Maximus
07-13-2006, 09:52 PM
Occasionally I like to share with everyone questions students asked me as others may benefit from the answer. I was asked the following question in a recent seminar held in North Carolina:
?Are the three associations that you participate in somehow
interrelated or are they separate from each other??
The three ?associations? the student referred to are the American Kenpo Legacy Association (AKLA), the Elite Fighter System, and the American Kenpo Research Council (AKRC).
First, there is actually only one association?the American Kenpo Legacy Association. The Elite Fighter System is a martial art system designed to test new combat and training methods and the American Kenpo Research Council (AKRC) is the research and development branch of the AKLA. To better understand these three areas, let me begin by describing the history and purpose of each.
The American Kenpo Legacy Association (AKLA)
Shortly after Ed Parker died in December 1990, many power and belt hungry individuals sprang up to claim various aspects of Kenpo Karate as their own. To accomplish their goals, these individuals formed organizations to award themselves higher rank and often created their own ?version? of Kenpo Karate. While there were a few individuals that were attempting to continue the development of Kenpo, many changed the system to place themselves as the only ?authority?. The lust for power and rank fragmented the system and confused many newcomers to the Art.
These events disheartened my brother and myself and those who have a true respect for the Art. My brother and I were fortunate to be among those who were working with Ed Parker on a video and manual project at the time of his death. This project was to finally place the entire curriculum on video and revise the manuals. Although over 40 videos were planned, only two were completed prior to his death. Ed Parker expressed to us the need for standardization in the art, and the need for skilled instructors who are able to teach the principles of Kenpo. These instructors must have a thorough understanding of the Art in order to take the Ideal Phase of the techniques and teach them in such a manner that they were effective defenses. In addition, the instructor was to train the student using the Three Phase Concept and the Formulation Equation to enable the techniques to work in multiple situations. However, with the grab for rank and power, this mission was lost or forgotten by many students and instructors of Kenpo.
In order to preserve the art of Kenpo and to properly continue the evolution and development of Kenpo, the American Kenpo Legacy Association (AKLA) was formed. The purpose of the AKLA is threefold:
To preserve the Orthodox version of Kenpo Karate (24 Technique System) in the manner prescribed by Ed Parker. To provide training materials to enhance student?s understanding and retention of the Art and continue the growth of Kenpo. To continue the growth, evolution and development of Kenpo Karate using logic, reasoning, and scientific research.Today, the AKLA is viewed as the central resource for historical and educational documentation and manuals of Kenpo Karate.
The Elite Fighter System of Modern Personal Combat
The Elite Fighter System began as a method of organizing information and training materials for only immediate members of our family. My brother and I wanted a method of bringing together our training from other martial art disciplines in a training program with Kenpo principles at its core. The Elite Fighter System was structured around three guidelines:
Rank that reflects skill rather than the acquisition of knowledge only. An organizational method to enable the addition of knowledge from various disciplines in a cohesive and synergistic manner. A structure of study centered around Western principles and philosophy.Initially, we began introducing the Elite Fighter System to a select group of students in order test and improve upon training and fighting methods. Eventually word began to spread about the effectiveness of the system and many were seeking admission. Ultimately we revised and re-structured the Elite Fighter System and made it available to the general public.
Today, the Elite Fighter System is primarily studied by individuals with military and law enforcement backgrounds. Because of its heavy emphasis on training and skills maintenance, it is also used by several martial art systems for advancement in the higher black belt ranks (4th black and above). It is also called the ?testing ground? for the AKLA because it is used to test advances in training and combat methods before being introduced into the Kenpo curriculum.
The American Kenpo Research Council
In our continuing effort to preserve Kenpo Karate and continue to its growth and development, the AKLA formed the American Kenpo Research Council (AKRC). This group is comprised of practitioners of all skill levels for three purposes:
To preserve the PAST of Kenpo?By preserving Kenpo?s past, we will be able to study and analyze the development of Kenpo and its history which will assist in understanding the system as it exists today. In addition, this information can be used for the future development and growth of Kenpo. To perfect the PRESENT of Kenpo?As practitioners of Kenpo we are obligated to continue to perfect our skills through diligent study and training. The AKRC assist in providing training and information for skill development and conducting research to improve training methods. To pave the way for the FUTURE of Kenpo?Through research, experimentation, study, and peer review, the AKRC will continue the growth and evolution of Kenpo through logic and reasoning as envisioned by Kenpo?s grandmasters. Developments in this area may be considered for addition to the core Kenpo curriculum.The AMRC has quickly caught on to practitioners from all backgrounds. We have expanded its scope of study to ALL types and time periods (eras) of Kenpo. Those who wish to have a full understanding of the art of Kenpo and participate in the development of its future have a home with the American Kenpo Research Council.
A common goal
Just as a major corporation is broken into divisions, the AKLA has three main components working toward the same end. All three areas work cohesively to better understand, preserve and perfect the art of Kenpo Karate. The AKLA acts as the overall organizational structure, the AKRC performs research and development, and the Elite Fighter System is the testing ground for new developments. We continue our efforts to uphold the oath we took, that our rank should forever uphold the standards set forth by our school and continue to strive for unity and proficiency in the Art.
For more information, please visit these sites:
http://www.arnis.org/
http://www.american-kenpo-legacy.com/
http://www.elite-fighters.com/
?Are the three associations that you participate in somehow
interrelated or are they separate from each other??
The three ?associations? the student referred to are the American Kenpo Legacy Association (AKLA), the Elite Fighter System, and the American Kenpo Research Council (AKRC).
First, there is actually only one association?the American Kenpo Legacy Association. The Elite Fighter System is a martial art system designed to test new combat and training methods and the American Kenpo Research Council (AKRC) is the research and development branch of the AKLA. To better understand these three areas, let me begin by describing the history and purpose of each.
The American Kenpo Legacy Association (AKLA)
Shortly after Ed Parker died in December 1990, many power and belt hungry individuals sprang up to claim various aspects of Kenpo Karate as their own. To accomplish their goals, these individuals formed organizations to award themselves higher rank and often created their own ?version? of Kenpo Karate. While there were a few individuals that were attempting to continue the development of Kenpo, many changed the system to place themselves as the only ?authority?. The lust for power and rank fragmented the system and confused many newcomers to the Art.
These events disheartened my brother and myself and those who have a true respect for the Art. My brother and I were fortunate to be among those who were working with Ed Parker on a video and manual project at the time of his death. This project was to finally place the entire curriculum on video and revise the manuals. Although over 40 videos were planned, only two were completed prior to his death. Ed Parker expressed to us the need for standardization in the art, and the need for skilled instructors who are able to teach the principles of Kenpo. These instructors must have a thorough understanding of the Art in order to take the Ideal Phase of the techniques and teach them in such a manner that they were effective defenses. In addition, the instructor was to train the student using the Three Phase Concept and the Formulation Equation to enable the techniques to work in multiple situations. However, with the grab for rank and power, this mission was lost or forgotten by many students and instructors of Kenpo.
In order to preserve the art of Kenpo and to properly continue the evolution and development of Kenpo, the American Kenpo Legacy Association (AKLA) was formed. The purpose of the AKLA is threefold:
To preserve the Orthodox version of Kenpo Karate (24 Technique System) in the manner prescribed by Ed Parker. To provide training materials to enhance student?s understanding and retention of the Art and continue the growth of Kenpo. To continue the growth, evolution and development of Kenpo Karate using logic, reasoning, and scientific research.Today, the AKLA is viewed as the central resource for historical and educational documentation and manuals of Kenpo Karate.
The Elite Fighter System of Modern Personal Combat
The Elite Fighter System began as a method of organizing information and training materials for only immediate members of our family. My brother and I wanted a method of bringing together our training from other martial art disciplines in a training program with Kenpo principles at its core. The Elite Fighter System was structured around three guidelines:
Rank that reflects skill rather than the acquisition of knowledge only. An organizational method to enable the addition of knowledge from various disciplines in a cohesive and synergistic manner. A structure of study centered around Western principles and philosophy.Initially, we began introducing the Elite Fighter System to a select group of students in order test and improve upon training and fighting methods. Eventually word began to spread about the effectiveness of the system and many were seeking admission. Ultimately we revised and re-structured the Elite Fighter System and made it available to the general public.
Today, the Elite Fighter System is primarily studied by individuals with military and law enforcement backgrounds. Because of its heavy emphasis on training and skills maintenance, it is also used by several martial art systems for advancement in the higher black belt ranks (4th black and above). It is also called the ?testing ground? for the AKLA because it is used to test advances in training and combat methods before being introduced into the Kenpo curriculum.
The American Kenpo Research Council
In our continuing effort to preserve Kenpo Karate and continue to its growth and development, the AKLA formed the American Kenpo Research Council (AKRC). This group is comprised of practitioners of all skill levels for three purposes:
To preserve the PAST of Kenpo?By preserving Kenpo?s past, we will be able to study and analyze the development of Kenpo and its history which will assist in understanding the system as it exists today. In addition, this information can be used for the future development and growth of Kenpo. To perfect the PRESENT of Kenpo?As practitioners of Kenpo we are obligated to continue to perfect our skills through diligent study and training. The AKRC assist in providing training and information for skill development and conducting research to improve training methods. To pave the way for the FUTURE of Kenpo?Through research, experimentation, study, and peer review, the AKRC will continue the growth and evolution of Kenpo through logic and reasoning as envisioned by Kenpo?s grandmasters. Developments in this area may be considered for addition to the core Kenpo curriculum.The AMRC has quickly caught on to practitioners from all backgrounds. We have expanded its scope of study to ALL types and time periods (eras) of Kenpo. Those who wish to have a full understanding of the art of Kenpo and participate in the development of its future have a home with the American Kenpo Research Council.
A common goal
Just as a major corporation is broken into divisions, the AKLA has three main components working toward the same end. All three areas work cohesively to better understand, preserve and perfect the art of Kenpo Karate. The AKLA acts as the overall organizational structure, the AKRC performs research and development, and the Elite Fighter System is the testing ground for new developments. We continue our efforts to uphold the oath we took, that our rank should forever uphold the standards set forth by our school and continue to strive for unity and proficiency in the Art.
For more information, please visit these sites:
http://www.arnis.org/
http://www.american-kenpo-legacy.com/
http://www.elite-fighters.com/