American Kenpo

Senior Grandmaster Edmund K. Parker, Sr is given the status of being the father of American Kenpo because it was he who understood the need for new ways and means to contest modern day methods of fighting. He initiated and fashioned new concepts, theories, and principles that are sensible and applicable in today's environment.

Parker Kenpo Karate is designed to fit to the person. It is almost totally self-defense oriented and has the flexibility where you can draw weapons from your own body in an overpowering flow of circular and linear motions. This art can be practiced by everybody irrespective of height, weight, age, or sex, and against single or multiple attackers.

The first commercial karate studio in the United States was opened by Mr. Parker in 1954 when he moved from Honolulu to Provo in Utah. Mr. Parker graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology and Psychology from Brigham Young University. He opened a class on campus and began teaching on he campus when he was part of the BYU. He was recruited to teach local police officers various techniques when he was seen at a basketball game by others. He trained them and they returned to him with important feedback on the pros and con have having actually used these techniques in real combat.

With this information Mr. Parker could now analyze how the techniques are put together and the balance created between circular and linear motions. He understood that a circular motion turns in to a linear move while a linear move becomes a circular motion. Mr. Parker opened his second school when he moved to California. In side 2 years he was training well-known Hollywood actors were using martial arts in movies. A variety of well-known personality’s individuals have come from his schools and from his tournaments and many got the necessary exposure to move on in their line of profession. .

On December 15, 1990 in Honolulu, Hawaii Grandmaster Parker passed away. Mr. Parker was a genius and pioneer who shared his vision with all who listened.

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