JS Kenpo 5.0 Online Academy FAQ: I'm already ranked in MA, Do I have to start as a white belt? 

I’m Kajukenbo too, thinking of starting kenpo 5.0

Good policy

Hello thank you for reaching out. I would love to connect with you in a more direct conversation please email jenny@jskonlineacademy.com From there I will be able to give you specific information on your unique situation and even schedule a phone conversation if you prefer.

Hello! Your remaining questions can absolutely be answered through a phone conversation. Happy to schedule this via email if you like to start there jenny@jskonlineacademy.com. The 5.0 DVD are a slightly out of date to the most recent evolution of the 5.0 system. However, based off your Kenpo experience I’d imaging making adjustments will come with ease. All ranked students entering 5.0 are recognized for their prior experience. While every student starts at the beginning, how quickly a seasoned martial artist learns and embodies the material is how quickly that student can progress. The “fast track” is in place for ranked martial artist to gain the same rank in 5.0 at a quicker pace then the novice beginner. Of course, it is important all students learn and understand all material for each rank. Looking forward to connecting further and answering any questions you have about beginning your 5.0 journey. Respectfully, Jenny Keiper

Good question, all 5.0 students test for every rank. The Online Academy test through purple belt are done via Zoom. Blue belt and beyond testing is a worldwide requirement to be in person. There are multiple avenues to address the in person testing. For instance Brown Belt and beyond testing can be done at the annual Kenpo 5.0 Vegas camp, or European Camp. Please feel free to email directly for more detailed answers or tailored solutions.

When you say mm time… are you referring to minimum time? It’s possible to start the fast track in yellow, each belt is re-assessed if the fast track is appropriate. Above all, a student must show understanding of all new material, and execution with sustained excellence for all compounding curriculum to rank advance.

The fast track is more for students who are ranked in Kenpo already, the foundation of basic movement is already present. It’s agreed on between student and instructor on a case by case basis at any Kenpo 5.0 school.

@@jeffspeakmanskenpo5.0_OA talking about this The Comparison of Rank And Knowledge Article By: Senior Master Richard "Huk" Planas The relationship between rank and knowledge varies from one martial art system to another. Many times, especially in Kenpo, it varies from lineage to lineage; sometimes from school to school. As I travel around the world I see people being promoted all the time to all sorts of ranks. I feel people need to know what the main requirements are for being promoted; time, age, and most importantly knowledge. In many cases people are being promoted without meeting the minimum time requirements for the rank. In Kenpo, the minimum time between First Degree Black Belt to Second Degree Black Belt is two years. Then there should be three years between each rank from Second Degree to Fifth Degree. Finally, five years between each rank from Fifth Degree and up. Again these are minimum time requirements, not maximum! You are eligible after you have met the minimum time. It's like when you get hired for a job and they say in six months you're eligible for a raise. This doesn't mean you will get the raise. You have to do a good job otherwise there's no raise. In addition to the time requirements there are age requirements to be considered for promotion. Thirty years ago a Black Belt meant a lot more than it does today. Now every ten year old is a Black Belt of various degrees. Originally it was established that a student must be sixteen years old to wear a Black Belt which at that point would be considered a Junior Black Belt. They would not be a Full Black Belt until the age of eighteen. As for the higher ranks, the age requirements were tied into the time requirements. It was said, "The gi just doesn't get old, you do along with it." Another consideration is the titles for each rank especially at the higher levels. At Fifth Degree the title begins to include the word Professor. That would suggest the individual bearing that rank would reflect the appropriate age. You rarely hear of a twenty something year old Professor! In addition, you do not hear of a Grammar School Professor. This leads us to the most important requirement for being promoted; knowledge. Professors are found at the highest levels of education and once again the title would infer an appropriate level of knowledge. I see that there is a lack of knowledge in Kenpo. People need to learn the rules and principles. The main problem is they are not aware of what they don't know. They never completed their schooling. It's like a doctor can't drop out of medical school and call themselves a doctor. They need to complete the entire schooling to get the degree. However it's important to note that the person with the lowest grade to graduate from medical school is still called a doctor. With all of that said, it really comes down to there simply being two kinds of Black Belts; good ones and bad ones. Which one do you want to be?

All great points @ Kenpo Studios Copenhagen. I know what type of black belt I am and the type of black belt that are students of Kenpo 5.0. It sounds like you have a great handle on the type of student and black belts earning rank at your school as well.

@@jeffspeakmanskenpo5.0_OA keep the videos coming all the best from Denmark 🙌🙌🙌

Hello John, at this time there are no Kenpo 5.0 locations in New Jersey. The Kenpo 5.0 Online Academy does have students who reside in New Jersey. There are near a hand full of OA students in your area.

We need a school in New York City. Please send this message to all the people who could make this happen.

Many Online Academy (OA) students end up having a partner to work with by the time we get to the ground techniques. The OA also has many in person training option throughout the year. Where there is a will there is a way to make it work.

There is not a physical location in Bakersfield. The two closest locations and wonderful 5.0 schools are in Pasadena under Anto Parseghian, and in Oak Hills under Dan Pribble. You can find their exact location and contact information for these two schools at this link. jeffspeakman.com/locations

Interesting way of putting it.