What is Kenpo 5.0?
Kenpo was thought of very much as a science by the Senior Grand Master, Ed Parker. This means that good, effective results can be attained by new students very quickly.
Kenpo 5.0 is the hybrid of the last generation version of American Kenpo taught directly from Senior Grand Master Ed Parker to Jeff Speakman, and ground fighting brought into the equation by Mr. Speakman’s senior student Trever Sherman, who has brought this type of combat back to Kenpo so he and Mr. Speakman could start to create Kenpo answers to defending against an opponent with ground fighting skills in the street; this will be constantly evolving.
It modifies the existing 4.0 system, but remains completely within the combat models and thinking of American Kenpo, to address this increasing and prevalent void in the Kenpo world. By keeping within these models of Kenpo they have been able to develop a system combining the best of these two worlds to give our family of students the maximum ability to deal with the very real possibilities of becoming involved in these kinds of altercations.
In addition it allows us to continue to develop ourselves within the mind-body-spirit paradigm of a true martial spirit to reach a higher level of individual performance and sustained excellence and therefore strengthening the group as a whole.
As well as the Kenpo 5.0 syllabus, Exeter class instructor Mr Paul Leworthy will also include intense padwork drills in his classes using circuits, paired students and padwork line-ups (these are high intensity, constantly circulating lines of several students with impact pads held at the front of the line). The aim is to improve cardio-vascular fitness, stamina, focus, intent and impact power.
This in turn can rapidly improve the effectiveness of each student when executing the movements within the Kenpo 5.0 self-defence techniques, especially when coupled with the principles of motion employed in the techniques. More details can be found in the classes section.
In the words of Professor Speakman himself:
"...Embrace change and become part of the solution. Kenpo has always been a world leader in innovative and practical methods of self defense and the ensuing life changes associated with mastering an art with this potential.
In recent times Kenpo has dropped in this world position because it lacked a ground system with the same practical application value of its stand up game. That thinking is now a part of history. The new Kenpo is leading the way to keep this dynamic and practical martial art at the forefront of common sense self defense.
Kenpo 5.0 is the solution to the problem of adapting grappling and MMA style combat to the long standing traditions of Kenpo Karate. Remaining true to the principals and concepts that made Kenpo Karate the most respected and practical of all martial arts has now been realized with the 5.0 system. Like the unfiltered lens of a camera give yourself the permission to investigate this new way of thinking without preconditions.
Find your way and join us in becoming part of the solution."
