The purpose of Kenpo International is to promote the health – physical, mental, spiritual – of its members through fostering the growth of Western manifestations of Eastern martial and yogic arts.

Kenpo International advocates a cross-cultural approach for the seeker of self-development and knowledge. No one school, style, system or culture has a monopoly on truth. We examine disciplines from China, Tibet, Burma, India, Thailand, and Japan.

The Chuan Fa Kenpo system is a flowering of these ancient traditions of martial and yogic psychophysical training. Chuan Fa Kenpo includes combat arts, health and fitness training, meditation disciplines.

Kenpo International was founded in 1990 by Edward Orem. Sifu Orem is the KI Director, as well as Chief Instructor of Chuan Fa Kenpo. CFK is affiliated with the International Chinese Boxing Association. Sifu Orem has trained in martial arts since 1964, and holds an 10^th Duan ranking in Chuan Fa Kenpo, and a 6^th Black Sash in Chinese Boxing.

The combatives components include thousands of defense maneuvers stemming from the "pure idea realm" of the 340 self-defense techniques described in The Masters Manual: Chuan Fa Kenpo Close Combat (available in kindle, epub and PDF on Amazon.com and Lulu.com), 60 empty-hand forms (with roots in both Northern and Southern Shaolin traditions), 20 weapons forms (staff, saber, double sabers, dagger, double daggers, baton, double batons, rapier, tri-sectional staff, butterfly swords, and spear). The health and meditation parts of the system include Bodhidharma's teachings (see Esoteric Martial Arts of Zen: Training Methods from the Patriarch, available in kindle, epub and PDF on Amazon.com and Lulu.com) T’ai-chi Ch’uan, Shing-I Ch’uan, Buddhist and Taoist Chi-Kung.

Kenpo International offers the following instructional materials for sale to the general public. Membership is not required for access to these DVD video presentations and manuals. Before ordering, read instructions under Order Information.

• The Masters Manual: Chuan Fa Kenpo Close Combat: 340 defensive combat maneuvers presented step-by-step to 5^th Degree Black Belt. Includes counters against both empty-handed and weapons attacks, as well as against multiple opponents. Devastating, hard-core put-em-down-take-em-out techniques. Not for the faint of heart.
• Esoteric Martial Arts of Zen: Training Methods from the Patriarch: This manual presents methods long forgotten or ignored by the elitist, intellectual Zen/Chaan Buddhist leadership of Japan and the U.S. Includes historical, social, cultural, and martial backgrounds illustrating the importance of the three systems taught by Bodhidharma at Shaolin in the 5^th Century AD. If not for the martial brotherhood at Shaolin and Fukien Temples, this information would have been lost! Includes 190 photographs and step-by-step instruction for Shipalohanshou/18 Methods of the Enlightened Ones and Yijinjing/Muscle-Sinew Changing Classic. $20-

All external arts are demonstrated 10 to 16 times at normal, slow, and freeze-frame modes, complete with close-ups and from several angles. The body hardening/ki or chi development/internal arts tapes also offer multiple viewings from several angles.

Each DVD's primary emphasis is noted in a description below its title, including 1) level of difficulty, and 2) conditioning intent. If you’ve had little training (less than two or three years), we recommend that you first progress through the "Foundation Series." Maximum conditioning and excellent training effect will occur if you combine the "Foundation" materials with the designated "partner" empty-hand forms (noted in the DVD descriptions).

DVDs range in length from 44 minutes to one hour, 50 minutes. The following 40+ instructional videos were filmed outdoors in their entirety, taking advantage of the inspiring scenery and background of the mountains and lakes of northeastern California, at the confluence of the Sierra and Cascade ranges.

• Basic Training: 1-½ hours. Two complete systems for loosening, stretching, strengthening your whole body. Also includes pre-conditioning drills for legs and arms that ready you for the following "Foundation" tapes.
• Iron Warrior I: 50 minutes. Lower body conditioning to provide an essential, primary base for effective maneuvering, proper stepping. These 20 stance drills (with attendant hand techniques) produce very strong legs, giving you enormous power for kicking. The "partner" form is Shao Shizu Ch’uan/Small Cross Fist (see below, under Beginners’ Empty-Hand Forms).
• Iron Warrior II: 50 minutes. A proven, effective 100-day regimen for external hardening of the upper body, as well as for improving overall health. These hypo-gastric/diaphragmatic breathing exercises are also designed to generate ki. A necessary prelude to any effective application of combat maneuvers or fighting forms. Also complements mental training and the study of pressure-point strikes. Taken from the closed-door Chinese and Tibetan traditions. The "partner" form is Jiben Ch'uan/Fundamental Fist, described below under Beginners' Empty-Hand Forms.
• Iron Warrior III: One hour, 50 minutes. This tape consists of more than 100 different Kempo hand and leg technique combinations of blocks and strikes, building on primary strength drills presented in Basic Training and Iron Warrior I. The added conditioning and skills bring the student up to intermediate level in kicking and hand strikes. These drills are performed in linear fashion, as part of the extensive warm-up and strengthening program that precedes combat and/or forms training. Great for increasing stamina, co-ordination, balance. Both left and right sides, at slow and normal speeds, are shown for greater understanding of application. Useful, necessary work applicable from White through Brown Belt levels. Used in conjunction with its "partner" form Tam Tui/SpringyLegs, this training continues to build the underlying strength and health base necessary for advanced work in Zen Kempo.
• Iron Warrior IV: One hour, 17 minutes. Two primary tasks underlie all martial training: how to toughen the body and how to generate/maintain/control chi or ki. This DVD addresses both tasks. The first part of the tape is from the Southern 5 Animals system. It's an entire specialized hand form, purely external and strength-oriented in nature, performed with acute isotonic contractions throughout the whole body. Its "partner" form is Chan Fu-Hao Ch'uan Fa/Zen Kempo Tiger-Crane Fist. The second section comes from the Northern 5 Animals system and its collection of 28 isotonic and internal exercises have been used for centuries to get results. Designed to develop power, flexibility of joints, breath control, balance, grace, concentration.

• Novice at the Temple Gate: Beginner's (White Belt level) introduction to the first 20 conflict resolutions described in The Masters Manual. Demonstration of 20 techniques to get yourself out of those sticky situations: grabs, chokes, punches, pushes, hammerlocks. $35-.
• Opening of the Lock: Demonstration and teaching of the next 25 techniques to Blue Belt. Defenses against chokes, headlocks, punches, grabs, rushing attacks -- from both front and rear. $35-.

• Shao Shizu Ch'uan/Small Cross Fist: A basic block/punch/step/kick fighting form. A simple, easy-to-learn drill that develops beginner's capabilities. Can be purchased with partner DVD Iron Warrior I as a double set for $50-.
• Jiben Ch'uan/Fundamental Fist: A strength and body power development form. Produces a positive effect on general health due to isotonic breathing. If purchased with Iron Warrior II, the double set costs $50-.
• Di-San Ch'uan/Three Fists: A fast form emphasizing agility. Excellent fighting form following the strength-building forms listed above.
• Moi Fa Kuen/Plum Flower Fist: Excellent strength and stamina form. Stresses use of angles and directional change. Lends itself to many excellent combat applications. For best results, should be worked with only after Iron Warrior I and II.
• Chan Fu-Hao Ch'uan Fa/Zen Kempo Tiger-Crane Fist: A fast, short form that teaches quickness produced through movements of sudden contraction and expansion of muscular and mental energies. An excellent fighting form to follow the strength and stamina-building forms listed above. For best results, use with Iron Warrior IV ($50- for both).
• Liu Lu Lohan Ch'uan/Six Methods of the Monk: A basic northern Shaolin form emphasizing typical stances and primary strikes/blocks of the ancient "long-fist" styles.
• Shaolin Ch'uan/Temple Arts Fist: A solid and balanced fighting form from the northern Honan school of Chinese boxing. Excellent foundation form for the advanced Shaolin fighting sets that follow. Unusual in beginner's curriculum in that it builds good springing skills.
• Sa Bai Kuen/Basic Fist: A strong beginner's set from the Southern 5 Animals school. An in-line, practical fighting set, with grabs and takedowns evident, as well as front/side/Crescent kicks.
• Chan Shao Pai Hao Ch'uan Fa/Zen Kempo Young White Crane Fist: This form lends itself to excellent fighting applications, with its typical one-legged and open-hand Crane techniques from both short and long ranges. Compound circular blocking further characterizes this excellent medium-length set.

• Kung Li Ch'uan/Path of Power: This and the following two forms are designed to build a great deal of raw power in all types of movement. From the tough Tam school of northern China.
• Tam Tui/Springy Legs: A very long form designed to build strength and power into all aspects of punching, blocking, kicking, striking. Structured in 10 "lines" which move back and forth, with the combinations of the drill changing with each line. Exceptional for increasing power in self-defense; each line represents many defense applications. One of the most comprehensive hard-style forms in existence. Can be purchased with Iron Warrior III as a double set for $50-.
• Dwun Da Ch'uan/Short Strike Fist: This Tam form brings together the striking power generated by the first two above, and adds Iron Broom sweeps, a flying Crescent kick, and interesting short-range punching techniques to the "long-hand" maneuvers. Great for stamina.
• Tao Lu Ch'uan/Five Attacks Fist: A classic, on-line northern form with large body of combat maneuvers, with sweeps and long-range tactics.
• Mei Hua Jay Ch'uan/Plum Blossom Fast Fist: Northern form with unusual Phoenix Eye "peng" strikes and quick-stepping throughout. Classical extended postures of northern styles.

• Chan Hou Ch'uan Fa/Zen Kempo Monkey Fist: This unusual form is the Zen Kempo transitional link between external and soft arts. Performed without acrobatics, the rather soft movements are distinguished by their targeting specific vital points, using the "peng" fist, and a "cracking of the chi" at those points.
• Chan Wu Ge Shou Ch'uan Fa/Zen Kempo 5 Animals Fist:An extremely long, combined animal form of almost 200 postures and many more striking techniques. The tremendous variety of combat patterns from the Tiger, Leopard, Snake, Crane and Dragon styles broadens the ability to integrate many skills.
• Chan Si Ba Ch'uan Fa/Zen Kempo Snake Fist: An explosive, fast, aggressive set of moderate length. Typically snake-like in its rapid, consecutive, machine gun-like block/attack sequences of authentic Snake forms. A pure fighting form in every way, with quick strikes to eyes, throat, groin. Low stancework throughout requires good strength foundation.
• Kung Chien Pu Ch'uan/Bow & Arrow Stepping Fist: A difficult form with wide variety of compound circular techniques, short and long range combinations, and multiple attack/defense combinations. This set exemplifies excellent integration of form and function, beauty and efficiency, finesse and strength.
• Bok Mei Ch'uan/White Eyebrow Tiger Fist: A short, explosive form emphasizing over-powering opponent by pressing short-range, compound circular techniques. Builds awesome speed. Not for those who haven't completed body-hardening and ki/chi development programs.
• Bei Mei Hua Ch'uan/Northern Plum Flower Fist: A long form with whirlwind kicks, Iron Broom sweeps, emphasizing power. Compound maneuvers mixed with in-line attack sequences.
• Bei Chang Ch'uan/Northern Long Fist: A long, extremely demanding form in terms of the strength, agility, endurance, grace required. Will challenge senior students and instructors alike.

• Dragon's Head Staff 1: Beginner's form, comes with preparatory exercises. The increases in wrist and forearm strength from the exercises alone are remarkable. The form is with single-end staff, and the pattern is down-and-back. $30-
• Dragon's Head Staff 2: An intermediate skill level form using double-end staff. Many circular weaves, figure 8's, yet very practical. Also part of this tape are 12 technique drills for sharpening your application of defensive and counter-attack maneuvers, shown against opponent. $35-.
• Basic Saber: Beginner's form with preparatory exercises emphasizing building the strength and agility of hand and wrist. The form comes from the Lohan system with an in-line "T" pattern using jumping front kick and one-legged spins. $30-.
• Monk's Broadsword: This intermediate level form encompasses all major postures found in a curved, single-edged weapon of medium length. Emphasizes agility, one-leg spin control, leaping spins. As challenging as it is pleasing to see and perform. This tape costs $35-.
• Li Kuei Jinggun/Black Whirlwind Baton: Single baton form, fast-paced with circular, free-swinging, rapid-turning in-line techniques. Unusual kicking combination accompanies baton work. This tape begins by presenting fundamentals and basic drills necessary for effective maneuvering. $35-.
• T'ai-chi Chien: A short beginner's set with the double-edge straight sword. Contains all of the basic postures for this weapon study. Excellent for practice of extending chi out the end of your weapon. $35-.

• Introduction to T'ai-chi Ch'uan: For the practitioner with no previous training in "soft" arts. Includes instruction in following: chi-kung exercises (both static and moving), zhan zhuang (standing meditation) and Yi Bai Ching Kung/100 Muscle Changes, a complete therapy of muscle stretching and joint loosening. $25-.
• Short Yang T'ai-chi Ch'uan: For those who have never studied T'ai-chi Ch'uan. This form takes about 10 minutes to complete. Extensions of limbs are moderate, and the pace is slow. Good first step into "moving meditation." $30-.
• Kuang Ping T'ai-chi Ch'uan: A very dynamic set well-suited for combat. Vigorous, with quick tempo, includes several high kicks, including a jumping snap kick to the head. Postures are extended and athletic. $35-.

Order Information

Read Carefully!

1. All prices are stated in US$, and the products will be sold in exchange for US currency only. You may pay by PayPal. No COD’s will be accepted, nor any credit card purchases.
2. SHIPPING/HANDLING COSTS: If you’re ordering from the U.S. or its territories, or from Mexico or Canada, enclose $5- for each two DVDs ordered. If you’re ordering tapes/manuals from elsewhere, enclose $10- for each item. We ship by Priority Mail in the U.S. and by airmail overseas.
3. SHIPPING TIME: Kenpo International makes every effort to ensure prompt service after a domestic order is received (two days or less). If we’re not able to fill your order within a reasonable time, we’ll let you know what to expect, and give you the option of 1) making another choice, or 2) getting a refund.
4. REFUNDS: Generally, we do not grant refunds. We feel that the descriptions of the forms provide a good idea of what to expect from the materials. What you read in the descriptions here is what you get. You have to have an exceptional reason to warrant a refund.
5. SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS are given periodically. Contact GrandMaster Edward Orem for information: eorem@yahoo.com

Comments from Martial Artists

Sensei J. Jennings, President of Panther Productions, San Clemente, CA: "I’ve received hundreds of tapes from all around the world, and I can say that your performance is excellent. I’d like to sign you to do a series of instructional films for us."

Sensei Roberto Dansie, Full Contact Champion of Mexico and Director of Pit River Health Services, Burney, CA: "In the field of human services we often need people with a holistic approach to well-being. I found such a person in Dr. Edward Orem. His technical skills, as well as his encyclopedic knowledge regarding Eastern philosophy allowed him to establish a bridge between universal cultural principles and the traditional heritage of the Pit River Indians of Northern California. Dr. Orem is one of those rare individuals who, in a non-threatening way, reminds us of the basic principles of nature. His touch and wisdom can certainly benefit any Human Service organization."

Sifu James Lacy, Grandmaster Bok Fu Pai White Tiger, San Diego, CA: " Ed Orem is a noted instructor who produces crystal clear and effecive martial arts home study instructional materials. His martial system deserves notice. The Orem family is known and respected all over the country. "

Sensei R.B., 3^rd Dan, Shaolin Kempo, Golden Tiger Dojo, Sagamore, MA: "I believe your PATH OF THE WARRIOR MONK is well-written and easy to comprehend. In fact, I am using its techniques for my own self-development as well as in my dojo. Your tape KEMPO 5 ANIMALS, while very challenging, is very thorough in its presentation. Its outdoors background is the perfect setting to become the animals, and to experience a sense of grounding in nature. In truth, the path to total Karate should be diverse and comprehensive. Zen Kempo seems to be all-embracing and to represent what I’m seeking in concept, content, form, and opportunity for personal self-expression."

Sensei John Bear, 7^th Dan, Kenpo Karate, Monroe, LA: "After reading the material I felt a rush of sheer exhilaration. Finally, here is an organization whose values were expressed in something other than $$. I’ve gone over the four tapes I ordered, and I was impressed. The quality is excellent and they are easy to follow. The scenery is beyond words. My wife likes to watch the tapes for the view alone. Keep up the good work."

Sensei T.C., 3^rd Dan, Chinese Kenpo, USMC Close Combat Instructor, Quantico, VA: "PATH OF THE WARRIOR MONK is excellent. I found the techniques very effective and easy to learn."

Sensei G.F., Head Instructor, American Tenshi Goju Academy, Prescott, AZ: "A masterful job, an excellent production."

Sensei S.W., Chief Instructor, Yamabushikai Dojo, Manhattan, KS: "Techniques are quite good, with good concepts."

Sifu M.M., Chief Instructor Lu Liu Kenpo/USA Ch’uan Fa Society:Long Island,NY. "I am totally delighted with all four of the manuals I received. They’re informative and designed to be understood and performed. I’m also truly amazed and pleased at your candidness. You’ve answered a lot of questions I’ve asked for years. I believe you are a pioneer. I have been a Kenpo stylist since 1976, but I would now like to be part of your organization."

Mr. T.B., Crossville, TN: "Once again I was pleased with the context of the last T’ai-chi Ch’uan video I ordered. I also thoroughly enjoyed your KEMPO 5 ANIMALS tape. You can’t beat using Nature as a backdrop. These tapes are my first attempt to further my learning through this medium. You do an excellent job with your presentations."



News Directory organized by subject, including Kempo.