Hello and welcome!
“I want you to always remember that Kenpo will always be the art of perpetual change… If you remember this then the art will never become obsolete.” … “The ignorant refuse to study and the intelligent never stop.”
—Supreme Grand Master Ed Parker
Kenpo 5.0 is the art of perpetual change, not for the pure sake of change,but to allow our style to remain on the cutting edge of self-defense based martial arts. Our collective unit of instructors and school owners led by Master Jeff Speakman continue collaborating to create the most up-to-date system of curriculum to address the Jiu-Jitsu and MMA evolution of threat, bringing in the knowledge of how to do our kenpo on the ground and keep it relevant to the times.
The combate models of Kenpo 5.0 address the progression of attacks from stand up to contact manipulation, take-downs and defense on the ground. The material learned in the progression of the belt system, along with the technique family grouping of the combate models, assists our students to embody the kenpo flow of effective motion in self defense.
Utilizing the science of motion, physics, principles and concepts that are the foundation of the art of Kenpo, birthed through the brilliance of Grand Master Ed Parker when he created American Kenpo, we have a fantastic style of martial arts that builds on itself through the belt progression and combate models. While it is not that difficult to learn, it takes dedication to retain all material from the start as Kenpo 5.0 builds upon its strong foundation of basics and all material in sequential belt order.
Kenpo 5.0 is more than a constant evolution of self-defense based curriculum addressing the current threat, we are a family. Our worldwide family currently reaches more than 20 countries connecting thousands of Kenpo 5.0 students, their families and communities. To paraphrase Master Jeff Speakman, ‘The mark of a great martial artist is their ability to make a positive impact during their life on this planet and leave this world a better place than it was when they entered.’ We accomplish this through the values and morals that run through the foundation of our Kenpo 5.0 family and our like-minded community.
Wisdom, Strength and Kindness built on a foundation of respect for self and others is what our students learn to embody. Other attributes such as confidence, resilience, team-work, and perseverance, to name a few, are all qualities our instructors worldwide teach to our students through leading by example.
About the Online Academy:
The Online Academy is the Kenpo 5.0 Online Only school designed for the martial artist looking to learn Kenpo 5.0 but not within striking distance of a brick and mortar school.
Our OA community spans worldwide and has programs for youth and adults. Whether you are a novice beginner or a martial arts lifer you will be able to walk your Kenpo 5.0 journey through the Online Academy.
Utilizing 3 methods:
– Live weekly zooms classes
– 24/7 connection to Master Speakman’s Online University
– 24/7 access to your student portal where you will participate in weekly pre-recorded lessons by me, your OA instructor.
These lessons mirror the same type of instruction you would receive on a physical mat. Work through these lessons at your own pace at a time that suits you.
Online Academy Student Portal: 24/7 access
– Calendar with built in links to your classes
– Access to your belt rank, and all prior rank courses
– Access to all recorded and archived zoom classes
– Access recorded and archived master-classes and seminars taught by 5.0 school owners and seasoned martial artists from all styles.
The Kenpo 5.0 Online Academy is here to provide you a connection to the Kenpo 5.0 worldwide community. We welcome you with open arms, open hearts and open doors to our family.
Now a little about your instructor…
Thank you for taking the time to learn a bit about me and why I am doing what I am doing.
At the age of 5, in 1992, I started training at our local recreation center in a group class with kids of all ages and belt ranks. I was both nervous and excited! At the time my favorite movies to watch were Chuck Noris movies, especially the 1993 movie Sidekicks and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While I was too young to fully grasp the concept of what martial arts was really about, I was eager to start my first day in the American Kenpo style.
After about 6 weeks I tested and was promoted to my next level belt where I now would be fighting other kids in our class. At the age of 5, fighting a 10 year old brown belt, both my pride and stomach hurt when I got hit so hard my wind was knocked out of me. I left that class fighting back tears vowing I would never go back.
Knowing this is not the experience a 5 year old should endure my Father set out to find a suitable karate school. This is really where the passion of my martial arts journey began.
Chuck and Carol Cordova of Peoples Kenpo Karate Association located in Littleton, Colorado (back then it was Golden West Karate) helped to develop my understanding, love and connection to the Martial Artist lifestyle. This is where I spent the following decades learning the art of Hawaiian Kenpo through the lineage of Chuck and Carol Cordova, Cecil Peoples, Bill Ruysaki, John C. Leoning, Adriano D. Emperado, and William K.S. Chow. (**footnote below**)
As my training progressed from weeks to months only once did I tell my parents I wanted to quit training. About the age of 8 and blue belt I felt I was missing out on all the things my friends did and talked about. Not watching the TV shows I liked, or having time to go to my friends house to play after school were all perfectly fine arguments for me to want to quit karate.
Instead of my mom arguing with me she only said, “Ok, If you want to quit you will need to tell your Sensei you want to quit.” That conversation was short at best. Sensei explained that I have a belt test coming up and I have already made a promise to myself to achieve that rank. He encouraged me to keep and achieve that goal I set and after the test and promotion if I still want to quit then it would be ok as I will have accomplished my goal.
Do you think I quit?
If I had you would not be reading this…
In August of 1999 I tested for and passed to my first degree black belt level. After years of training, assistant in classes multiple times a week, competing in tournaments statewide I had achieved the rank of black belt. At this point I realized 2 things… First, I was really only at the beginning of my Kenpo journey. Second, this is something I not only wanted to do my entire life but something I wanted to teach and pass on to others. I didn’t want to limit myself to only teaching the physical aspect of the Martial Arts curriculum but all the other aspects that make up the Martial Artist’s lifestyle.
Fully understanding that Martial Arts is my preferred vehicle to reach students on a deeper level than just teaching the moves of karate, I developed an absolute love for teaching all the different aspects of the art. As a co-head instructor I developed and taught a program geared to teach students how to become teachers.
April 2012 I opened my first brick and mortar karate school, that same year my first son was born. This was my dream come true! The following year my husband had a job opportunity In New Mexico that our family could not pass up. Although the decision to close my karate school was difficult, I knew deep in my heart I would have another opportunity to open a school again that would serve the purpose of connecting like minded martial artists around the world. How? At that point I did not know.
May 2013, we moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico where I found my new martial arts family. Erika and Tony Potter, students directly under Mater Jeff Speakman, are the school owners and instructors in which I started my next journey in the martial arts.
At a 5th degree black belt in the Hawaiian Kenpo style, I started over as a white belt in Kenpo 5.0. Master Jeff Speakman, a student of Ed Parker founder of American Kenpo, spent many years evolving the martial arts he learned into Kenpo 5.0, a style that will never become stagnant or obsolete. Kenpo 5.0 is a martial arts style of perpetual change, a style that will evolve with the times to provide the most up-to-date self defense against the street fighting style of the times.
August 2017, Sensei Cecil Peoples sat on the board for the Kenpo 5.0 Black Belt test where I was to test for my first degree black belt alongside over 100 other Kenpo students. It was an honor to participate in the test where the lineage Master of my first art was present. It brought a sense of responsibility of bringing together a collaboration of the Martial Arts world. Without consciously knowing it planted the seed of what is now growing in reality as the OA.
From 2013 to present I’ve embarked on a beautiful and humbling journey of learning a new and fascinating art through the eyes of both a student and instructor. Now as an adult and fully grasping what martial arts is all about I’m excited to utilize the Kenpo 5.0 vehicle to connect with new students all over the world.
2020 was a year none of us will ever forget in our own lifetime. The name I’ve dubbed 2020 is the “Grand Pause” This year and the ones directly following were life altering for every single person in different ways, we all have our own story. To say we have come out on the other side as the same people we were before 2020 is an impossibility. One of the beautiful idea seeds that sprouted during that “Grand Pause” was this Online Academy.
Jeff Speakman Kenpo 5.0 is a martial arts style taught in over 19 different countries around the world. It is the largest Kenpo student body of kids and adults that effectively learn the cohesive art of Kenpo 5.0 in a uniform fashion around the world. Unfortunately, not every student interested in the Kenpo 5.0 style is in the area to attend a brick and mortar school.
The multiple lockdown periods we endured during the “Grand Pause” brought to my awareness the fact that teaching martial arts online was a possibility, an option that was not previously accepted in the old martial arts paradigm of teaching.
Now we have a beautiful Kenpo 5.0 Online Academy that will assist students from all over the world on their Kenpo 5.0 journey. Once again I’m able to teach students of all ages not only the curriculum material but all the aspects of being a martial artist. No longer will distance to a brick and mortar school or scheduling be an issue.
While I live a martial artist lifestyle, this is not all I do. I am a wife, and mother to two amazing boys, a step-mom to a beautiful daughter. Since 2020 I have utilized and expanded my teaching knowledge into the homeopathic realm. Becoming a reiki master in 2005 I have always worked with energy to help people. May 2021 I became a certified and accredited EFT level 2 practitioner (Emotional Freedom Technique, aka Tapping). I’m able to help people break free from their box of limitations, trauma and core issues holding them back from stepping into the best version of themselves, embracing their authentic energy and voice.
Helping people learn who they are and understand the limitless potential each person embodies is my passion. I have been able to do this on the dojo mat for decades. Now I’ve acquired a skill set that allows me to help anyone who comes to me seeking assistance in any setting. Utilizing EFT in my energy work business, Awaken2YourSoul, and being a martial arts teacher I am able to do what I do best, serve you! Assist each person who crosses my path to break free from limitations, gain the lessons needed, let go of what doesn’t serve, step into their personal energy and bask in their glowing confidence of living their best life.
When I’m not doing any of the above I do enjoy creating with my hands. Making jewelry is a favorite pastime, mostly Mala necklaces/bracelets with crystals and gemstones, playing guitar, hiking, reading, and spending time with my family.
Much love, gratitude and appreciation to you for reading to the end. As we move forward on this Kenpo journey together I am looking forward to getting to know you and embrace our connection as Kenpo family.
**footnote**, Edmund (Ed) K. Parker, Sr. the founder of American Kenpo Karate and the instructor to Jeff Speakman the founder of Kenpo 5.0, trained with Adriano D. Emperado under the direction of William K.S. Chow. Trace the lineage back the kenpo training comes from multiple branches of the same tree.