American Schools of Shao-Lin Kempo

[CapitalKarate]

Anyone know anything about this group of schools? Here's a link to their ad...

http://americanschoolsofsha5035891214.worldpages-ads.com/

Thanks,

Josh

[CapitalKarate]

...Ok, does anyone know anything about shaolin kempo? Or American Kenpo Karate?

[scottnshelly]

I don't, but I don't like to see a topic sit unreplied to for so long.

I think that Shaolin is a generic term mainly used for marketing. People are familiar with (and impressed with) Shaolin, so if they see a Dojo with that word in the title, they're more likely to give them money.

Kenpo/Kempo is also a generic term (from what I understand) in Chinese. American Kenpo is more modern and stems more from Hawaiian arts than Chinese (although Hawaiian stem from Chinese).

I know a little about Kenpo, is there something specific you were wondering, or just a general synopsis?

[CapitalKarate]

Well I'm looking for a new school to go to (moving) and at my new location I've found what looks like a small chain of "american schools of Shao-lin kempo" schools, a MMA school (most likely joining it, if it's not crap), an american kenpo karate school, an american arjukenka karate school, and some other ones I've yet to contact.

My reason for asking about shaolin kempo and kenpo karate is I don't want to just go to their school to check it out, I want to do some research on the schools' styles. I'd like to know how effective these two styles I mentioned in the way of practical street self defense, I'd like to know what type of concepts they teach, whether or not they're rounded enough, stuff of that nature.

[Pacificshore]

Don't know much about that particular school ad you posted, as there is not much to go by. See if you can find out some type of lineage to the school, not that it may make a difference in how they conduct business. See if the instructor comes from the Mattera line of Shaolin Kempo(USSD), the Demasco line(USSD east coast version), Villari line(Also East Coast area), or Ralph Castro's line(Westcoast-Shaolin Kenpo).

Maybe he simply decided to open his own school 29yrs. ago and belongs to no formal organization. Also look for Decascos Won Hop Kune Do, a Chuan Fa side of Kajukenbo. Just my 2 cents

[AlteredTach]

Hello, I just happen to be a sudent of one of the sister schools. However, the instructor at eh particular school you posted about is an 8th degree black belt Master. his Name is Master Pearl. He has been doing this for for 26 some years (don't quote me on that). And it is a direct descendant of the school of martial arts created by Grandmaster Fred Villari. I assure you, this is actually a real credible form of martial arts. It is not merely useing the names ShaoLin (meaning young forest) and Kempo. If you research the art you will find that Grandmaster villari became a master of many different martial arts( 5 in total I think) and then he took the strength of the many arts and combined them into the current for that it is presented at these schools. All of the local schools ar taught by 3rd degree black belts or higher. And I have personally Met them all, and they are very nice. I hope this post helps and if anyone is interested in the schools... I am the webmaster of the Dallas Dojo. Unfortuanatly the page is still under construction. and if you have more questions I would be more than willing to reply.

[CapitalKarate]

This is very fascinating. Can you give me as much information about the dallas location? Also if you can, could you give me a link to a site that explains in detail what shao-lin kempo is about? Thanks!

[scottnshelly]

I assure you, this is actually a real credible form of martial arts. It is not merely useing the names ShaoLin (meaning young forest) and Kempo. If you research the art you will find that Grandmaster villari became a master of many different martial arts( 5 in total I think) and then he took the strength of the many arts and combined them into the current for that it is presented at these schools.

What styles are combined to make this style? I'm genuinely interested, not trying to make a mockery.

[stoneheart]

The Shaolin Kempo of Fred Villari is essentially kajukenbo up until the 2nd dan level. Villari was a student of Nick Cerio( who was a student of George Pesare?).

I have the DVDs of Shaolin Kempo seen advertised in Black Belt magazine... It's not my cup of tea, although I wouldn't say that some could not get something out of the system and even enjoy it.

[octopic]

What styles are combined to make this style? I'm genuinely interested, not trying to make a mockery.

Shaolin Kempo takes material from all over the place. A lot of it is from Kajukenbo (which is a combination of karate, judo, kenpo, shaolin temple boxing), added into that is some five animal kung fu, and chin-na. Basically if it works, we'll incorporate it into our style. With a good instructor, it is a great self defense system. However, there are some schools out there that have watered down the system a lot. The key is to check out the school and see what they're doing.

Master Pearlswig is from the Villari lineage, though, I don't know when he left the organization. My advice would be to go check the school out and see what they're all about. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions about the style and I shall do my best to answer them.