From July 2008

There comes a time in your life when you need to look in the mirror and decide what direction you want to go on your journey. After considerable thought and from speaking with both GM Dave Hebler and GM Michael Robert Pick, I have concluded that my focus will be toward my motivation and interest. As a full time school owner I have provided my time and wisdom for over 34 years as a martial artist and it is time to be more professional and time managed.

My secretary, also my Fiance, has brought up a valid point that I have neglected to pay attention too and I will not allow it any longer. With a busy schedule, I have allowed my time and energy to be interrupted at almost a 24 hour capability. My time is my livelihood and many have called for questions to be answered or resources to be found and most of the time no compensation has been brought forward. I will no longer allow this to happen.

As President of the CKF and owner of Kelley Karate Center my students are my customers and I will service their needs as able when I’m able to put my attention to the task. I will no longer be doing things in such a way that I just get taken advantage of or used for other people’s needs without being compensated as a professional in my field.

Recently I have contacted many of my current top students and made it known that my price scale of teaching and time will be updated since it has been the same rate for over 5 or more years. Experience is worth the price you pay. If you disagree, go somewhere else and get it!

In speaking to CKF members such as Kevin Kuliga, Bill Larson, Mike Miller, Mike Friedman, Brian Phelan, Tony Capone, Susan Jordan, Mike Miranda, Alfred Magnan, Blake Bannister, John Rhoads, Fred Mergen, Bill Celestino, Matt Camburn just to name a few, they have all said, Mr.Kelley we appreciate you and will support your needs so count us in and your decision.

To help with the problem of gas prices and a growing problem in the economy we have cut down our teaching staff at many of our events. We have also passed on the torch to a few others to handle the load of demand who have asked for seminars, step exams, private training and welcoming new arrivals into the CKF organization.

For now my travel will be to those who have been loyal and consistent with organizational scheduling. With GM Dave Hebler now being the manager of my studio and available to assist within the CKF structure, he will take on some of the load.

Mr.Pick has already been involved with our friends in the Cayman Islands who have joined his UKF organization making it a part of the growing Alliance.

I have been in touch with Dr. Brad Frazier with Warrior Scholar Kenpo from Cube, Missouri as he will be visiting my studio in the future with his Black belt teachers who have worked with the Lamkin brothers Eric and Kevin.

In speaking to Kurt Snyder his school is moving ahead with Associate Professor Kevin Kuliga keeping a watchful eye and helping out when it is needed. Kurt will soon be coming a CKF Charter school once he meets the required student count and we will announce that as time permits. Let’s all wish him the best as he is an awesome carrier of the Kenpo torch.

Last but not least keep your eyes open on upcoming events as we have seminars being hosted by our 3 M&M’s: Mike Friedman, Mike Miller and Mike Corsello www.chinesekaratefederation.com.

If anyone is looking to purchase the Kenpo Cargo Pants with the Logo down the leg please contact me as they are available and in limited quantity.

Black Belt Ranking and the Evolution

This is a subject that can go on forever as many in the Martial Arts industry have changed standards to fit the needs of their individual schools or current market. Let’s first agree we only have 2 hands and 2 feet to work with period! What you decide to do with them is a personal thing depending on how much education, training and over all experience you have to work with.

To evolve I believe means the teacher or coach needs to become better educated in communication skills, being able to deliver to all age groups, a sound system of learning at a level they can understand. SGM ED Parker was real big on us learning the vocabulary of Kenpo as well as the Insights of his system of American Kenpo Karate.

The topic Black belt ranking is one nobody will agree on from school to school or organization to organization. We all talk about evolving or how Kenpo has become broken and we must fix it, but I don’t agree; it works fine and maybe the individual is what needs repaired or updated.

Since the passing of Mr. Parker, Kenpo has evolved, and some may wonder how? Well let’s look at what we have today in talent and in new levels of experience coming to the main stream. There are literally more people studying Kenpo than ever. We also have the ability to work with some the best talent produced by a true Grandmaster than ever.

In the list of diversified talent, skill, and value we have had people like Dave Hebler, Michael Robert Pick, Larry Tatum, Huk Planas, Frank Trejo, Bob White, Lee Wedlake, Lee Epperson, Trever Sherman, Ron Chapel, Skip Hancock, Jeff Speakman, Tony Cogliandro, Roy Macdonald, Gary Ellis, Pat Salantri, Bryan Hawkins, Dennis Conaster, Steve LaBounty, Manny Reyes, Ed Parker Jr, Joe Palanzo, Dennis Nackord, Barbara Hale, and the list goes on. We have been involved with evolving the art of Kenpo since its beginning. Many have designed personal criteria and added moves or a training concept to fit their own goals.

The hype of Mixed Martial Arts is not new to the Kenpo Community or us not being involved with the launching of the UFC era. Frank Trejo’s student Zane Frazier was seen in many of the UFC’s matches and it is known Trever Sherman was also a trained fighter in this field who assisted Jeff Speakman in the 5.0 series that was attempted.

Let’s not forget there are many Kenpo teachers such as Kevin Kuliga, Pat Salantri, Dennis Tosten, Dan Inosanto, Richard Planas, Josh Ryer, Brian Price, Mike Friedman, and many others who have become well schooled in the weapons systems. Then we explore a passive or not aggressive/alternative approach to the martial arts and we have the talent of people like Martin Wheeler, Ed Parker Jr., Lee Wedlake and Frank Soto who have fused a Kenpo theory of yielding with control and elusive handling of an opponent to force them off balance by using a method of joint control and timing of the body mechanics as a tool of control.

The combative side or the side we seldom step into is the side many of us will never indulge into unless we are in the military, personal security/bodyguard, or law enforcement line of work. GM Michael Robert Pick is known for his Kenpo combative systems as an expert in teaching the military and law enforcement. He still uses the principles of Kenpo but went from a technique based system to a set based system.

Kenpo is not in trouble and does not need repaired; it needs devotion and for the current level black belts to explore what is already been out there. If we think about it, we have the ability to become better educated than ever before and the skill is right in front of all our faces if we choose to hang up the ego and anger toward each other. I think the growth of many of us who run organizations have learned networking is our best answer to evolving. This applies to business as well.

To be a better teacher or student we need to be more open-minded and willing to continue to learn and realize that technology is at our hands. As an example of this message along with myself, UKF-Michael Robert Pick, AKI-Tony Cogliandro, and supporters like Dave Hebler, Rich Hale, and Rainer Schulte, we all have agreed we all have worth & value to offer and we invite anyone to jump on board who is willing to assist us in sharing the evolution we strive for.

Rank is nothing without students, and students are why we enjoy the art of teaching, communicating and changing lives for the better. Mr. Fred Mergen, I for one endorse your growth in developing your Kenpo with the blend of grappling as taught to you by Trever Sherman along with our brotherhood relationship within the CKF as a plus on your part as a future carrier of the Kenpo Torch. Ed Parker always said this was not "His" art but it is "Our" art to grow and share as we progress to the path we are in search of! TCB!

Archived From May 2008

I’m hoping all of you had an awesome Memorial weekend and were able to spend quality time with family and friends. Its always nice to have a day away from the studio to rest and spend time with my my daughter Tori.

This Memorial Weekend I wanted to invite some special friends over for a barbeque and hang out. We all got to enjoy the hot dogs, burgers and chips as Kimmy made everyone feel welcomed as she fixed our spread for all to enjoy, buffet Style.

It was awesome to spend quality time with Mike Miranda (Black belt student), Richard Head (Palm Beach Guardian Angel leader) as well as Bill "Superfoot" Wallace and his girlfriend Jayne this weekend and to just chat about the old daysof Karate tournaments with Bill Wallace and the history he has to share since his journey began back in the early 1960s.

My brother Floyd stopped in only to be in shock that Bill Wallace was in the living room watching the Car Races on TV and he mentioned how the last time he saw Bill was when SGM Ed Parker was in town back in 1989. I said, Damn Floyd that was 19 years ago, and he said, Yep. I said, Bill has been around the studio every year either once if not twice since the early 1980′s and you just missed him that much,LOL!

Anyway my weekend was well over due with rest and down time and of course as most know me my cell phone usually goes off with many calls from around the world but this weekend was quite quiet and slow.

I did get a recent E-mail from one of my black belts from Canada, Tony Desaulniers who sends his hello’s to everyone and I did get a check up call from one of my students who has made a great impact within the CKF as an awesome friend, student, and great Martial Artist….Mr. Mike Miller!

To to all of you enjoy this day with friends and to everyone who knows a friend, has a family member in the Military or to those who know the work that has been done by many of the UKF family, I personally send a Salute to both GM Michael Robert Pick, his son Zephaniah, as well to both Mike Beal and his wife who have served our country…..God Bless you all!

Archived From April 2008

It’s been awhile since I have been able to review a few of the CKF Instructors to provide an overall assessment of their abilities. Recently I have been very impressed with a student of mine who has not only stepped up to the plate as a Kenpo teacher, but as a mentor for others who follow him as well.

I recall the pride of being able to promote this fine man to what Marcus Buonfiglio from the UKF called, "The Chunk, meaning the level of Associate Professor- 5th Degree Black Belt in our system. It’s a big step and a major responsibility when someone has achieved such a goal.

Mr. Kevin Kuliga has created a forum with the CKF by holding instructor type seminars at his home bound studio by VIP invitation only. We have had an awesome result with this theme and many have gone on to say they can’t wait until the next time to do it again.

Mr. Kuliga sets up an opportunity for people to camp out, get fed and above all creates a pleasant learning environment that normally sells out within the first 2 weeks of his advertising.

As President of the CKF I am always honored to see those willing to indulge themselves further into the principles and concepts of American Kenpo Karate and become better communicators of our art either as intellectual students or as facilitators who teach and instruct others who are seeking our coaching skills.

I am honored at the improvement and direction Mr. Kuliga has stepped up to and know deep in my heart he sets an awesome example as a leader in the Kenpo community to learn from him and to be able to have such a gifted instructor who goes the extra mile in learning as well as promoting Kenpo Karate.

Congratulations to a job well done and I look forward to many more sessions we are planning here in the near future.

Archived From March 2008

Once again, we had a pleasant gathering of Kenpo friends, family and new faces at this years 2008 Florida Kenpo Camp. I must say it has been a learning experience for over 14 years while meeting many who have joined us at my facility here in South Florida.

My goal has always been to open the venue with exposing others to the "Who’s Who" in Kenpo along with many other great Legends within the Martial Arts community and I’m proud to have made it happen with the support of so many who have come and given their loyalty, time, and devotion to the arts.

Next year, 2009, will be a change in theme and direction for me as I have decided to target my camps toward those who have been close to me over the many years as dedicated students, friends and colleagues.

The structure will be geared toward learning the principles and concepts within the system as well as a progressive side of things. We will maintain the scope of Ed Parker’s teachings within the guidelines of his written material as well as expand on a topic he called "Variable Expansion" to improve those who are seeking knowledge in becoming better educated instructors by learning the Insights into the Kenpo language in which we speak within the Kenpo system.

Invitations to the camp will be solely by VIP invite and within the groups who have supported our growing "Alliances" to work together and network our resources to improve our goals.

Key instructors will be GM Michael Robert Pick, Master Tony Cogliandro, as well as guest instructors who are randomly picked from the CKF,UKF,AKI, and American Kenpo Society.

I am considering holding the 2009 Florida Camp in Orlando, Florida next year so we may enjoy a day with family going to Disney World and other surrounding destinations to visit.

I want to thank these people for their knowledge over the years given to all of us who have enjoyed their worth and offerings: Huk Planas, Frank Trejo, Lee Wedlake, Paul Dye, Jeff Speakman, John Sepulveda, Tom Kelly, Ed Parker Jr, Steve LaBounty, Gary Ellis, Larry Tatum, Doreen Cogliandro, Dennis Nackord, Jack Morris, Bart Vale, Manny Reyes, Pat Salantri, Rich Hale, Al McLuckie, Martin Wheeler, Gil Hibben, Trever Sherman, Steve White, Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace, Steve Shepherd, John McSweeney, Wes Idol, Lee Epperson, Barbara Hale, Kevin Kuliga, Rainer Schulte, Dave Hebler, Rick Fowler, David Stanley, and of course our founder SGM Ed Parker.

My Journey has been satisfied at this time with being able to make it a vision of what some might have thought impossible but we all need a change in our Kenpo from time to time to keep us motivated as well as to move forward with future goals.

A special thanks needs to be expressed to my students such as Kevin Kuliga, Mike Beal, Brian Phelan, Mike Friedman, John Rhoads, John Brown, Bill Larson, Bill Celestino, Mike Miller, Mike Corsello, Tim Maynard( CKF member), Deb Maynard(CKF member), Matt Camburn, Alfred Magnan, Fred Mergen, Sarah Rothe, Thomas Elmore (CKF member), Dan Puleo, Rocco Lubischer, Scott Johnson, Keith Woods (CKF member), Rich DiCuia, Susan Jordan, Blake Bannister, Jeff Lewis, Jeff Benko, John Quinn, Richard Head, Chris Genell (CKF member), Keith Woods (CKF member), Chris Oldrich, Billy Celestino, Tammy Brennaman, and to our new CKF Black Belt Kurt Snyder.

Archive From February 2008

After many angles of creating an interest, CKF school owner Michael Miller, the official Public Relations Consultant for us who also works as a freelance writer, has recently submitted an article for release in the upcoming month of July 2008, which hits the stands in the middle of May. The editors liked his article and have given the thumbs up for it to be featured in their magazine.

A photo shoot took place at Millers studio in Bradford, Pa. with GM Dave Hebler, Professor Sean Kelley and Michael Miller using them as models in the upcoming article where they demonstrated different versions of five swords for the article.

This article will feature information about the history of the Chinese Karate Federation along with the growing "Alliance" that has taken place with other Kenpo groups. We are very excited about this project and well keep everyone updated on its release so you may get one for your own archives. This is the first time the CKF will be featured in Inside Kung-fumagazine.

From January 2008

Although I sent a mass e-mail explaining my recent decision of retiring my red beret, I wanted to further emphasize how much being a Guardian Angel has meant to me. I was an active member for over twenty memorable years. It has always been my goal to help the weak and build up communities. As a Guardian Angel I was able to do just that.

It has never been about me, but about those who were in need. I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my time as a consultant for the Guardian Angels. I will always honor and cherish the times I had patrolling the streets to clean up communities in need.

The local number that has been advertised for contacting the Guardian Angels has been recently changed to (954) 605-3673. You may view the organizational Web site at www.guardianangels.org. I would like to thank my close friend Joe Lewis for sending me such a nice personal letter, which I have attached at the end of this.

Keep safe and always….."Dare to Care"

Dear Mr. Kelley,

Allow me to personally respond to your announcement to "pass the torch." The highest compliment you ever paid me was at your last camp. When you told all of your attendees about those who represented your fellowship of core members about your Guardian Angel crusade; I had no idea my name was going to come up. As soon as I heard you begin to speak of the Guardian Angels, I immediately thought, Hey, that’s something which I would like to be identified. I wonder if Sean remembers me?I sometimes ignore those overused accolades like "The Legend," "The greatest fighter of all time," or "The Father of This and That," etc.

William James, a philosophy professor at Harvard, once said: "Mans greatest need is to be recognized and appreciated." My heart was touched when you introduced me and validated a part of my character few others ever mention as you told everyone present that I was with you in the very beginning. I thank you.

On the front of our new T-shirts, the logo "Kickbox Fighter" is embroidered along with my swirl "K." On the back of my black belt’s shirts, across the top, is reads: "Certified Joe Lewis Black Belt." Below that is our statement: "In the highest appraisal of that which ultimately defines a great fighter, principle value is place on the content of one’s fighting character, not ones fighting skills." And just below that is an old Marine Corp statue, "Fellowship of Valor."

These last three words identify the real essence of Professor Sean Kelley. We never heard from the hearts of all those elderly residents who deeply appreciated the security and supportive atmosphere we Guardian Angels allowed them to experience from our neighborhood patrols. The police officers who resented us, and the drug dealers who feared us, and the trouble making drive-bys who cursed and spat at us never deterred our focused reverence for those who mattered.

I hope others will join me to applaud your years of committed effort. If anyone wants to ask me why I chose to walk in your footsteps, I have a simple answer. "I only follow those who have courage."

With continued honor!

I salute you,

Joe Lewis

We are grateful for the things we have accomplished and the new goals we have been setting. We are ready for the release of our first “Kenpo Legends” Biography, Master Rainer Schulte, written by Michael Miller who is our official CKF Administrator and a professional writer who has had several magazine articles published in Inside Kung-fu and Black Belt magazines. He plans on beginning his second Biography, Grandmaster Dave Hebler, this month. April is the target date for the release of Rainers Biography at Mike Corsello’s Kenpo Camp in Pennsylvania, so be sure to be there to get your autographed copy.

Also coming in 2008 is an article about the “Chinese Karate Federation” and our vision, mission and our Lineage. It was just approved by one of the top Martial arts magazine carriers to a featured article about us and what were about. We will keep everyone informed as Mike Miller pens this article for Inside Kung-fu magazine.

We are also getting back into the DVD Series as we plan on beginning the Brown belt material. I have been working with our senior students to brush up on our details so we can stick to our theme of “Infinite Oversights” as these were designed as a student retention tool acting as a visual Library, not as an entertainment project. We have currently raised $1200 for the project and will begin to campaign for this as a CKF members contribution project just like the first series. Anyone wanting to donate can contact my office or email me to discuss details. All sponsors will be recognized and listed within the credits of our production of this project.

I received word from our CKF Rep in Chile Maestro Roberto Vidal that there are 2 potential black belts who have schools from Venezuela and Argentina that want to become part of the CKF family. We plan on having a meeting this summer to discuss how and what is required of them to be CKF affiliates. My friend Ed Parker Jr. will accompany me to my trip to Chile.

I am honored and extremely grateful for having such loyal black belts who train hard, are devoted and above all carry the Kenpo torch with honor. This past year we have seen many “Step up” and were recognized for their earned work. I am proud to mention them as CKF torch carriers such as: Mike Friedman, Tony Capone, Mike Miller, Mike Corsello, Kevin Kuliga, Genie Byrd, Jeff Lewis, Gary Ryan, Stephanie Hammond, and Alfred Magnan.

Dedication, loyalty and leadership are rare in our industry but when you find it you cherish it with mutual respect as well as Love. We are fortunate to have those in our organization who have mentored us and have supported our family with their history, skill, wisdom, and above all time and place in the art of American Kenpo. I thank GM Dave Hebler, GM Michael Robert Pick, Master Rainer Schulte and my dear friend Bill “Superfoot” Wallace for the many years of giving themselves to our CKF family.

Its an honor to be reminded about what loyalty, devotion and respect are all about by two men who have been with me for nearly ten years now. These two may think I have forgotten their worth, but I can assure you that will never happen. From the bottom of my heart, CKF has been blessed with Michael Beal and Scott Johnson as both of these men have done more than some will ever know including things that were never asked of them. I Love you guys and you know what the patch stands for when it reads “A. T. H. A. T. S.” as stated.

I would also like to thank four people who are first to reach into their own pockets and give to many projects with the CKF family. They are not the only ones, but always catch me off guard by saying, Here you go Mr. Kelley, put this to good use. These people are Tim and Deb Maynard, Bill Celestino and Tony Capone.

Just as Mr. Parker had several disciples I too have been grooming a few over the years and others will follow within the next 10 years as well. It is no secret that students like Jeff Lewis, Mike Beal, Stephanie Hammond, Sarah Rothe, Scott Johnson, Matt Camburn, are just a few who have become known as my reflection of Kenpo. Each of these Martial Artists have put in many years, hours, travel, and earned mat time with me. I’m proud of this and my next army of students such as Mike Miller, Kevin Kuliga, Mike Corsello, Alfred Magnan, Mike Miranda, Mike Friedman, Bill Larson, Susan Jordan, and John Rhoads who are all now in the classroom of learning my way of teaching, knowing, speaking, sharing principles and concepts, as well as doing the art as we within the CKF perform it.

If I were to name a student today as my top performing black belt it is none other than Brian Phelan who travels as my Uki and also performs in my place doing seminars as done at the famous camp in Virginia with Dr. Jerry Beasley this past summer. He was so well received that he was asked to come back. Above all, he doesn’t chase the rank and is always on the floor either with myself, Mr. Pick, Joe Lewis, Jeff Speakman, Rich Hale, Huk Planas, and many others since his beginning. Mr. Phelan is the model student who listens, watches, and performs with such power and flow that it is a pleasure to say the flame will be carried by him and a few others in the next generation better than we had it as “Old Timers.

My greatest reward in life is not only those who I call my extended family in the CKF and throughout the Kenpo world, but also my only child who now at ten years old has been studying Kenpo since she was four and has never asked to quit. She is a part of my SWAT Team as a Junior Instructor and is being coached by two of my top female black belts Ms. Stephanie Hammond and Ms. Sarah Rothe who don’t give any special privileges to her for being a Kelley. They have brought my daughter up to being an advanced Green belt soon for Brown belt which we are hoping this new year as a target goal.

My New Year 2008 is already beginning to be filled with many projects and future goals to be reached and I know having the people from the CKF makes it all worth it. I hope everyone has an awesome Holiday and I encourage you to call an old friend you have not spoken to in a long time. I’m hoping my 2008 starts off with a huge success of our Annual Florida Kenpo Camp come February with many new as well as old friends coming together as “Ohana.

Wishing Everyone a Happy Holiday!

Sean P.Kelley
Senior Professor
CKF President