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I train in Ed Parker American Kenpo. I love it because IMAO it is really focused on real-life self defense. Some concepts that our organization focuses on:
1) The ability to "choose." Kenpo is not stuck on particular techniques or rigid forms (though those are there), but rather uses technique to build a vocabulary of motion from which to defend ourselves and/or others.
2) multiple "stages" of a conflict. These range from outside of any ability to contact to grappling on the ground.
3) Unarmed as well as armed combat, both attacking and defending. We train with sticks, clubs, knives, and even firearms. We train MOSTLY unarmed, though we try to integrate all of it into a philosophy of SD.
4) Lack of mysticism: We try to avoid mystical/eastern philosophy. (Ed Parker was a Christian, so is my teacher) We also try to avoid the mystique of martial arts and the "secret knowledge" of defense.
Our art belts in the order white/yellow/orange/purple/blue/green/brown/black. I am currently a blue belt advancing toward green at a decent pace. I have been studying for a tad over three years and love it.
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