August 11, 2002
Since the tragic events of September 11, it is increasingly harder to carry anything even resembling a weapon into a public area, especially an airport. Kenpo karate means the law of the fist and empty hand. When a person today cannot get on an airplane with a pair of nail clippers in their pocket, much less a pocket knife or even pepper spray for self defense, I consider Kenpo Karate an extremely valuable asset as a self defense tool for both men and women, young and old.
My name is Jim Kaul; I am 37 years old and just earned my orange belt. My 13-year-old son and I originally started taking Kenpo in January of 2002 as a father/son thing, but I soon recognized the potential and the value in what I was learning. Some of the physical benefits that I have enjoyed are improved flexibility, increased cardiovascular conditioning, and I’ve gone from 202 lbs and a 36 inch waist to 175 lbs and a 32 inch waist. The only downside that I can find is that I have to buy new and smaller clothes. Awe!!!
In addition to the physical benefits that I’ve enjoyed, I have learned some very practical and potentially devastating self-defense techniques that focus on self-defense and stopping an opponent’s attack and not on fancy kicks or flips or scoring points as with some of the other martial arts.
The thing I really like most about Kenpo is that you don’t have to be big, or fast, or very strong, or even very limber, if you learn the techniques, practice them, and then apply them, even someone like me, (5’5”and 175lbs) can stop someone 6’5” and 200+ lbs. Kenpo has improved my sense of confidence that I lacked before.
I would definitely recommend Kenpo to anyone thinking about taking some type of martial arts, for the physical benefits as well as the practical and extremely effective self-defense techniques. In today’s society following September 11, Kenpo Karate is a valuable asset if a person were ever in a situation where they were force to defend themselves or their family.
Gloria tibi Domine!!!
Jim Kaul