Empower Training Systems
Program History
Brief history of the Empower Martial Arts program
The Empower Martial Arts program consists of a blending of Kajukenbo (Grandmaster Emil Bautista – Ramos Method), Kajukenpo (Professor Andrew Torok & Master Al Gene Caurulia) and kickboxing.
Kajukenbo
Kajukenbo is the first truly American karate system, having been founded in what was then the U.S. territory of Hawaii. In 1947, 5 Hawaiian martial arts Masters, calling themselves the “Black Belt Society” started on a project to develop a comprehensive self-defense system. These were: Peter Choo (Hawaiian welterweight boxing champion and Tang Soo Do black belt), Frank Ordonez (sekeino Jujutsu black belt), Joe Holck (Kodokan black belt), Clarence Change (Sil-Um Pai Shao-Lin Kung Fu instructor), and Adriano Emperado (Chinese Kenpo black belt and Escrima, Kali, Arnis Master). Emperado received extensive training (5th degree black belt) from William K.S. Chow and James Mitose, the founders of Kenpo. They trained together several hours a day, for 2 years, taking advantage of each other’s strengths and weaknesses to develop their new art. When Holck sparred with Choo, the former was readily able to see his weaknesses in striking techniques, while Choo realized his vulnerability on the ground. Emperado was able to demonstrate how a Kenpo stylist could work inside an opponent’s kick with rapid hand techniques. Chang added circular, flowing techniques of Kung Fu, and showed the others how to evade and strike. Ordonez demonstrated how to go with the attacker’s force and redirect with painful locks and throws.
The 5 instructors agreed to make Kenpo the base on which to build the new style, hence the reason that Emperado is generally referred to as the founder. The style name “kajukenbo” was suggested by Holck, taking the KA from karate, JU for Judo and Jujutsu, KEN for Kenpo, and BO for Chinese boxing (Kung Fu). The philosophical side of Kajukenbo reflects KA -long life, JU –happiness, KEN –fist , and BO –style, which reads “Through this fist style, one will gain long life and happiness”. Emperado said that the goal of Kajukenbo training is the perfection of mind, body and spirit. The principles upon which Kajukenbo is based include: Respect for the human entity, flexibility, and a maximum physical and mental effort.
Kajukenbo was developed purely with street self defense in mind. However, forms (kata) and step sparring ( movements with a partner) were included as a learning tool and a way to maintain the system. These kata are based on Japanese Pinan Forms, but may vary according to the instructor’s background. In other words, Kajukenbo did not create new forms, but kept those from the contributing styles. Emperado named his forms “The Palama Sets” after Oahu’s notorious Palama district, where Kajukenbo originated.
Kajukenbo is an eclectic (composed of elements drawn from various sources) style, thus techniques will vary with the instructor’s background. Since Kajukenbo selects what appears to be the best from various styles, students will practice what is best for their own individual strengths, physical and mental state. Unlike traditional styles, which are extremely dogmatic, Kajukenbo allows the student to select what is best for themselves. Students are cautioned not to make this judgement until they can adequately determine their own needs and capabilities. Normally the search for individuality begins after achieving the first black belt. The weakness of the eclectic approach is a tendency toward fragmentation. Thus in recent years there has been more effort to standardize Kajukenbo techniques. The Student is taught a strong set of basic techniques from which to develop a personal set of techniques after much practice.
Kajukenbo self-defense techniques are characterized by a rapid combination of hand and foot strikes, judo type throws, joint locks and holds. The combinations are arranged so that each technique sets up the following technique, by following the reaction of the opponent’s body. While the principle tenet of Kara Te is adhered to, Kajukenbo teaches a variety of weapons forms, the most unique being Kali, a Philippine art using stick, knives, swords, and other instruments. An extensive set of techniques are also taught as defense attacks, such as guns, knives, and bats. In turn, Kajukenbo also shows the influence of Bruce Lee’s Jun Fan (Jeet Kune Do), Malaysian Penjak Silat, and a number of other esoteric martial arts styles. The melding of these arts lends an incredible richness and flexibility to Kajukenbo, making it an enjoyable but effective means of self-defense and way of life. Kajukenbo lends itself to the needs of various segments of society, be they men, women, children, the differently abled, or the weak.
Grand Master Andrew Torok – Blending Kajukenbo & Kajukenpo
Tim Rochford began his martial arts training, at the age of 20 in 1977, under Grand Master Andrew Torok in the Karate Institute of DeKalb. This was to be a wintertime method for “staying in shape” and a way to realize a lifelong dream of “taking karate”. Once the training began, it was soon evident that this new “hobby” was going to become a lifelong endeavor for improvement, both physically and emotionally. Grand Master Torok (9th degree black belt) had established the Karate Institute in DeKalb in 1973 after operating a number of schools in Cleveland, Ohio. He had also studied a variety of martial arts systems in Ohio and in Vermont. Torok began his training in Judo and Tae Kwon Do under Eng Soo Hong, over 30 years ago. He also studied Shaolin Kung Fu under Art Sikes, and Savate (French kickboxing) under Frank Kovacs. Grand Master Torok has studied Tai Chi, shotokan karate, and Thai Kick Boxing.
In 1969 he met and trained under Al Gene Caurulia, one of Emperado’s first black belts. Master Caurulia, after earning a black belt with Emperado, went on to form the Kajukenpo martial arts system from which many of the Empower Martial Arts program training drills and kata are taken.
Empower Martial Arts – The Beginning
Tim Rochford opened his first school in 1983 – it was called The Academy of Kajukenpo Karate. The school moved and expanded (renamed Health Kick, Inc) to Sandwich, IL in 1986, where it existed until 2002. He has achieved a 6th degree black belt in Kajukenbo, competes in sport karate tournaments, competed as an amateur kick boxer (once fighting for the Illinois State Light-Heavyweight Title in 1989) in the Chicago area from 1984 until 1993. He has also achieved certification as a Personal Fitness Trainer by the American Council on Exercise (A.C.E.), The Cooper Institute, National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NCSA). He has used his knowledge on the biomechanics and kinesiology of the human body to further develop the techniques and movements used in the self-defense training. He has developed a self defense training program, Proactive Personal Security, which includes clients like American Airlines, Marshall Field’s Department Stores, Target Dept. Stores, Tri County Realtors, Illinois Valley Community College, and many more. Self defense workshops and clinics are requested of Tim by many organizations, schools, and fitness facilities on a national basis. Tim has also developed a Kickboxing Fitness program (known as FitStrike) using the techniques and movements from karate, boxing, kick boxing and self defense training. This program includes an instructor training and certification curriculum, which has been offered regionally, nationally and internationally to fitness professionals. He has authored and co-authored books and articles on fitness, self defense and martial arts training.
Tim was an adjunct instructor for The Cooper Institute of Dallas, TX, teaching their Physical Fitness Specialist certification. He was selected to be a member of the initial Board of Advisors for the American Council on Martial Arts (ACMA). This group was formed under the National Association of Professional Martial Artists (NAPMA). Tim authored the chapter “How To Teach Self Defense Safely”) in the ACMA certification manual.
Tim enjoys providing his family-oriented martial arts program to Yorkville, Oswego and surrounding communities. Students can participate in the program to achieve different goals – get fit, learn self defense, competition, or just to be active. Classes appeal to the whole family, for all age groups. They provide a progressive, non-intimidating learning environment for all skill and fitness levels.
The mission of the program is to build good people – mentally, emotionally and physically!