Rich Hale's Pacific Kenpo Karate

Mr. Hale,

I've been a Kenpoist for about five-and-a-half years. I think I've made the best of the resources available to me (instructors, written material and video) that I could. I've had the pleasure of sharing time on the mat with Sean Kelly, Rainer Schulte, Rick Fowler, Huk Planas and you. And I can say that the time I spent on the mat with you today and yesterday was the most mind expanding I've ever had.

I do not say that because I wish to fawn, or because our time was most fresh in memory. I'm an engineer with an analytical mind and ever since I dropped you off, I've been thinking of our time spent together and the information transferred.

My conclusion is that this was the coolest thing that's ever happened to me in the martial arts. You've given me tons of stuff to think about regarding my future in Kenpo.

Tony Shelton

Plano, TX

Rich,

My students were very excited to have met you and were thrilled with what you taught to them.

It was especially unique to hear from one of my Purple Belts this statement . . . he said "Mr.Kelley I was very impressed to hear, in his tone, how excited he was to be able to keep an interest of joy in his heart of Kenpo knowing Ed Parker has been gone since 1990. He obviously enjoys the art with a passion."

Rich, what I was impressed was your ability to remind students that Kenpo is a universal art that is customized to the individual. It is so important to let the new generations know Kenpo is known for it's flexibility, dynamics and it is a journey not a destination.

My friend . . . we all thank you for your shared knowledge and welcome you once again to our home here in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Sean P.Kelley

West Palm Beach, FL

Mr. Hale,

I had a great time at your seminar and I learned an awful lot. I truly enjoyed it.

I hope we can stay in touch and consider it an honor to have learned from you.

Would be as so kind to send me an autographed picture/portrait of you for me to hang in my school. It would be very much appreciated.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Jeremy Howden

Tucson, AZ

Fellow Kenpoists,

Mr. Hale is one of those perennial Kenpoists who, if he had the ego that matched his time and experience, would/could be wearing a tenth by now; lord knows, lesser men already have.

Instead, he focused on preserving and passing on Mr. Parkers art to the truest possible value that he can, and has eschewed the self-glorifying often found in kenpo circles. He has worked with many of the famous 1st generation black belts, and continues to be a beacon example of what skill, commitment, knowledge and humility look like.

His own understanding of Kenpo is itself encyclopedic, and his skills and ability to apply his understanding exceptional. He has owned and operated IKKA/Ed Parker franshises in Alaska and California, and continues to teach Ed Parkers American Kenpo to a small but committed and highly-focused group of students in Southern California.

He is one of those few guys who lateraled over from one great instructor to another, becoming a personal student of Mr. Parkers after having participated in the West LA school under the tutelage of Larry Tatum. More importantly, he's just a good guy, and fun to hang out with; I know I am richer in spirit and Kenpo for meeting him.

Dr. David Crouch

Santa Rosa, CA

Hi Rich,

I want to thank you for spending your time with my crew last night, we had an awesome time and gained some great info. I hope you make it this way more often. I know I have much to learn in Kenpo and I can certainly benefit from your knowledge, skills and ability.

I see the speed in you and many of your moves are similar to those of Larry Tatum and I also hear a lot of "Huk" in your theory and translations of power and tactical application.

I really enjoyed your reasoning when it pertained to the Critical Timing Factor, it certainly makes a technique effective or non effective! "Repeating Mace will never be the same!" Also the driving torque you displayed in five swords, the list goes on.

I have been involved in the Martial arts since 1969 and I have seen a lot, been to many many seminars, and I learned many new things last Thursday! They will always be remembered!

And lastly, I would like everyone in the Kenpo world to know that East Taunton Kenpo Karate recognizes your knowledge Skill and Abilities in the art of Parker American Kenpo to be superior!

Mike O'Handley

East Taunton, MA

Fellow Students,

This was my first seminar with Mr. Hale and Mr. Tabatabai, and it was amazing. The scope of knowledge was surpassed only by how helpful both instructors were.

There was an alternation between shadow boxing and paired up with partners. Inserted between techniques and practices were stories of Mr. Parker, life lessons, and general humor.

If you have the opportunity to see Mr. Hale and Mr. Tabatabai, I highly recommend it. I know I will.

Sam Bowley - McKinney, TX

Fellow Martial Artists,

When, Where, Why, How. Want to learn Golf? Find the Tiger. Want to learn to hit a baseball, talk to Pudge. The point is, if you want to improve yourself to be the best you can be, seek out the best in their field to show you how.

Mr. Hale is clearly one of the very best of the best. As he constantly analyzes the methods, advantages and disadvantages of the very essence of Kenpo principles and theory in his daily life he also searches for unique means to relate that information to his students. Each moment of class time is filled with a learning opportunity through a relaxed yet somehow respectful appreciation for the learning process.

From White Belt to an advanced Black Belt level all egos are checked at the door. Everyone learns as their level of understanding processes what they hear. At one level perhaps a technique sequence is made more clear or learned for the first time. At another level a power principle is absorbed, and yet on another, timing or that ever present "what if"

is addressed.

No matter what, everyone will come away with something they didn't have before. Fun, serious, and an experience you'll never forget. For those of you familiar with the old "Kung Fu" TV series, you'll have flashbacks of all the "Ah Ha" moments during your Kenpo journey. Bits of things said, a time when you executed a technique correctly, a time when you felt a proper strike on yourself, you'll remember the sweat, maybe a little bruise, your friends in the art, and you'll always remember bits and pieces at different times from training seminars and each of the people you work with while you walk in your Kenpo journey. Have fun, enjoy.

Clint Flora - Watauga, TX