Shaolin meaning “a place with few trees” or “small forest” is credited as the birthplace of Martial Arts systems practiced today. Kung Fu means hard work and our martial art system is based on this principle.

Our martial art teaches us to use the most effective techniques to deal with any situation so we use both linear and circular techniques using modern interpretations and applications.

Kenpo Kung Fu when practically applied is a combat effective art. It contains many different aspects, levels and stages. Training mind and body, understanding martial application of each movement and to know ones self is all encompassing in this art.

Starting with empty hand techniques traditional weapons are introduced at the appropriate stage of the student’s development to increase strength, skill and co-ordination. The use of the Traditional Animal System - tiger, crane, leopard, snake and dragon adds a unique dimension to the art.

There is plenty of variation and so much on offer at Rising Dragon. This means that the student will not get bored and there are many areas in which they can excel.

Rising Dragon has also incorporated Jeff Speakman 5.0 Kenpo Karate System.   

Kenpo 5.0-Kenpo 5.0 is highly effective Mixed Martial Art (MMA) combining American Kenpo Karate with elements of grappling and ground fighting into a formidable self defence system. American Kenpo was created by the late Ed Parker, an innovator, visionary and modern martial arts master. Mr Parker was known worldwide as "Mr Karate".  He was the founder of the International Kenpo Karate Association originating the first American vesion of Karate.  . He commenced teaching professionally in Provo, Utah in 1954. He opened his first professional Karate studio in the United States in Pasadena, California in 1956.  Mr Parker was technical advisor for motion pictures including the now famous Kenpo movie THE PERFECT WEAPON starring AKKS founder Jeff Speakman.  He has appeared in dozens of movies, authored many books including  Basic Karate Book, Kenpo Karate, The Women’s Guide to Self Defense, Secrets of Chinese Karate, A Guide to Law Enforcement, Home Study Karate Workshop Course, A Guide To The Nunchaku, Infinite Insights into Kenpo (Volumes 1-5), The Zen Of Kenpo, Kenpo In The Streets, Speak With A Knife, Speak With A Club, Everyday Gestures That Can Save Your Life, Answers To Multiple Attacks On The Street, Inside Elvis, Accumulative Journals (Yellow - 5th Black), and his revolutionary Encyclopedia of Kenpo. Instructional video tapes are also products of his endeavours to enlighten others of the merits of Kenpo. He graduated of Kamehameha High School (1949), Honolulu, Hawaii where he was born and raised. Mr. Parker obtained a B.S. Degree from Brigham Young University (1956) with a Major in Sociology and Psychology, and a Minor in Political Science.   Mr. Parker annually organized the world’s largest and foremost Karate tournament, the International Karate Championships in Long Beach, California. Mr. Parker was also a consultant and advisor to numerous other Karate tournaments world-wide.   Mr. Parker’s uniqueness rests in his continuous efforts to combat traditional restrictions binding progressive thinking. He was truly a creative genius because of his incredible ability to discover the problems within the Martial Arts. His contributions and innovations were endless, encompassing logic and reasoning still not yet employed by others. His four decades of experience, contributions, and endeavours establish him as the Master of our system, the author of our training material. Mr. Ed Parker died on December 15th 1990.    At the 8th Degree grading for Jeff Speakman it was acknowledged that Mr Parkers wishes were for Mr Speakman to carry on his lifes work.

We take a unified approach to martial art techniques to create well-rounded martial artists with practical effective skills emphasizing the development of health, strength and self defence.