Ed Parker's Infinite Insights into Kenpo: Mental & Physical Constituents [Paperback]

Ed Parker (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0910293066 | ISBN-13: 978-0910293068 | Publication Date: January 1987

Sr. Grandmaster of Kenpo Karate Ed Parker Sr.'s Volume IV of "Infinite Insights into Kenpo" is an adventure in the world of often taken for granted, and overlooked, mental and physical constituents. With an emphasis on the imperative need for a marriage of mind and body for success in combat, he discusses the need for physical skills to become conditioned responses. Mr. Parker expounds on numerous concepts ranging from mental attributes, breathing, target areas and zone theories, to how principles and concepts work chronologically. With an admonition by the Master to read each chapter carefully, he reminds students that it is the application of the total, tailored to the individual, that optimizes opportunity. This Volume is a must for the serious student of the Martial Arts. The almost mystic "Universal Pattern" is finally revealed some twenty-four years after it's initial publication. It resembles "God's blueprint for the Universe". Mr. Parker views it from unusual angles and differing dimensions. Preparing true disciples for further light and knowledge, Mr. Parker indicated that Volume V expounds in more detail on the principles and concepts contained in specifically selected, anatomically illustrated case studies of motion.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The late Sr. Kenpo Grandmaster Ed Parker Sr. known as the Father of American Kenpo Karate and founder of the International Karate Championships in Long Beach, California. He introduced Bruce Lee to the Martial Arts world. Close friend and bodyguard to Elvis Presley. Author, actor, movie stunt coordinator, businessman, publisher, graduate of Kamehameha High School and Brigham Young University. Served in the United States Coast Guard. Founder of the International Kenpo Karate Association with affiliates worldwide. Native born Hawaiian and honored in the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame. Loving husband, father and grandfather. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Delsby Pub (January 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0910293066
• ISBN-13: 978-0910293068
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,533,872 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book on American Kenpo, April 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Ed Parker's Infinite Insights into Kenpo: Mental & Physical Constituents (Paperback)

This book is the 4th of a 5 book series and gives a great insight to art of American Kenpo. In this near 200 pages book you can find the brown belt pledges as well as 55 ilustrated and exciting pages on target areas, near 60 pages on zone theories and some usefull terminology. In this book you can also find the explanation of the universal pattern among other things.

Definitely worth your money...

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "What" of American Kenpo in Mental and Physical Constituents, June 21, 2006

By 

C. J. Hardman (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ed Parker's Infinite Insights into Kenpo: Mental & Physical Constituents (Paperback)

This is the fourth volume in a five volume series written by American Kenpo founder Ed Parker. Throughout the series Parker sets forth the principles of American Kenpo, going far beyond simple demonstrations of technique. In "Mental and Physical Constituents", Parker teaches "...additional ingredients that are often overlooked or taked for granted, but are necessary to maximize your efforts" (1)

This volume breaks down into three major portions. The first deals with mental conditioning breathing and sensory, the second with vital zones and strikes from a holistic standpoint (not simply a chart), and the last is the Kenpo Zone theory. While these are not the only things discussed within, they make up a major portion of this detailed work.

Parker first examines the importance of mental conditioning, namely the ability to maintain a tranquil state of mind through developing a positive attitude. He explains the connection between attiude, mental discipline, focus and confidence. I found the descriptions and views fascinating, as they were so strongly based upon Parker's personal beliefs and experiences.

Parker discusses mental control he witnessed from Hawai'ian Kahunas growing up as a Polynesian youth on the Big Island. This is probably one of the few occasions where Parker refers to his own religious beliefs and frames certain principles in the light of his Latter Day Saint (Mormon) faith. Parker writes:

"Where else have we heard of miraculous feats performed by man? Why from the Bible. Now it must be remembered that many of these miraculous feats were carried outby men other than Christ who were aided by the power of the Priesthood. [...] As offsprings of God (not creations of) we automatically inherit a conscious and subconscious mind [...]. (page 6)

He also names a number of other books and works associated with mind, and even discusses his beliefs concerning Ki or Chi. Next Parker covers Breathing, then Developing the senses, and then introduces a lenthy and specific chapter on Target Areas.

Parker stresses the importance of understanding the effects strikes have upon the body, knowing where to hit and what methods and angles to use. Positions of Readiness are show, as are reactionary positions from which the reader is instructed to craft practical attacks and follow up responses. Parker reminds us on page 38 that "TARGET AREAS should also be viewed from the positions you may find yourself in during combat."

He also stresses that you should not only be aware of an opponent's vulnerabilities from any given position, but of your own as well! In addition to explaining vital principles, Parker is always ready with common sense:

"When a punch is thrown at your head keep your blocking arm still as if it were a fifty cent fan. Do not attempt to block with it, but keep it from moving. Instead move your head away from the punch" (80)

Kenpo Zone theories are explained here in depth, and are presented as an extention of vital points discussion. Zones are offered as "...imaginary dissections of an opponent's anatomy and the space surrounding him." (81) The four basic zones of kenpo are introduced and explained in detail: Height Zones, Width Zones, Depth Zones, and Obscure (peripheral) Zones. I found principles based on efficient motion and safety to be taught in a straightforward manner here, no fluff, easy to understand. Also covered in this araea arerange of movements and checking and controlling, and the two are melded in a chapter on zone theory of directional movement starting on page 130, which include the Outer Rim and Quadrant theories. Contents Include Chapters on the following:

*Acknowledgements/Dedication/Brown Belt Pledges/About Pledges/Preface
1. Introduction
2. Mental Conditioning
3. Breathing
4. Developing the Senses
5. Target Areas (visualizing targers from position of readiness, unconcerned positions, reactionary positions, prone positions, other positions. skeletal bones fron/back. striking near the bones. internal organs fron/other vital areas. muscular systems front/back. vital targets front/back. natural weapons, contouring principle, action versus reaction, zone theories intro, environmental objects and targets, avoiding fatal blows)
6. Zone Theories (dimensional zone theory, repeated emphasis, checking and controlling, zone theory of directional movement, outer rim theory, quadrant zone theory
7. Basic Concepts and Principles of Technique
8. Revealing the Universal Pattern
9. Conclusion
*Glossary of Terminology

A good volume that ties the "What" of Americal together nicely. Vital for serious American Kenpo practitioners, and a good thought provoking read for those of you from other styles who may find some use in adopting or adapting some of Parker's principles to your own training. Parker's Fifth and final volume in this series is Mental and Physical Applications", where he has promised to present and explain the "Why" of American Kenpo.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Infinite Insights Book 4, April 16, 2011

By 

Michele L. Schmidt - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ed Parker's Infinite Insights Into Kenpo: Mental & Physical Constituents (Volume 4) (Paperback)

This book is also a must have for any American Kenpo Student. This set of books is also very beneficial to keep in your studio/dojo library.