For me personally, I wouldn't get my spiritual nourishment from a martial arts school. That's just asking for trouble. To be guided spiritually by someonewho hasn't been trained toguide people in that context.
It depends on the teacher and the system. It does seem like their is a lot of slapping and hitting oneself in some Kenpo styles. Also, there are many obese Kenpo Instructors, but not all of us are like that. In my Kenpo system (from the James Mitose-William Chow-Adriano Emperado-Marino Tiwanak-Florentino Pancipanci-John Redmon lineage) there are no overweight Instructors. We have never taught a "slap art", but instead, straight-forward defensive and offensive techniques with emphasis on mental and physical fitness...similar to some Japanese styles (James Mitose was Japanese). My Instructor, John Redmon, didn't talk much either, but was able to clearly convey a deeper benefit from practicing Martial Arts. His methods were very effective. I have been practicing everyday for the past 50 years because of his instruction.
What about him?
An old training partner of mine trained at one of their locations before he switched schools, for a couple years (as an adult). He had a pretty solid striking foundation that transferred to kempo easily, and if I remember right rose through the ranks pretty swiftly. He liked training there, and the one he went to seems to have been good, but I can't guarantee if that's true for all the locations. This particular location was in NY.
Hello, at 50 as an overweight tall man I started Ed Parker style Kenpo. Trained 8 years with very competent instructors in Florida. They received their training from direct students of Ed Parker, Lee Wedlake and Huk Planas these men are the best in the world and very professional and knowledgeable. Look for an instructor that can be affiliated with the master instructors and u will be fine. If they don't know who they are run away. Kenpo is an amazing and very usable system for self defense. I have BBs in other systems but I always go back to kenpo for real world self defense. Ron
As they say, "Embrace the suck."
Me too. Samoans and Hawaiians, for example, tend to be heavyset. Master Tino Tuliosega (probably misspelled it) of Lima Lama and Ed Parker come to mind. Their arts don't seem to penalize for small or large size. In fact, they allow big guys to utilize their size to a high degree. There is a way of moving to put all that weight behind close-in strikes to devastating effect. Parker was scarry. I've heard Master Tino was even scarrier. Having met him, I don't doubt it.
Yes. I know a few Hawaiians and Samoans who are extremely BIG. Tongans, too.
