UNITED STATES KENPO KARATE ASSOCIATION

GENERAL HANDBOOK FOR PRACTITIONERS

• Kenpo Karate Training
• U.S.K.K.A. Membership Information
• School Membership
• Individual Membership

THE STUDY OF KENPO:

There are many reasons why Martial Arts practitioners should consider the application and practice of Kenpo. A few are as follows:

To preserve the heritage of the Ed Parker Kenpo System, the oldest system of Martial Arts passed down from Tamo of the Shaolin Monastery in the Hunan Province of China.

To learn a unique Martial Art that focuses on true self-defense in "empty-hand" and"weapons"applications against skilled, armed, and multiple opponents who will attack with a wide variety of strikes, locks, kicks, punches, grabs, locks, chokes, take downs, etc.

To increase the dexterity of the hands and coordination of the body.

To strengthen the body and to increase one's endurance in Martial Arts training and other athletic activities.

To aid in development of motor skills in adults and children through intensive training in a variety of hand, body, and foot movements.

To increase self-confidence, self-esteem, and mental stimulation.

To learn physical analyzation and link both mind and body so it acts as one unit.

To supplement one's self-confidence and self-worth, to instill in the practitioner the knowledge that any part of the body or any object may be used as a weapon in the hands of a skilled practitioner of Kenpo Karate.

To enhance one's image in the community by offering additional skills in the Dojo for prospective students.

KENPO KARATE TRAINING:

Kenpo training is one of the most rigorous of all the Martial Arts due to the fact that every part of the body may be used as a weapon as well as the inherent weapons training received in Kenpo training. In Kenpo, practitioners learn to use the hands, fingers, elbows, knees, thumbs, head, foot, calf, thigh, and all other parts of the body as weapons including the bo, knife, kalistick, handbo and other specialized weapons. Typically the student learns via "dry" techniques, applying these techniques with partners, and then by leaning and practicing in realistic confrontations with one, two, and more multiple opponent scenarios. The skill necessary to maintain control is at a significant level. It is to this level that each student should aspire. There is absolutely no room for arrogance or ego when working with a fellow practitioner. Grandmaster Ed Parker said it would take three lifetimes of study to learn Kenpo the way it should be learned. Thus, the students task is a challenging one. We admonish all to be and to dotheir very best always. Choose the right and be a true man/woman of Kenpo.

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UNITED STATES KENPO KARATE ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION:

All applications for membership should be submitted to the President of the USKKA for approval.

Membership is open to any practitioner or individual who desires to learn the Ed ParkerKenpo System or be affiliated with the USKKA. Membership is open to any school (Dojo) or individuals who are either members in good standing of recognized, authentic Martial ArtsOrganizations or who wish to belong to one, and who wish to teach the Ed Parker Kenpo System. Your instructor does not have to be a member for you to become a member of the USKKA.

Additionally, all prospective members who hold rank in other systems are required to submit a copy of their credentials with their membership application in order to be able to retain such ranking within the USKKA. To progress further, the individual must fulfill all requirements as setforth by the USKKA for the next rank or grade (see following sections in General Handbook).

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SCHOOL (DOJO) MEMBERSHIP/CHARTER:

The head instructor of a school should submit an application form to the USKKA President for approval. Along with the application form, a photo-copy of the instructor's credentials (currentrank certificate) should be enclosed.

Upon the approval of acceptance from the USKKA President, in order to become a Chartered Dojo, the head instructor is required to enroll a minimum of five (5) students who wish to trainand become ranked in Kenpo Karate in order to receive a School Charter from theUSKKA. Once the student's names have been received and individual membership fees andschool charter fee paid, the school will be officially registered with the USKKA. The headinstructor will receive a Dojo Charter and membership certificates for him/herself and each of the registered students. The membership is renewable yearly at a reduced cost.

Head instructors of schools within the USKKA must be at least 18 years of age and be ranked a minimum of 1st black.

School charters currently cost $50.00 per school, which include an 8.5 x 11 inch full color certificate. Larger charters are available (up to 3 x 4 feet) at a current production cost of $22.00 per squar foot plus shipping charges.

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INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP:

Individuals who seek membership within the USKKA may be allowed same as follows:

Individuals may affiliate themselves with a USKKA as an individual practitioner or with a member school. They should submit a copy of their credentials for verification that will be sent tothe USKKA President for approval. This is required only if the individual wishes to retain rank. Students just beginning Martial Arts training need not supply any credentials.

The prospective member must agree to abide by all USKKA policies and regulations as setforth in the By-laws and General Handbook and must pay the appropriate membership fee.

FEES FOR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP, CHARTERS AND CERTIFICATES:

There is a yearly membership fee for all members of the USKKA up to the rank of 3rd degree black belt in Kenpo Karate. Once the student reaches the rank of 3rd degree black belt, all membership fees are waived. However, this does not include the school charter. The yearly fee for the first year is $15.00; each year thereafter it is $5.00 per annum. Membership fees are non-refundable. School charters are renewed for $15.00 annually after the first year.

Individual membership and school charters are to be renewed yearly. In cases where the individual belongs to a chartered school, membership fees are to be paid directly to the USKKA headquarters through the head instructor. Members who are tardy in payment or who allow membership to lapse are not eligible for promotion or other services offered by the USKKA.

Testing Fees are to be assessed for all Kyu (yellow-brown belt) and Dan (all black belt degrees) certificates. Certificate fees are as follows:

All Kyu level certificates ($20.00 per certificate)

All Dan grade certificates ($50.00 per certificate)--includes shipping and current production costs of $22.00 per square foot.

Note: If you are a school ordering more than 5 certificates for rank advancement, the per certificate price is lower. When ordering for your test, you will be quoted a price based on the number you order above 5 units.

These prices are the current cost charged to the USKKA from our production source and will not change unless the production source increases its price. Compare black belt level to the original cost of $450.00 per certificate when it was first produced about 5 years ago. We have gotten the cost down substantially and offer our cost to all schools. You'll understand why they cost so much initially (not above price quotes) when you see them.

No certificate shall be issued by the USKKA unless the member is current and in good standing.

All fees for memberships and certificates must be paid in full prior to receipt.

The USKKA will mail all membership certificates via 1st class mail. In event any or all certificates are damaged in shipment, they will be replaced for the cost of shipping only. A $6.00 fee will be added to all orders to allow for postage and "tubular" mailer for shipping.

The USKKA shall not interfere with the fees that Instructors may choose to charge their students over and above the certificate fees assessed by the USKKA. However, it shall be noted that the USKKA wishes to keep testing fees reasonable and affordable so that students be able to train in the Art of Kenpo Karate and thus, wishes for its head instructors to keep their charges at an affordable level. Currently, statistics show that typical test fees range from about $35.00 to $70.00 per test which includes certificate costs. Dan grade tests range from about $125.00 to $200.00 nationwide. This survey includes many other styles of karate as well.

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