My standard rate for a seminar is $750 plus airfare and lodging, although this rate is sometimes flexable. I say my rate is flexible for several reasons. First of all, not all schools are large enough that they can afford to bring in a senior instructor at their normal rate, especially the first time they bring the instructor in.
I take this into consideration with schools who bring me in for the fist time and do everything I can to make affordable for them. There are also non- profit events that can benefit through having senior instructors at the event but have to consider that every dollar that goes out, is a dollar that doesn’t reach their cause. I give these events special consideration as well.
What curriculum will be taught?
I personally use the 24 technique curriculum as outlined in Mr. Parker’s five volume Infinite Insights into Kenpo, but I often teach at schools that use the 16 technique curriculum as well as many other curriculums.
In that I teach principle based seminars the order in which techniques are taught is rarely an issue. I can even teach at schools that don’t use the same techniques as the Ed Parker system of Kenpo. The techniques may be different, but the principles of the art never change.
Will you expect us to change how we do our techniques?
As I mentioned earlier, not everyone has chosen to use the techniques from the Ed Parker system. Many schools that do use the same basic techniques have made numerous changes to the techniques.
This is quite okay, because as Mr. Parker himself said, “I don’t teach the techniques for the techniques themselves, but for the principles within the techniques.” What this means is; I use the Ed Parker techniques as vehicle to teach the principles of the art.
No one is expected to change the sequencing of their techniques, although they may choose to incorporate additional principles as demonstrated.
Will you expect us to change how we do our forms?
Nothing is more personal to a school than its forms. If a school were expected to change their forms to suit each visiting instructor, they would never quit changing them.
Forms should be a place where the alphabet of motion is stored for safe keeping and practice. So just as long as the alphabet is present, minor changes in the order are quite acceptable. In other words our English alphabet is A, B, C, D, E, F, G, etc. It could just as well be Z, Y, X, W, V, U, T, etc. What is of greater concern, to me, is that the individual movements and transitions are well formed and well executed.
Will you expect us to join your association?
Although we do have a very small association (the Ohana Kenpo Karate Association) I don’t expect or request anyone join our association.
The purpose of our association is to provide a home for those who study the Ed Parker system of Kenpo directly under myself and Dr. David Crouch.
Schools and students who are associated with another organization will never be asked to leave their organization and join us.
How many students do you require attend?
This again addresses the issue of schools who have a limited enrollment making it difficult to bring in senior instructors. I was once told about an instructor that canceled a seminar at the last minute, because there had not been enough students sign up to make it worth his while. This is totally unacceptable.
I love the art of Kenpo and I appreciate any opportunity I’m given to share it with those who are interested. Many times, when I’m in the area, I’ll visit schools and teach as few as a half dozen students. If I can assist even one student who is interested in the art, it’s worth my time and effort to do so.
Do you teach children?
I do teach children when I visit schools. I understand, of course, that most children in the Pee-Wee class won’t understand some of the more sophisticated aspects of Kenpo, but they all know how to have a good time.
Pee-Wee and Junior seminar segments are shorter and quite a bit more simple than the adult seminars. They are designed to be fun, entertaining while still being informative.
Much of what I've learned, in my 38 years of Kenpo, was not taught to me by my instructors, but instead they inspired me to learn it on my own. Children may not be ready to learn the complexities of the art, but they are always ready to be inspired.
Are different belt levels taught separately?
Unless the attendance is so large that it’s necessary to separate belt levels for the sake of floor space, I generally teach all belt levels at the same time. This may sound unrealistic, but in my experience every black belt can benefit through reviewing some of the basic principle of Kenpo and every white belt can benefit through being exposed to the more sophisticated principles.
When you consider that my seminars are generally five hours in length this gives both beginning and advanced students an equal amount of time on the mat and an equal opportunity to learn.
Are there any breaks during a five hour seminar?
A typical seminar will start at 10 am to 4 pm, with a one hour break in the middle. Occasionally, a student may discover their brain is on overload and decide not to join the second half of the seminar. This is understandable and quite acceptable. Students who couldn’t make it in to the morning segment are welcome to join the seminar after lunch. Note: Late comers are actually welcome at any time.
In some cases, a five hour seminar can be difficult to work through - period. New students may not be ready for a five hour seminar and some older students may have conditions that prohibit them from that much continuous mat time. In either case the students will be glad to know they’re welcome to take personal breaks at any time, during either segment, of the seminar.
What exactly do you teach at a seminar?
Exactly what I teach is based on how familiar the students are with the Ed Parker system of Kenpo. If the school curriculum is straight out of the Accumulative Journal, I’ll cover more material relative to the written manual. If the school has a different curriculum, I’ll take some time to learn what the school is teaching, so I can add to their knowledge without introducing conflicting information. But the goal at every seminar is to reinforce the principles Mr. Parker outlined as the basis for his system of Kenpo.
In many instances, I teach at the same school on a regular basis. In that case the teachers and students can make specific requests on what they would like to address at the seminars. There’s a form on my web site where participants at upcoming seminars can make requests and ask specific questions. These requests and questions will be discussed with (and approved by) the hosting representative prior to the seminar.
Can schools request specific information be taught?
The hosting school is welcome to request subject specific seminars. An interesting seminar is one call The Critical Timing Factor. These are techniques that are dependent on a specific timing in order for the techniques to function properly. Another favorite seminar subject is called The Elements of Kenpo. This is a seminar based on teaching those missing elements that are responsible for making the techniques less effective than they can be.
Subject specific seminars are especially useful when a school is sponsoring a camp and doesn’t want four instructors teaching, back-to-back, two hour segments on nerve strikes. Don’t laugh, I attended one of those and my nerves are still twitching just at the thought of it.
