"Ed lectures me"

One of my martial arts role models is Danny Insosanto. For those who don't know, Danny is best known as Bruce Lee's protege and probably the leading authority on Filipino martial arts in the world. What many don't know is that he started out in the arts in Ed Parker's school where he worked his way up to 2nd black.* It was there he was introduced to the Filipino arts through Mr. Parker, who told him it was his heritage and he should look into them.
   He also met Bruce Lee through Mr. Parker when he was assigned as Lee's escort for Parker's International Karate Championships where he was to do a demo. That demo was filmed by Mr. Parker and later shown to the producer of the TV series The Green Hornet who later cast Lee as Kato. That started his path to stardom. All this is documented in both Mr. Parker's and Danny Inosanto's books.
  In the 80's I was fortunate to spend a significant amount of time training in the Filipino arts under Danny.  I loved his way of teaching, his personality and was and am impressed with his depth of knowledge. He has always pursued more knowledge and proficiency. He is a master's master.
  It was at a seminar in Chicago that I had my first opportunity to talk with him. He spent a bit if time with me and I think it was because I was an Ed Parker student, so we shared a lineage and experience. There were lots of people there who wanted his time so I considered myself fortunate. In later years I would be able to take more weekend seminars and week-long training in the Los Angeles area. It was in that first meeting that he made the comment I used as a headline for this article, which was "Ed lectures me". First, you don't find a whole lot of people who refer to Mr. Parker as Ed. I've met a few and most who do (or did) use it that way out of a familiarity born of working with Mr. Parker in the early years. One or two did it just to subtlely show they were above using the common term of respect for him. At least, that's what I got from it based on the tone of voice and context of the conversation.
     Danny said "Ed lectures me" when he spoke about running into Mr. Parker from time to time. Seeing the history they had, that Danny had been a Parker student and was becoming internationally known, and knowing Mr. Parker, I'm sure the conversation turned toward handling people and presenting information. I can see how Danny would say he was being lectured and I can also see Mr. Parker looking at it as dispensing advice. It's all about perspective, which is the lesson I got from the comment. Of course, I wasn't there when it happened so maybe he really was giving him a lecture. Maybe Mr. Parker was trying to insure Danny knew he was his teacher and always would be. I don't know.  What I do know from being with egotistical doctors, pilots and martial artists is that guys will "name-drop" or "credential drop" when they meet like dogs at a mailbox, marking their territory. It's funny at times, kind of pathetic at others. It is what it is. Maybe they were marking their territory. They are both giants in the arts, worthy of respect. I am glad to have known them both.
  

* It was John McSweeney who was Danny's first kenpo teacher.

New You Tube clip

We've started uploading video to my soon-to-come online learning site and I put a sample on You Tube. This clip is about three of the "General Rules" of Parker Kenpo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wpxJYBBF-I
I hope you find it useful.

You'll get a kick out of this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9mER2BmNRA

Parents paying attention

I was teaching an advanced kids class and asked a question about a particular hand weapon. Half of the kids said it was a palm and the other half said it was a claw - a tie vote. I then said "Let's ask the parents." Both parents correctly answered the question and even held up a well-formed claw. I learned a long time ago that when you teach children's classes you do it as if you are teaching the parents, because much of the time you are. All too often instructors think the parents have no interest but they will surprise you.
   So, a Gold Star to Kelly and Scott. Not only did they get the answer but they showed their kids that Mom and Dad really DO know some stuff.

A follow-up

A few months ago I posted an item about a fundraiser to help a young girl in New Hampshire who was present when her mother was murdered. The girl is a junior black belt in Kenpo in my lineage. This was posted on the web today. These people are animals.

Suspect in machete attack regrets girl's survival

One of the men charged with killing a Mont Vernon woman in her bed told police his only regret was that he didn't also succeed in killing her 11-year-old daughter.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34705825/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/from/ET

New yellow belt video and more

My new version of the original 10 yellow belt technique video is now out. It's 41 minutes of instruction on those techniques. I just finished shooting the original 32 orange belt techniques in the original sequence as well. The first 12 of the orange belt extensions have been shot, too.
   Additional information on the techniques will soon be posted on my new online training site. The core info from the DVD will be there but an additional segment(s) entitled "A Closer Look" will fill in more details, variations, common mistakes and how to correct them, history of the technique and more. Further sections on associated drills, teaching techniques, and segments on concepts and principles will be added as time goes by.
  The podcasts have been uploaded and will go online soon, too. I'm looking forward to making your Kenpo learning experience better!

I'm back! And with website updates!

I went up to Maryland over the New Year. I was given a pretty cool surprise - a visit to the Pentagon! I went to the International Spy Museum too, which is well worth the time. http://www.spymuseum.org/
     Over the holidays I got to talk with many of my black belts by telephone and get caught up a little. I am very fortunate to have them with me and the little time spent on the phone meant a lot.
     On another subject, I've posted a new article in the Members section of my website on why it's important to stand in a horse stance. My revised Original 10 yellow belt techniques DVD is due to start shipping out this week but there is still time to order at the pre-release price. I've just finished shooting the revised Orange belt techniques, too. I did the original 32 sequence and there's so much info there it will have to be on two DVDs. My Blue belt DVD has sold out and won't be reissuing it since I'm working on an Original 32 of that, too. Green belt is also almost gone.
     Kenpo Karate 201 is also due to ship this week. I ran out of them unexpectedly and the printer has been good about rushing the reprint.
     A new extension manual supplement is available on my site store, podcasts are coming and more.