Red J

Exactly. Dig up some of our old threads in the Karate section: They always start with Kempo or Kenpo or both in the topic. There are some good discussions that are worth visiting. One day, we'll have our own section. Hey, they gave Testing and Grading a section. I think we could do over 27 threads. I used to bug Patrick. He would have to see more of the love being shown. So dig up those posts and contribute! Start a few new ones. Rally the troops!

Welcome. It's never too late to talk kenpo!

Interesting. Welcome to KF.

I'm unmooting the point. Universities have more junk fees, but then again I have heard of McDojos that are so expensive that you would need a student loan. Point remooted. I see both sides. I don't care for test fees, but I also see why they are necessary in some dojos. I take comfort in that every test that I have been to has had many higher ranking masters, they have been long in duration to exploit skill under pressure and fatigue, and have had a learning component attached to them. I have also had tests that were free, but that was in the backyard dojo of my youth (late teens). No masters ever came, it was my instructor and myself. When I went to college you had to pay for the cost of the belt and certificate. I never tested because I was so broke and it was not my style. The University activity fee probably covered the cost of the class. I dropped the class and ended up working out with an Isshin Ryu shodan I met in the park 3x a week for about a year. Times were simple then. No belts, just two guys working out. Anyway, the value of a test is really in the eye of the person paying for it (and in the pocket of the person collecting the fee. I added this because if I didn't someone else would. ) . Unfortunately, there are people who will take advantage in any profession. Hopefully this post will help you form your own opinion. If your wife gives you any more grief, tell her that she is right and that you are quitting MA and buying a 25 foot Mako open fisherman, with twin Yamaha 250s on the back and plan to spend all your extra time fishing. This may put it back into perspective for her or it could have you spending more nights on the couch. The point being that MA is still a relatively inexpensive endeavor compared to what some of my friends do, but I will concede to WW that you need to be an educated consumer.

I think you are in a great spot. You are the lowest rank in an advanced class. For growth opportunity, you can't beat that. You most likely are learning at a faster rate than if you didn't have all those advanced students. As far as the respect goes, keep showing up and showing your true character. You will earn their respect.

Do your chest first, then shoulders, then triceps. If you do your tris first then you will not have enough for chest exercises. I wouldn't mix up the order, just mix up some of the exercises for a specific muscle group from time to time.

This is probably more than you really wanted to know. http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=15779&highlight=kenpo+kempo If you want more, put in "kempo and kenpo" in the search under the "karate" sub forum.

KK, how about an update on this topic? Are you still injured?

All too true!

Any Kempo lurkers out there? I thought I would try to revive this thread.

In my dojo, we have the head of the Department of Homeland Security sign the BB certificates. We are automatically considered domestic agents in the US. Abroad we are given Double "0" status and basically have a license to kill. It can come in handy. How many "Do you have to register" threads can one forum have?

I've heard that Chuck Norris's tears can cure cancer. The tough part about that is that he has never cried. He was on the "Best Darn Sports Show" reading his favorites. He was a good sport about it. Of course, it is just more publicity and awareness about his book.

Try to do complimenting muscle groups together. Work large muscles first, smaller last. IE: Chest, deltoids, triceps (pushing) Back, traps, biceps (pulling) Legs - Squats and press, then isolate quads, hams, calves Core - daily Good luck.

The real experiment is to see how many people tune in each week...To a bleepin repeat. ARRRRRRRRRRG!

From one J to another, welcome.

Nothing compares to live training in a dojo. Videos may be good for referencing material, but the whole train at home and test by tape concept doesn't cut it in most cases, especially for newbs. I think the mentality of the marketing is to sell a home videos series and then count on most people not even following through with testing. If you live in a remote location, have an instructor you can get to once or twice a month, have the requirements on tape for you to practice and reference, then maybe it would work if you had the discipline and commitment necessary to train on your own. I would only recommend this for someone that was experienced in the system or a similar system. IMO, the major benefit of these series is for reference.

Bo!

The first one is $65.00 a month with no contracts or test fees. You could always try it for a month or two and make a decision. If you don't like it walk away. They also have quite a few training days. There's not a lot of info on the second one. Go visit each one, ask some questions, etc. If you get a good vibe take the plunge! Good luck.

I disagree with this one. I'd like to think that when I'm old and can't demonstrate all the moves that I could still be a great teacher...perhaps even a better teacher. (you know, with all that wisdom and stuff) .. Well, I meant the ability to demonstrate techniques properly versus demonstrating them improperly. I have an instructor that is rehabing his back and will have a senior student demonstrate a technique that he is unable to do. Even in this case the technique is done properly even if the instructor is incapable of doing it him/herself.

Well the ideal instructor needs the following: A knowledge base to draw from (ie experience, BB or above) An ability to relate to people (some people are great MA with no people skills) The ability to demonstrate techniques properly and to modify them, if necessary, for different levels and body types. Must be able to speak the language of the beginners yet still engage the advanced. Should always be learning and continuing his/her own skills. They should also have maturity, reliability, credibility, and patience. How's that?

The whole team cleaning thing seems lame to me, unless you are getting some kind of deal or working for lessons. But as a requirement? Come on. I have helped around the dojo from time to time but it was strictly voluntary and not part of any black belt requirement. Anyway, I hope he supplies the gloves.

Good Topic. I agree with the premise of your post and comments. I would like to add that an even greater skill than striking/grappling is the ability to go from one to another. In other words to be able to transition between the skills. When I train techniques, I am always looking for new ways to go from hands and feet to felling and grappling and vice-versa and to use combinations of each. I think when you can put it all together then you really have something. Hopefully you can train this way with some skilled people.

Keep us updated. I also agree with johnnymac. The TKD BB will be an accomplishment that you will deserve. I know how close you are. Anyway, sorry for the mini-hijack of your thread.

Of course it all falls under the title of "Self Defense".

KK, I think you should stick with TKD and definitely get ranked as BB. You are so close. From there you should re-access what you want to do. Just a thought, since your instructor is an hour away, you may want to explore schools that have a heavy JJ flavor along with the stand up. That way you would have the best of both worlds. You never know when a new teacher will show up (my experience has been it's when the student is ready). In your case your previous experience has gotten you to this point in your journey and who really knows where it will take you. You are one who, IMO, is enjoying the ride. I'm following you here and would like to add that a well rounded MA could and probably would transition between hitting/striking/felling/grappling to control the situation with the proper amount of force needed. I'm getting this too, but you can hardly say that throwing someone to the ground and choking them out or submitting them is defensive. Grappling and felling can be extremely offensive but yet at the same time be defensive in the way of a lock or hold as you alluded to as opposed to a knock out blow. The same could be said about striking/kicking. A shot to the solar plexus versus a stike to the throat comes to mind or a stop kick to the hip to break balance versus a snap to the groin. I'm not really disagreeing with you, just your semantics. And yes, I also like proficiency in each and would recommend it to any serious MA.