Few questions about Kenpo

[Boarder250]

I've become interested in Kenpo mainly due to self defense and recently attended a few lessons. The school teaches Tracy Kenpo. I was wondering if someone could shed some light on the difference between American and Tracy, I know they are minimal. Tracy seems very hard to find info on, whereas American I can find descriptions of moves online and everything.

Basically I am trying to decide if Tracy is the one I should be learning, thank you for any info

[sensei8]

First of all...Welcome to KarateForums!! Glad to have you here!!

The name Tracy has mixed feelings toward it, but I've no problems with Tracy and its methodologies/ideologies for the most part. Check it out!!

[Wastelander]

I don't know much about their curriculum, but I was under the impression that Tracy Kenpo IS American Kenpo that has just been personalized by the Tracys over time. In order to find out if it's the right martial art for you, you will really need to try some classes at that school, as well as at other schools.

[Dobbersky]

I suppose it's the same as some Kempo schools say Kempo Karate on their door and others put Kempo jujitsu on their door, it's about personal touches etc.

Don't worry too much about the name, just look at how many organisations there are with Shotokan.

Just enjoy it if it ticks all the boxes you want.

[darksoul]

I would like to point out that KeNpo and KeMpo are the same. It's just the translation of its Kanji name (拳法) to English form.

American Kenpo vs Shaolin Kempo, however, that's a different story:

American Kenpo: An offspring of William Chow's Chinese Kenpo Karate, Ed Parker's American Kenpo system is of the larger systems. Parker took what William Chow taught him and organized every technique and movement into a format that could be broken down into levels for all students. Parker felt that the innovations he added to his Kenpo eventually made up 85% of the system and, thus, he renamed it American Kenpo Karate.

Shaolin Kempo: The Shaolin Kempo Karate system was founded by Fred Villari, a student of Kajukenbo as well as other martial arts. Fred Villari's system tends more towards the Kung-Fu element and utilizes the techniques of the 5 animal Chuan Fa to a large extent. Added to the Kempo system was White Tiger Chin Na techniques, as well as various Aikijujitsu projections and immobilizations. Shaolin Kempo Karate is taught across the United States and Canada. Grandmaster Villari's organization is Villari's Martial Arts Centers. There have been several splinter organizations.

Source: http://www.urbin.net/EWW/MA/KF/3D.html

As a Shodan in Shaolin Kempo Karate, I must say that it is a brutal style. Vicious, and effective. From the start you are taught to defend yourself by all means necessary. Groin strikes, breaks, disjointing, etc... This is not a sport martial art, but a defensive one. Sure, you are taught to do point sparring just like any other karate school, however, the bulk of the techniques will involve things you would not do to a person outside of being attacked on the street.

Anyway, I hope this help! I love this style and plan on getting my mastery in it in the next decade.

[Dobbersky]

Well if I had a choice I'd pick Shaolin Kempo, namely for the Chin Na and 5 animal Quan Fa, but that's my personal choice and I've read about Grandmaster Villari and I'm very impressed.

[Boarder250]

Thank you for the replies.

I have done 4 lessons so far in the Tracy Kenpo, I do like it that wasnt my concern really.

Was just trying to see why it seems hard to find info on online?

And why people have mixed feelings about it?

It really is very similar to American Kenpo, you can see the 2 styles and each move per belt, on this site http://www.kenpotech.net/

Its just that American on that site there is descriptions for all moves, whereas for Tracy's it just has the names, (Im looking for something that has descriptions too to aid with home study)

Again thanks for any info!

[Wastelander]

Thank you for the replies.

I have done 4 lessons so far in the Tracy Kenpo, I do like it that wasnt my concern really.

Was just trying to see why it seems hard to find info on online?

And why people have mixed feelings about it?

It really is very similar to American Kenpo, you can see the 2 styles and each move per belt, on this site http://www.kenpotech.net/

Its just that American on that site there is descriptions for all moves, whereas for Tracy's it just has the names, (Im looking for something that has descriptions too to aid with home study)

Again thanks for any info!

When it comes to home study materials, it's best to ask your instructor. They may have some for you, or know where to get them, whether that is online, from a book or from another instructor who has already made those materials.

[darksoul]

"Flight to Freedom?" "Dance of Death?" "Thrusting Salute?"

Wow, I never realized American Kenpo had such Ameri-do-te style names to their techniques. I'm sure the techniques are sound, it's just... I dunno. Odd?

[Zaine]

"Flight to Freedom?" "Dance of Death?" "Thrusting Salute?"

Wow, I never realized American Kenpo had such Ameri-do-te style names to their techniques. I'm sure the techniques are sound, it's just... I dunno. Odd?

Legitimacy is everything sometimes. What faster way is there to sound legit when you're first starting up?