916-588-5760

If you have any kenpo comments that you'd like to share to your FB wall, please post them here.

   Gary Arnold holds a 3rd Degree Brown Belt in American Kenpo, and studies under Amy Long and Ronald Nakamoto at Sacramento Kenpo Karate. 

   He belongs to the Ohana Kenpo Karate Associaton, a network of Kenpoists dedicated to the advancement and preservation of the Ed Parker system. 

   With breaks in time for life's needs, Gary has studied Kenpo since 1983 under instructors including Paul Castro, Tim Amaral and Darryl Liner. 

   Gary has also attended seminars and camps and visited schools to work with instructors and students from around the world, learning kenpo from a wide variety of viewpoints.  Gary has over 25 years of experience teaching or tutoring in subjects including foreign language, mathematics, culture contact studies, astronomy, guitar, firefighting, first aid and government policy, and actively seeks ways of reaching his students.  There is always something that can be used as a starting point, a metaphor, a common ground and a tool for further learning.
 
   Students of other kenpo lineages are welcome to come and train and share their knowledge. Kenpo Orphans welcome. If you are looking for a kenpo training partner, please definintely contact me.

   Gary recently moved to Oakland, California, and is offering instruction in Kenpo Karate. For more infomation on location and times, please email or call. I'm looking forward to hearing from you! 

   How is American Kenpo karate different from all the other martial arts? American Kenpo is one of the most complete arts out there.  Kenpo karate is a martial art that teaches self-defense and self-control through three primary methods: self-defense techniques, forms/katas, and kumite/sparring.

   It is both hard and soft, which means that not only do we hit hard and strong, but we also learn how to move out of the way of attacks, to parry, to evade, etc.

   Our techniques utilize both hand and feet in equal measure and, for those of you who might not be as young as you used to be, we rarely (if ever) kick above the waist. These techniques help students develop their skills by presenting them with different mock-threatening situations and allow them to experiment with 'what-if' scenarios.

   Initially, forms, also known as katas help students to develop mental focus and concentration. As they progress in their training and abilities, they will find that katas help them to learn greater flow with their movements and to allow them to put their own personal stamp on what is becoming their art.

   Kumite (also known as freestyle or sparring) is an opportunity for students to practice their growing skills, self-confidence, and self-control in a friendly competition with other students. Students develop their reflexes and timing in a controlled environment, which helps them to learn what it's like to be hit unexpectedly and how to react appropriately.

   Practitioners of kenpo work to maintain a balance between the self-defense aspect of the art and the art aspect. Our number one goal is for students to be able to protect themselves. They can protect themselves with their blocks, strikes and evasions, as well as through the confidence they will gain through the process.

   Many people come to learn self-defense, but stay for the camaraderie, self-confidence, exercise and mental stimulation that studying Kenpo brings.

   We look forward to seeing you in class!