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 The "Why" of Ed Parker's American Kenpo Jun 21, 2006
By C. J. Hardman
This is the fifth and final volume in Ed Parker's technical series on "Infinite Insights into Kenpo". Parker described the first three books as the "How" of American Kenpo, the fourth volume as the "What", and this final book in the series as the "Why".
"Mental and Physical Applications" ties all of the principles from the preceeding four volumes together and shows how the materials may be taught as a single curriculum. Parker focuses on how to learn, and how to teach, explaining that the two processes generally accompany and enhance one another (the teacher Parker points out, is still learning while he teaches). Using the original model explained in the first volume of Forms, Self-Defence and Freestyle, Parker offers a complete treatment concerning principles and theories of American Kenpo.
Parker again stresses the importance of basics, physical and theoretical, and offers a comparison between basic rules for writing and those for efficient smart fighting. In making a comparison most of us can relate to, Parker gets the point across that fighting may be based upon sense and logic.
For the first time, kenpo forms are explained as basics in motion, and the first three forms are presented here as well. Short Form 1, Long Form 1, and Short Form 2. Parker explains the purpose and principles of forms, and stresses the importance of the teacher's ability to convey the meaning and application of the form to the student.
Parker introduces the Priorities of Self-Defense Study, tying together 12 important Priorities he has discussed in the preceeding four volumes of the series: Environment, Range, Position & Foot and Hand Positions, Stances, Maneuvers, Targets, Zone Theories, Natural weapons, Natural Defenses, Breathing, Tailoring, and Physical and Mental Conditioning.
From here we go to studying the nature of an attack, and Parker introduces a learning tool called the "Web of Knowledge". He explains how knowlege is listed on the "Web", and how it insures students are learning the appropriate number of techniques with variant responses and principles. Parker shows 11 webs which illustrate the knowledge from various teaching and technical groupings required for promotion to yellow, orange, purple, blue, green, brown 3, 2 & 1, and black 1, 2, & 3.
Parker also offers an analytical study of motion complete with illustrations, examples, and a helpful organizational chart. An important chapter on determining choice of action is includes, and an in-depth treatment of self defense techniques. Parker reminds us:
"Because kenpo is an eclectic fightnig science it accepts, adopts and applies other scientific disciplines to maximize its effectiveness. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology and geometry are logically entwined to insure practicality" (101)
Again the techniques shown in this chapter are for the purpose of illustrating American Kenpo principles, not for actually teaching the technique. It is clear Parker is speaking to an audience who already knows or is learning these sequences or similar ones from other styles. Parker shows 10 techniques to convey his points, including "Lone Kimono", "Crossed Twigs", "Five Swords", "Entwined Maces", "Detour from Doom", "Dance of Darkness", "Grip of Death", "Obstructing the Storm", "Raining Lance", and "Capturing the Rod". Each technique is not only fully illustrated, but includes detailed noted on technique as well as theory and all of the principles which the properly executed technique use. In the next section, Parker offers the same detailed treatment of Freestyle (sparring, competition). Chapters include:
*Acknowledgements/Dedication/Black Belt Pledge/Abuot Pledge/Preface
1. Introduction
2. Importance of Basics
3. Basics in Motion (Short Form 1, Long Form 1, Short Form 2: what they contain and teach)
4. Priorities of Self Defense (Environment, Range, Position & Foot & Hand Position, Stances, Maneuvers, Targets, Zone Theories, Natural Weapons, Natural Defenses, Breathing, Tayloring, Physical and Mental Conditioning)
5. Nature of the Attack (Web of Knowledge, How to read the Web of Knowledge, Web of Knowledge for belt requirements)
6. An Analytical Study of Motion (org. chart)
7. Determining Your Choice of Action
8. Self Defense Techniques (Benefits and pointers, reinforcing ingerdients speed/power, selected techniques (10)
9. Freestyle (Sparrnig) (acceptance, Environment, Range Dimensional stages of action, Position, Positioned blocks, zone theories, reactionary postures and positions, maneuvers, foot/body/feinting, targets, postures & positions in relation to targets, contouring principles, complementary angle, angle of incidence, surface concentration, penetration, natural weapons: strikes, natural defenses: blocks, Mental and Physical Constituents: a review of contributing factors, freestyle techniques, explanation of freestyle techniques, notes on freestyle techniques)
10. Conclusion
Success
*Glossary of Terminology
A well-preseted series which progresses in a logical order. After reading and considering this series, I believe Parker accomplished what he set out to do. He presented his materials, principles and theories in a sensible down-to-earth way. You needn't be a student of American Kenpo to glean useful information from this series, although I wouldn't reccomend any serious student of Parker's American Kenpo (or derivatives) go without. I found this series of books useful in helping me adapt the way I consider attack and defense, even though my own style of preference is Okinawan Karate. Clearly this was the product of much serious thought and hard work. I'm proud that a fellow American martial artist could contribute something truely noteable and new to the world of martial arts.
Infinite Insights Sep 14, 2011
By Robjac62
This book is a must for any student of American Kenpo. It doesn't matter what school you belong to. It is packed with targeted, easy to understand mandatory knowledge about Kenpo. This will improve you. Easy to read and great illustrations. I am getting all 5 as a part of my Kenpo library. A must have.
Recommended Mar 08, 2011
By Cammie Kim
As a book completing the series, I believe this is an important text. Though it was published to add final thoughts to the other books in this series, and in some ways it does encapsulate them, this book also stands on its own merit and I believe it is an important book to read to gain overall understanding of not only the various aspects of kenpo but also self-defense in general.
Particularly interesting are the chapters on environment and range. Here you can really take the information presented and use it when analyzing and preparing you own self-defense strategies.
Though I am not a practitioner of kenpo, I find all of the books in this series very useful and informative tools in adding new ideas to my fighting and self-defense methodologies. Good Book. Good Read. Essential component for everyone's library that wishes to possess an expansive understanding of the various styles and application of the martial arts.
Must have Feb 22, 2010
By T. Bank
All Kenpo stylists should have Ed Parkers "Infinite insights into Kenpo" books. I have read these books and they go into great detail of Kenpo techniques, history, and philosophy.
 Good History Nov 30, 2009
By Richard J. Johnson
The book contains alot of valuable information on the origins of Ed Parker Kenpo. It is not light reading and is a true text book. The one bad thing is the print quality and extremely small font size.
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