|
Hua T’o (190-265 A.D.) was a brilliant surgeon who created exercises (forms) for defense and health based on mimicking animal postures.
Tamo (527 A.D.) was the 28th East Indian patriarch of the Buddhist faith. He was also known as Bodhidharma. He created the 18 hand movements (then called Go-sinjutsu) that became the forerunner of Shaolin Boxing. Tamo taught in the Shaolin Temple – which is generally considered the foundation of the martial arts.
Yuen Fei (Sung Dynasty 960-1279 A.D.) developed a series of movements on surface development through the utilization of body tension and detailed his set of 12 lessons in his book Patuanchin.
Chueh Yuan (Yuan Dynasty 1260-1368 A. D.) increased Tamo’s original 18 hand movements to 72 and great effort was made to popularize his version. He then collaborated with Li Ch’eng and Pai Yu-feng to further expand the 72 movements to 170.
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.) and Ch’ing Dynasty (1644-1911 A.D.) were the “Golden Periods” in Chinese and Okinawan martial arts. In fact many systems taught today were born and expanded on during these periods.
James Mitose (1915-1981) was born in Hawaii but had learned Kenpo while living with relatives in Japan during 1920-1935. James Mitose claimed his lineage to be (Bodhidharma—Zen Master Rinzai–Choki Motobu–James Mitose) in his book What is Self-Defense. An American citizen of Japanese ancestry, Mitose had respect for his Japanese heritage, but his loyalties were to the United States. At the start of World War II, he enlisted in the Hawaii Territorial Guard. Because of gratitude for his fellow guard members' lack of prejudice toward him, he founded what he called the Official Self-Defense Club for guard members and associates. This was the first formal, open introduction of Kenpo in the U.S. From the beginning, Mitose emphasized the self-defense aspects of Kenpo, stressing that it was not equivalent to violence. He also downplayed the sport aspect of Kenpo. Although similar in movement to boxing, Kenpo's philosophy was geared toward self-preservation. In Japanese, the word Kenpo means "fist law," which distinguishes it from the Japanese word for boxing: ken-to, which means "fist fight."
William K. S. Chow (1914-1987) is the man who was most responsible for laying the foundation of an American version of Kenpo. As a Chinese-Hawaiian, his background gave him connections to both the oriental and American points of view. Chow studied under both his Chinese father and James Mitose. From his father, he learned the circular movements characteristic of the Chinese styles. From Mitose, he learned the linear movements and takedown techniques.
Ed Parker (1931-1990) was a direct student of William K. S. Chow. Many martial arts professionals credit Ed Parker with almost single-handedly preparing America to be ready for the martial arts. Virtually all American Kenpoists today trace their training back to Ed Parker. A Black Belt magazine Man of the Year and frequent cover story subject (including its premier issue), Ed Parker is regarded by many in the martial arts world as not simply the undisputed "father of American Kenpo," but as the "father of American Karate" as well. He is the Senior Grandmaster of American Kenpo.
Tomas Connor (1929-1989) was one of Ed Parker's first-generation students. Tomas Connor and Ed Parker founded the Chinese Martial Arts Association. Master Connor later formed one of the largest karate organizations in the world, Traco International. He continued to be a major influence in the development of Kenpo and school management systems worldwide.
Bill Packer (1946-2005) was one of Grandmaster Connor's most notable students. In 1972 he founded the American Kenpo Karate Academies, Ltd., which further spread the influence of Kenpo to the American public. Master Packer was the consummate teacher, trainer and mentor; some of his accomplishments include: 136 World Rated Fighters, 20 World Titles, 9 North American Titles, 10 U.S. Titles, Premier Inductee of International Instructors Hall of Fame, 1982-International Kickboxing Trainer of the Year.
“Mr. Packer was a tremendous teacher, leader and friend; he will be missed by those who knew him and trained under his tutelage. We appreciate all the time we were able to spend with him (on and off the mat). We thank him for all that he has taught and given us. Mr. Packer will be honored by AIK and all of our associates, always.”
Andrew Pilch (1977-Present) began studying Martial arts at the age of eight in New Mexico. He changed styles several times until he became a student of Mike Winkeljohn – 5th Degree Kenpo Black Belt and former ISKA, IMTO and CHKA World Middleweight Kickboxing Champion. In 1993, Mr. Pilch broadened his studies beyond the traditional Kenpo to include kickboxing and grappling. In 1998, Mr. Pilch moved to Tucson to manage a school - which he later purchased.
Some of Mr. Pilch's accolades include:
 Certified Instructor 1993 - Promoted to 1st Black 1995
- Instructor of the Year 1997
- Promoted to 2nd Black 1997
- HHB & Kickboxing Fighter
- Promoted to 3rd Black 2000
- Co-Founded AIK 2005
- Promoted to 4th Black 2007
- Inducted Into The U.S. . Martial Arts Hall Of Fame 2007
- President—The International Martial Arts Council
- Head Kickboxing and MMA Coach for AIK
Shawn Knight (1973-Present) studied under the direction of Bill Packer for 16 years. With a background in wrestling he found Kenpo to be exactly what he needed to balance his knowledge. From his very first lesson he knew that Kenpo would become his primary focus. Mr. Knight began teaching at the age of sixteen and found his life's passion therein.
Over the years, Mr. Knight has been involved in many schools throughout the U.S. He "cut his teeth" in the Colorado School - a five year period that he looks back on fondly. Devoted to his training; he would drive from Pueblo, Colorado to Albuquerque, New Mexico every Friday to attend Mr. Packer’s Black Belt Class.
In addition to teaching across the country, Mr. Knight and Mr. Pilch host a yearly training camp where they fly in the top Instructors from various disciplines to expand AIK’s knowledge base and share with the martial arts community. All AIK and IMAC events are non political and all are welcome all who wish to learn and share.
 Some of Mr. Knight's Accolades include:
- Certified Instructor 1992
- Promoted to 1st Black 1994
- Black Belt of the Year 1995
- Promoted to 2nd Black 1995
- Instructor of the Year 1996
- Promoted to 3rd Black 1997
- Opened Broadway School 2001
- Promoted to 4th Black 2002
- Co-Founded AIK 2005
- Promoted to 5th Black 2007
- Inducted Into the U.S. Martial Arts Hall Of Fame 2006
- Promoted to 6th Degree Black Belt by the C.M.A.P.A.
- Participant in Tom Callos’ Ultimate Black Belt Test (Team 5)
|
