FAQ's

American Kenpo is a self defense martial art, powered by rapid stance transitions. Founded and codified in the 1970's by Senior Grand Master Ed Parker, later refined by one of his top students, Senior Master of the Art Paul Mills.

American Kenpo teaches "real world" and modern strategies, defenses, and techniques utilizing intrinsic timing patterns and a universally accepted glossary of principles (body mechanics). Students who study American Kenpo are not only learning to defend themselves from a variety of real-world threats, but learning to instinctively judge appropriate actions for an infinite number of situations in today's society.

Well...how old (or young) are you now?

While there are many benefits to studying a Martial Art that are appropriate for any age, the answer to that question is held within each of us and can be found in the reasons that you want to study a Martial Art in the first place.

Are you an 8 year old wanting to become the next Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris?...slow down, we can't help with that.

Are you an 18+ year old looking to learn a little self defense and be able to defend yourself next time you're at a party and things get a little rough?...we can probably help with that, although admittedly at a much slower progression than you might be looking for...there are no quick answers for situations like that.

Are you a 30+ individual looking for some of the intrinsic benefits that studying a Martial Art can bring?...absolutely we can help with that.

Development of the self is really what Martial Arts is about. Not just physical benefits can be realized, like balance, strength, flexibility, reflexes, and athleticism, but mental benefits as well, including self-awareness, self-worth, sense of accomplishment, situational awareness, focus, improved moral views and values, and on and on and on...

So, while Mojo Kenpo does not accept students younger than 14 year olds at this time, there is no upper age limit for which training would not prove to be a benefit. However, you need to be honest with yourself about what you're looking to get out of that training.

American Kenpo Karate International (the A.K.K.I.) is a Martial Arts Organization founded by the late Senior Master of the Arts, Paul Mills. The A.K.K.I. has Senior Grand Master Ed Parker's Kenpo System at it's base, but has expanded the curriculum to include many new techniques and material. To learn more about what the A.K.K.I. is all about read the A.K.K.I.'s Mission Statement.

Like most Martial Arts, "Knowledge Groups" are broken up and symbolized by a colored belt worn during training. Currently, the Belt Ranks in the AKKI are:

Beginner Ranks:
White Belt
Yellow Belt
Orange Belt

Intermediate Ranks:
Purple Belt
Blue Belt
Green Belt

Advanced Ranks:
Brown Belt - 1st Degree
Brown Belt - 2nd Degree
Black Belt - Junior Instructor

Instructor Ranks:
Black Belt - 2nd Degree - Associate Instructor
Black Belt - 3rd Degree - Head Instructor
Black Belt - 4th Degree - Senior Instructor

Professor Ranks:
Black Belt - 5th Degree - Associate Professor
Black Belt - 6th Degree - Professor
Black Belt - 7th Degree - Senior Professor

Master Ranks:
Black Belt - 8th Degree - Associate Master of the Arts
Black Belt - 9th Degree - Master of the Arts
Black Belt - 10th Degree - Senior Master of the Arts

*** The Title of "Senior Grandmaster" (sometimes abbreviated "SGM") is forever reserved in the Art of American Kenpo solely for Mr. Ed Parker.

Jeremy Lucas, currently holding a 3rd Degree Black Belt with the title, "Head Instructor", is the Instructor at Mojo Kenpo (see the "About the Instructor" Page for the Epic Tale of his Kenpo Journey). But in a sense, every Kenpoist at each class is a teacher. No humble Martial Artist will say that they know everything there is to know about every sequence of motion in a given Art, much less about the Art in its entirety. Learning from everyone is encouraged. A beginning student may connect a movement, technique, or concept to an aspect of training that an advanced student never realized before. This happens quite often. So in that situation who is the teacher?...and who is the student? The answer is simple; those who are willing to share are teachers, and those who are willing to learn are students.

But Mr. Lucas leads class 99% of the time...

Short Answer: Yes...

Long Answer: Let's define "getting hurt". You can get hurt with any number of daily activities. From stubbing your toe to slamming your finger in a drawer or simply getting an annoying paper cut, these are all incidents that "hurt" us.

Now, the real question should be, "Can I get INJURED while training in American Kenpo?"

While the answer is still, "Yes", we are as diligent as we can possibly be to prevent any serious injuries while training. We train to not only improve motion, but improve control of that motion as well. Do accidents happen?...of course. Can I mistakenly hit on my training partner(s) harder than I realize?...absolutely. We encourage physical contact at Mojo Kenpo. Those Arts that teach "Air Strikes", I promise you, are doing their students an injustice. Timing...Feeling...Opponent Reactions...these are all things that will change once contact is made, and will greatly influence the application of your Art. That being said, clear communication with your training partners is mandatory and needs to be expressed in every session. If they're beating on you harder than you think you can take at your point along the path of your training, simply tell them. While we encourage mixed belt training, having advanced, intermediate, and beginning students train with each other, the beginners have nothing to fear from the more advanced students. They were once beginners too, and understanding the mindset and progression of training at each belt level is a factor when working with training partners.

American Kenpo represents an intensely personal Journey, as most forms of art do. A Journey that frees us from the fallacies and fears that too often characterize everyday life and the modern human condition. A Journey that illuminates the value of a peaceful mindset in everyday life.

There is clearly a social recognition/stigma about obtaining a "Black Belt" in our society. If you really take the lessons of almost any Martial Art to heart, the color of your belt does not define you, nor should it. If you're studying a Martial Art simply to earn a "Black Belt" for the social status that it brings, I would encourage you to look elsewhere for your training. If you're one who is studying a Martial Art for the many intrinsic benefits that it has to offer and embracing the personal Journey that it leads each student on, then "Welcome!"...I am looking forward to walking that road with you. For some, that road might be only a year long until they realize the benefits that they were searching for, while for others it may take a lifetime.

Short-answer...it's different for everyone...4-12 years depending on your available time, dedication, understanding of motion, and, quite simply, your love for the Art.

Beyond the obvious answer of, "Come see for yourself"...we believe that we offer many small differences than your typical Martial Arts experience that, when totalled, make for a unique Journey. 

• Mojo Kenpo is one of very few school affiliated with, and recognized by the A.K.K.I.

• We encourage (controlled) contact in class...you will not be training with air...you'll learn where and how to strike an opponent/aggressor, and what it feels like when struck.

• We don't require any contracts for training...simply Request Training one Calendar Month at a time.

• Training at Mojo Kenpo is kept as affordable as possible. Compare our $89/month to other facilities that charge $200-$400/month or more.

• We train in American Kenpo...a Martial Art that is designed not only to meet the needs and capabilities of the practitioner, but designed for Modern Day self-defense.

• American Kenpo, at its core, is capable of being highly customized for each practitioner. As you train, you'll not only be learning the Art that is American Kenpo, but simultaneously developing "Your Kenpo".

Come visit and take a class (or even a few) at no charge and you'll be able to see what makes the Journey with Mojo Kenpo a little bit different than the typical Martial Arts training experience.

When Mojo Kenpo was established, I vowed that I would follow the precepts, values, and ideas instilled by my Instructor, Associate Professor Sean Carey. Mojo Kenpo is run as cheaply as possible with many benefits given back to its members over the course of their training. Below is a comprehensive a list of potential costs.

A one-month training Schedule of 2 classes a week for an hour and a half each is $89.

Can't make it to both classes and only want 1 night a week?...the cost is $50.

Testing for Belt Rank Promotions are Scheduled when appropriate...

Tab Testing (Half-Rank Promotions) - $15

Belt Testing (Full Rank Promotions) - $35

Brown Belt Testing (1st or 2nd) - $75 (At least one of these two ranks must be tested at a Scheduled AKKI Event with at least 3 members of the AKKI Board in attendance.)

Black Belt Testing - $150 (Only to be done at a Scheduled AKKI Event with at least 3 members of the AKKI Board in attendance.)

Upon testing for a Yellow Belt, you will simultaneously need to become a member of the AKKI. Annual Dues are $25.

Training Manuals are available for purchase from the instructor for additional guidance on your Journey. Costs vary by Training Manual...$35-$75. (Training Manuals are optional, and may only be purchased for your current rank. They may not be purchased for ranks that you've not yet achieved.)

With your first paid month of training you will receive a new student training gi for free (if you need one). All students must wear a Gi in class during training. Mid or Heavy-weight Gi's are available for purchase from the instructor, nearly at cost. Costs vary by Quality and size ranging from $25 - $150.

Patches for the Gi's are available but not required and are made by the association. Costs vary by patch...$5-$15.

The AKKI has training events at various locations that all members are eligible to attend. Total costs for these events vary depending on Seminars that each attendee enrolls in, transportation expense, hotel cost, food, and event tuition. Plan on a minimum of $200-$400 depending on length of stay...more if attending to test.

American Kenpo Karate is a modern-day Martial Art...often described as the street-(fighting) form of Karate. Being a form of Karate, it is, by its very nature, a form of self-defense. When your Journey progresses far enough, Advanced training in Kenpo includes training to take the intrinsically "defensive" motion(s) and convert it to a preemptive "offensive" initiative. 

Outside of the many obvious physical benefits of studying American Kenpo; Balance, Flexibility, Strength, Speed, etc. lie far too many mental and spiritual benefits to count...

Self confidence
Focus
Situational awareness
Self discipline
Sense of accomplishment
Stress reduction
Increased self esteem
...and many more...

And lastly, American Kenpo is one of the few Martial Arts that encourages you, after learning the curriculum, to develop your own "flair"...your own technique-style..."Your Kenpo". "Your Kenpo" should not be based on how millions of people have done the Art for hundreds of years like other Arts...but based on what works for YOU. What physical, mental, or emotional limitations do you have?...how can we adapt the Art to work for you?...specifically NOT vice versa as so many Arts mandate. It's "Your Kenpo"...use and develop it for yourself as you need.

Well, although the obvious answer is, "Yes", it's a very qualified, "Yes". American Kenpo, as nearly all forms of Karate are known for, is specifically trained as a "self-defense" Art. So, the obvious qualification is, "We're teaching self-defense, not fighting."

While the "fighting" vs. "self-defense" conversation could clearly be categorized as "potato/potahto" symantics, the other thing to consider is the second word...Martial "ART". The distinction can be made that American Kenpo, as most Martial Arts, can in fact be considered an art form. And while training in a Martial Art can indeed teach you to fight and/or defend yourself, the distinction could be argued that you can indeed learn American Kenpo for the Art of it.

Additionally, training can be likened to having a conceal-carry permit for a firearm. Most who have such a license in their wallet and carry a concealed weapon will likely never use it on a person or in a situation that is dire enough to warrant its use. Unless your employed in an industry with a high likelihood of a combative situation, once learned, many adopt the attitude of, "I know American Kenpo and can defend myself, but hope to never have to."

That's one of the beautiful things about American Kenpo as taught by the A.K.K.I. Even though you're taught and trained in the entire curriculum, it's encouraged that you tailor the Art for your use. All Martial Arts practitioners are not the same. A Kenpoist who is 5'1" will have several different targets available to them than a Kenpoist who is 6'5". And a young, limber, 22 year old may have completely different training abilities and preferences than someone who only started studying a Martial Art, say, a few scant months before their 41st Birthday. 

Short Answer...It doesn't matter. The Art is tailored to the individual.