What Is Shaolin Kempo Karate?
The “karate” part is pretty obvious, right? But you may be interested to learn how Shaolin Kempo Karate differs from other martial arts disciplines. To understand what Shaolin Kempo Karate really is, we’ll need to briefly examine its history, teachings, and the four ways of fighting.
The History of Shaolin Kempo Karate
Great Grandmaster Fredrick J. Villari founded and developed the Shaolin Kempo Karate (SKK) system. This powerful martial arts style draws its techniques and teaching from well-established martial arts styles. By combining multiple disciplines into one, Great Grandmaster Villari was able to circumvent shortcomings in each of the parent styles.
Shaolin Kung Fu is the main inspiration of Shaolin Kempo Karate. It’s where the five animals (Tiger, Crane, Snake, Leopard and Dragon) come from. Traditional Karate techniques are incorporated for their quick movements and explosive attacks. From the Kenpo style, SKK inherits a reverence for both soft and hard movements that allow for easy transition from technique to technique. SKK’s focus on controlling an opponent’s movement and balance is derived from principles found in China Na, Jujutsu, and Mongolian Wrestling.
Teachings
Self Discipline. Self Control. Respect. These are the three tenants of SKK. Not only do practitioners of SKK learn to fight defensively, they also learn that it’s best to never need to fight at all. For children and adults both, these lessons can improve nearly every facet of a martial artist’s life.
The Four Ways of Fighting
At its core, SKK focuses on the idea that the four ways of fighting are the building blocks of all martial arts styles.
Striking
Using the arms, forearms, elbows, fists, and palms to hit an opponent
Kicking
Using the legs, shins, knees, and feet to hit an opponent
Felling
Taking an opponent to the ground by shoving, pulling, or throwing
Grappling
Joint locking, wrestling, holding, or otherwise gripping an opponent
When used in tandem with precision of motion and fluidity of movement, the four ways of fighting are a near unstoppable force.
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