American Kenpo is a System of Self-Defense. An, “Armamentarium
of Martial Arts concepts and ideals,”(1) if you will, that when learned and internalized
through practice and execution, empowers the American Kenpo Practitioner to
have at their disposal a vast array of weapons, both offensive and defensive
independently and or interdependently as offensive-defensive, or
defensive-offensive—depending upon the situation and or your perspective.
As
well, it, American Kenpo, is a solid philosophical foundation upon which to
learn, grow from and within, and to teach for it is effective and practical, as
it, American Kenpo was devised for real life street combat/self-defense. It
is a reality based system—not at all just aesthetically pleasing, non-practical
and or non-pragmatic.
American
Kenpo shares similar components, etc., with other systems/styles,
as well as those “Specialized” maneuvers, techniques, and or concepts of its
own origin, and thus is all-encompassing. Yes, it has strikes, but as well, it
has arm-bars, leg and ankle-locks, joint manipulations, chokes, evasive
maneuvering, and “The path of least resistance.” These tactics and or
philosophies are so often thought to be found only within, Jujitsu, Ninjitsu,
Kung-Fu, Aikido, and or the grappling modes of Martial Arts. I say this as
throughout my now 20 years of Martial Arts training, 19 of which are based in
American Kenpo, I have heard statements, and or engaged in
conversations with other Martial Artist who conveyed their
thinking and subsequent arguments. One of which I have been inundated with is
that we American Kenpoist are “merely strikers,” and the second is we are
incapable of executing “this or that.” “This or that,” being a maneuver,
technique, or concept “supposedly unique,” to only these other styles or
systems—as these try to claim it as “all theirs." This and the other
arguments are, “ridiculously-erroneous.”(2) Yes, I merged the two words to form
one, for the flawed argument is just that, “ridiculously-erroneous and
doubly-ignorant.”(3)
Yes,
I did say it and I stand by it…all takers willing to participate in a logical
debate, you can reach me on facebook and or here on the blog—leave an
intelligible, intelligent comment and I will respond. However, I will only
respond to logical/rational comments—I will not debate, “Emotionally based
diatribes,”(4) nor comments from a, “Argumentum ad hominem”(5) perspective. –
Shaun Damon Hagler
American
Kenpo is not merely a striking art—our mindset alone, being Black-Dot Focus
disallows it to be limited or defined as an art merely of, or about striking
for Black-Dot Focus by definition and when internalized requires its adherent
to be mindful of all things: offense, defense, environment, self, and
opponent(s). Thus, "a true Kenpo Martial Artist"(6) cannot be merely
a striker who operates solely offensively or executes in the realm of
"overkill."(7) Furthermore, our “Web of Knowledge”(9) the “Blueprint,”
if you will of our system, is comprised of nine parts. Of which standout, and
are relevant to this discussion are “Specialize moves,” “maneuvers” and
parries. Why would, an art or system solely concerned with striking/stand-up, and overkill need, and or have these varied, diverse, and as
well defensive concepts? Nine parts not one—not only striking—now that was
over-stating and may be over-killing my point—LOLOL.
The
true American Kenpo practitioner is a living, breathing entity that creates or
gives the necessary response to a threatening stimulus—they are well-rounded
Martial Artists. Whether it is to either, go on the offensive and take the
fight to their aggressor, or to defend and then counter the attack, they
decide based upon the situation. As a result of sacrifice to training, they
are able to, in some instances, within the smallest of windows of opportunity,
when the opening presents itself deliver a strike, block, striking-block, kick,
check, choke, "Contact Manipulation"(10) maneuver, takedown etc, and
or a combination of these, or other various components of the American Kenpo
System. This array of options renders the "fight" over and or now, in
the favor of the Kenpoist, which leads to their victory in the objective of
self-preservation, i.e., self-defense. — Shaun Damon Hagler
(10) Mr. Todd Durgan
Our
founder, Mr. Ed Parker is quoted as saying, “…this training was not for
"overkill," but rather "overskill."(7) This statement alone
could validate my argument. As it is very irrational to argue with any things
creator/founder—or Grand Master in the case of a Martial Art System—as to said
creations purpose, what it is, and thus how it should be perceived. Never-mind
the fact most, if not many detractors of American Kenpo have never trained in,
nor with an American Kenpo practitioner or teacher for any considerable amount
of time, if any time at all.
If
one researches the history of American Kenpo, one will find it was originally
called, “Kenpo Jujitsu,”(8) by Mr. Parker emphasizing its punching, striking,
kicking, locking and throwing, as well acknowledging the teachings and
influence of Mr. Mitose and his Japanese influence. However, he also fully
acknowledged, and incorporated our Chinese roots from the teachings and influence
of Mr. Chow, from whom he, Mr. Parker, many claim attained a 3rd Degree
Black-belt ranking.
American
Kenpo is a System fully devised and developed by Mr. Parker. It is like no
other as it has linear and circular motion, striking/standing, and
grappling/ground-based concepts. American Kenpo as well, again, is
philosophical, and encourages one to think, not merely mimic, and emulate. For
Mr. Parker did not desire nor intend for those that would follow him to do the
previously mentioned—he intended for the system to evolve, and the
only way for that to be accomplished is through creative ingenuity, and
acknowledging our origins, but not making ourselves absolutely tradition based,
and as if held hostage to our origins. The art must grow with and adapt to the
times and conditions of which the practitioner, or we presently exist…otherwise
it becomes impractical and ineffective.
Now
in no way am I advocating that we should do away with the traditional aspects
of American Kenpo for, they are still practical and effective, and two they are
our lineage, origin, and foundation, and without these, we have nothing from
which to grow, expand and improve. However, I am emphasizing we must always
seek to grow and evolve so to improve as Mr. Parker desired us to.
Thus,
I conclude and state emphatically, American Kenpo is a System of Self-defense,
a Martial Art, it is not limited in its scope, it is not one-dimensional, it is
ever evolving, and through its true Kenpoist a concept, an
amalgamation of ideas, ideals and concepts brought to life, and personified. I
argue as well American Kenpo is theory transposed into reality, art brought to
life, and visible...this is the true beauty of American Kenpo seen, felt,
experienced, and what American Kenpo is.
Quotes:
Numbers (7) - (9) Mr. Ed Parker 10th Degree
Black-Belt; Grand Master of the Arts
Numbers (1) - (6) Mr. Shaun Damon Hagler 1st Degree
Black-Belt; Junior Instructor of the Arts
