Courses Infomation

Kenpo 5.0 by Jeff Speakman

WHAT IS “JEFF SPEAKMAN’S KENPO 5.0?”
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American Kenpo version 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. Mr. Speakman create Kenpo answers to defending against an opponent with these skills in the street.

It is modifying the existing 4.0 system while remaining 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 we have been able to develop a system combining the best of these two worlds to give our 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.

WHY KENPO OVER TRADITIONAL SPORTS?

Traditional sports, such as basketball, football and baseball, offer the benefits of physical fitness, teamwork, discipline and teach the value of fair play. All of these are important and can help shape the personality and future of our children but what many people do not know is that kenpo karate training offers all the same benefits and much more.

A Kenpo karate student also learns respect, self-esteem, and self discipline. Students are taught to respect their parents, adults, teachers and above all themselves. Students are taught respect by referring to adults and upper ranking students as Sir or Mam. Students are required to come to class in a clean and kept uniform. By requiring a clean uniform the student learns to take pride in his or her appearance. Self-esteem is also gained through the confidence a student finds in themselves as their strength and abilities grow. There is a great deal of self worth in knowing that if you work hard and do your best that you can accomplish and handle anything that comes your way.

In addition, to the lessons learned, our instructors take an active role in the student’s education and home life. Unlike teachers and coaches in other sports, we welcome parents to come in and talk to us about the child’s study and work habits and offer any assistance we can. Often times, we will help and offer assistance in correcting behavioral problems that parents may have difficulty handling.

We also reward students for doing well, for example students who maintain grades of A’s and B’s in school are given a patch that they may wear and display proudly on their uniform that recognizes their academic achievements. Those who do not perform well face being demoted or having to do rigorous exercises.

We invite you to watch and even take a class so that you may see for yourselves what the world of martial arts has to offer.

Salepage : Kenpo 5.0 by Jeff Speakman

About Author

Jeff Speakman

Jeff Speakman started his athletic career very early in life in the windy city of Chicago, Illinois. Training and competing as a gymnast during the school year and as a springboard diver in the summer consumed much of his young life.

Jeff’s talent as a springboard diver blossomed in high school where Jeff set new records in the conference and district and earned the honor of being named All American without the assistance of a diving coach. Waiting for the bus at 5:30 a.m. every morning in the winters of Chicago to practice at the neighboring high school’s pool ultimately gave Jeff the discipline and the drive to succeed.

Working his way through his undergraduate studies at Missouri Southern State University, Jeff was able to complete his degree in general psychology with a supporting area in biology.

During his college years, Jeff began his martial arts career by earning a black belt in Japanese Goju-Ryu Karate from the legendary master Lou Angel in 1980.

Upon Jeff’s graduation from college, Mr. Angel told Jeff to move to California to study Kenpo Karate from Master Ed Parker if he wanted to make martial arts his life. Selling his car to pay for the U-Haul truck, Jeff was off to Los Angeles to follow his dream and feed his passion.

Two years after arriving in Los Angeles, Jeff was invited by Mr. Parker to join three other people at Mr. Parker’s house in Pasadena California to become what would be known as his last group of protégés.