KENPO - Whats the big deal?

[silatman]

Hopefully without offending anyone I want to know why is Kenpo considered by many using this site to be the be all and end all of martial art systems?
I cant find a kenpo (dojo?) near me to see this style and even if I did it would really have to impress me for me to change arts but it seems from peoples opinions on this forum that it is one of the best art forms for self defence on the street, which I might add is the major consideration for me in choosing my style.
So what is it, whats the history, just why is it so good?

 

[clfsean]

Been asking that question myself for years.

 

[kenpochad]

I dont think thats its better then every still out there.
I like kenpo becouse its effective in martial appliction,And there is still the art form or body mastery.
I do think kenpo is the best for me, if you didnt think the style you trained in
was the best you wouldnt train in it

 

[marlon]

As an interesting note shaolin kempo and kajukenbo roots have a strong kali/escrima components, in the flow and philosophy. I am not sure how true this is of American kenpo but considering your chosen style, i thought you might like to know.


Respectfully,
Marlon
P.S. the foot work is different though, for some obvious reasons

 

[kenpochad]

As an interesting note shaolin kempo and kajukenbo roots have a strong kali/escrima components, in the flow and philosophy. I am not sure how true this is of American kenpo but considering your chosen style, i thought you might like to know.
Marlon

Marlon we do have a great kai teacher at our school .
certified instructor in kali and JKD i havent got into it yet but i want to it looks awsome.But i dont have the founds at this point. i have work in arnis a little

 

[BlackCatBonz]

for the most part, schools that are based on ed parkers system or teaching use a catalogue of techniques that are taught to the students. a good teacher can show a student how to use them quickly and effectively in a relatively short period of time, giving the student a large arsenal of movement.
the movements are quick and to the point.

on the other hand, a system like kosho ryu kempo, teaches from a principle standpoint. while it may take a bit longer to learn, it approaches fighting from a different angle, learn how to escape, defeat your opponent.

 

[KenpoEMT]

for the most part, schools that are based on ed parkers system or teaching use a catalogue of techniques that are taught to the students. a good teacher can show a student how to use them quickly and effectively in a relatively short period of time, giving the student a large arsenal of movement.
the movements are quick and to the point.

on the other hand, a system like kosho ryu kempo, teaches from a principle standpoint. while it may take a bit longer to learn, it approaches fighting from a different angle, learn how to escape, defeat your opponent.

That's not accurate. I understand how this could be misunderstood as being true; however, there is far more to Kenpo than just techniques.
Learning only the technique of Kenpo and not the "why" behind the technique (or the principles governed by the Physics of movement) is merely a way to become a showman and not a fighter. Speed without power is useless. Technique without knowledge is useless. Principles of martial motion are taught through the medium of techniques.
There are better and more experienced Kenpo practitioners on this forum that could better give a clear and boisterous explanation.

 

[BlackCatBonz]

That's not accurate. I understand how this could be misunderstood as being true; however, there is far more to Kenpo than just techniques.
Learning only the technique of Kenpo and not the "why" behind the technique (or the principles governed by the Physics of movement) is merely a way to become a showman and not a fighter. Speed without power is useless. Technique without knowledge is useless. Principles of martial motion are taught through the medium of techniques.
There are better and more experienced Kenpo practitioners on this forum that could better give a clear and boisterous explanation.

i was giving a basic explantion as to how quickly the basics can be implemented. i knew that my post would be taken out of context as soon as i hit enter.

 

[KenpoEMT]

i knew that my post would be taken out of context as soon as i hit enter.

The only context that I have to go by is what you have typed.
There is no hostility here. I responded only to lend accuracy to what was stated before.

 

[Thesemindz]

I think that one of the most important aspects of American Kenpo is the analytical nature with which it approaches physical violence. A student in American Kenpo is taught to disect and analyze every aspect of motion and its many applications. Exposing one's self to Infinite Insights into Kenpo Karate by Ed Parker will help to demonstrate the American Kenpo approach to organizing and categorizing the many ways in which the human body can move. This approach lends itself to a deeper understanding of physical communication and its applications as a means of conflict resolution. With a background in American Kenpo a student is more capable of understanding and interpreting new motion as he is exposed to it, and can see how it has its place amongst the skills he has already aquired.

This is by no means the only reason American Kenpo is such a unique and powerful art, it is simply one of my personal favorites.


-Rob

 

[still learning]

Hello, Having learn Shotokan Karate first and having my Sensi quit teaching was hard to accept. A new school was starting and I wanted my son to contiune his training in the martial arts.

Universal Kempo-karate which came from Kajukenpo. It is not the utimate but the training in kempo is very flowing with multiple strikes and take downs with contiuning flow of strikes. Depending on the situtions. Ed Parker's Kenpo also came from Kajukenpo teachers.

The training in Shotokan was great, the kempo came closer to real fighting. We practice escapes from all kinds of grabs. We also have 21 chokes holds to learn. Lots of defense/offense things to do from a attacker who punches/kicks and so on.

Any art is only as good as the person who is learning it.

Penjat/ the Indonesian art is also very flowing and destructive,

There is NO BIG DEAL, just a good art that works well on the streets. This could be a bias opinion? .....................Aloha

 

[gmkuoha]

Even as a Kenpo instructor, I feel that any art practiced correctly and with a good instructor would be a good self defense for the street. Like many people I trained extensively in other arts such as Shotukan, Aikido, Tai Chi Chuan, Hsin Hsing Kung Fu, Escrima and Tae Kwon Do, several of which I acheived instructor status... but my heart was in Kara-Ho Kempo because I visualized how practical the techniques were done in the old days (which is when I trained) and also the techniques magnifies your knowledge. Professor Chow used his system with a gung fu based in the street during the 40-50's when Hawaii was almost lawless and fighting in the street was part of nature. This system is one of the most tested street defense by many. We have a former sgt/maj of the 1st recons that was in the gulf war training his men in the USMC (recons). We also had a member of the Navy SEAL Team teaching his men Kara-Ho Kenpo techniques. We also have several instructors that are in various SWAT Teams throughout the US teaching these techniques to the other members. I also have an instructor that is a colonel in the USMC now commanding a company in the Iraq war, who was the assistant to the joint chief of staff during the crashing of the plane into the Pentagon (his office was 50' from the crash) and he made it a point to have his men learn these same techniques. I am sure that many systems have that same feedback and swears that their system is best. I have had to use these things I learned on numerous occasions while a police officer in some of the baddest areas of this city and have never been taken to the ground, nor have I ever been hit and I have been in some major combats with several opponents at once. I think it all depends on you and what you train and accept as good and your instructor and the bond in training that you have for each other that will make you good. I am a traditionalists and feel without a strong foundation, things will crumple sooner or later and this is why I chose to spend thousands of dollars to go back home to Hawaii and train 2-3 times a year at 3-4 weeks each time with Professor Chow. I was told by my father (100% Hawaiian), a prominant Lua (Hawaiian arts) Martial arts person and a champion of the islands, that if you're going to learn anything, learn it from the best and correct the 1st time and then just build upon it after that and your foundation will be extremely strong and that is just what I did. I can truly say that my rank was not through self promotion by someone who was also self promoted but was from a true great grandmaster who felt that my talents were of the rank I was being promoted, thus building my foundation on solid ground.
Just my $.02,
Grandmaster Kuoha

 

[Satori]

Aww crud...how am I supposed to follow a post from a THE Grandmaster of Kara-Ho Kempo? Talk about arriving on the laurels of greatness! Sheesh!

I believe it's safe to assume that MANY (not all) members of MT are American, and as such have an American perspective. Perhaps because of this and the influence of artists like GM Mitose, GM Chow, SGM Parker, GM Villari, GM Kuoha, etc (apologies for those I left out...an entire encyclopedia could be written for all the contributors to modern Kempo)... within the United States strikes many of us on a more personal level. For this matter, Kempo/Kenpo typically has a more "American" feel to it simply because of its prevalence in many parts of America.

This might make Kenpo much easier for fellow Americans to sympathize with, as many Americans would have a hard time growing overly enthuisiastic about martial breakthroughs that happen in other countries. Take Kyokushinkai for example, as it is perhaps the most popular Karate system in Japan, but largely obscure and unknown over here in the states (as opposed to Olympic TKD or Kenpo, which typically has a school in every city, along every block).

Just a thought.

May you achieve
Satori

 

[evenflow1121]

In my case Kenpo provided just what I was looking for at the time, I am not saying it is the best martial art, I dont think any martial art is, but it did fit me perfectly fine. I found it to be complete, good sparring, good techniques and practical applications, EPAK that is.

 

[MisterMike]

Hopefully without offending anyone I want to know why is Kenpo considered by many using this site to be the be all and end all of martial art systems?
I cant find a kenpo (dojo?) near me to see this style and even if I did it would really have to impress me for me to change arts but it seems from peoples opinions on this forum that it is one of the best art forms for self defence on the street, which I might add is the major consideration for me in choosing my style.
So what is it, whats the history, just why is it so good?

Parker Kenpo is very well structured as it is cataloged from the basics to the techniques to the forms. There are however some important principles that are taught to use these basics correctly. Because of the strict format, beginners will find this art/system easy to learn and pick up.

There are advanced principles as well which are introduced after the beginner level which involve space, timing and distance. Learning to apply these in real-life situations takes dedication and a good teacher.

Lastly, the "big deal" is that kenpo is a "scientific" art/system, in that it bases itself on physics, bio-mechanics, etc. To some, this is what they need to hear to feel "safe" or "confident" that what they are learning follows established laws and rules of efficiency. It leaves out the mysticism that traditionally surrounds the martial arts.

For those seeking something beyond the intellectual or mental level, kenpo may not be for them. I think much of what you are reading is a lot of chest beating, so don't think of kenpo as a "big deal" more than any other art. A lot of its success has to do with commercialism.

 

[Shaolinmack]

Kenpo for me Came from a 1/2 hour private lesson with my instructor. I had studied a few styles and i had thought myself to be somewhat lerned in the martial arts. He ran through a techneque that was basic. then another basic techneque that uses a defence against a hand shake... he noticed i was less then impressed and asked me if i didnt like the techneque ( we are talking about The gift) i sayed yea when is it thet some one will grab my hand and shake it... a second later he through a punch up over my head and i went to block it. weare uppon he grabed my hand and preformed the gift, i was totaly cought off gaurd.. now i cant get enugh kenpo.

now i studied shotoryu and jujutsu mashed together but all i can remember to do in a fight is punch and drag the oponent to the ground. but now i use kenpo to fight. i can force my oponent to make a move then use a vareation or the techneque behiond one that was shone to me to acheve my goal be it hurt them or stop them. that is why i consider kenpo to be one of the best martal arts i have come uppon. and i will quote some one who i cant remember.:" Real fighting is not pritty, it's not gracefull, there is no balay on the street so why learn to dance about like that (points at a wushu competitor) he'll step out on the street and get his head bounced. see that ( points to pancration fighters) now that is how a fight goe's. he's a boxer take him to the ground, he's a kicker stay in close, he's a grapler hit and move and try to break his arm's. "

 

[silatman]

As an interesting note shaolin kempo and kajukenbo roots have a strong kali/escrima components, in the flow and philosophy. I am not sure how true this is of American kenpo but considering your chosen style, i thought you might like to know.


Respectfully,
Marlon
P.S. the foot work is different though, for some obvious reasons

After reading what I could, thats what I was starting to think, hence the original post.