Multiple Degrees

[Dean Goldade]

Andrew,
Man we think a lot alike brother... Anyway,  as you know I am a firm believer in cross training and am always trying to make my Kajukenbo as complete as I can.

For the last couple of years I have been trying to get a better overall understanding of the Kenpo systems. I have been really digging into AK and have studied tons of videos from the guys out there, and also training informally with friends sharing knowledge. I really enjoy the AK from a learning perspective, but I still feel I haven't seen an art as well rounded as Kajukenbo. And all the politics that go on in most other systems and all the "I am right, you are wrong" B.S. that goes with it, just drives me nuts.. It makes you appreciate Kajukenbo more than ever before.

We have the freedom to develop our own expressions. We can do something different from each other, and as long as it works we can smile and agree to be different. We are family.. That is what seperates us from a lot of the politics I think.

And I gotta be honest, it is hard to find anyone who takes it to the mat like Kajukenbo does...  

"Be creative, but stay true to your roots".....

That is why no matter what I do, or what I cross train, it all comes back into my Kajukenbo.. Those are my roots.
It may not look like the way I first learned it, but take a look, and you will see the KA, the JU, the KEN, and the BO... And lot's of thumping.... That is Kajukenbo.!!

I have a group I work with in San Antonio who are in the Huk Planas lineage. We are in the process of setting up a seminar headlining Huk Planas and G. M. Pallen.

Huk will show how he has added the Filipino arts to enhance his Kenpo, and G.M. Pallen will headline his Senkiotiros style and how he has adapted and integrated the Kajukenbo into the FMA and vice versa.

G.M. Pallen has taken the punch arts, grab arts & Pinan / Palama's and translates them all into
 - single stick
 - double stick
 - espada Y daga.

As far as we know he is the only one to have taken it to this level. We have many great Kajukenbo instructors who are highly trained in the FMA's, but G.M. Pallen is truly one of the leaders.. IMHO.

Anyway this should go down around August, and I will make sure it is posted.

I also want to get with you and check out your stuff. I am sure your branch has a lot of good things to share as well. I look forward to seeing you again, and putting in a little mat time with you..

Then we can say we earned the que and brew we will share after...  

Keep up the hard training.

Dean.

[KajuJKDFighter]

Cross training is a great way to go as long as you have a good foundation to build on. You constantly need to evaluate your skills in the different ranges, kicking, boxing, trapping and grappling.  They change often depending on what your focus is at the time. If you're great at two of them, get better in the other two.  Of course those four can also be broken down.  An example would be you throw a great straight right hand, but can't throw a left hook to save your life.  There will never be enough time to be great in everything and only consistent training keeps these skills sharp....

[Chief Instructor]

I also want to get with you and check out your stuff. I am sure your branch has a lot of good things to share as well. I look forward to seeing you again, and putting in a little mat time with you..

Then we can say we earned the que and brew we will share after...  

Keep up the hard training.

Dean.

Brother Dean,

We look forward to you making it out to the Land of Oz. My students will enjoy seeing GM Gaylord's material as well as GM Pallen's Senkiotiros. It would be great to share Professor Walter Godin's material with you and GM Remy Presas's Modern Arnis. I might try to find Parker's Kenpo folks in the state who also do FMA to join us and share their arts. Even though folks will have their own personal opinions, when it comes time for the Que and Brew, nobody parties harder than Kaju.

Take care,
Andrew