Articles
August 2008
CKF In the News Again: "Inside Kung-Fu" magazine
--Sean Kelley
Once again, CKF is in the news thanks to great writing by Michael Miller with his ability to communicate important Kenpo principles to the public. This time his topic was about speed and how you can instantly increase it if you practice for it correctly. “Increase Your Speed Instantly” was the title of the feature in the October issue.
It features great pictures of Dave Hebler, Sean Kelley and Mike Miller himself demonstrating speed drills as well as the principle of "Point of Origin" and “Economy of Motion.” Many of our Kenpo sayings and quotes were added along with comments from and/or about Bill "Superfoot" Wallace and Don "The Dragon" Wilson—two men who are well respected in the Kickboxing arena and considered experts in their field.
It was also enjoyable to see Brittany Tatum featured with her father—President of the LTKKA—GM Larry Tatum. Their article was well spoken in regard to her encounter with a situation she once had to deal with. It also sets the stage of her future role within the LTKKA organization in carrying the torch in her father’s art of American Kenpo.
It seems Kenpo has been featured quite in a bit in the month of August as I also just received the newest release of Black belt magazine with a featured articled covering GM Frank Trejo as well. To me all news is good news when Kenpo is a featured name and article.
July 2008
Florida Summer Training Camp a Success!
--Michael Miller
The 2008 Florida Summer Training Camp held at Mike Friedman’s went extremely well. For those who missed it, you missed an amazing event filled with great knowledge. I was honored to be present with two of my students, green belt Matt Morris, and orange belt Jason Wood.
The event began on Friday evening with a special knife class instructed by Ama Guro Raffy Pambuan. This was my first experience with him and all I can say is, “What an amazing man.” Mr. Kelley, Mr. Schulte and Mr. Hebler sat on the sidelines in awe of this humble man moving so effortlessly with the knife. Mr. Kelley took several notes on how Pambuan’s Arnis system parallels our system of American Kenpo. That class alone was well worth the investment.
Saturday was another great day as Mr. Schulte began with an awesome class on tailoring. Aside from that, he announced that this seminar would be his last in the United States. He has one more in Germany and that will be his final seminar. He wants to retire while he is still in good shape. (Keep in mind that his biography will be coming out in the beginning of 2009, so you can read up about his adventurous life. Pre-orders will be taken in November.) Mr. Hebler had a back to the 50’s class, which was enjoyable and Raffy Pambuan taught a stick class, which was an extension of his phenomenal Friday night class.
Mr. Kelley taught two great seminars over the weekend, one on Saturday and the other on Sunday where he taught Variable Expansion. His classes were extremely informative and everyone walked away with some new knowledge as always. Uncle Dave Hebler had a free women’s self-defense seminar, “Making it out Alive,” on Sunday for through the Gift of Power Foundation. As one of his certified instructors and his senior consultant of the Gift of Power, I had the pleasure of assisting him. The seminar went well.
Mike Friedman did a great job throwing this camp and is certainly one of the top leaders in the CKF as well as the Gift of Power Foundation. He is a man who steps up to get things done and it was a pleasure to be at his school. Keep up the great work Mike.
June 2008
Mary's Prayer
--Sean Kelley
I wanted to dedicate this month's letter to a special woman who has recently passed—Thursday, May 26, 2008. Mary Miranda, the wife of one of my black belts, Mike Miranda, has just passed away from a 7 year battle with cancer. Many of you know Mike as he is one of the most dedicated students I have along with being an awesome instructor at my studio.
What makes this important is not so much about the life of Mary but the people who were close to her and how much love she gave too those she came into contact with. I recall one of the many times I had spoken to her in how she couldn't stress enough how much of an impact Kenpo Karate has had on her son Mikey and her entire family. She went on to say it was the best investment they ever involved themselves with and she explained how she always encouraged other parents about the positive changes martial arts can produce in their children as she had the experience of proof based on her own families involvement.
Today (Sunday, June 1, 2008) after our normal Sunday training the family of students all banned together to pay tribute to Mary Miranda and her family by attending a private ceremony with a prayer from the family members who spoke special words for Mary but also sang a very touching song by one of the family girls and her father. A shrine was perched in a corner of the living room to give memory of a special person many had grown up with, were related to or just knew as a person with love for people and a smile that made many glow when witnessed.
It brought tears to my eyes to hear the little girl sing with touching words and such an awesome voice. The support coming from the likes of CKF family members Mike Friedman, Matt Camburn, Chris Oldrich, Brian Phelan, myself and my fiance Kimmy who were there to pray and give respect to the Miranda family, was also touching.
We all know Mary is in the hands of God now and she will be taken better care of in the place in heaven. If any of you would like to send a prayer to the family you can contact Mike Miranda at mikey-dj@hotmail.com .
Grandmaster Michael Robert Pick and the UKF also send their condolences. Let's all give a moment of Prayer to a wonderful mother, wife and extended family member within our CKF family....GOD Bless!
May 2008
Train Smarter, Not Harder as you Age
--Michael Miller
As you get older in the martial arts it’s important to note that your body doesn’t respond the way they did when you were in your twenties. You need to find a way to stay in tune with your training, but not find yourself trying to heal from multiple injuries. According to Bill Larson, a second degree black belt who is in the medical profession, you have to listen to your body. He explained that if you are in pain, it’s a good sign that your body is telling you something.
“As you get older you have to understand the aging process and understand that injuries take longer to get over,” Larson explains. “What may have taken a couple of weeks or a month in your twenties and thirties; it takes you five to six months, maybe a year when you get older.”
Working out should be tailored to the aging process. You need to know when to take it easy, when to stop, when to start, when to turn it on, when to slow it down, etc. You have to pace yourself in your training regimen. Larson says that it is important to train slowly when you are older, because you can always speed things up when necessary. “You can slow down, because you know when to turn up the volume,” he explains, “where the young wheels want to do everything hard, fast, how much and how many.”
Larson notes that as you age you will realize that you could probably still do all those things you did when you were younger, meeting your maximum potential, but you need to know when to customize things to your body type and your own style of performing and teaching the art.
Stretching plays an integral role in the aging process. Although it is no mystery how important stretching daily is to a martial artist, stretching properly is the key. Larson prefers to stretch the larger muscle groups and he makes a bi-weekly visit to his chiropractor to maintain appropriate body structure.
Larson feels that you need to do aerobic workouts and also do some weight training or other anaerobic workouts to strengthen the muscles as you age. “You are going to lose muscle mass as you age,” he explains. “Just like anything else, if you don’t use it you lose it.” Calisthenics are a good supplement to weight training, which will stress the muscles and the joints to assist in maintaining muscle mass.
The trick is to stay with your training. You don’t want to have long extended absences from stretching and training or it will only get more difficult. According to Larson, as you get older you lose the elasticity of your muscles and you also lose a lot of the fluids in your body including the lubricants of the joints. “The bottom line is to keep loose and limber,” Larson adds. “The key is to not get away from stretching.” If you don’t keep stretching you will raise your susceptibility for an injury.
As you get older, use your head and common sense. Don’t push yourself too far. Sometimes you will find that your body will hit a plateau and Larson suggests that you allow your body to take a vacation. Take a day off from training to get re-energized and you will feel much better and will overcome your obstacle.
April 2008
New benefit for CKF school Black Belt Club members
--Michael Miller
We have some good news for black belt club members of Chinese Karate Federation Schools. Pro Karate and Boxing Supply has agreed to give a 15% discount on all products that you purchase from them. Some of the products they carry include: uniforms, weapons, sparring gear, MMA gear, Official UFC fight gloves, various apparel, DVD’s and books.
They have two locations in Florida. One is located at 521 Dixie Highway, Lake Worth, Fl (561-588-6550) and the other is at 6843 West Commercial Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, Fl (954-720-0744). You can also order on-line at www.prokarate.com. E-mail me at millhouse23@hotmail.com to find out how to take advantage of this opportunity.
Pro Karate and Boxing Supply is a well known one stop shop for all your martial arts needs. They have been in business for 30 years under the ownership of Cynthia Burney. This is a great benefit and our gratitude goes out to Cynthia as she was kind enough to offer this to our black belt club members.
If you are a CKF student and are not a black belt club member, I encourage you to ask your instructor about the program and when and how you can earn the privilege of upgrading into the program. If you are on a quest to be the best you can be and want to make a commitment to black belt excellence you must become a part of the elite black belt club program.
March 2008
"Change of Scenery"
--Michael Miller
I have been teaching Kenpo for ten years now in Bradford, Pennsylvania and Mr. Kelley has been teaching in Palm Beach County for over twenty-five years. Although my experiences have not been as profound as Mr. Kelley’s, I have been honored to teach hundreds of people all ages ranging from 4 to retired senior citizens.
Knowing how to educate others on the benefits of our art has provided the opportunity for me to teach law enforcement, security personnel, the National Guard, children with handicaps, women’s groups and much more. Kenpo has provided a tremendous journey for me and I put a lot of pride into our art and my students.
Politics are in everything. Although some good comes out of Kenpo politics, a lot is unpleasant. Over all, I can still enjoy the fruits of our trade as a professional under the guidance of my teacher. Bullying is at an all time high and there are many out there who attempt to manipulate others any way they can. I choose to stand up in the line of fire to put a stop to those who try to hurt the weak. There’s a time to stand and a time to step aside, but when it comes to bullying I always stand my ground. There are those in the Kenpo world who have been attempting to bully their way through the art.
As a full-time instructor, I teach my students how to recognize and handle bullies. Teaching children is not an easy task, especially when all are different with diverse backgrounds. Assuming they would grasp the understanding that leadership, reputation, image and other important factors are an earned process of several long years of hard work, discipline, travel, research and trial by error at times is a false perception. Many children must be taught the privilege of learning Kenpo through education so that they grow into leaders who are strong rooted and can stand as role models.
Mr. Parker once told some of his students that he was grateful for having the ability to have so many awesome students over the years, but he was also offended by those who hurt him, used him, embarrassed him and stabbed him in the back.
It’s astonishing that Mr. Parker was technically within driving minutes to his Pasadena school but chose to remain home and teach private lessons from his house rather than go to the school. It makes you wonder the motive behind this decision. Was it easier for him? Was he that private? Or, did he just want to avoid going to a place that gave him more headaches than joy? It was said to me that when the Pasadena school burned down due to arson in 1990, Mr. Parker considered it a blessing rather than a curse.
Over the years in this career many instructors have been in a position where they had to ask a black belt student to move on as he or she should take a new direction. It has become a black belt curse at times as many develop an ego and think they know more than their instructor.
As awesome as it is to take someone to the level of becoming a black belt, it can be harmful at times as well. It is their responsibility to learn how to act like a black belt and not take the privilege of uninvited boundaries.
Becoming a black belt is a beginning of a new you and there are many things to learn from conduct to humility, to the way you treat fellow class mates and peers. Many instructors have been in the situation where they rank a black belt or higher and the student thinks he or she is the chosen one of their school. There are also those who think they don’t have to prepare for an upcoming tournament because they think they are flawless.
Mr. Parker once told Mr. Kelley that he has had to deal with many Kenpo monsters he had created because they got too comfortable and even went to the extent of saying they were his protégés. This can happen to any instructor. Sometimes new black belts need a change of direction and a taste of humble pie.
When a student who was loyal at one time is asked to change direction by going elsewhere it is always a learning experience to see how the request in handled. It is similar to the young adults who move out of their parents’ house for the first time to get a rude awakening of life and how to become resourceful by taking personal responsibility for their lives.
This situation can be unsettling and may seem like a Kenpo divorce where each one will go his/her separate ways, but will move on. The best way to handle it is in an honorable manner by not turning it into a campaign attempting to convince others that you were right and your instructor was wrong.
If you want respect from others, be silent with your transition and don’t campaign against your fellow classmates, instructors and the organization that once guided you (if you were a part of an organization). Keep in mind that just because you may go another path, others enjoy their current path and don’t need ridiculed for their own choices. Moving on with dignity and humility with your change will produce automatic respect in the eyes of those who see your actions.
Nobody in life is perfect, but if you are unaware of the bigger picture then step back and try to see if from another angle. Be proud of what you are now representing—the black belt, and enjoy the many out there who can now guide you with new vigor and insight to a fascinating world of martial science.
February 2008
"2008 Florida Kenpo Camp"
--Sean Kelley
We had a late start for this month’s article due to many current projects in the making as well as our 14th Annual Kenpo Camp which was a busy time for all of us.
The annual event had many Kenpo friends as well as guest instructors who attended this year. This years roster included GM Dave Hebler, GM Michael Robert Pick, Master Rainer Schulte, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Professor Pat Salantri, Professor Rich Hale, MMA Expert Trever Sherman and Wes Idol who made his Florida Camp debut teaching the Friday night class and did an awesome job.
Many of our old friends missed us and decided to come back after a few years being away and it was delightful having them back to spend time with us. They included Rex Whittaker, and Owen Lattie from the Cayman Islands, as well as camp favorite Mr. David Stanley who took time off from his busy Film making career to tie on his Black belt and work out with the boys.
I was honored in having Dave Crouch and his student Elisa who both traveled from California to attend for the first time and be a part of our positive weekend of networking and good "Ole" Kenpo as we enjoy the camaraderie. The honor was also extended to Marcel De Jong, JP Bolhuis, and Michael Woudstra who traveled again for a second year from the Netherlands.
As always we try to bring flavor and excitement to the event so we had to add kickboxing legend Joe Lewis to the guest list as a last minute surprise. Our good friend Ed Parker Jr. was there to show case some portraits of a few who asked to be painted by him so he hand delivered them to the attendees who were excited to see the finished product of his awesome work.
I've been receiving emails from people telling me how much of a great time they had and asking if the event a success or not? My answer is this: the event has been my way of getting people to come and enjoy a diversified venue of extreme talent as given to those who had the privilege of knowing SGM Ed Parker as well as worked with him. The theme is always to show different signatures of his work but to leave with an open mind.
This was my 14th Year hosting this venue and the cost vs. return has been disappointing due to many factors. From people telling me they were coming and to count them in to the people who wouldn’t set aside there egos to get along with others for just a few days. It’s unfortunate that some backed out on supporting a dynamic weekend to enjoy training with new friends as well as to perpetuate the art as a carrier of the Kenpo spirit with good character and humility.
Next year marks the 15th year and we will have a different style of doing things, but for those who have been so loyal for so many years I am going to make the 15th year a special event for all of you and I will keep you informed on details.
January 2008
Step Assessments
--Michael Miller
February 2008 brings two important step assessments to the surface. One will be at the Kelley Karate Center in Florida and the other will be an East Coast step assessment held at Corsello’s Kenpo Karate School.
Step assessments provide the opportunity for you to go through all the material on the mat where Mr. Kelley can watch you move and get a sense of where you are and what you need to work on. This also allows you to make a personal evaluation of yourself.
If you are a CKF school owner it is imperative that you try your best to attend. Each assessment is for green belt students and up so please bring all students who meet those requirements if at all possible. These assessments are crucial on your journey in terms of progression. We don’t have formal belt tests for CKF instructors for this reason. You are evaluated through your mat experience and this provides a formal assessment. You don’t advance without diligently running through the material and getting a sense of awareness in terms of where you need to improve.
Make every effort you can to be a part of this. If you are on the East Coast please make yourself available on Saturday, February 23, 2008 to get this accomplished. Those in Florida: be sure to attend the one on February 15-16, 2008. If you attend be sure to wear full uniform with the CKF patches, which includes our circular arm patch as well as the TCB crest. Also bring your log books to the event for review.
I look forward to seeing those who attend the East Coast assessment as I will be there on the floor running through the material. If you have any questions please contact Regional Representative Michael Beal. Please e-mail him to let him know whether or not you will be attending the East Coast assessment.
December 2007
14th Annual Florida Kenpo Camp
--Michael Miller
It won’t be long and we will be feeding our minds and exerting our bodies at the 14th Annual Florida Kenpo Camp coming in February. Every year the camp gets more and more exciting. It’s always a pleasure seeing new faces and reacquainting with others to share the beauty of the art Mr. Parker created.
Last year’s camp left me with many new friends and several bruises. Aside from blocking Bill “Superfoot” Wallace’s foot with my face and impersonating Gumby while dummying for Lee Epperson, I appreciated the groin shots from my good friend Brian Phelan. Brian has a nice front kick and Wallace has a nice roundhouse, which goes without saying. I just hope Wallace’s foot is okay. I look forward to partnering with him again this year.
I learned a lot from last year’s camp including that I had the ability to pick my ear with my toe (thanks Lee). It was the first time I was on the mat with Mr. Pick, which sparked a great friendship, and this year’s camp will be my fourth weekend with him. If you have never been on the floor with this man, you need to get to this camp. That alone will be well worth your investment. His views will leave you speechless. Be sure to bring a notebook and some Ibuprofen.
Aside from the excellent classes from top notch instructors, the camp provides the opportunity to fellowship with likeminded people who share the same passion as you. I’ll never forget last year’s dinner as it will go down in history. One surprise after another had my head spinning in excitement. I recall going up to the food line for the second time and having a conversation with Mr. Kelley. After about thirty seconds into our conversation he formed a sneaky grin on his face. I turned around only to see the legendary Joe Lewis two feet behind me staring me down. I knew he wasn’t sizing me up as I am sure he didn’t want to break his knuckles on my nose. Shocked, I reached my hand out to greet him. After that horrifying handshaking experience, I had to get a cold beer; not to drink, but to help with the swelling. Mr. Kelley had Lewis as a surprise guest instructor, which turned out to be an awesome learning experience, especially since I have always leaned towards his methods of fighting.
Last years camp was a turning point on my Kenpo journey and will always be one of the most memorable moments in my career. The friendships I have taken away from that camp have blessed me in many ways. I can’t thank Mr. Kelley enough for providing the opportunity to train with Mr. Parker’s finest as well as other legendary martial artists.
I encourage all of you to attend this year as it will be another cherished moment in Kenpo history. I am looking forward to seeing many friends and meeting some new people whom I can break bread with and chalk up as another success on my path of self-discovery.
Greetings. I’m not one to enter into a fray of disrespect on internet dialogs that allow viewers to see men and women challenging one another with immature behavior and conduct. Instead, I’m coming into this issue through my friend and student, Mr. Sean Kelley. I have no need to defend Mr. Kelley, for he is more than capable of defending himself, but to set the record straight in regard to his rank and status with me, let me make clear that I promoted Mr. Kelley to 7th Degree Black Belt with the endorsement of GrandMaster Dave Hebler and 8th Degree Black Belt, Mr. Rainer Shulte, in the presence of such notables as Mr. Joe Lewis and Mr. Bill Wallace and a host of others from many Martial Arts organizations.
Please note that Mr. Kelley is not only devoted to American Kenpo, but has also served his community for many years with the Guardian Angels. He has patrolled drug and crime infested neighborhoods, and put himself in the line of danger protecting people that could not stand up to crimes and criminal behavior. He has been shot at, threatened with knives, and has faced gangs of overwhelming odds and still stood to the task at hand. How many
of you return your life’s passion in the quest of Martial Arts excellence to the benefit of the community you live in?
I see the talk forums as part of our martial arts community, and find no one there protecting the innocent and exposing the wrong that seems to perpetuate there at times. I have been asked many times why I do not post on these forums. The main reason is that many have attempted to distort history for the gratification of their own egos and financial reward, masking their own lack of authenticity while attacking others with negative rhetoric and foul and disrespectful language.
Let me be clear here. I endorse and support Sean Kelley and the CKF membership. I have found that the CKF, as well as my organization the UKF, offers across the board acceptance of many others from many Martial Paths. These folks maintain genuine humility and respect for all, not because they have to, but because they choose to.
Generations come and go, and the future is held in a
delicate balance of Honor, Integrity, Dignity tempered with Humility. Not one of us should support a platform that compromises our beliefs, ethics and morals as martial artists and honorable individuals.
For the record, there were three First Generation Black Belts that where promoted by SGM Edmund Kealoha Parker (in blessed memory) from white belt to 7th Degree Black Belt. I am the youngest, having received the Honor of my Black Belt in 1965 at age 18, 7th in 1982, and just celebrating my 50th year in
American Kenpo, having trained and learned from the Man himself for 32 years, I speak from an authentic position in history. The other two Black belts are GrandMaster Chuck Sullivan and GrandMaster Dave Hebler. Mr. Kelley's 7th Degree certificate is signed and endorsed by two of these individuals, Mr. Hebler and myself. Anyone can debate lineage and authenticity, but the question at the end of the day is always, “Were you there?” If not, what you think you know is hearsay, and maybe even outright misconceptions and lies.
We should be a collective family, with many tributaries feeding this confluence called the future. The question is, will we continue to allow a separation from the foundation and ideals established by the Founder of American Kenpo? Ideals he dedicated his life to? We need to take a stand against those who would taint our history and compromise our future. The future as I see it is continuing to grow in the American Kenpo Alliance, a coming together of many organizations in the interests of harmony, truth, respect, and the right of each individuals to maintain grow in the art and serve their communities. The American Kenpo Alliance encourages open
dialogs on innovation and the evolution of American Kenpo with clear perspective and personal commitment. Within the forum “community,” many read them and never post, but still are influenced by what is circulated on the sites. I am concerned, as many should be, that the American Kenpo community will be hamstrung by negativity, unwelcome behavior, silly politics and untruths. I believe that it is time for all to unite with respect for others as well as continued good deeds and merit. It’s time to stand tall and be honest.
From time to time, it seems, one will be put on the block to see if they can still hold their own. By the very fact age, body frame, or simply that nobody has seen you throw a good punch or kick in a while, you wind up under the spotlight.
Recently, I have been criticized for my weight and for looking out of shape. It seemed to me that the time had rolled round for one of those tests again, or maybe a challenge by some young’un to see if I can still hold my own.
Never in my life have I ever had that “lean mean fighting machine” look. Then at age 22, I nearly died of diverticulitis. They cut the hell out of my stomach, both vertically and horizontally. They told me then that they strength of my stomach muscles had contained the infection and saved my life.
Over my 24-year career, I have trained with some of the world’s kickboxing legends. I’ve also done my fair share of tournament competition and kickboxing in the ring. I learned a lot from both sports. I’m now 45 years old. I teach karate fulltime and often traveling a couple times a month to teach seminars. I try to find one day a week to rest and relax, but that doesn’t happen as often as I’d like. Gym workouts are on hold indefinitely since I now have four herniated discs from a car accident a year ago. Massage therapy helps some with that.
I was told as a kid never to judge a book by it's cover and I learned many years ago how true, when I witnessed a private lesson session with ex-marine who was about 5'6 140 lbs. He pounded the living hell out of my friend who was 220 and about 6' ft in height.
I'm neither a smoker nor much of a drinker, as I grew up with parents with problems in both areas. I chose not to go that way. I'm sure we could all to something to improve our appearance or adjust our weight, but I feel stress is most important thing in our lives we need to control. My path right now is to find more "Peace" and "Balance" in my life. I want a stable lifestyle as well as a healthier relationship with a few people who mean everything to me. Some are immediate family, others are my extended Kenpo family members.
All my life I have tried to give what help and assistance I could to those in need. Now at 45 years of age, I am looking for more peace less drama. I want more family and less divorce from others. I want to connect with my beliefs and regain my faith on many levels. I would rather put on the Gloves with my students in a fun sparring match than use my art of Kenpo to cause harm to an enemy I'm faced with.
I have decided to be more selective in my students as well as in my role in sharing Ed Parker's art of American Kenpo. When I go to a seminar, camp or outing, I want to enjoy myself and not feel like I’m being watched, critiqued or observed in such away that now I know I'm being set up for my faults as a Black Belt. I know my faults, and my teacher will be the one to correct me.
Come November, Mike Corsello, our CKF Rep for Pennsylvania, is holding a weekend training camp and many will come. I have told Mr. Corsello I am coming as a guest to teach. One of the classes he has me scheduled for I’m very much looking forward to instructing. I’m teaching the Kickboxing, so please tell everyone to “bring their gloves,” because I’m bringing mine, and a few things to share!
We are honored to welcome Master Cogliandro to our growing Alliance of Kenpo brotherhood. Master Cogliandro is a true Kenpo leader who has demonstrated honor and dignity throughout his career, and who still carries the same loyalty in his heart for Ed Parker as he did as a member of Mr. Parker’s International Kenpo Karate Association. Mr. Cogliandro was with the IKKA until 1990 when Ed Parker passed away.
Mr. Cogliandro has always been a low key individual, but has never hesitated to speak out about the “big picture” of Kenpo or about his respected instructor, SGM Ed Parker. The art of American Kenpo has been his driving passion for many years. He has been known for over 20 years in the Karate tournament industry as the man who helps manage the Krane Rating system. As the New England Regional Representative for Ed Parker in the early ‘80’s. Mr. Cogliandro built Parker’s American Kenpo in his area to a total of 50 schools/clubs under the IKKA.
In 1994, Mr. Cogliandro founded the American Kenpo International www.aikkenpo.com in memory of his teacher, Ed Parker, and the art he loved. With a full-time job and a small facility in Maine, he still finds time to travel the U.S and overseas to instruct his many Black Belts. Mr. Cogliandro maintains he still learns from his students, and enjoys the opportunity to network with individuals in many different styles of martial arts.
Recently, Master Cogliandro spent three days renewing his friendship with CKF President Sean Kelley, GM Michael Robert Pick and Associate Master of the Arts, Rainer Schulte. We were all very pleased to welcome him to our growing Alliance. We were also happy to hear that Master Cogliandro has agreed to work with Mr. Michael Miller on his series of books entitled TRUE LEGENDS OF KENPO. It will be a great pleasure to read Mr. Cogliandro’s story.
I am personally proud to welcome a veteran kenpoist who "walks the walk" and doesn’t just "talks the talk" like AKI founder/President Master Tony Cogliandro. Welcome my friend, and I look forward to many years to come with you and your students!
