Robert Mc Dowell

I am a 5’2” slim, but muscular, 75 year old man. I have studied and taught Kenpo since 1971. I began learning Tracy Kenpo under Al Tracy himself. After I earned Purple belt, Al asked me to teach, which I did and after that I never paid for a lesson.

After earning my first degree black belt at Tracy’s studio, I went to Burbank, Cal. and actually talked to GrandMaster Ed Parker himself. He tested me himself and afterwards said, “Well, you’re very good, but raw.” After that I began learning American Kenpo in a studio at Santa Monica. After earning my black belt, I began teaching in Santa Maria, California. I was the only instructor there. I had twenty adult students (I never taught kids) five of which were women. I also taught women’s self-defense course which was well received with as many as fifteen women students at each session.

After twenty-years, I left Santa Maria, moving to Puyallup, WA, but not until I had proven the value of American Kenpo. I enjoyed and studied only American Kenpo after I had earned a black belt , because it felt more flexible for my body. The moves were more circular than Tracy’s. I have been attacked seriously five times in my life and American Kenpo surprised me every time. Our techniques are based on several fast circular strikes in a couple of seconds. But to my surprise in every one of the serious attacks on me, it took only one strike or move to stop the attacker.

Although Kenpo was effective, I strived over the years to make it more effective for smaller men and females. I wanted it to be 100% effective, even at age ninety-nine. I therefore eliminated “forms, katas) which were superfluous. Every Kenpo techniques consist of five to fifteen different strikes, kicks and joint locks, that are performed in a matter of seconds. These in actuality are “mini forms”.

I’ve added a lot more “Joint Locks,” and I developed new techniques beyond third degree black, since there were no more techniques beyond third degree. I hope to write a word and picture book on all the new techniques in fourth degree black, especially for students of Kenpo that had to stop at third degree black.

The book “Kenpo Knowledge, Essays & Articles,” isn’t just for martial artists, but for the layman as well. I tell of my training, actual confrontations I was in, choosing an art, women in martial arts, a couple of magazine articles I wrote and more. There are thirteen packed chapters with interesting information and self-defense techniques principles with pictures for standing and armchair warriors. There also is a Ground technique book that teaches nine techniques to get you off the ground and back onto your feet.

Yours in AKJ-American Kenpo

Sifu (aikikenjitsu_black_belt@yahoo.com