what would parker do?

Here's a thought. Parker died in 1990, Dec. the 15th, and I started training in Kenpo Jan. 1993. And since my training has begun, I have seen the changing of several techniques. Now I know from reading his books, (yes I have them Doyle) and from research I know that he did change some techniques because of the changing times and the modernistic way the fighter has evolved.
Now I have been verbally challenged on my stand of teaching Kenpo with the frame of mind that I'm to teach them the way Parker taught them. Then who's changing the techniques? Some Instructors like the one I was training with have even added techniques to the line up that weren't even on Parker's list.
With the rise of the U.F.C. would Parker had changed any of these techniques? I think so. and since he's gone what's wrong with a qualified instructor, (myself) changing techniques that are more fitting for the 21st century?

The technique "five swords" is a dangerous technique, not to the attacker, but to the defender. Who would use their own arm to guide a dangerous,sharp weapon into someone's leg?
I don't use that method because it's just not smart, and I hear that other instructors don't as well.
I don't use a forward bow for every rear hand punch or strike because that's not practical for street self defense. I have changed a lot of these to a "fighting stance." I still have power and reach and my rear foot is loaded in case I need to kick or throw a knee strike.

All the rest of the "so called" Kenpo Instructors can teach "mat Kenpo" to look pretty in front of their students, I would rather teach self defense to protect them.

who are you wearing your black belt for?

I remember back in June of 2000, I was so proud to have been awarded my Black Belt, even if now my old instructor and I have parted ways with a not so favorable view of each other. But as my boss would say "that's neither here nor there."
I remember looking at that belt that night and thinking, "wow, I did it." It's something that I have been striving for and working for, for five years, actually six but I took a year off after my brown belt test, and I finally did it.
Now it's 2011 and I have my own studio with my own students and I have the responsiblity of teaching these people, men , women, and kids, how to defend themself.
My point, I guess in all this is, back in june I got my black belt for me, now... I realize I need it for my students.
So you won't see me lifting myself up in status, but you will read of me lifting my students up, because without them, there wouldn't be a need for a black belt to instruct them.

Do it Ed's way

Recently I along with three of my die hard Kenpo friends embarked on a
2 1/2 hour trip through snow covered roads to Mentor Ohio.
The trip wasn't quit as lengthy as one might think because we had a lively conversation sponsored by Larry (kenpo coach), Pat Tisdale, (hope I spelled his name right), Jason Farnsworth (often on Kenpo Talk) and of course myself.
Our reason for this journey was to train with Mr. Doyle, who owns and operates an outstanding Kenpo studio in Mentor, who trains directly under Mr. Planas, who trains under no one because there is no one higher then he. Others might argue that point but that's a whole new blog.
Anyway: Mr. Doyle is taking those of us who are interested through the whole Kenpo system the way Mr. Parker would have wanted it. In fact our little group that trains once a month with Mr. Doyle and once every three months with Mr. Planas at his seminars make up the "Ohio Instructors College" (OIC)
There are many practitioners of Kenpo that have changed the belt promotion technique list and many of the techniques. Now, there's nothing wrong with changing how a technique is done so long as it doesn't stop the flow of the technique or the timing, but not because you don't like something or you want to slap your name on a book.
Those techniques were placed in that order and done a certain way for a reason. In fact, everything in Ed Parker's American Kenpo was done for a reason.
If we are to be carriers of the "Ed Parker American Kenpo" banner then let's carry it the way it should be carried. I invite anyone that can attend one of Mr. Planas' seminars or the OIC monthly class at Mr. Doyle's to do so and I guarantee that you won't be disappointed.
Following this blog are some addresses to contact for the OIC or some good central Ohio training instructors, (Like Me).

Mr. Joe Doyle - www.akakenpo.com - Mentor - instructor
Mr. Larry Splain - www.kenpocoach.com
Mr. J. Farnsworth - jhfarnsworth@yahoo.com - Lexington Ohio - instr.
Mr. T.Hysell - this blog and rawblues07@gmail.com - Mt. Vernon - instr.

Train to fight and Fight as you train

To many times in Martial Arts training we partner up with some and we forget that we are suppose to train as if we might be in this situation some time.
If the attack is for a cross wrist grab to often we come in and grab the wrist as if we're going to the movies or something. When we should actually grab our partner as if we are the attacker and we mean business.
We don't get the full effect of the technique if we reach in and just lightly grab our partners wrist and expect them to do the technique in a real manner.
Remember, in the mind of the attacker, he means to do you harm. So don't short change yourself by just going through the motions. Knowing the technique is one thing but making it work on the street is something different...............God Bless

Teacher's should care.

Yes. Martial Arts instructors should care as much about their students as they do their bottom line. With this hard economy it does get very difficult to think of anything but money but you're an instructor of an art that has been past down through countless generations.
You should be very mindfull of how your art is being taught and how your students are learning. Not everyone can learn in the same manner. There are those that learn by hands on, (like me) and those that can learn by reading and watching.
Take an interest in learning how your students are learning and decide the best way to teach them. If a student has a problem then show an interest in finding out what it is and helping them.
Remember....your students reflect you and your school and all the other instructors and students before them..
More on instructing ways later..until then....God Bless