KenpoPhobia

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KenpoProfessor Posted: 05-24-2007 14:27 | 66.215.244.139

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KenpoPhobia

A term coined by American Kenpo Senior Professor Clyde T. O’Briant.    This term is directly related to  attitudes of  American Kenpoists where they deny the very essence of the art they choose to practice.     It is manifested by fear, usually from the idea of being ostracized by their instructors, orgs., or peers for their views.     The ones suffering from this affliction generally disregard any information which seems contradictory to their currents thoughts, or their instructor’s thoughts on the issue.    Even when given ample opportunity to expose themselves to this information in the interest of contrast (good/bad), they will choose not to.     Excuses range from;

1. These are not my instructor’s views therefore they can never be mine.

2 .  These are Strawman arguments with no physical reality.

3.  Kenpo really can’t be that simple.

4 .   Why is this material not in any videotapes or in Infinite Insights?

5. I have an adequate instructor that I’m happy with and am learning everything I need to learn about American Kenpo.   I do not need or want the information others may have.

6. There are only 10 Master Key techniques or variations of them so I don’t need or want the information you have.

7. There’s no point learning this information, it won’t make MY KENPO any better.

8. Kenpo doesn’t have the elements of MMA so I must crosstrain outside of Kenpo.

9. The Kenpo techniques simply do not work so I must create my own in order to make it function.

These excuses listed above are the most common arguments and is indicative of the state of EPAK today (2007)

Mr. Parker was a genius when it came to martial arts.   He found, changed, expounded, and refined the information he garnered through many sources and created American Kenpo.    The one element that most people forget or have never thought of is what was Mr. Parker’s intention of his art?

Mr. Parker had many students with a commercial studio.   He eventually got so big he had to expand and delegate the responsibility of school ownership and franchises to others.    The dilemma he faced was massive, who was the best person to manage his schools?      Those that undertook this task had to have many facets, the three major ones included:

1. Were they technically proficient and knowledgeable of his art?
2. Could they teach the information?
3. Could they manage the studio in an effective way?
4. Were they good people, ie., law abiding, non drug users, non pedophiles, stalkers, or rapists, etc.
5. Were they loyal?
6. Did they have good people skills to attract business and money?
7. How do you rank them?

These questions inevitably create compromises that will/would directly affect the entire art around the world.    These compromises eventually lead to mediocrity, and each successive generation suffers the same dilemma of compromise.     Now, three to five generations of these compromises are becoming the downfall of what I know as American Kenpo.

Have a great Kenpo day

 Clyde

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kenpoist replied on 05-24-2007 14:40 | 63.249.129.100

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I added this (after correcting some formatting errors) to the main navigation. Won't ever be deleted again. No need to post it anymore, just reference the URL:

http://americankenpoforum.com/content/KenpoPhobia.aspx

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KenpoProfessor replied on 05-24-2007 14:43 | 66.215.244.139

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Cool,  and this certainly isn't KenpoNazi cuz they look like this when I post.

 Have a great Kenpo day

 Clyde

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kenpoist replied on 05-24-2007 14:57 | 63.249.129.100

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No crying allowed.