:::History:::

I started American Kenpo in April, 1985 at the age of 20. I felt I needed something else a little more active than college and had an interest in martial arts. I have stayed with the same school for my entire training and received my 1st Degree Black Belt in Suey Bing Fa Kenpo Karate in January, 1997.

My school's system is based on Ed Parker's American Kenpo. We study the Short & Long Forms as well as a few other American Kenpo forms such as 2Man Set & Book Set. Except for those in the forms we only occasionally study the techniques. We prefer response training.

My instructor received a 4th Degree Black Belt in the IKKA from Ed Parker. He is also a 6th Degree Black Belt in the Nippon-Shiho-Karano-Ryu organization and has a Brown Belt in Chin Mu Kwan TaeKwonDo. Our school is not affiliated with any Kenpo organization.

:::Style:::

Our definition of a "Style" is a collection of concepts, theory, belief's, etc. Jeet Kune Do would be a style by this definition. A "System" is a method of teaching and art such as with forms, techniques, randori, etc. American Kenpo would be a system for teaching the Kenpo art. An "Art" is a collection of natural and/or man-made weapons, stances, maneuver's etc.

We call our style Suey-Bing-Fa (Cantonese for "Water & Ice Method"). Water refers to remaining relaxed as we move for speed, maneuverability, & energy conservation. Ice refers to the hardening of the natural weapon & body just prior to a strike. After the strike has transferred all of it's energy to the target we revert back to water. Water & Ice can also reference our use of hard (linear, against the opponent) & soft (circular, with the opponent) style of motion.

:::Training:::

Along with our empty hand training we do some weapons training. Most commonly we use arnis sticks usually singly but occasionally in pairs. Our basis for Arnis is from Remy Presas' Modern Arnis. We also do knife & gun defenses and occasionally work with nunchaku & bo staff. In the future we will be working with knife throwing, PR-24, and possibly others. My instructor has on occasion trained police in the use of the PR-24 side handle baton.

Although I plan on staying with my current instructor, I do have an interest in other arts such as Modern Arnis, Aikido/Aiki-jutsu, & Eishin-Ryu Iai-jutsu.

:::Personal:::

Some other personal interests I have are handguns, European travel, & board strategy games.