Shorinji Kempo's method of training does not aim to attain mere physical strength. Accordingly, one must not be focused solely on the physical training.
It is necessary to practice with a good balance between the spiritual aspects, the physical aspects, and the intellectual aspects. Shorinji Kempo is a technical method for making use of one's strength effectively, taking advantage of or limiting the strength of one's opponent, and controlling the opponent. One learns methods for applying strength.
Technique families centered on goho
Nio Ken (21 techniques): Hokei centered on jodan offense/defense
Sango Ken (9): Hokei focused on chudan offense/defense, defending with arms and countering with legs
Ten'o Ken (9): Kihon offense/defense forms for attack combinations that begin from jodan
byakuren Ken (6): Kihon offense/defense forms using dan counterattacks in which the defending hand is immediately used to counter
Chio Ken (6): Kihon offense/defense forms for attack combinations that begin with a kick
Kakuritsu Ken (5): Techniques emphasizing offense/defense with the legs, using hiza uke while standing on one leg, followed by a counter-kick in a continuous wave motion
Technique families centered on juho
Ryuo Ken (27 techniques): Kihon for juho techniques that center on hand releases
Ryuka Ken (6 series, 56): Gyaku and nage techniques for when hand or arm is grabbed
Goka Ken (5 series, 26): Nage techniques combining go and ju motions
Kongo Ken (27): Katame waza and hogi
Rakan Ken (47): Gyaku and nage techniques for when the collar or sleeve is grabbed
Rakan Teiho (8): Shorinji Kempo's special techniques for choking
Rakan Appo (36): Techniques for pressuring muscles, bones, and pressure points