How I Got My Start in the Martial Arts (VIDEO)

I’m often asked how I got started in the martial arts and rather than writing about it, I thought I would do a video and share my story.

Check it out here…

How did you get started in the martial arts? Leave your story in the comments below!

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Two New Paul Mills AKKI Kenpo Video Clips!

Mr. Mills just released two new video clips. Enjoy!

Paul Mills AKKI Kenpo – F=MV

Paul Mills Kenpo – Magnetic Pull & Energetic Conversions

Like these video clips? Share you thoughts in the form of a comment below!

Ed Parker Kenpo Karate Demo Team Video (circa 1979)

Here is another great video of the founder of American Kenpo, Mr. Edmund K. Parker. You can see that Mr. Mills doesn’t fall too far from the tree!

Ed Parker Kenpo Knife Fighting Video

Here is a clip of Ed Parker demonstrating various ideas with a knife. I find it funny as some people don’t think Kenpo is anything but an empty hand system. Also, anyone who knows the AKKI knife fighting curriculum will recognize these techniques. That’s because Mr. Ed Parker taught these ideas to Mr. Paul Mills years ago. Enjoy!

Mr. Ed Parker 10th Degree American Kenpo Black Belt Video Clip

For those who have never seen my instructors instructor move, here is a great reel of footage of Mr. Ed Parker:

Also, here is an article I wrote in 2001 timeframe about Mr. Parker. I hope you enjoy both the clip and the article…

Mr. Ed Parker was the President and founder of the International Kenpo Karate Association (I.K.K.A.). He was also the creator of the now famous International Karate Championships (IKC’s) where Bruce Lee made his historic first public appearance. Mr. Parker was also considered the “Father of American Karate” as he opened the first commercial karate studio in the U.S. in Pasadena California in 1956. He achieved the rank of tenth degree black belt – the highest level within the art.

Mr. Parker began his studies in Judo and boxing then found his way into Kenpo, under the instruction of Professor William K.S. Chow while living in his native land of Hawaii. In addition, through exchanges and interactions with other martial artists such as Bruce Lee, Dan Inosanto, and James Lee was Mr. Parker able to experiment and formulate his ideas that would later become American Kenpo.

Ed Parker was the original developer of the art of American Kenpo Karate. Through 40 years of experience, he built his system on principles of motion that included “Opposite and Reverse Motion”, “Tailoring”, “Focus” and the use of Logic. He developed many tools to aid his teaching with the creation of the “Universal Pattern”, the “Equation Formula”, training manuals, books and video tapes.

His system incorporates linear and circular motion, with intermittent spurts of speed and power when and where necessary, with both major and minor moves. His idea was to learn motion and principles and then tailor it to fit your body. Later you create your style of moving, governed by principles.

He taught many celebrities over the years including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Billy Idol and David Lee Roth – among other celebrities. He also taught a man by the name of Paul Mills from Evanston, Wyoming – whom he would later call his “Secret Weapon.” Mr. Parker passed away in 1990 at the age of 59.

Paul Mills AKKI Kenpo Top Spin Video

Here is the latest AKKI Kenpo video of my instructor, Mr. Paul Mills, teaching the subject of Top Spin at the bi-annual AKKI Las Vegas camp in March of 2007. Study it well as there are MANY things to learn from it!

Paul Mills American Kenpo Speed Set Video Clip

Here is the another video of my instructor, Mr. Paul Mills who is a 10th degree black belt in American Kenpo:

This is a compilation of many different time periods and includes empty hand as well as with a knife and club. I hope you enjoy it!

Paul Mills American Kenpo Karate Video Clip

Here is a video of my instructor, 10th degree black belt Mr. Paul Mills, teaching in Las Vegas in September 2006. Mr. Mills is a world champion fast draw artist and former protege of Mr. Ed Parker. These videos are of him teaching and demonstrating various AKKI American Kenpo principles of motion and techniques.

P.S. He was 59 when this video was taken.