(from a recent conversation on Facebook)
When I met Mr. Parker in 63, my first lesson was on vocabulary and terms he had handwritten, and the "motion" concept probably didn't exist yet. He emphasized the importance of organization and language in communicating ideas.
It prompted me to be a Broadcast Communications Major at JC. I later realized that my personal training took me in a different direction, focusing more on the anatomical mechanical aspects of his and my previous training with Ark Wong before he created the system built on "motion.”
He described "motion" as more abstract and an extension of the dominant method of teaching at the time through mimicry. The Chinese taught "mechanics" over "motion" or proper "anatomical movement." This is a much slower, deliberate way that takes more time, but the rewards and results are greater and longer-lasting. Many from the "Chinese Kenpo" era didn't like the new "motion" system and never followed Mr. Parker into it beyond the business opportunities it created.
It caused a major split among black belt students, although many remained loyal to Mr. Parker, they refused to teach the new "system." Some strayed to Tracy's at first with the idea he was staying with the old method, but he, too, succumbed to the business aspect, creating even more techniques and franchising schools with anyone who had the money, black belt or not.
Many also either came over to, or came back to, Mr. Parker and helped with, and learned the modern system. Notable examples would be the LaBounty Lineage of Tom Kelly and Rich Planas. Chuck Sullivan didn't teach it either while remaining loyal, but instead chose to create his own "Karate Connection" based on his years of Chinese kenpo Training with Mr. Parker. Some, like Rich Montgomery, left and went with Jimmy Woo to continue in the traditional Chinese "mechanical method," while Danny Inosanto went with Bruce Lee to help him create JKD as his primary training partner. It should be noted that Danny came out of Ark Wong as well and knew the value of "mechanical over motion.”
As I said, the bulk of these people remained loyal to Mr. Parker while pursuing their own paths. This wasn't unusual at the time. The martial arts were relatively new and few, so everyone, on some level, cross-trained with anyone they encountered to expand their experiences. I did the same, while remaining close to most of the family, training with Mr. Parker, and eventually running the IKC for 12-14 years.
