I have been asked if kenpo karate is the best martial art. This is
a complex question from the very start. I don't think there is a
perfect martial art or that one system is the best. All martial arts
have good aspects. An Okinawan saying is that people may take
different paths up the mountain but everyone can see the heavens when
they get there. I think the basis of most arts and styles follows
this principle. Some styles are better for tournament competition
while other are better for self defense. Some work great on a thick
wrestling mat but have limited use on the street surface which may be
asphalt, concrete, or gravel.
Each art was originally designed for the people of the region where
the are originated. Along with that techniques were developed to
defend with certain types of adversaries. Traditional techniques are
very powerful but lack fluidity and speed. This may be okay if your
are fighting a warrior clad in armor who's reflexes will be slowed by
the weight and confinement of the armor. Today however very few
people wear armor therefore their reflexes will not be slowed, thus
you have to fight in a different way. Your techniques do not need to
be as powerful because you do not have to punch through rigid armor
to inflict damage on your opponent. This is why in kenpo we do not
do the traditional chambering. A punch that will break one board
will do just a much damage to bare fresh as a punch that can break
through three boards. The extra power is generally not needed and is
simply a waste of energy.
Further I do not have an illusions about the art. It's been around
a long time and many of the bugs have been worked out. But in order
to stay realistic it needs to continue to evolve to be practical
against today's thugs and attackers who would do you harm.
While the school is unique here in the Midwest it not a brand new
concept. I do not see myself as a Bruce Lee figure developing a new
art. Sadly many people do this. They pull several techniques from a
few different styles, combine them and thick they have developed a
new art. While they may be able to start a new school or even a
system if they get larger enough the art remains the same.
I feel the importance of teaching martial arts is to be able to
pass it along to the next generation to ensure that my great grand
children will be able to find quality instruction if they so choose
after I'm dead. Knowledge is power that few people want to pass on
or give away. It's like money in a way which is considered to be the
root of all evil. Even if you gather a bunch of knowledge what good
is it if you do not pass it on? None. Like money, you can't take
knowledge with you when you die. It is your responsibility to pass
it on. Be doing so you reach enlightenment and gain immortality.
So to answer the first question, what is the best martial art,
system, style, or school? The one that you believe in, practice, and
follow for a lifetime.