Is American Kenpo UNDERRATED?

Question

I crosstrain in several different styles, because I feel that it is the best way to train, BUT American Kenpo has recently peaked my interest, because it is unique when compared to other TRADITIONAL martial arts. American Kenpo seems to focus more on practical self-defense techniques as opposed to the spiritual aspects that traditional martial arts does( such as Kung Fu). Also American Kenpo is never "stationary". meaning it evolves with the TIMES! For example Kenpo know incorporates grappling into it's style. A lot of other styles still WON'T incorporate grappling into it's style! My school has been doing it for over 10 years. ALSO American Kenpo trains to fight OTHER skilled fighters, unlike many other martial arts which focus on techniques against UNTRAINED fighters. This Kenpo Karate website explains it best...................
http://www.cckenpo.net/aboutAK.asp

What do you think? Is there other martial arts which you feel are underrated?

"SiFu Frank",

Of course you didn't read the ENTIRE question NOR did you give ANY reason why you said, "NO"! To me that means you DON'T HAVE A CLUE ABOUT AMERICAN KENPO!

"Shooter",
Your a little punk trying to act tough! YOU NEVER MET ED PARKER! You made that crap up! Also you DIDN'T answer the question! It' sounds like to me you have a "inferiority issue" problem! Get some help you little wuss!

Answer 1

American Kenpo is a great and eclectic martial art. Being of both Japanese and Chinese in origin, it is a good mix. Also, I like the fact that you specify the discipline as "American" as Ed Parker, who is regarded as "the father of American martial arts" essentially brought the discipline to the mainland from Hawaii.

I believe the reason Kenpo may be underrated is the same reason as to why other disciplines (especially Chinese boxing and TKD) are: there are many "McDojo's" and bad schools in general. As I did train in Kenpo for a time, I can honestly say that I enjoyed it and found a lot of it to be effective, but that was due to my having a good teacher - for a little while before she was replaced by a slick used car salesman type to generate more revenue.

This was also around the same time as the association of schools started to try to market "Shaolin Kenpo", which to me is like going to Italy to get a good burrito (they don't really relate!). Schools like this that try to generate revenue at the expense of a discipline's integrity dishonor and insult the discipline in question. Kenpo is a good discipline on its own, but this school made it a farce, and sadly, people will judge the entire discipline on a few crappy schools who charge way too much for what they offer.

I agree with you. American Kenpo is underrated. I would say at this day and age, though, most traditional systems are underrated thanks to athletic competitions and those who regard them as "real" martial arts.

Answer 2

Kenpo is not wide spread as other arts in my state (or even in my area for that matter). Other associations, federations, etc. don't' have much to say about something they know nothing of or, nothing go to say about another art.

Kenpo is not even found within our local phone book, but what you will find are LARGE CHAIN SPORT KARATE SCHOOLS. I found out about Kenpo (within the city limits) just over 10 years ago at a local martial art supply store.

I feel that kenpo is not well known here because of those 1/4, 1/2 and full page contract karate only schools. Sport karate schools here cater just about anyone, day care programs, before and after classes, privete classes, pick up & drop off young students, etc.

Answer 3

It may just be me, but it sounds like you have answered your own question, at least the first part.
In answer to the second part- I feel as if almost all traditional arts are underrated. With all of the hype about MMA and cross training, people seem to forget that those techniques came from traditional martial arts.
Meanning no insult to MMA, I think that is a great sport for people who enjoy that type of thing. But, I feel every one should study a traditional martial art as part of their training. Then they could understand some of the history behind what they are practicing now, and how it has evolved over time.

Answer 4

American Kenpo is not as widely known as TKD, and many people do not know much about it, but it is not under rated.

Ed Parker was a true Pioneer. He took martial arts to a whole new level with the development of his art.

I am a 100% traditional martial artist... my art is Okinawan Old School, however, If I had the opportunity to learn EP Kenpo, I would in a heartbeat. The theory is based on Okinawan and Chinese arts.

Now, these guys are affiliated with Paul Mills. This guy is bad! (In my opinion) In a good way. Here is some video on him... If Kenpo in under rated, this will fix that...

http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=paul+mills&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv

Answer 5

As long as you have a good teacher than NO it is a great system.

I have a 5th Dan in Kenpo as well as a Sandan in Shotokan and 1st degree in TKD and I found all three have rounded me out well.

All styles are good only the teacher and student can make it work well or not!

Answer 6

Read the blurb on the site 50% accurate 50% salesmens bull **** hype.As I knew MASTER PARKER and was with him just 10 days before his death I can tell you describing him at anytime in his life as a mere "street fighter" is an insult to his memory.
Street fighters are a dime a dozen MASTER PARKER WAS NOT.

If this is your goal in life to be street fighter you are going to lead a very miserable life.
Hopefully you don't run into any real street fighters who will put a blade or bullet in your back.
In that scenario all methods are OVER RATED.
Your cross training in several styles only identifies you as a scared street punk looking for a magic answer .

Answer 7

No!!!

American Kenpo is an excellent art !!!!

An Ed Parker fan !!!

Answer 8

I love their accents :D especially little kids!!! its one of the reasons beside the good universities that I want to move there, I want my children to have that accent :) Also, I love their vocabulary and the people I have met from Britain so far have been really nice :) I'm only jealous that they get to drink 3 years before us, and they have some of the most fittest famous chaps (1D, the Harries twins, Marcus Butler and more).

Answer 9

NO