American Kenpo is...

        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 10^th Degree Black-Belt; Grand Master of the Arts

Number (10) Mr. Todd Durgan 7^th Degree Black-Belt; Senior Professor of the Arts http://www.kenpoguy.com/

Numbers (1) - (6) Mr. Shaun Damon Hagler 1^st Degree Black-Belt; Junior Instructor of the Arts