Ed Parker's Infinite Insights Into Kenpo: Mental & Physical Applications

By Ed Parker

Book Overview

Completing the "Infinite Insights Into Kenpo" series, with Volume V published in June 1987 brought to an end Sr. Grandmaster of Kenpo Karate Ed Parker Sr.'s monumental masterpieces. The main purpose of this volume was to incorporate all of the basic theories, concepts, and principles discussed in the four earlier volumes together, to achieve a more complete understanding of how these mental and physical aspects relate, function, and apply. Acquiring this knowledge not only develops refined techniques, but also can result in success in combat. Mr. Parker states that "combat without preparation can prove disastrous", he believed that realistic preparations must be made to overcome environmental conditions, unpredictable events, or to curtail an opponent whose unorthodox actions and reactions can unexpectedly create variables that may cause defeat. Realizing that an attack can dictate and direct one's defense, Mr. Parker shared the need o learn combat in total. Mr. Parker concludes this capstone volume with the cornerstone and keystone firmly in place. The years he spent analyzing, scrutinizing, creating and developing his system of American Kenpo were now logically, practically, and sequentially set in place for future students to build on. Grounded, rooted, and established on a firm foundation, students could be secure in the knowledge that this foundation "Art and Science of Street fighting" could consistently be built upon employing existing correct principles.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 143924197X
• ISBN13: 9781439241974
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Booksurge Publishing
• Length: 252 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Must have

All Kenpo stylists should have Ed Parkers "Infinite insights into Kenpo" books. I have read these books and they go into great detail of Kenpo techniques, history, and philosophy.

The "Why" of Ed Parker's American Kenpo

This is the fifth and final volume in Ed Parker's technical series on "Infinite Insights into Kenpo". Parker described the first three books as the "How" of American Kenpo, the fourth volume as the "What", and this final book in the series as the "Why". "Mental and Physical Applications" ties all of the principles from the preceeding four volumes together and shows how the materials may be taught as a single curriculum. Parker focuses on how to learn, and how to teach, explaining that the two processes generally accompany and enhance one another (the teacher Parker points out, is still learning while he teaches). Using the original model explained in the first volume of Forms, Self-Defence and Freestyle, Parker offers a complete treatment concerning principles and theories of American Kenpo. Parker again stresses the importance of basics, physical and theoretical, and offers a comparison between basic rules for writing and those for efficient smart fighting. In making a comparison most of us can relate to, Parker gets the point across that fighting may be based upon sense and logic. For the first time, kenpo forms are explained as basics in motion, and the first three forms are presented here as well. Short Form 1, Long Form 1, and Short Form 2. Parker explains the purpose and principles of forms, and stresses the importance of the teacher's ability to convey the meaning and application of the form to the student. Parker introduces the Priorities of Self-Defense Study, tying together 12 important Priorities he has discussed in the preceeding four volumes of the series: Environment, Range, Position & Foot and Hand Positions, Stances, Maneuvers, Targets, Zone Theories, Natural weapons, Natural Defenses, Breathing, Tailoring, and Physical and Mental Conditioning. From here we go to studying the nature of an attack, and Parker introduces a learning tool called the "Web of Knowledge". He explains how knowlege is listed on the "Web", and how it insures students are learning the appropriate number of techniques with variant responses and principles. Parker shows 11 webs which illustrate the knowledge from various teaching and technical groupings required for promotion to yellow, orange, purple, blue, green, brown 3, 2 & 1, and black 1, 2, & 3. Parker also offers an analytical study of motion complete with illustrations, examples, and a helpful organizational chart. An important chapter on determining choice of action is includes, and an in-depth treatment of self defense techniques. Parker reminds us: "Because kenpo is an eclectic fightnig science it accepts, adopts and applies other scientific disciplines to maximize its effectiveness. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology and geometry are logically entwined to insure practicality" (101) Again the techniques shown in this chapter are for the purpose of illustrating American Kenpo principles, not for actually teaching the technique. It is clear Parker is speaking to an audience who

Infinite Insights into Kenpo, Vol 5

This book is a must-have for Kenpo people to complete the Insights series. Ed Parker's re-arrangement of the Web of Knowledge is seen for the first time in book form. The first three beginner forms are illustrated as well.