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Created by Ed Parker,
characterized by the use of quick moves in rapid-fire succession intended to
overwhelm an opponent. It is largely marketed as a self-defense system, and
is derived from traditional Southern Chinese kung fu and other martial arts
found in the cultural melting pot of Hawaii. Parker introduced significant
modifications in his art, including principles, theories, and concepts of
motion as well as terminology, throughout his life. He left behind a large
number of instructors who teach many different versions of American Kenpo. |
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Parker began
codifiying his early understandings of Chinese Kenpo into a distinct and
evolving personal interpretation of the art. Here he dropped all Asian
language elements and many traditions in favor of American English. During
this period, he de-emphasized techniques and principles organized in the
same manner as in Chinese and Japanese arts in favor of his own curriculum
of forms and techniques. Parker took his art through continual changes.
Parker always suggested that once a student learns the lesson embodied in
the "ideal phase" of the technique he should search for some aspect that can
be tailored to his own personal needs and strengths. Furthermore, Parker's
students learned a different curriculum depending on when they studied with
him. Some students preferred older material to newer material, wanted to
maintain older material that Parker intended to replace, or wanted to
supplement the kenpo they learned from a particular period with other
martial arts training.
One of the best-known students of Ed Parker is Elvis Presley. |
