parkerlineage

Agree with you there. Most Kenpo kicks are delivered to chest height (rarely) or lower, with kicks to the head only when the opponent is doubled over. Agreed again. I don't know about the TKD half (but you do, I'm sure), but Kenpo does position speed below power and accuracy, which, in a nutshell, translates to effectiveness. There are instances when speed is more key, but less than TKD. There I think we have a similarity. That's one thing I love about Kenpo - there isn't anything spiritual or "focusing your inner one-ness" about it. Physiology, yes. Psychology, no. Of boards/bricks? No, we don't. Of bones - in our techniques, and only on occasion with our sparring You know, I've always wondered what we were called...Kenpoists?...Kenpoers?...Kenpo-ka?...anyway, yes, I think there is more blocking in Kenpo, from what I've seen in my encounters/fights with TKD people. I'm willing to bet you're right...it's unfortunate that the art of TKD has been reduced to a McDojo sporty thing in most instances...I met a guy who did traditional TKD at the last tournament I was at (which was at a YMCA-ish TKD dojang), and his stuff looked very similar to mine. Actually, I went up against him for Grand Champion (he won), and it was great competition. I think you're kind of wrong...but only partially. It depends exactly how you use the circle - most TKD stuff I've seen does use the fast/pretty circle - but a lot of circular Kenpo stuff hurts pretty bad, too... I like it when people have a lot of good information to give. We must continue... Parkerlineage

Mr. Mike said: Ha! Tell me about it...*rolls eyes*...I don't recommend it, peoples. As according to the timeline set out by Mr. Mike, at 3 years per bb, and 5 years to get first dan...I would be a third dan by now. But no...I'm a first. Not that I think I deserve a third dan. I know that I was not at the level of maturity an adult has when I began my training, and that my 11 years have been different that an adult's 11 years. Anyway...sorry about the griping... Parkerlineage

I was going to put this on a different thread, in response to something else, but I decided it was too ranty (yes, that's a word), and therefore should go on its own thread. Enjoy. (and please, Kenpo practicioners (and others)...answer me this time!) Kenpo kata are based on learning concepts. Short Form 1 instructs the beginner to move backward, away from the attack, and teaches the basic blocks, and that the blocks can be excectuted with either hand, while it is important (to the beginner) to have their front foot match their hand, for better balance and strength. Long Form 1 compounds on the concepts in Short Form 1, adding a single strike after each block with emphasis on rotation. It also demonstrates that a block can be performed with the off hand as well, along with introducing parts of new basics incorporated in Long Form 2. Short Form 2 teaches the beginner to move in with strikes (back up mass), emphasizing double strikes or block/strikes, along with special attention to moving into blind angles and the importance of cat stances as transitional stances. Long Form 2 compounds on the concepts of Short Form 2 with emphasis on the 45s, as well as introducing tons of new strikes/blocks. Short Form 3 is the first kata that in comprised entirely of techniques, all of which are for grabs/locks, with emphasis on gravitational marriage. Because they are for grabs/locks, there is emphasis on the 45s. Long Form 3 is also comprised of grab techniques, only they are performed on both sides, to familiarize the student with adapting to meet the attack. There is a lot of emphasis on deep horse stances, which solidify the karate-ka (or is it kenpo-ka?...ha...ha...) in their understanding of the first rule of Kenpo (create a base), and its importance in countering grabs. Long Form 4 is known as the 'System Kata', and is comprised of all sorts of techniques for all varieties of attacks on both sides. I could go on for pages about 4, and others could make entire forums devoted to it, but I won't (and they won't, I assume). Long Form 5 is to be performed as though each attack is unexpected, from an angle which the student is not prepared for. There is emphasis on twist stances, and the importance of centering one's balance while turning. Long Form 6 is known as the Continuous Motion Kata, because, you guessed it, the motion is continuous. There is special emphasis on circular movement, as well as extreme angle changes, and thus, twist stances and centering. All the techniques are designed to fight weapons. End of random essay thing. If anyone has any questions, comments, random thoughts, infinite insights...hit me with 'em! Peace; Parkerlineage

I think you just asked a question that would take a lifetime of training in all the mentioned arts to determine. The basic answer, I suppose, would be a lot, but very little. Tae Kwan Do involves a lot of kicking (generally), but it depends on who your instructor is, and how you trian in Kenpo - I love kicking, personally. Kenpo is more hard-style and circular blended - from what I've seen, Tae Kwan Do is a little more circular than anything else. Yet, they both have a lot of similarities as well. In reality, I think it depends on your instructor, dojo (or dojang, is that right, Triddle?). I would say that between Triddle and I, we could probably compare info and answer your question, though. Peace; Parkerlineage

I have just had the privelege of learning part of a Wu Shu broadsword kata from a visiting instructor. I happen to pick of kata quite quickly, and weapons kata especially so. He said I showed a lot of skill and promise with the blade...however, I only learned part of it! I know the best way to learn is from an instructor - and I certainly plan to have him teach me the rest when he returns again. In the meantime, can anyone direct me to a site that has info/kata/technique with the Chinese Broadsword (Dao, right?)? I am also interested in buying one, so thoughts on that would help, also. Thank you; Parkerlineage

Depends on your style, really. In AK, it's pretty much all political past Long Form 6. My instructor always says, "Black is black," and I much agree with him. A master will demonstrate that he/she/it is a master by his/her/its proficiency, not mass amounts of red on a belt. Peace; Parkerlineage

Old school - rad. I'd like to do it that way, too...save a lot of money one belts, too, eh? As for purple, I've always found it an odd color to have in martial arts belts. Same with orange. They just don't seem - martial artsy to me. But, as...somebody I don't feel like referencing to quote said: To each his/her/its own. Peace; Parkerlineage PS. Purple is 6th kyu in AK.

Greetings, my Chinese Art cousins (and kind of brothers, but we're not going to get into that); I have just had the privelege of learning part of a Wu Shu broadsword kata from a visiting instructor. I happen to pick of kata quite quickly, and weapons kata especially so. He said I showed a lot of skill and promise with the blade...however, I only learned part of it! I know the best way to learn is from an instructor - and I certainly plan to have him teach me the rest when he returns again. In the meantime, can anyone direct me to a site that has info/kata/technique with the Chinese Broadsword (Dao, right?)? I am also interested in buying one, so thoughts on that would help, also. Thank you; Parkerlineage PS. I couldn't decide whether or not this should go into the Weapons Forum. I mean, it is a question directly aimed at Chinese Art practicioner... but move it if you so desire.

An AK47. If that's unavailable, I find a Death Star usually works. https://www.deathstarkata.com* Peace; Parkerlineage *If you try this link, you deserve to be...I dunno...you pick something bad.

What's everyone's opinion on honorary rank? Personally, I would never take anything higher than a white belt from any style when I first started, and I'd want to put in the right amount of time to earn anything else I've got. My instructor (6th Dan) has an honorary brown belt in some Okinawan Kenpo he got from Okinawa after a grueling week's training with the Masters. I suppose that's okay... Everbody else? Parkerlineage

In my opinion, I think that in order to really declare yourself as a black belt in multiple arts, you better be darn good at both/all of them. And that would take waaaaaay more than a 25 year old could do. Of course, you must alwso take into consideration that some of the belts may be honorary - something that I would never take (gives me a good idea for its own thread). Peace; Parkerlineage

Check the sig.

haha...yeah, pretty much. I can do it, though it's not nearly as fluid, and I don't recommend it unless you've practiced a bunch. If you do use it, it's really good in sparring, though. How I do it, is a kick-drag wheel kick with left, then, instead of just snapping it back and setting it down, I snap it to the left, and let my hips follow, which, when added to a right wheel kick motion, makes it for a pretty clean kick. Peace; Parkerlineage

Larry Tatum...heard that name before in the dojo...seen a few websites...I'm IKKA, so, of course, I advocate Master Planas all the way (though, my instructor is also trained by Master Trejo as well, so I advocate him, too). Have you learned Long Form 7 or higher?

I'm guessing you're a blue belt, Topgun? At least, that's when we learn Long 2...probably different in every dojo, however... Long 4 does indeed sum it all up. The ones, twos, and threes teach concepts (the threes teach a little more application than concepts), and then 4 teaches how we put them together. 5 and 6 teach new concepts within application. 4 is generally the kata I see most brown and black belts doing - though some brown do 3, and other, higher ranking blacks (and myself) do 6 - in tournaments. I really think there should be a different base ranking for the various kata, but there isn't, and that's a debate for a different forum (still kind of irate about losing second place to some moron 3rd black doing Short Form 3). Anywhosen, any thoughts, comments, or questions on any kata you know? Just trying to start some good conversation here... Peace; Parkerlineage

That's pretty interesting...essentially the same as AK kata, no? Just techniques put together... Where'd you learn 4 from? It is the "System Kata."

Everybody's discussing their kata...with all their crazy Asian names (not dissing them at all, trust me)...and here I am, sitting with Long Form whatever and not being able to talk about it. Any AK or, heck, even Tracy's Kenpo (hehe) people want to discuss any of our kata? I know them all (all the official ones, at least), so any are welcome. Peace; Parkerlineage PS. What the heck. We'll add a poll. Which is your favorite?

Never fear...somebody who knows more than speculation is here! Chicken kick - A double kick in which the first is performed, and then the second is fired as or just before the first kick lands, giving sort of a hopping motion. Some people do both in the air, and, while this looks pretty, it is incorrect, so stop doing it! (Sorry, just yelling at AK peoples) A wheel kick is a roundhouse kick with the toes pointed - this technique is actually, in our dojo, at least, taught only to the kids, because they tend to not get the whole, "Pull your toes back," thing. It is, however, useful for sparring as well. The primary disadvantage is that you can seriously jack up your foot if you do it wrong (Strike point should be top of your foot). A snap kick is just that - a kick that is snapped, which should be all kicks. I don't even know why people call them that... A thrust kick is like a front kick, only you strike with the heel, meaning you have to pull your foot way back, and shoot your leg out straighter. Kind of painful until you get flexible enough. A shuffle, I'm guessing, in your situation is a drag-step (drag the back foot up to touch front foot, step front foot forward) or a step-drag (step front foot, drag back foot). It may also mean sliding the back foot to touch the front foot, then kicking with the front foot. All of these are done from a fighting stance. Hope that helps! Peace; Parkerlineage

"Have you ever seen a brick start a fight with someone?" -Bruce Lee

Well, if you want to be all technical about it, GM Parker learned Kung Fu, JuJitsu, and Karate from William Chow, who learned from James Mitose, Henry Okizaki, and his father. So, in reality, Kenpo is Kung Fu/Jujitsu/Karate. On our dojo, my professor has hung a sign that says "Karate Kung-Fu", because it is just that. Peace; Parkerlineage

My legs are long for my body, and my full height is long for a normal person (6'6"). I can't say I've ever wished they weren't - I can kick anybody from anywhere (I just recently developed a kick that I'm sure isn't an original, but nobody else in my studio uses it, that takes me about three of my own stance-lengths), and it looks pretty cool with kata, too. Don't sweat it; be thankful; Parkerlineage

Enough people have replied with their trademark or opinion on such that it's not important for me to do so. I'm going to talk about something I really know about. On average, there is a wait period of approximately three years between black belt. You will almost never see less; but you will more than likely see more. When it comes to requirements, then you enter an area similarly colored to Delta1's belt and gi. The only requirements for 2nd black are Long Form 5 and Long Form 6. After that, it's all political...do you have a lot of students...do you look good...have you been training for a long time...do you have a cute kitten...the list goes on and on. My favorite quote: "Colors show, but not what you know."* My own personal mantra: "Black is black. The stripes are just extra."* Long Form 5, Long Form 6, and the techniques thereof. Long Form 5 is the "Throw Kata". In it, you must do the techniques as though they are unexpected, as they come from obscure angles. Long Form 6 is the "Weapons Kata." In it, you will adapt some earlier techniques to fight against clubs or knives, as well as learn a good deal of the "Rod" techniques (Just as "Storm" signifies a club, and "Lance" a knife, "Rod" is a gun). There are book-version extensions to all the previous techniques, but I will quote my instructor again. "Don't ask me for the extensions. You have your black belt - make ones that work for you!"* Book versions are great, and I reccomend learning them, but the black belt is just the beginning - play with the system, mold it to yourself! Peace; Parkerlineage *Professor Scott Halsey

Well, the guy trained with Master Planas...but I'm not so sure I'm terribly fond of this "evolutionary Kenpo". The movies were mostly board breaking - who gives a darn? Did you ever see a brick start a fight with anyone?* The Five Swords demo looked like a little Five Swords, and a lot of flailing. The takedown broke a major rule of Kenpo - he took the guy forward, then backward - economy of motion. He was fast, yes...but I'm not entirely sure. The additional thing about Brazilian JuJitsu...it seems like everybody claims to be a black belt in that now. I'm no authority on it, of course... As I've never actually attended this class, I can't tell you exactly what to think of this. You're probably not going to get a terribly consistent style to Grand Master Parker's, but it should be good enough, if you can't find anything closer. His studio is on the Kenponet, but under Paul Mills's style, not Master Parker's. Is it Parker? No. Is it better? Matter of opinion. My own personal feelings: Paul Mills's Kenpo, while not GM Parker's, is still Kenpo, which, of course, I unbiasedly (ha!) reccomend. I would say you should go, but keep me posted on how things are. If they start to get fishy...I'll give more of my lovely opinions. btw, just so you know I'm fairly credible, I've been in a very strict Parker dojo for the last 11 years (no, not as long as some people, but I've essentially lived Kenpo - I can barely remember not being in it). I've been a black belt for the last four and a half, five years. I'm, essentially, the right-hand man of my Professor's dojo, and will be opening my own dojo when I go to college. So you can trust me. Peace; Parkerlineage *Bruce Lee

I'm sure he's a competent martial artist...he got his black belt under Parker, after all...thanks for the info...keep it coming! Peace; Parkerlineage

I believe the true meaning lies neither with the skunk, nor the lion, but with the question of where this happening took place. For, we see, in order for a skunk to meet a lion, we are presented with this revelation: One of them is lost. If the skunk is lost, it is clear why the lion does not battle the smaller animal. He is a jerk. In his fright at being lost, the skunk has cried out for help to the lion, and the cat has simply ignored the pleas of the smaller animal. This, obviously, angers the skunk, who is merely trying to get home. Finally, becoming delusional, the skunk begins screaming that he should be king of the forest, in hopes that his cries will attract someone to help him in his plight. If it is the lion, he has obviously escaped his captivity in whatever zoo or haven he was held in, and is attempting to reach the top of the mountain so that he can attempt to find Africa, or at least a boat. His reluctance to do battle with the skunk is thereby easily explainable - he is lost, and longs for his home with far greater hope than victory over this strange forest creature. He knows that he is not really the king of the forest, since he does not like forests, but the plains. I hope this has shed a bit of light for you - whether it be spiritually, zoologically, or geographically. Peace; Parkerlineage