The exact origins of the martial arts have been lost to time, but it is safe to say that man has been developing methods of armed and unarmed combat since prehistoric times. All the major kingdoms and empires through out history have had a warrior class or profession that was devoted to fighting and the practice of fighting. The origin of the martial arts as we know them today is generally attributed to an Indian Buddhist monk known as Bodhidharma who traveled to China early in the 6th century. There, he settled in the Shaolin monastery of Hunan province and began teaching his faith. Bodhidharma soon found that the Shaolin monks lacked the discipline and strength required for his teachings so he formulated a series of exercises designed to strengthen their minds and bodies. These exercises were called the 18 Movements of Lohan and became the forerunner of Shaolin boxing. From there, Chinese boxing influenced the native systems of other East Asian countries. The karate of Japan and Okinawa were both heavily influenced by shaolin boxing as was Tang Soo Do of Korea. Although many countries have their own distinct styles, the general consensus is that scientific martial arts originated in India.

Today, the study and promotion of the martial arts is worldwide. Various countries promote their own native styles such as China with its Wu Shu, Japan with its Karate, judo, and Aikido, Korea with its Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do, and Hapkido, the Philippines with its Kali, Arnis, and Escrima, France with its Savate, and many others. The popularity is maintained through movies, sport promotions, and the common need for a method of self-defense.

During the early 1950's, a young Hawaiian named Edmund Parker studying Chinese Kenpo (also known as Kempo or Kenpo ju-jitsu), saw the need to develop a system suitable to reflect the changes in modern fighting methods and that could be easily adapted to the American life-style. He realized that he was learning a system that was over a hundred years old and the methods of learning and teaching it were just as old. Combining traditional Okinawin and Chinese martial arts along with his experience as a Hawaiian back ally street fighter, Ed Parker took that practical knowledge and applied modern concepts and principles of physics, mechanics, mathematics, and physiology to developed the innovative and eclectic system of AMERICAN KENPO.

Known for its rapid fire hand and foot techniques, AMERICAN KENPO teaches motion and functionality to its students through the use of a prearranged pattern of self-defense techniques. Almost every conceivable motion as it is related to self defense is contained in these techniques and when applied in the classroom, they teach the student "HOW" to move, "WHEN" to move, "WHAT" to use, and most important of all," WHY" it all works the way it does. All this is done using "NATURAL MOTION" or unconscious motion that we apply in everyday movement.

Sadly, Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker passed away in 1990 leaving the Kenpo community without a recognized successor. Having taught and refined kenpo for over 35 years, Ed Parker left many black belts to teach his art. Some with his support and some without. What we have today is a multitude of variations and formats of Ed Parker's Kenpo that has led to dis-unity in the kenpo community. At PREMIER KENPO KARATE, we follow the curriculum of Paul Mills, 10th Degree Black Belt and founder of AMERICAN KENPO KARATE INTERNATIONAL. Innovative, not bound by the past, and always seeking to improve and evolve, Paul Mills, who has trained in kenpo for over 30 years and was a personal student and friend to Ed Parker. continues to take the art to new levels. AKKI students are known for their speed, power, and distinctive timing abilities, which can be heard as well as felt during self-defense applications.

AMERICAN KENPO is a sophisticated martial art that takes years to learn but can be used effectively after only one lesson. As a complete system, it covers all four fighting ranges; kicking, punching, trapping, and grappling, but excels in the punching and trapping range. It does not require any special body hardening or conditioning in order to be used, nor does it require that you train everyday. Ease of use and effectiveness make AMERICAN KENPO one of the most popular martial arts in the world today, and as an art, it also provides a path to grow, excel, and to reach new heights of awareness both ourselves and the world around us.