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ED PARKER
Senior Grandmaster
1931-1990
"Aloha Spirit Master" - A Tribute Poem to Ed Parker Senior
By Michael Fuchs
Mr. Ed Parker was the President and founder of
the International Kenpo Karate Association (I.K.K.A.). He was also
the creator of the now famous International Karate Championships
(IKC's) where Bruce Lee made his historic first public appearance.
Mr. Parker was also considered the "Father of American Karate" as
he opened the first commercial karate studio in the U.S. in Pasadena
California in 1956. He achieved the rank of tenth degree black
belt - the highest level within the art.
Mr. Parker began his studies in Judo and boxing
then found his way into Kenpo, under the instruction of Professor
William K.S. Chow while living in his native land of Hawaii. In
addition, through exchanges and interactions with other martial
artists such as Bruce Lee, Dan Inosanto, and James Lee was Mr.
Parker able to experiment and formulate his ideas that would later
become American Kenpo.
Ed Parker was the original developer of the art
of American Kenpo Karate. Through 40 years of experience, he built
his system on principles of motion that included "Opposite
and Reverse Motion", "Tailoring", "Focus" and
the use of Logic. He developed many tools to aid his teaching with
the creation of the "Universal Pattern", the "Equation
Formula", training manuals, books and video tapes.
His system incorporates linear and circular motion,
with intermittent spurts of speed and power when and where necessary,
with both major and minor moves. His idea was to learn motion and
principles and then tailor it to fit your body. Later you create
your style of moving, governed by principles.
He taught many celebrities over the years including
Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Billy Idol and David Lee Roth - among
other celebrities. He also taught a man by the name of Paul Mills
from Evanston, Wyoming - whom he would later call his "Secret
Weapon".
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