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On Choosing a Style or System: A Chinese Kenpo Instructor Weighs In

May 8, 2008

In my experience, the particulars of how a system works typically means very little to the average prospective student. Instead, the most common interests expressed to me over the years by people considering taking up the martial arts are:

  1. The desire to learn self defense,
  2. To build confidence and
  3. To improve physical fitness.

How this was to be accomplished, more often than not, had little bearing on whether or not a student enrolled in my school.

It was once explained to me by one of my students who owned a tattoo business that the majority of his clients had only a vague idea what they wanted when they entered his shop. He continuously encountered this even though the choice his clients made would be with them for the rest of their lives. It was up to him to match them with the tattoo that was right for them.

Much in the same vein, the average prospective martial arts student normally does not have a great interest in the system; all they are concerned with is that it meets their needs. Interest in a system’s background and a sense of school pride often does not develop until later, perhaps even years down the road.

Based on this line of thinking it is my belief that finding a school that is right for you should be influenced just as heavily by the school environment and the personality and professionalism of its instructors as much as the system itself.

Having said that, I am going to explain just why I believe Chinese Kenpo is an excellent system that will meet the needs of most prospective students.

Chinese Kenpo is a striking based system that originated in mainland China around 2,000 years ago. Joint locks, holds, throws and ground techniques are intermixed in the system as a compliment to the striking skills. Over the years Kenpo has branched in numerous directions and has developed into distinctly different styles, with different looks, training methods and interpretations of this ancient art.

The word “Kenpo” (also spelled as “Kempo”) translates literally as “Fist Art”. Despite the differences from school to school, most Kenpo based systems typically rely on rapid hand strikes as their primary instrument of defense. This means that you do not need to be particularly flexible to practice the art, a bonus for many adult students.

The Chinese form of Kenpo is typically more fluid, circular and practiced with an emphasis on developing within the student the ability to quickly transition from one strike to the next. In addition, most Kenpo systems are known for their use of self defense techniques to teach responses to common self defense situations.

Training in Chinese Kenpo relies heavily on learning to practice with and without a partner, learning how to use forms and developing the ability to spar effectively. It is this emphasis on self-defense and practicality that makes the system so appealing to adult students.

All in all, Chinese Kenpo is an excellent choice for anyone who is just starting out in the martial arts. If you can find a school in your area, I encourage you to contact the school for a free trial lesson. Who knows? It may end up becoming a lifelong endeavor for you or your family.

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About the author: Mark O’Dell began training in White Tiger Kenpo in 1984, and hasn’t stopped since. A full-time instructor for the last 23 years, he teaches Chinese Kenpo Karate classes in Moreno Valley California.

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Comments

One Response to “On Choosing a Style or System: A Chinese Kenpo Instructor Weighs In”

  1. JOhn on May 23rd, 2008 7:38 pm

    IKCA Kenpo is one of the best self-defense systems out there.
    Every bit as good if not better than Krav Maga

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