusho-Jitsu

myriad of possibilities, now there are new skills to manage and

realize and in affect bring us to new levels of skill and capability by
training these concepts in regard to the targets. Taking the dysfunc-
tional aspects of each point, this will need to be considered especial-
ly while the opponent is entangled with you. This is because felling
them with a point in such a way so as to drag you down with them
needs to be avoided. How and where they will fall, roll or jump will
now need more scrutiny for your safety as well as advantage.
It becomes far more important now to understand which points will
cause the opponent to arch back and expand their limbs as well as
which ones will contract and collapse them, as they are connected to
you more intensely and struggle to gain a balance or position.
This will also enable you to learn to open or close their body
motions, but more importantly how to open new targets for your
use. If for example your opponent has a two handed and tight hold
on you, their arms and all their frontal body muscles are now
condensed and bunched so that these nerve structures in them are
hidden or buffered from attack. The back, head and in some cases
the legs (depending on standing or ground position), will be the
only accessible points. By attacking the possible targets correctly,
it will then open the frontal targets for further use. This concept is
a dynamic and constantly changing challenge when grappling,
especially on the ground. But by sufficiently training, it becomes
easier and also improves the practioners skills in all prior levels of
understanding. From the recognition of open and viable targets,
to the ever changing dynamics of human motion, even target
accessibility especially under stress, make this is a very intense
and demanding level in our studies.
This also brings another new skill very much into reality,
that being the tactile sense and location of points. When grappling
you are not usually able to have a large window of sight, 90% of the
opponents body will be hidden and so it is that developing the
tactile isolation of points is now brought to the forefront. As we
know from prior study the points are always in the valleys between
body structures of bone, tendon and muscle. As you grapple and
maintain contact with the opponent your hands will naturally fall
into these valleys. By now learning to feel your way to the targets,
this gives you an even more thorough knowledge and feel for them
and again improving all prior levels of study. Anytime you can
Evan Pantazi 85
 86 Kyusho-Jitsu

enhance your understanding of any aspect in your training

it will exponentially increase your capabilities and even future
possibilities. Gaining this insight and skill will make all your current
techniques better.
Now add to this the increased pain that is imparted to the oppo-
nent as a matter of using the nerves (the pain receptors in the
body), to attack the internal mechanisms. This escalation in pain
that a person is not typically exposed to is very disarming, and
confusing due to its unfamiliarity. This pain not only registers
locally as a typical external attack will have, but a deep penetrating
and traveling type of pain that can even disperse to several areas
inside the body. This is typical of single point manipulation, but as
you get better with targeting in a grappling situation, multiple tar-
gets will also avail themselves. By utilizing multiple points, the
painful feeling of electrical shock can also be sometimes
induced, which can either travel in a direct path or on
some nerve combinations, shake the
entire body from within as if you stuck
your finger in an electrical outlet.
Now not only is there unfamiliar
pain, but for most
people experi-
encing this
sensation
disbelief and
even fear.
When you
employ these
nerve attacks
consistently and all over the
opponent with every touch or
maneuver, they begin to get appre-
hensive or begin to flinch at every move. This
will keep them on edge and on the defensive
rather than clearly on the offensive, or even their own strategy. This
adds to their already new ground of unfamiliar behavior and
method, giving you the advantage of surprise and lingering appre-
hensions in your opponent. It can in some cases get the opponent
into such a state that every move you make is perceived by them
 Evan Pantazi 87

as a Kyusho attack. But as we know the human body can get used
to virtually anything over time adapting to
preserve its stasis. If you do continue to attack each move on a
nerve they will eventually get used to it and adapt, loosing your
edge and possibly turning the surprise to their side. So keeping the
Kyusho manipulations sporadic, with broken rhythm and intensity
will keep this edge in your favor. This is a valuable key in all
endeavors that you should take to heart, as Miyamoto Musashi
consistently stated in his classic on martial strategy… “The Book of
Five Rings”…. “Study this well”.

T h i s
technical
ability to
access the
nerves and
induce all of the previous-
ly mentioned maladies,
makes submissions not only quicker and easier, but also in many
more unexpected positions and places. You can achieve a sub-
mission quickly through pain and dysfunction on every area of the
body, it all depends on what you can get or where you have maneu-
vered your opponent into. Kyusho skill will also allow you to
counter any efforts to resist locks, or submissions. As if you were
applying and Achilles tendon ankle lock, an easy way to resist this
is to simply flex your foot back to tighten and stiffen the tendon so
that the Golgi body and underlying nerve are now protected.
 88 Kyusho-Jitsu

1 However this in turn can also

be countered by attacking a
point further up on the oppo-
nents leg causing a dysfunc-
tion and relaxation of the
muscles and
tendons in the entire leg,
now allowing you access
to both the Golgi Body and
underlying nerve… and con-
sequentially the submission
from pain.
Escaping is by far one of
2 the more important aspects
of Kyusho in Grappling as
when the opponent has the
advantage whether it is from
a superior mounted position
or from the side or rear,
strength, balance and basing
are not always available.
But with Kyusho, by merely
pressing, poking, rubbing
and even tapping points you
can force the opponent into
a predictable and
3
involuntary reaction
giving you a second
of opportunity to
maneuver to
a better position.
Through a single or
string of successive
shocks with their
temporary dysfunc-
tional reactions, it is
possible to keep the
opponent defensive
and thus gain your
 Evan Pantazi 89

superior position or submission. This is not to say that Kyusho is

a perfect method, this will always lay in the skill and
ability of the individual to use on their opponent. If your skill is far
less than your opponent the chances of you getting to the nerve
points will be diminished and therefore unusable. It will always
depend on the training of the individual to whether or not they can
use these new and sharper weapons.
Now in grappling the quickness and surprise to properly activate
a nerve is imperative. It is different having another person attached
to you when activating the targets, rather than with prior levels
where you were the attached person with vibration, ballistic or
compression methods. The effects of grounding and energetics
now become even more important than first shown in prior levels,
because now when the opponent grabs you with intent there is an
additional transfer of their body energetic into yours. This not only
grounds their energy, but it is through you as well, reducing your
bodies functions and possibilities as well. But since strength and
speed are not necessary you can reverse this intent with a single
attack on an available nerve. This occurs as when a persons
nerves are sharply manipulated the impulse converges to the brain
 90 Kyusho-Jitsu

for analysis and then diverges for reflexive action to protect itself.
This causes all of the energy the opponent was transferring into
you, to be used in contraction or expansion of these reactionary
motions.
Knowing key physical idiosyncrasies of the human body will add
immeasurable worth to your personal arsenal as well. Knowing for
example that the more strength you use in the arms, the weaker the
nerves in the head becomes is invaluable. As when your opponent
grabs they will most assuredly use strength to secure and
overwhelm you, this action will need a tightening of the arm,
 Evan Pantazi 91

shoulder, chest and other supportive muscle groups. This con-

traction of these muscles involves nerve activity to activate the
muscle into this state, which in turn will weaken (making them more
sensitive), the nerves of the head and neck as stretching and extra
neurological activity is eminent. Now in turn everything has an
equal and opposite reaction, so by attacking the nerves of the
head, you in turn weaken the arms. Taking a simple side arm bar
as an example, if your opponent grabs his arm with his other to
 92 Kyusho-Jitsu

1 2

fight the arm bar, this will make the points of the head very
sensitive. To quickly weaken their arm and break the grip, simply
press your heal to the nerve behind the hinge of the jaw (TW-17),
the pain is not only excruciating, but the arm will completely
weaken and grip release.
After getting comfortable with all your locks submissions,
escapes ect, the practioner must live grapple to attune themselves
and make the knowledge a real skill. The spontaneity and ability to
flow with the opponent while seeking and targeting the nerves will
take cooperation in the beginning, but eventually you will be able to
succeed even while your training partner tries to resist your
attempts. Once you can comfortably get past even your expectant
and resistant partners, you have honed your skills to a high
degree… but as always there is more work to do.
If you think this is a lifetime of study involved you are right, but by
proper training it all comes naturally. You must be patient in your quest
as Kyusho Grappling will escalate you to new heights of point location,
acquisition and manipulation, but also enable you to attack the oppo-
nent on not just a physical level, but mental and even their spirit… all with
strategy. Isn’t this the higher levels that all Martial “Artists” aspire to?
 Evan Pantazi 93

4
1

3
2

4
 1

3
Evan Pantazi 97

4
 Chapter 9
98 Kyusho-Jitsu
 Evan Pantazi 99

LEARNING MODALITY
There are with any venture oreducational
process several learning modailities to
deal with. Through decades of research
we now understand how to teach this
amazing art of Kyusho Jitsu. As can
be expected through trila and error
we found what was successful and
what failed. The process was a
long torturous one as hundreds of
students and members of our
schools vanished, not able to deal
with our methods of Kyusho
instruction. By carefully
examining and continuous
testing of different
 100 Kyusho-Jitsu

instructional models we have compiled the best vein of study.

First a recap on our methods and models before we expand on
the most successful of these learning modes.
Two decades ago Skilled Kyusho Instructors were few and far
between… leaving the most ardent and perservering individuals
the ability to piece together they small bits of information
available. Constant travel was absolutely necessary and the only
way to actually obtain the information. Travelling from seminar to
seminar hoping to gain a better understanding or clarity on already
know material. There were no guarantees that even if you flew
thousands of miles at great ex[pense that ypou would also gleen
new or clearer information. Often times you rehashed the same
information time and time again… but curiously never thinking you
did not get worth from the venue.
Many of us found a way around this dilemma by sharing
information before and after the seminar. Talking on breaks,at
dinners after or even waiting for the sessions to begin. We all
came armed with something we had come up with since the last
seminar and became perpetual guinea pigs for each others
experimentations. We tested our skills on each other, seeing if it
was viable or possible on a variety of people from differing size,
age, shape, cultural ethneticities and martial backgrounds.
And although very painfull and debilitating, again well worth the
hardships of these learning experiences.
Our open attitude and sharing with each other prospered so
well that the instructors began to watch, learn form and even
imitate the ideas of the students. With this (as any) open
communication, so much was learned, also because there was no
sense of ego or I am the instructor we do it my way mentality.
What then happened as each went back to their own clubs,
schools or Martial Arts Businesses was disheartening to say the
least as many of our Instructors, Fellow practioners or our own
students, did not share our thrist for this knowledge. Those that
did initially over time could not deal with the levels of pain, the fear
of dysfunction or unconsciousness or the area of the unknown.
This got us kicked out of our styles or teachers schools, lost us
training partners and most of our students. However this also
worked to our benefit as only the strong of spirit maintained their
relentless study and growth in the art.
Evan Pantazi 101
 102 Kyusho-Jitsu

So as our local ability to trained dwindled we increased the trav-

el, seminars and sharing to keep the study going. Now the prob-
lems started to become the seminars, as stat-
ed earlier the same material was
taught tme and time again. Noyt
only that but if you can to a semi-
nar the principle instructors or
senior people would now get the
experimentation on the atten-
dees, really drilling them to
learn. (PS in the beginning we
were not light handed, not skilled
enough with the right amount of
force or finesse, so it was a grueling
experience to say the least). But the
difficulty that now presented was
that people coming to the
seminars dwindled.
Early on as we did not
fully understand the true
functionality or reasons
this art worked, we relied
on outside paradigms to
possibly explain it.
Working with
Acupuncture and
Traditional Chinese
Medical (TCM) research
as we thought that since
they shared the same tar-
gets we must be able to
describe or understand it
better. So we adopted cen-
turies of jargon from another
culture that we molded to fit
our needs. If something
worked outside the know
TCM Model, we would
search for yet another
 Evan Pantazi 103

model to maybe gicve justification or credence to it. Now with this

came a vast amount of confusion
with various possible
explainations and instruc-
tional models. Each per-
son now became more
individualized and the
open sharing of just tar-
get aqquisition and cause
and effect type training
gave way to heavy conver-
sation. Each session seemed
to get more and more convolut-
ed.
Obviously we were
doing this wrong. Why
else would such and
incredible body of
knowledge not
be attracting
more people?
104 Kyusho-Jitsu

1 2

3 4
 Evan Pantazi 105

6
106 Kyusho-Jitsu

1 2
 Evan Pantazi 107

3 4

5
108 Kyusho-Jitsu

3
 Evan Pantazi 109

5.1

5
110 Kyusho-Jitsu
 Evan Pantazi 111

INDEX
PROLOGUES ................................................ 5

CHAPTER 1
MEDICAL STUDIES PART 1 ......................................... 7

MEDICAL STUDIES (2ND PART) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

CHAPTER 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
INSTRUCTIONAL SERIES Nº 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

CHAPTER 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SEALING THE BREATH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

CHAPTER 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
TAKEDOWNS & CONTROLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

CHAPTER 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
ATTACKING THE TENDONS AND MUSCLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

CHAPTER 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
CHI AND ELECTROMAGNETICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

CHAPTER 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Healing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

CHAPTER 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
VITAL POINTS APPLIED TO GRAPPLING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

CHAPTER 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
LEARNING MODALITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97