Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions



1. How long does it take to get a black belt?

Individual results will vary. The more time a student invests in lessons; the sooner black belt status can be achieved. Let's face it; achieving black belt is the goal. You are either a black belt or you're not. Also, if you already have marital arts experience, you should advance in Kenpo even faster.

2. What happens at each lesson?

Every lesson begins with some light stretching. Followed by instruction in the stances, hand weapons, foot weapons and blocks of Kenpo. Every lesson includes instruction in Kenpo self defense techniques. These techniques are scenario based and apply to real street fight situations. Thirty techniques are required for advancement to each belt rank.

3. How should I train outside of class?

Between classes, students are encouraged to study the written material that is given to each student. Video material is also available for student reference. It is also recommended that students review each class's material on their own.

4. Why Kenpo? How does it compare to Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Karate, etc.?

Simply put, Kenpo is the most effective and practical martial art there is for self-defense in real world street fight situations. Kenpo is a self-defense against multiple attackers whose intent is to kill you. In Kenpo, the emphasis is on stopping a fight as soon as possible by disabling your attacker.

A phrase that is heard often to describe Kenpo is "Overkill". But in reality we are" Over Skilled". This is appropriate because the life you save may be your own. Remember, in a street fight with a stranger or an attempted mugging or rape situation, the reality is "kill or be killed"! And if you miss a strike or a kick, then you need backup skills. Just as a gun has more than one bullet, so Kenpo uses more than one strike. This is the opposite of boxing or movie fights where the opponents fight for a prolonged time until one gives up or is too weak from exertion to continue.
Because Kenpo is an ancient art it predates Karate, Tae Kwon Do, and Aikido. In fact, most other martial arts can either trace their roots to Kenpo or were directly influenced by it. Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, and Karate all have sport versions, however because of the extremely violent and deadly nature of Kenpo; there is no sport version. Also, Kenpo is a relatively simple style to learn and Kenpo is not affiliated with any particular religion and all classes and terminology are in English. Because of this the students can devote themselves entirely to martial study without time spent learning another language or religious customs.

5. How fit do I need to be?

Anyone can begin the study of Kenpo who is in good health.

6. Will we be doing any sparring?

Yes, learning to hit and be hit is an essential aspect of Kenpo training. Students learn to continue to defend themselves even if they are experiencing discomfort. Also, tournament competition is popular among some students.

Those students who wish to compete in tournaments may receive instruction in this area. In the 1970's the Tracy System of Kenpo Karate brought in Joe Lewis to be the National Director of tournament competition and training.
See http://www.joelewiskarate.com.
Mr. Lewis is considered by many experts to be the all time greatest martial arts tournament fighter.

See http://www.kenpousa.com/lewis.htm for an overview of Mr. Lewis Free-fighting System. Also see http://www.kenpousa.com/masstech.htm for an overview of Mr. Lewis Mass Attack Principles. Mr. Lewis also studied with and trained with Bruce Lee in Jeet Kune Do. Mr. Lewis taught Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do fighting methods to Tracy System of Kenpo Karate competition fighters.

7. Are there weapons?

Yes. Kenpo is by definition Chinese in origin. Weapons include but are not limited to butterfly swords (a kind of short broad sword), staff, and spear and broadsword.

8. What extra gear is required?

Initially no extra gear is required. Only comfortable, loose clothing and a desire to learn are required. As the student progresses a uniform or "gi" with belt will be supplied to the student at discounted rates.

9. Do I have to wear a gi?

Yes. As the students progress through the system a black gi will be supplied to the student at a discounted rate. The student will find that the gi is very practical, because it will allow increased freedom of movement and allow for the student to have something to hold onto for the various grabs and throws. The Kenpo gi is black instead of white. This is to remind us that our system is deadly and not "sport" karate.

10. Where do I go to take lessons?

Because Kenpo is orientated towards close in, hand-to-hand combat, most students can practice in their own homes, the club house of their apartments, in the recreation hall of their local church, and if the student is a member, at their local YMCA or YWCA or even at local parks (weather permitting).

Private lessons are taught at the World Gym on Whitlock Ave. in Marietta. No gym membership is required. Call 678-910-1614 to schedule an interview. If a student is already a member of a gym, it is possible for the student to obtain permission from their gym for lessons to take place there.

11. What do I get when I earn a belt?

Besides the advanced skill and knowledge you will have achieved, you will also receive a diploma and be registered at Tracy System of Kenpo Headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky. Your effort to achieve belt status will be rewarded with the pride and honor of joining an elite society of fellow belt holders in Kenpo. Nexus Kenpo never charges for belt test!

12. Is this just another cardio kick- boxing course?

No, this is a Self-Defense System based on real street fight scenarios. There are many physical benefits of studying Kenpo. These include improved flexibility, speed, strength, balance, and hand-eye coordination.

Instruction does include some drills that directly increase the student's stamina and metabolism. The difference between "cardio kick boxing" and Kenpo is that "cardio kick boxing" is first and foremost aerobics in a martial art style. Whereas Kenpo is a true martial art with aerobic benefits.

13. What other benefits come from Kenpo?

Besides the physical benefits already mentioned, the student will notice a gradual increase in poise, posture, self confidence, as well as an increased awareness of the student's surroundings and improved insights into human anatomy and psychology.
Right from the very first lesson the student can see and feel the energy and power of the Self-Defense Techniques.

14. Why have I never heard of this martial art "Kenpo"?

Kenpo has existed in China for centuries as Chuan Fa meaning, "fist law". In Japanese, the written characters for Chuan Fa are pronounced Kem Po (spelled Kenpo).

It came to Japan as early as 1250 AD when samurai of the Yoshida and Komatsu Clans brought it back after traveling and studying in China and allowed visiting Shaolin monks live in their Shinto Temple.

This was not uncommon. As more and more Buddhist came to Japan from China, the Shinto Temples were a place where ideas and goods could be exchanged. In fact, during the mid 1600's, the Abbot of the Shaolin Temple fled China and found refuge at Shaka-In the Yoshida Clan Rinzai Temple on Mt. Kinkai.

And out of gratitude to his host, taught them the new and updated Shaolin Systems that included the new Animal Systems. "Kenpo" is the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese characters for "Ch'uan fa".

The Yoshida clan kept this art secret, and only taught it to the members of their family or clan. This way their family martial art would be a surprise to their enemies on the battlefield where it was a matter of life or death!

In the 19th century the Shogun, who was supported by his mostly Buddhist Samurai, lost power. The Emperor regained power. The practice of Kenpo was forced underground with the Samurai.

In the 1920's, a certain James Mitose (Me-toe-see) whose mother was of the Yoshida clan was sent to Japan from Hawaii to learn his mother's family art of Kenpo. Mr. Mitose has stated that this Yoshida Clan Kenpo was called Kosho Ryu Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu.

The Jiu-jitsu aspect of Kosho Ryu reflects the Japanese native method of settling every day disputes in a non-lethal way. This was a relatively small part of the system (300 out of 1100 self-defense techniques) and was deleted by Grand Master Ed Parker. This was done in favor of the larger Chinese Kenpo aspect of the system because the Chinese Kenpo part was more lethal, violent and effective for real world street fighting.
However, The Tracy System of Kenpo retains this Jiu-jitsu aspect of the system out of respect to the founders and originators of our art.

Kosho Ryu Kenpo was in origin Shaolin Chuan Fa. This was and is a pure Chinese system.
In 1940, on his return to Hawaii, Mr. Mitose opened the Official Self Defense Club of Hawaii and for the first time began to teach Kenpo karate to people outside his clan.

One of his students became a black belt instructor. His name was William Chow. Professor William Chow taught, what he called, Kenpo Karate, possibly because the term karate was better known than the term Kenpo. Yet William Chow taught the system unchanged just as he learned it from Mr. Mitose to several students that he promoted to black belt. These include Ralph Castro, Adriano Emperado, Sam Kuoha, William Chun, and Ed Parker. All of the above continue to teach Kenpo Karate unchanged, except Ed Parker who changed Original Kenpo into American Kenpo.

William Chow called his system Kenpo Karate for at least three reasons. 1. To become independent from James Mitose. 2. The word "karate" was more widely known as meaning a martial art than "kenpo". 3. The original Chinese characters for "karate" translated as "Chinese Hand" not "empty hand"!

Will Tracy, Al's brother, studied under William Chow and Fusae Oshita (Mitose's sister). Al and Jim studied under Ed Parker and were taught Original/Traditional Kenpo Karate just as Mr. Parker had learned it from William Chow before Ed Parker invented American Kenpo.

Will Tracy has said that Mr. Parker's Original Kenpo Karate was the same as William Chow and Fusae Oshita's Kenpo.

Later, Mr. Parker would begin to develop a completely different martial art based on his unique theories of movement and call this new system "American Kenpo" to distinguish this entirely new system from his old system. In Mr. Parker's own words, his American Kenpo is "only 10% Kenpo". This is in no way a slight to Mr. Parker. Rather a tribute to his genius for developing and marketing a "new" martial art.

However Al and Jim Tracy have devoted themselves to promoting and preserving Kenpo Karate in its true and unchanged form which includes both the Japanese and Chinese aspects of Kenpo. The Tracy's honor Kenpo Karate as a system that has proven practical and effective for centuries. From China to Japan to Hawaii to America, Kenpo Karate has remained unchanged from Mitose to Chow to Parker to the Tracy's.

15. What if I want to train with my wife and kids?

Kenpo Karate is recommended for men and women as practical self-defense. Kenpo Karate is beneficial to women who wish to improve their physical abilities, increase self-confidence, and learn to protect themselves from potential mugging and rape situations.
Sixteen is the minimum age for training at Nexus Kenpo. However, mature teenagers may be considered on a case- by-case basis.

16. Can I take more than one lesson per week?

The minimum number of lessons required for students is one private lesson and one group lesson per week.
It is strongly recommended that students take one private lesson and a minimum of one group lesson per week.
However, students may schedule as many private lessons a month as they wish. And, unlimited group lessons are available since group lessons are free to registered students!

NO CONTRACTS ARE REQUIRED!

17. What if I want to prepay for six months or one year of private lessons?

Students may prepay for lessons in advance and qualify for a discount.
No contracts are required.

18. Who taught you?

My instructors were Darryl Escalante and Frank Wood. Mr. Escalante recommended me for my Shodan in 1976. My Shodan is on record at Tracy's International Headquarters (#OB-0095).

Mr. Escalante owned a Tracy System of Kenpo Karate franchise in Atlanta. Mr. Escalante was taught and promoted to Shodan by Mr. Al Tracy.

Mr. Al Tracy was a 1st Generation Student of the late Ed Parker. I am currently seeking instruction directly under Grand Master Tracy. I have participated in seminars on tournament competition and street fighting as taught by Mr. Joe Lewis.

For more information on Nexus Kenpo Academy, or course descriptions including belt requirements, and promotions call: LOUIE JILES @ 678-910-1614.