The art of Chuan Fa, translated to Kempo, the law of the fist, began to spread to Okinawa and Japan. This art would take on many faces throughout history emerging in the twentieth century as Kosho Ryu Kempo or the Old Pine Tree School. James Mitose had studied in Japan under his uncle, a Kempo Master, and introduced the art in Hawaii in 1936.

William Chow was a student of Mitose and in 1949 began his own school. As an innovator Chow made many refinements to the art. Chow would go on to mentor some of the best martial artists of the time. None was better known than Ed Parker, the founder of American Kenpo.

Today Kenpo has taken on many faces and is pursued as the best style for the street. The art has been labeled by many as a true fighting system. This supposition only scratches the surface and is unfortunate to say the least. Kenpo emphasizes the encompassment of both mind and body. It is not intended as a means of destroying an opponent by force. Kenpo is not a call to arms. Instead Kenpo as an art is a call for inner peace, awareness of the universe around us, and the mastery of oneself.

Kempo is also referred to as a Do. Do is defined in Buddhist Zen scripts as a path towards enlightenment.

The Taoism priest, Lao Tzu, said “Mastering others requires force, mastering the self requires enlightenment.” Kenpo is an art where the centralization of mind and body is hidden beneath the facade of physical force. Ying Kuckan, a Shaolin Monk and Kempo Master said “Kempo is the power of adaptability and yielding, the harmony of all things working together.”

Kenpo is an art of endless possibilities. The art applies the Han dynasty principle where “nothing is impossible to a willing mind.” To be content with the shell of Kenpo is missing the fruit of the art. The teaching of inner peace and the awareness of the surrounding universe is the energy that nourishes the body. It is this energy that is intoxicating while sobering at the same time.

Attainment of goals is always begun by the first step. Sometimes these goals can be reached with relative ease. Other goals may take years or may never be reached at all. That does not mean that the seeker of these goals may have failed. It could be that circumstances and experience may have redefined the goal. So is the attainment of becoming a Master of the art of Kenpo. Since Kenpo in itself is a fluid thought, can it really be defined by a goal?

Understanding that Kenpo is the power of adaptability and yielding; the universe working in harmony; makes it difficult for the practitioner to ever have a complete comprehension of the force and magnitude of the process. To aspire for perfection is a noble thought, but unrealistic in reality. However, denial of the aspiration to do so is in itself defeat. To become a true Master one must never be arrogant enough to allow yourself the grandeur of self-indulgence.

It is the ignorant individual who has all the answers. No one can learn by talking. Only by using all your senses, to include hearing, can the individual be a true master, a master of self. Until then realistic goals may be drawn and attainment of a true Kenpo Master may be finally consummated.

In the process of composing this theme it draws to the attention your own inadequacies and short comings. You have to ask yourself with the years of dedication by so many are you really worthy of the rank of Shodan. It is my understanding that my teacher Judan Jack Searcy feels that I am, and I will not question his recommendation.

Granted over the past forty years I have learned much – but I feel I have many miles to travel to even begin to suggest that I have a true understanding of the force. It is as I compose this theme that I have the greatest doubts about my understanding of the force. I do have a certain level of the understanding of war and the use of force. I feel that I also have the tranquility of peace and inner strength. However, to have a comprehension to the level of Shodan is in question.

The constant striving for a high level of a code of ethics and a moral awareness must take precedence. In any case, martial arts if peeled of its outside hard shell of self defense, physical fitness and competition, can produce the fruit of character development, discipline and respect.

Kenpo’s basic translation is “THE WAY OF THE FIST”.

There are many different styles of Kenpo our Chinese heritage to the art is Shaolin Kenpo. By the mid 14th century, Okinawa had established relations with other Asian countries. Okinawans visiting China brought back Kenpo that was pro­nounced Kenpo, which Chinese Martial Arts Masters taught to the Okinawans. The Japanese invaded Okinawa in the 17th century and by the 19th century Okinawa was completely taken over by the Japanese and is now part of the Japanese Empire. Both China and Japan banned the ownership of weapons by Okinawans, which lead to the development of empty hand techniques. Okinawans also developed ways to convert farming tools into deadly weapons. Our Shaolin Kenpo lost most of its circular movements at this time and brought forth as a straightforward style with hard blocks, punching techniques, and powerful step through kicks, noted as “THE OLD PINE TREE” style, which has power coming from the ground with strong roots.

Near the start of World War II, James Mitose introduced the art of Kenpo, which is a mixture of Chinese and Okinawan Kenpo, to Hawaii. Later William Chow who was one of his students adopted Mitoses’s approach and Americanized the art. Ed Parker who is probably the most famous practi­tioner was a student of William Chow and further adopted the methods so that they would prove practical in actual combat. Parker brought the art to California from Hawaii and one of his first students Jay T. Will branched off and further developed his particular style of Kenpo.

Jack Searcy studied several Martial Arts, along with Greco Roman Wrestling, Grappling, and American boxing. Knowing these stringent conforming styles could be blended and structured into the non-conforming style of Kenpo he then introduced Searcy’s American Kenpo (S.A.K.) which was born in 1980. S.A.K has 9 KYU grades and 10 degrees of Black Belts. In July 2001 this powerful style received it’s World wide recognition by the prestigious Sokeship council during a formal gala in Biloxi, Miss. where Grand Master Jack Searcy-Ph.D./M.A. was formally introduced in the Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

In my search to find what I felt was the right Martial Arts school and instructor with the passion for the sport of Martial Arts, I became awed at the number of different schools or training centers within the Bay Area. Searching for just the right one, I’ve visited everything from the hole in the wall to the high profile, glamour, with their hey “Look at me”, I’m the biggest, newest flashiest attitudes to some that truly are no more than a daycare facility. While the glitter and flash is nice, it alone does not teach what Martial Arts is all about. I don’t need “Apollo Creed” and all his flashy “look at me” approach; give me “Rocky” and his dedication, training, discipline, his heart, and his passion for the sport.To me this is what the Martial Arts is all about. It’s the training and teachings that help build confidence and instills the discipline that allows its students to remain focused and in control. It instills in them the confidence that no matter what they encountered they can over come and obstacle and achieve their goals. It’s that never quit attitude that is reflected in the students of the instructors with passion for their sport. In my searching I have encountered a few of those Masters of this sport that possesses the passion and desire to not only teach but learn even more about their sport. But one above all others stands out as a person who truly cares not only for his sport but for each and every one of his students.

At Kick Inc., a Martial Arts training Center, located in Tarpon Springs, Fl., the home to nine world champions, Grand Master Jack Searcy teaches his students the finer points of a form of Martial Arts known as Kenpo. Translation meaning “The way of the China fist”, Kenpo, was one of the earliest forms of Martial Arts originated with the Shaolin Monks in the year 520 A.D.. Since that time, many different styles have evolved that are distinctive to their masters. During this changing of style periods, Kenpo lost most of its circular movements and developed into a straight forward style with hand blocks, punching techniques and powerful step through kicks known as “the old pinetree” style, which translates to “power coming from the ground with strong roots”.

Grand Master Jack Searcy owner of Kick Inc., studied several forms of Martial Arts, along with Greco Roman Wrestling, Grappling and American Boxing. He felt that these stringent conforming styles could be blended and structured into the non-conforming style of Kenpo. This Searcy’s American Kenpo (S.A.K.) was born in 1980. S.A.K. has 9 KYU grades and 10 degree’s of Black Belts. In July 2001, this powerful style of Kenpo received World Wide recognition by the Prestigious Sokeship Council during a gala in Biloxi, Mississippi, where Grand Master Jack Searcy PH.D/M.A. was formally introduced into the Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

When talking to Grand Master Searcy, you can feel his passion when speaking about his sport. He states, “I am amazed when talking with people about their confusion about Martial Arts. Martial Arts, in particular Kenpo, is not to be used just as a means to harm someone just because you can, but as a means of personal protection”. As you progress through the different levels of belts of Kenpo, your threat level awareness deepens so that you will have the confidence in what ever situation may arise. SAK will teach you to not only personal protection, but it also helps to build strong character and solid moral values. It works as a major stress reduced while building confidence and discipline which allows you to stay focused and in control. SAK instills in you a “Never to Quit” attitude of confidence, while keeping your body, mind and soul energized.

Jack Searcy, personifies the Martial Arts. His passion is demon­strated in his very being. He has been a student and a professional in the Martial Arts for over 46 years. When you meet him, you will discover he still has a thirst and hunger for acquiring additional knowledge in the world of Martial Arts. He and his school are internationally recognized and he is known as a person who is fair with high morals, not only as a teacher but as a judge, referee or arbitrator for many events. As a 10th degree black belt with numerous titles, he speaks not of himself, but only of his young and adult students, with their awards and accomplishments. His pride is reflected in these young people who have performed nation­ally in front of various organizations. At Kick Inc., all ages and classes are available from beginner to the most advanced. When training at Kick Inc., you will learn self protection, competitive sport karate as well as threat level awareness and you can have private instructions, but above all else you will learn the true meaning of discipline, respect, focus and control. While there may be many Martial Art Schools, many of them come and go, nor do they have the staying power or give you the training and fulfillment you receive from the most unique Dojo around.

If you were to ask Grand Master Jack Searcy what to look for when joining a Martial Arts School, he would not suggest talking to the instructors first, but “Watch and speak to the students, it is through them you will truly learn if this is the place you should join”.

To Grand Master Searcy and his students, Martial Arts is not only a sport it’s A WAY OF LIFE!

This article was recently published in Sports Report Magazine.