Small circles - big success

Click here for "impossible 2 punch combo with rear hand" video on Facebook

There are a few sayings in kenpo that go something like, "big circles lead to big problems" or "the smaller the circle the better" or "where a line ends a circle begins".

Anyway, it is nice to hear those teachings wrapped up in a saying, but until you actually see it in action it may not mean much. 

Above is a link to a video on Facebook that shows exactly how effective a small circle can be from a recent boxing match between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford.

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"If you know boxing, you’ll know how hard this combo is to throw, even just on the bag, but never mind in a fight with Canelo Alvarez and actually landing the bloody thing.

There’s no denying that Crawford is the pound-for-pound king right now.

For me, he’s the GOAT.

That was an absolute masterclass performance against, in my opinion, one of the greatest of all time: Canelo."

Bruce Lee scenes in "Marlowe"

(from a recent discussion on Facebook)

Most people know Bruce Lee played an enforcer in the James Garner film "Marlowe" (1969) but most don't know Garner was actually one of the many celebrity students who trained with Bruce Lee.

While he may not have been as devoted as Steve McQueen or James Coburn he did more than just receive "on the set" instruction. Here Garner demonstrates some basic board breaking ability. Garner also seemed to be genuinely interested in the study of martial arts for personal rather than professional reasons. He never really seemed to try and incorporate martial arts into any of his films and to the contrary was just as likely to "take a beating" as he was to dish one out. This is in sharp contrast to other Hollywood celebrities of the time with very minimal training who tried to present themselves as experts, especially in films.

The film also seems to have been an effort of two of Lee's students, Stirling Silliphant (writer) and James Garner, to help their teacher break into Hollywood films. This was one of the few Hollywood film roles Lee was able to get before returning to Hong Kong to make films for Golden Harvest. "Enter the Dragon" was a Warner Bros. film but of course shot on location in Hong Kong. 

Lee might have had a minor role in Marlowe, but he certainly made the most of it.

"Winslow Wong, that is I."

After watching Bruce Lee tear up James Garner's office in "Marlowe" (1969) it makes me wonder if Mr. Parker used that scene as inspiration for his scene in "Revenge of the Pink Panther" (1978). 

I've never seen it really discussed anywhere but you have to figure he did, he and Bruce Lee were good friends and Bruce Lee had just died a few years earlier. 

I can see where Mr. Parker would use this scene as a way to pay homage to his friend.

(watch Mr. Parker's scene in Revenge of the Pink Panther here:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shE7b_6NNpU

Lots of new Ed Parker Jr. artwork

Mr. Ed Parker Jr. has come out with a lot of new artwork lately!

According to his Facebook page they are all part of a couple of different series's he's working on, one that covers the forms of Kenpo and another that covers different animals associated with the martial arts.

To order it looks like you have to contact him or his wife Mrs. Baer Parker directly through their Facebook pages. 

(Here are a few examples of the artwork posted on his Facebook page.)

Lua: Preserving Hawaii's ancient fighting tradition

Makes you wonder if some of the spirit of Lua influenced Mr. Parker's Kenpo. 

I don't think Mr. Parker specifically trained in Lua, usually we hear of a boxing and judo background, but I could see where Lua's spirit was always present.

Kenpo Karate well represented in Masters magazine

 

Lots of kenpo - martial arts books to be read

(from barnesandnoble.com)

This all-new book from the author of "The Kenpo Karate Compendium" and "Lee Wedlake's Kenpo Companion" is a guide for both new and accomplished martial artists. It distills the necessary concepts and principles of the Ed Parker system of Kenpo, which is practiced worldwide but for which in-depth accurate information can be difficult to locate.

In this book Lee Wedlake addresses that gap by breaking down the essentials of the art in a clear and easy-to-follow format.

Lee Wedlake 10th Degree was a personal student of Ed Parker and a top ten nationally rated competitor during the heyday of American Karate. He is the author of numerous books and articles, an international 'Teacher of Teachers' and a certified instructor in several disciplines.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-essential-principles-of-ed-parkers-kenpo-karate-lee-wedlake/1147883225?ean=9781918038385

(from barnesandnoble.com)

With over 450 photos, this comprehensive and insightful guide to the forms and history of Kenpo Karate is ideal for martial arts students of all levels

The Kenpo Karate Compendium details the forms of American Kenpo as prescribed by the “Father of American Karate,” Ed Parker. Author Lee Wedlake, 9th degree black belt, world-class instructor and competitor, brings his acclaimed training and teaching experience to bear in this unique resource for all who practice and teach American Kenpo and its offshoot systems. The American Kenpo system is taught worldwide and this reference will become a standard for thousands of Kenpo practitioners in various lineages. It will also serve as a stimulus for all martial artists by providing a sense of the logical framework of American Kenpo. Having collected the general rules of motion and the numerous fine points of Kenpo, the book is a standout in the genre.

 

• COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT of the Kenpo Karate system provides a progression of teaching curricula for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students and instructors

• COVERS history, fundamentals, forms, solo and partner practice, and advanced technical skills

• INCLUDES over 450 black and white photos detailing forms and techniques

• SOMETHING FOR ALL STUDENTS, whether pursuing martial arts for health, competition, self-defense, or personal improvement

 

Table of Contents

Introduction

Preface

Chapter 1: What the Beginner and the Black Belt Should Know

Chapter 2: The Basics and Exercise Forms: Short and Long 1 and Short and Long 2

Chapter 3: The Intermediate Forms: Short Form Three and Long Form Three

Chapter 4: Form Four

Chapter 5: Form Five

Chapter 6: Form Six

Chapter 7: Form Seven

Chapter 8: Form Eight

Chapter 9: The Sets

Now What? Legal viewpoint by Frank Triolo

Capstone—The Thesis Form

General rules of motion

Recommended Reading

About the Author

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-kenpo-karate-compendium-lee-wedlake/1120199069?ean=9781583948514

(from amazon.com)

This work is a proof that there is a universal Martial Arts system. The common thread to all Martial Arts is Form to Function. The core of the Martial Arts is: Attitude, Logic, Basics and Fitness. All Styles and Systems are simply ways to exercise these core ingredients. In this book Skip Hancock does two of the things that he does best. He clearly defines things and guides us on how to operate on Larger Generalized Principles.

This book is the foundation for the Martial Arts for the 21st century and more.

https://www.amazon.com/Path-Excellence-Universal-Martial-System/dp/B0D6KQPDZZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=39D8S7C1OK19B&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kGVO8vPUhRYUS0_xrGEPo3_vSqxcIXde6sfW9scBuOQvLtY7z5QSZ5BhFE0Th9Gh.iX3TyrBooMiXcfottjft0n07Houf6EEAPX_rKaJrlAc&dib_tag=se&keywords=skip+hancock&qid=1756345772&s=books&sprefix=skip+hancock%2Cstripbooks%2C138&sr=1-1

(from Mr. Mike Stone's Facebook page)

I am pleased to announce that I will be releasing another book at the end of this year. It is part of a four-book project I have been writing for the past 30 years.

The title is Nine Levels of Power, a work inspired by my lifelong love and passion for the martial arts. This book is more than a reflection on training—it is about the deeper journey of remembering my spiritual connection and creating a warrior lifestyle philosophy.

Over 40 years ago, I made the life-changing decision to move to the Philippines to rediscover my spiritual origins and to seek answers to the seven fundamental questions of my existence. Through this journey, I have learned to live in harmony with the three aspects of my humanity, to take full responsibility for my choices and their consequences, and to connect with Universal Intelligence. These lessons have taught me the power of living in the present moment, the importance of gratitude, and the strength that comes from speaking the truth with honesty and integrity.

Nine Levels of Power is divided into nine chapters, each representing a level of conscious awareness we must reach to live a life of love, peace, happiness, and joy. Within its pages, I share insights on:

Understanding Universal Intelligence

Creating a disciplined and powerful mindset

Embracing fear as a friend and teacher

Living fully in the present moment

Using the mind to attract people, opportunities, and experiences to shape my reality

And much more, drawn from the wisdom of martial arts and my own core values.

For years, I have shared these ideas rooted in martial arts philosophy—principles and values that extend far beyond the dojo. This book represents the culmination of that journey, and I am honored to share it with you.

Love and Light,

Mike Stone

History of The Perfect Weapon: The Sequel, Contracts & Speed script that got away