|
|
HomeMenu |
WHITE DRAGON KENPO SYSTEM
As seen in Black Belt Magazine January 1996 The White Dragon Kenpo System is more than just an offshoot of the late Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate. It is instead a blend of existing systems that was formulated by Las Vegas-based martial arts instructor Al Farnsworth. Although Farnsworth was a student of Parker, as well as Parker's instructors Larry Tatum and Dave Hebler, he has also trained in taekwondo, hapkido, arnis, kali, jujitsu, kung fu, boxing and wrestling and has added elements of each of these fighting systems into white dragon kenpo. While studying with Parker, Farnsworth learned the many fast hand techniques of American Kenpo, as well as the style's seemingly endless array of practical moves. Although low kicks were stressed by Parker, Farnsworth believes a fighter should not limit himself and has subsequently added many of the high kicks of taekwondo to the white dragon kenpo system. He has also included knee and shin kicks of Thai boxing, snake-like kicks of French savate, and a number of kicks from various kung fu styles. Boxing techniques, as well as combat concepts of the late Bruce Lee's jeet kune do, are also integral elements of white dragon kenpo. For example, Farnsworth, as Lee did, advocates economical movement in all white dragon maneuvers. He also teaches the same lead-hand straight punch that is, as Lee put it, "the backbone of all punching in jeet kune do." Farnsworth believes martial artists should know how to defend themselves in any situation, including grappling and ground-fighting scenarios. He has therefore included elements of jujitsu, wrestling, chin-na, hapkido and arnis into white dragon kenpo, giving his students a solid understanding of the locks, throws, chokes and holds one can employ on an opponent's arm, neck, leg or wrist. From the Chinese arts, Farnsworth has drawn techniques from not only China, but the tiger and crane subsystems of hung gar kung fu, and the powerful centrifical movements of choy lit fut kung fu. In hung gar, which is noted for its power and balance, blocks become strikes and stance can be employed as weapons. And while Farnsworth added the long arm movements of choy lit fut to white dragon kenpo, he eliminated all the wasted motion. Weapons training is also part of the white dragon kenpo curriculum. Students have the option of learning how to wield swords, kali sticks, nunchaku, sai, staffs and knives. Although students in Parker's kenpo system were not introduced to weapons until they reached high levels in their training, Farnsworth's pupils can begin practicing with these implements after receiving their orange belts. In addition, they are taught how to use everyday objects as weapons of self-defense. Farnsworth claims he has not taken anything away from Parker's system, but merely added to it. The white dragon kenpo techniques, just as those in Parker's kenpo, pay heed to width, depth, and height, are contoured to fit the situations and utilize economical motion. Although other systems are featured, kenpo hand and foot techniques, as well as kenpo stances, are a major part of Farnsworth's teachings. White dragon kenpo also addresses self-defense strategies from a seated or ground position, and students learn how to turn a hard fall into a soft landing. Farnsworth even teaches practitioners how to kick from different angles as they fall. Students are encouraged to improvise and be creative in all self-defense situations. Training sessions at Farnsworth's Academy of Kenpo focus on improving students speed, reaction time, expressiveness, timing and coordination. Controlled contact is use during sparring sessions so students gain an understanding of what it is like to be hit. They subsequently learn to react without thinking, and the contact training gives them confidence that they can carry with them into a real situation. White dragon kenpo features the gamut of martial arts: kenpo, kung fu, hapkido, taekwondo, jujitsu, Thai boxing- you name it. The movements can then be tailored to suit each practitioner's abilities, interests and needs. Students are encouraged to experiment with the techniques, add to them, modify them, and do whatever it takes to make them work effectively. Then they will be ready should they ever need them on the street. |
