Gilliam's Karate-Hapkido

GILLIAM’s KARATE-HAPKIDO:

https://www.facebook.com/THEKARATEBUM123
This is Professor-Sabumnim Gilliam’s regular page-

Traditional minded old school American Karate and Hapkido. Ed Parker American lineage, with traditional Korean credentials & old-school training philosophy.

We teach Master Gary Cox’s version of American Karate. Master Cox’s system also included Parker Kenpo Karate, Japanese karate, Filipino Kali, internal Chinese concepts, and military combatives. With his permission, Mr Gilliam added his Korean-Muay Thai background into how he expresses and teaches it. He has extensive training under Korean, Japanese, Polynesian, and American military martial arts instructors.

Our weapons training is a Military Karate System with Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Indonesian, and Polynesian influences.

DISCLAIMER: We teach an American Karate system- some of our techniques and principles are different than more orthodox stylists.

“I consider myself an American karateka. My primary art is Kenpo Karate, but my movement is heavily shaped by Japanese/Okinawan kihon, Korean military Taekwondo-Hapkido, Polynesian combatives, and old military fighting methods. So while the system is American Karate, it contains a serious classical backbone and a strong combat-realistic edge...

"My base is hard-technique Parker-family Kenpo plus Korean TKD–Hapkido. I’ve used extensive cross-training in Japanese/Okinawan kihon, Chinese internal/external methods, and Kali weapons concepts to refine mechanics, timing, and weapon-range transitions. These arts are natively organic to Kenpo Karate. I also integrate Muay Thai stancework, shin kicks and knees-elbows.but I keep my teaching identity rooted in Kenpo and Korean.” (Professor-Sabumnim Gilliam).

We include the Kihon of Japanese-Korean Karate, Thai Concepts and are not an orthodoxy of American Kenpo-We are very clear about that. If you want orthodox American Kenpo we can recommend various teachers .

1. Professor–Sabumnim Gary R. Gilliam teaches two interlocking martial arts that function as one system:

•KIAI KARATE: INTEGRATED FIST — This is Ed Parker American Karate, refined through Grandmasters Robert Hermansen and Gary Cox, and expanded through Japanese, Okinawan, Chinese, Thai, Filipino, and Polynesian influences that sharpen its realism and expand its adaptability.

•HAPKIDO — A Korean striking, joint-control, and weapons system that includes Changhun (ITF) Taekwondo training within its curriculum.

Both KIAI & HAPKIDO are taught together.

The Karate side provides structure, linear precision, and counteroffensive striking;

the Hapkido side provides circular power, joint mechanics, and weapon integration.
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2. KIAI KARATE: INTEGRATED FIST

Lineage:
Ed Parker → Tom Garriga → Robert Hermansen → Gary Cox → Gary R. Gilliam (Ed Parker American Karate Lineage)

Ted Tabura → Steve Spry (not a formal teacher: Master Spry didn’t train him—he recognizes and honor Professor Gilliam’s rank) → Gary R Gilliam (Okinawa Te-taught as part of KIAI KARATE: Integrated Fist).

Character:
KIAI Karate retains the Parker Kenpo structure but integrates the best elements of other native arts.

Influence

Contributing arts:

Arts that we trained in, but are organic to Ed Parker American Karate (not considered separate).

Japanese/Okinawan Karate (Shotokan, Wado, Shorin, Uechi, Kyokushin)
Kihon discipline, stance stability, short-power striking, and REI (respect).

Chinese Chuanfa / Neijia / Hungfist
Bridge-hand principles, limb destruction, internal–external balance, flowing intercepts, and trapping sensitivity.

Filipino Kali / Eskrima
Timing, angles, weapon awareness, zoning, and flow.

Polynesian Lua, Lima Lama
Nonlinear rhythm, graceful circularity, and spiritual holism.

Military Combatives
Directness, practicality, finishing instinct, tactical realism.

Arts that are incorporated into all of our systems
Muay Thai-Western Boxing

3. TKD-HAPKIDO

Lineage:

Hee il Cho → James Benko → Derman Hodge (not a formal teacher: They didn’t train him—they recognize and honor Sabumnim’s rank-he trained in Taekwondo with many instructors for years) → Gary R Gilliam (Changhun Military Taekwondo).

Kwanjangnim An (Kidohae) → Choi In Hyuk → Frank Clay (not a formal teacher: Master Clay didn’t train him—he recognizes and honor Sabumnim’s rank)→Gary R Gilliam (Hapkido).

Paul Holley & Eric Laino→ Gary R. Gilliam (Tonghapkwan Hoshinsul-NOTE: we are no longer formally affiliated with Tonghapkwan, but we still use concepts from them in our Korean arts).

Composition:
• 80% striking (hands, feet, elbows, knees)
• 20% joint locks, sweeps, throws, and takedowns
• Integrated Mugisul weaponry (knife, stick, staff, sword, nunchaku)
• Changhun Taekwondo forms and basics taught within the program

Policy:

Students automatically learn Changhun (ITF) Taekwondo material as part of our Hapkido.

However, if a student wishes to earn a formal Changhun Military Taekwondo rank, they must also learn and demonstrate the Taegeuk forms to meet full TKD certification standards.
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4. HOW THEY INTERLOCK

Power & Striking

Parker Kenpo combinations, Thai structure

Korean kicks, elbows, and circular striking

Structure & Basics

Japanese/Okinawan kihon precision
Korean stances and fluid motion
Joint/Locking

Kenpo checks and Chinese bridge-traps

Advanced Hapkido locks, throws, and sweeps

Weapons

Filipino / Polynesian concepts
Korean Mugisul and AHI systems

Spirit & Etiquette

Japanese–Okinawan REI
Korean Dojang discipline
Mindset

Military realism and adaptability
Spiritual balance and composure

Professor Gary Gilliam’s approach to American Karate is rooted in deep respect for the legacy of Ed Parker, whose Ed Parker American Karate emphasized practicality, adaptability & structured self-defense. Gary’s direct lineage traces to Ed Parker through two of Grandmaster's direct personal students—Tom Garriga (9th Dan in Ed Parker American Karate-through Master Parker Directly) & Robert Hermansen: a senior black belt with over four decades in the Parker system (trained & ranked under both masters Parker & Garriga).

They were both instructors of Mr Gilliam's main teacher Gary L Cox-a combative karateka & military veteran. He was like a second father to him. Professor Gilliam trained directly under Masters Hermansen & Cox for 22 years of hands-on training (Master Hermansen is symbolized by the Dragon & Master Cox the Panther: Both men related to these icons. The Eagle is Professor Gilliam's favorite animal). Gary has preserved the essence of Parker’s teachings while organically blending in additional influences. The art of Sungmookwan Hapkido is taught in conjunction with this Karate system.

His system honors the original Japanese-Okinawa Karate roots of Kenpo by integrating the hard, linear power of styles like Shotokan, Wado Kai, Oyama Karate, Shorin & Shuri Te, along with the compact-efficient motion of Uechi Ryu. These traditional frameworks ground his striking and movement principles in strong body mechanics and practical application. At the same time, Gary incorporates refined layers of Filipino Kali, Muay Thai (knees & elbows, as well as legkicks), Boxing, Internal Chinese systems (Neijia)-Xingyi & Pakua & Southern Chinese styles.

While his art is expansive, Gary describes it simply as “Ed Parker American Karate”—a respectful nod to the Hawaiian model of hybrid martial evolution & a reflection of his humble, simplicity minded philosophy. His Hapkido is always taught in.

GILLIAM’s KARATE-HAPKIDO:
https://www.facebook.com/THEKARATEBUM123
This is Professor-Sabumnim Gilliam’s regular page-

DISCLAIMER: Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist draws upon the concepts, handwork, and principles of Ed Parker Sr. Its stance structure and footwork also follow upright Karate–Hapkido approaches that may vary from certain orthodoxies. This system represents our functional interpretation—rather than a direct replication—of Parker’s art. It is taught and ranked as a Kenpo Karate system.

"I pledge a continued effort to sharpen my skills, to increase my knowledge, and to broaden my horizons. I shall obligate myself under the direction of my instructor to learn the skills of a teacher which will enable me to teach my skills in the prescribed manner outlined by Mr. Ed Parker" (KENPO KARATE CREED-Ed Parker).

Kenpo is our base striking/combatives framework; Korean TKD–Hapkido is our kicking and joint-control framework. Other arts are cross-training that we integrate as attributes, not as separate identities.

This page is for our face to face students to be able to refer to out syllabus & technique. We no longer do distance training. It is too hard to quality control. All of our distance instructors are affiliates but they no longer are direct instructors or authorized to rank in our arts (exceptions are few).

This is in a large part due to the recent death of Grandmaster Gary Cox. We want to maintain the integrity & high standards he set. We meant well-but online & distance training is an unsustainable model.

Our Instructor Bio:

Gary R. Gilliam, at 58 years old, has dedicated 44 years of his life to the study and teaching of martial arts. He considers himself a humble man of Karate (Parker Karate, Korean Karate-Taekwondo, Oyama Karate & Okinawa-Te). He strengthens & supplements his Karate with the Polynesian-Sino Malay Martial Traditions (Lima Lama, Filipino Kali, Muay Thai & Chuan Fa-Chinese Kenpo).

He considers himself a LOWLY man of Karate (he knows he isn't the best-but loves to share the holistic benefits & confidence Karate has given him, with others). Due to his very heterodoxic & eclectic training he considers his 2 primary systems to be American-Japanese Karate (Combat Kenpo Karate) & Korean Karate: (Military Taekwondo), integrated with Sino-Poly-Malay arts.
He also teaches Sungmookwan Hapkido & AHI Stick-Knife Combatives (Weapons).

His first system is Ed Parker American Karate (Kiai Karate-Integrated Fist) developed by his master Gary Cox. Master Cox is a Kenpo Karate master (Ed Parker American Karate) with many decades of training with various Kenpo karate masters, including Tom Garriga & Robert Hermansen. He also had private training with grandmaster Mike Stone in American Karate, 7 years of traditional Japanese karate under Shihan Toshia Osaka, 12 years of Military Karate-Knife (H2H), Japanese Kobujitsu under Sensei Larry Dillenbeck & Filipino Kali under his Filipino master. These concepts are incorporated as part of Kiai’s Kenpo Karate syllabus.

With Master Cox's permission Professor Gilliam blends Muay Thai into his Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist.

Professor Gilliam also formally integrates Ed Parker American Karate (Kenpo), as well as Ted Tabura's Lima Lama & Okinawa-Te through his other Kenpo Master, Steve Spry (Direct student of both Ed Parker & Ted Tabura).

KIAI KARATE: Integrated Fist concepts:

-Follows the principles and teachings of Ed Parker's Karate.

-Incorporates additional principles and techniques from other martial arts styles.

-Maintains its core identity as an American Karate style.
Kenpo Karate has always been Gilliam’s first and primary art, with 30 years of immersion in the system, honing his skills and deepening his understanding. He was planning to test for his 7th Dan in January 2025, But due to Master Gary Cox's untimely death, we were unable to test. He will never accept higher than a 6th Dan in Kenpo Karate after his master died.

Professor Gilliam has explored training in other Karate (Korean, Japanese & Okinawan), Kungfu (Hung Fist, North Fist & Bagua-Hsingi) & Southeast Asian Arts (Filipino Kali, Kuntao-Silat & Muay Thai: focusing on the former's weaponry-empty hands & integrating Thai knees and elbows into Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist. These additions help to solidify the spirit Ed Parker's brilliant hybridization philosophy) to complement his Kenpo Karate training.
His approach to American Karate is rooted in humility and practicality. He simplifies and streamlines the art, stripping away unnecessary complexity while preserving the essence of combat-effective techniques. By 'field-stripping' Kenpo, he makes it accessible to students of all levels, ensuring they grasp the fundamentals and can apply them in real-world self-defense situations. Gilliam's teaching philosophy emphasizes efficiency, effectiveness, and humility, reflecting his deep understanding of the art and his commitment to sharing its benefits with others
Kenpo Karate Ranks:

Due to the death of Professor Gilliam's LONG TERM Karate Master Gary Cox-he will never accept higher than a 6th Dan in Kenpo Karate. He will accept no higher than a 5th Dan in his other arts.

-6th Degree Black Belt (Professor of the Arts) in Parker Kenpo Karate (Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist-Masters Gary L Cox & Robert Hermansen).

-Chinese Kenpo Instructor Rank (Kiai Combat Kenpo: under Master Robert Hermansen)-This is taught by one of Professor Gilliam's top students Timothy J Greene: With blessings of Professor Gilliam, he has named his iteration of Master Hermansen's Chinese Kenpo, Golden Lotus. It is a blend of Master Hermansen's Parker Chinese Kenpo & Kungfu with Sifu Greene's training in Hei Gong-Nei Gong Boxing, Okinawa Karate, Taoist Meditation as well as Iron Palm.
Sifu Greene is a long term disciple & master instructor under Grandmaster John Miller & others. He is diligently striving to honor the combative principles of Grandmaster Robert Hermansen. He is an accomplished affiliate of Professor Gilliam & shares some concepts of his arts as well.

KIAI KARATE: Integrated Fist is our Ed Parker American Karate system, Professor Gilliam studied Karate, Filipino Kali-Silat & Kobujitsu under the Kiai Martial Arts Association from February 2003-March 2024 (he was already a Black Belt in a Japanese Karate System, had instructor’s rank in a Combative Striking System & Korea Karate red belt 3 stripes. This was in addition to 2 years training in the Far East)-Earned his 2nd Dan: October 2004, 3rd Dan: July 2005, 4th Dan: June 2010, 5th Dan: December 2014, 6th Dan: December 2021 through the Kiai Martial Arts Association.

These are Professor Gilliam's credentials in other Karate styles (these are not taught separately they are just a part of the Kenpo Karate matrix):

-1st Dan Karate: Shin Ryu Kai (Oyama-Enshin Karate)-Taekwondo hybrid under Shihan Johnny Piro. Mas Oyama's philosophy is core to our Karate art & is very compatible with Military Taekwondo's ideals of effectiveness. Shihan Piro's Shin Ryu Kai is a hybrid of Oyama Karate, Soobakhdo Taekwondo & Muay Thai.

-Authorized to integrate advanced concepts of Master Steve Spry's American Kenpo, Polynesian Lima Lama & Okinawa-Te as a formal part of Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist. This is through Master Spry's International Kenpo Karate Institute.

NOTE: These arts are all organic to the system developed by William Chow & Ed Parker in Hawaii. These arts are the systems that originally comprised Kenpo Karate.

Credentials in Korean Arts:

He also teaches 2 Korean systems. Military Taekwondo & Hapkido (kuksool) & Muay Thai concepts. The systems are called Changhun Taekwondo & Sungmookwan Hapkido. Sungmookwan is also taught Simultaneously with Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist or separately.

These are the Korean Arts he has ranks in:

-4th Dan Korean Karate: Changhun TKD (under Master Derman Hodge). Primary Korean art he teaches.

-3rd Dan Sungmookwan Hapkido (under Master Frank Clay).

-2nd Dan Korean Karate: Changmookwan TKD (under Master Frank Clay; Authorized Instructor). Can also teach & rank this art under certain criterion.

SECONDARY KOREAN MARTIAL ARTS:

-5th Dan Tonghapkwan Hoshinsul (under Masters Eric Laino & Paul C Holley): He no longer teaches this art. Certain concepts are still included in his style.

-4th Dan Chontu Taekwondo (under Masters Eric Laino & Paul C Holley): He no longer teaches this art. Certain concepts are still included in his style.

-2nd Dan Kidohae Hapkido (under Master An of South Korea-Earned in Korea). Primarily integrated into Sungmookwan Hapkido.

-Hapkido & Self Defense Instructor rank (under Master Choi In Hyuk of South Korea). Primarily integrated into Changhun Taekwondo & Kiai Karate.

-Instructor Certification in Eclectic Combat Systems: Korean, Thai & Filipino Reality Based Martial Art (Steve Bigelow & Grant Gilliam). Primarily integrated into Kiai Karate.

NOTE: Sabumnim Gilliam trained In Korea as a soldier-civilian for 3 years & 19 years total in Korean arts. He has trained for several years in Muay Thai & Kali as well (both are fully integrated as well).

He teaches Hapkido separately as it’s own system integrated with military Taekwondo.

He is a member of the following Organizations:

-Ed Parker's International Kenpo Karate Association.
-Steve Spry's International Kenpo Karate Institute.
-Chang Hun Taekwondo (recognized by ITF-HQ: South, Korea).
-Chang Moo Kwan TKD: South Korea.
-National Karate Jujitsu Federation (recognized in Japan & Okinawa).

Professor Gilliam's unwavering commitment to the art of Kenpo Karate serves as the foundation for his teaching and training, as he continues to share his knowledge and passion with others.
Main body of detailed explanation:
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THIS IS A MORE DETAILED EXPLANATION:
MULTICULTURAL TECHNIQUE- OLD SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY.

He holds instructor ranks in:

ED PARKER AMERICAN KARATE (Kenpo Karate is- what he teaches):
6th Dan/Professor of the Arts:

KIAI KARATE: Integrated Fist-ED PARKER AMERICAN KARATE (Kenpo Karate) system developed by Master Gary Cox in 1983: He is an Ed Parker American Karate master with a lineage to Parker & Chow. He teaches Kenpo Karate supplemented with Japanese Karate, Military Taekwondo, Filipino Kali & American Military H2H. As well as Ted Tabura's OkPolynesian Lima Lama through Professor Gilliam's training with Master Steve Spry. We use the rapid fire & speed oriented aspects of Kenpo & Lima Lama as well as the hard lunging power of Wado Kai & Okinawa-Te. Our Kata, sets & techniques are all derived from Ed Parker Karate. It is our syllabus. We use a 60-40 ratio of hand & foot techniques.

Ed Parker American Karate is the primary Karate system Instructor Gilliam teaches & can rank up to 5th Dan. He was authorized by Gary Cox to add concepts from Muay Thai & Korean Karate. He was authorized to teach this syllabus by Master Gary Cox: July 2015.
Professor Gilliam's Kenpo Karate system uses the principles & basics (Kihon from other Karate systems). He feels that the original concept from Ed Parker's art was centered around hard & simple Japanese-Okinawa Karate first & rapid fire (Chinese, Polynesian & Filipino) second.

Most modern Kenpo systems have left this matrix. They are overcomplicated & rely on technique that is more flashy. His master Gary L. Cox also integrated Japanese Karate into his Kenpo Karate as he appreciated the harder technique as well.

We offer a solution to those who want a simpler & harder Karate based Kenpo. We also simplify the syllabus. Only 8 kata in total. We also teach weaponry from day one.

NOTE: Many Kenpo people like & prefer the speed oriented approach: we at Kiai support them. We just offer a different option. We are very respectful of other systems.

To accomplish this goal Professor Gilliam draws on his advanced training in the following Karate & Southeast Asian systems. He doesn't teach them separately, the techniques-concepts are just included in his Kenpo Karate. He was authorized by his Master Gary Cox to use these in his Kenpo Karate style.

We use Japanese Karate Kihon as FOUNDATIONAL upper body striking techniques & principles. All of these basics are blended into KIAI KARATE: Integrated Fist. Our Kenpo Karate has Japanese Karate roots.

KOREAN ARTS:

Instructor Gilliam learned these arts in Korea in the military & with other teachers. These are his credentials:

4th Dan (Sa-Dan) in Changhun Taewondo under Grandmaster Derman Hodge. Instructor Gilliam is a 4th Dan Instructor (Sabumnim) under him. As taught by Sabumnim Gilliam, Changhun is a realism centered system, we use Korean kicking philosophy-but keep all our kicks low to medium range. These techniques & principles are blended into our Hapkido syllabus as well.

Kwanjangnim Hodge is one of the masters we teach under. We use the low-medium Military Kicks & Korean hand techniques in our Korean Karate style.

Other Korean systems we teach:

3rd Dan (Sam-Dan) Instructor in Hapkido & Korean Weapons (KI BON MU GI SUL) under Frank Clay. We can teach & rank up to 3rd Dan with Master Clay. The weaponry is orthodox Korean Sword-Gum, Knife-Dangum, Staff-Bong, Sticks-Danbong & Nunchaku-Sangjulbong. Our Hapkido lineage is through World Martial Arts Association-Hapkido-(we are

2nd Dan (Ee-dan) in TRADITIONAL CHANGMOOKWAN TKD under Kwanjangnim Frank Clay (8th Dan). These techniques & principles are blended into the syllabus of our hapkido style.

We can rank up to 3rd Dan in Sungmookwan Hapkido (Hapkido is taught as a separate system from Karate).

Other Korean systems we integrate:

2nd Dan Instructor in HAPKIDO & Korean Weapons (KI BON MU GI SUL) under Kwanjangnim An of South Korea. I-Dan rank is through the Korea Kido Association: earned in South Korea. Because we are a realism based system, we use Korean kicking philosophy-but keep all our kicks low to medium range. This art integrates into Sungmookwan Hapkido.

Hapkido Self Defense Instructor Rank under Sabumnim Choi In Hyuk of SLC, Utah (SABUMNIM Choi also taught Instructor Gilliam Taekwondo, Tukong Musool Military Knife & Korean Weaponry: KI BON MU GI SUL). Because we are a realism based system, we use Korean kicking philosophy-but all our kicks low to medium range. This art is intgrated into Kiai Karate & AHI: Stick & Knife Combatives.

Combat Korean Striking Instructor Rank ECLECTIC COMBAT SYSTEM (2nd degree Black Belt equivalent in Reality Based Korean Karate-Hwarangdo system with Thai & Filipino striking-Weaponry arts) under Steve Bigelow & Grant Gilliam. Earned May 1994. We teach Thai & Filipino concepts along with Korean Combatives from this art. Southeast Asian arts of Muay Thai provide the knees, elbows & Leg kicks (as well as conditioning). These techniques & principles are blended into into the Kiai Karate, Sungmookwan Hapkido & AHI: Stick & Knife Combatives syllabus.

ABOUT MASTER DERMAN HODGE: Grandmaster Hodge's Taekwondo system was formerly recognized as an official Kwan under the INTERNATIONAL TAEKWONDO FEDERATION HQ in South Korea (Member number: US-103939). We are no longer with them.

Additionally Head Instructor Gilliam has formally integrated the combinations & concepts from his training in WTF-ITF Taekwondo, as well as the basics of the traditional Changmookwan syllabus into his Kiai Karate, Changhun Taekwondo & Hapkido (Sungmookwan). Because we are a realism based TKD-Hapkido system, we use Korean kicking philosophy, but keep all our kicks low to medium range.
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Professor Gilliam also can teach Muay Thai concepts through James Foster (Muay Thai Coach), USMC KNIFE & Filipino Kali through Carlos Del Valle. Both are Contributing Instructors to KIAI KARATE: Integrated Fist. These are taught in conjunction with our main arts-not individually.

OTHER MARTIAL TRAINING:

43 years in additional Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Filipino & American Military forms of Striking, Clinch Fighting, Joint Manipulation & Weaponry Combative Arts. These are synergized into Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist.

Also has basic general training in BJJ (3 stripe white belt), Wrestling (3 High School Seasons), Combat Judo & Military Ground Combatives. He recommends but doesn’t offer training in grappling arts. 6 years miscellaneous grappling training.

Note: Instructor Gilliam highly recommends grappling training, it is not part of his core curriculum. Instead, he focuses on striking, weapon training, and empty-handed self-defense techniques. There are far too many qualified grappling coaches out there.

His system is affiliated with the

NATIONAL KARATE JIUJITSU FEDERATION (Recognition in Japan & Okinawa).

He is also a part of these orgs as well:

INTERNATIONAL KENPO KARATE ASSOCIATION (Original Organization of Ed Parker).

KIAI MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION (Robert Hermansen-Parker Student).

INTERNATIONAL KENPO KARATE INSTITUTE (Steve Spry-Parker Student).

CHANG HUN TKD ASSOCIATION (Formerly of the ITF HQ-Korea: Derman Hodge).

CHANGMOOKWAN TKD ASSOCIATION (Korea: Frank Clay).

KOREA KIDO ASSOCIATION (Korea: Kwanjangnim An).

WORLD MARTIAL ARTS FEDERATION (Korea: Frank Clay).

ECLECTIC COMBAT SYSTEMS (Steve Bigelow & Grant Gilliam).

SHIN RYU KAI SOCIETY
(Johnny Piro).

“You don’t have to like the system I do-some like it, some don't: I respect your right to not like the way I do things… Some people think I do very well at my Karate art & others think I am not that good-RESPECT EITHER WAY… the arts have saved my life in many ways-I will do them til I die" (Instructor Gilliam).

NOTE:

Sabumnim-Professor Gilliam no longer teaches actively under Masters Eric Laino & Paul Holley. He is on great terms & forever is thankful to them. They gave him amazing opportunities to teach. They are exceptional martial artists & teachers-the issue was in philosophical approach. Sabumnim Gilliam distance trained & Taught under Masters Laino & Holley. He is forever thankful for their ranking him in Combat Taekwondo & Hapkido arts. He has taken Master Laino's amazing Kibon in Taekwondo (8 years of Distant training) & fully incorporated it into his Korean arts. He will take Master Holley's amazing Korean Hapkido, TKD & Kempo hybridization into his matrix of martial training as well. They are both amazing Korean artists. He has a very positive relationship with them & their members.

The 4 main styles taught at our school:

ED PARKER AMERICAN KARATE & MILITARY TAEKWONDO-KOREAN KARATE:

Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist (Ed Parker American Karate) Kenpo Karate system that integrates Japanese Karate, Chuanfa, Kali-Silat, Military H2H, Muay Thai & Kali-Kobujitsu Weaponry).

Changhun Taekwondo (Recognized by the ITF-HQ in Seoul Korea)-as taught by us, it is a Korean Military-Traditional Taekwondo system. It also incorporates concepts from Chuanfa, Muay Thai-Filipino Kali & Korean Weapons-Mugisool.

NOTE: On a case by case basis we can teach & rank in Changmookwan Taekwondo (one of the original kwans of Korean Taekwondo-honored directly through Korea-the hard hitting old school classical taekwondo-we use the harder more traditional "OLD SCHOOL" techniques).

TRADITIONAL KOREAN HAPKIDO:

We work HARD to honor the true Essence of Korean Martial Arts-we teach these by specific request-criteria is by Korean standards:
Sungmookwan Hapkido (Traditional Korean Hapkido)-Jointlocks & Striking. Ranks honored directly by Korea.

REALITY BASED WEAPONRY:

AHI Stick & Knife Combatives (Traditional Korean Mugisool, Hoch Hocheim-Military Weapons Combatives, Filipino Kali & Indonesian Silat. Taught out of the Appalachian Hapkido Institute).
We teach both Empty Hand & Weaponry:

Our primary weapons are Kenpo & Korean versions of staff, sticks, knives, machete & nunchaku-as well as Japanese & Korean versions of the sword (Katana-Wakizashi & Gum). We also teach Sai & K**a.

OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

US ARMY Front Line Veteran (Forward Observer) Germany & Korea (4 years). Trained extensively in fi****ms (as a civilian & soldier), edged/blunt weaponry & military H2H. Trained in martial arts for 3 years in South Korea.

Has an Associates & Bachelors degree & was a Masters Candidate (finished all but 2 classes). Studies emphasized Philosophy, Social Sciences, History & Comparative Theology.

Served an LDS Mission in West Virginia-however, he respects all religious philosophies or lack thereof. He draws tranquility from Eastern thought as well. There is no necessity to have any ideological faith system & Sensei has had students from all spectrums of beliefs.

He is a wannabe Jack Kerouac-Langston Hughes. Not even in their realm, but is trying. He is a published author & writes Bohemian, Neo-Beat, Prose & Classic Introspective poetry- Not greatly but he tries hard.

He loves People & enjoys sharing his arts with others. He also teaches basic meditation. He loves the character development of Karate & the spiritual concepts of the Artseeo

KIAI KARATE: INTEGRATED FIST (Kenpo Karate):

In our taxonomy, Kenpo Karate (Ed Parker American Karate) is a Hawaiian form of Karate (Okinawa arts were brought to Hawaii in the 1890s). Hawai‘i is culturally and historically a multi-ethnic Poly-Asiatic culture—It became a meeting ground where Japanese/Okinawan karate blended with Chinese kungfu -Filipino kali.

From that environment, Kenpo evolved through key transmitters like William Chow and later Ed Parker into an American system with Polynesian-Asiatic roots.

Ed Parker American Karate is our primary system.

Professor Gilliam’s extensive training in orthodox Korean-Japanese-Okinawa Karate-Kobujitsu, Filipino Kali and Chinese Kungfu are assimilated as Kenpo DNA (not separate programs). Korean Hapkido and Weapons are taught as separate systems, often alongside Kenpo in the same class. Muay Thai is integrated into our Kenpo for clinch, elbows/knees, and leg-kick practicality.

PROFESSOR GILLIAM’s LINEAGE IN ED PARKER AMERICAN KARATE:
We are a Kenpo Karate style (kata and philosophy).

The following lineage is provided for transparency and historical clarity. While lineage documents sources of instruction and authorization, effectiveness in karate depends on quality of practice, understanding of mechanics, and responsible teaching—not organizational affiliation alone.

Our Kenpo is intentionally streamlined. We keep a smaller formal curriculum so we can pressure-test more, build timing, and get real competence—not memorize endless material. Our expression of Parker is closer to the earlier, harder, more direct era-we use Japanese/Okinawan/Korean karate basics as the foundation so the Kenpo works under stress. Chinese and Filipino influence is still there, but we focus on function over aesthetics.”

Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist is Ed Parker American Karate. We strive to make it a streamlined and practical Kenpo Karate self-defense system that honors Ed Parker's legacy incorporating elements from other martial arts traditions.

This Kenpo Karate system focuses on realistic self-defense, alive drilling, and sparring, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a comprehensive and effective martial arts training.

- Traditional Japanese Karate
(striking techniques). Our art formally includes Wado Kai-Toshia Osaka Lineage (Master Gary Cox). Professor Gilliam is Dan ranked in a Japanese Karate system under Shihan Johnny Piro. He also has many years of Okinawa-Japanese Karate training.

- Korean Karate (Military Taekwondo-Hapkido: low to mid Korean power kicks & upper body strikes). Professor Gilliam trained for years in Korean martial arts (3 years in Korea). Professor Gilliam is Dan ranked & recognized through the Changmookwan (Korea) in traditional (non-sport) Taekwondo. The Kibon (Basics) of Changmookwan TKD are incorporated into Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist. Changhun Military Taekwondo is taught as a separate system.

He is also dan ranked in the Hapkido. Hapkido is taught separately but simultaneously with both Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist & Changhun MIlitary Taekwondo.

In regards to our Kihon, AKA fundamentals: our Kenpo Karate is a blend of Ed Parker American Karate, Japanese Karate (Wado, Kyokushin & Shotokan) & Okinawa Karate (Okinawa Te, Shuri, Shorin & Uechi). Also we integrate Korean Karate (Military-Traditional Taekwondo).

To round out our system Chinese Kungfu, Thai & Kali are a part of Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist.

-Chinese & Polynesian Martial Arts. Neijia-Internal (Grandmaster Robert Hermansen) & Polynesian Lima Lama-Ted Tabura Lineage (Master Steve Spry). This under permission from Master Gary Cox.
NOTE: These arts are organic to kenpo-not taught as separate arts.

- Escrima-Silat (stick and blade fighting). Angel Cabales Lineage (Professor Carlos Del Valle) & Filipino Concepts (Master Gary Cox).
NOTE: These arts are organic to kenpo-not taught as separate arts.

-Thai Martial Arts (knee and elbow strikes, leg kicks). Our art formally includes concepts from Sakkasem Kantahawang lineage (James Foster) & Thai Concepts from Master Steven Bigelow.

-Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Filipino & Okinawa weapons. Various Masters.

Master Cox authorized Professor Gilliam to integrate Thai & Korean arts into his Ed Parker American Karate system.

For the sake of our lineage, these other arts are just Integrated & galvanized into our Ed Parker American Karate. We do not differentiate technique. Thai, Chinese & Filipino martial arts are not taught as standalone systems, but are integrated into our karate & hapkido.

Due to our eclectic nature our kihon & basics, as well as footwork may vary from traditional karate.

At KIAI, our Kenpo Karate is modified & unorthodox.

RIGHT SIDE:

KENPO KARATE-
Our PRIMARY Lineage is Ed Parker American Karate.

We at KIAI KARATE are not overly concerned with Lineage:

However-to some it is important. We are an ECLECTIC ED PARKER AMERICAN KARATE SYSTEM (we are very clear about that). So we have different lineages to various founders of different arts.

The PRIMARY lineal succession of our system is (top left down):

KENPO BACKGROUND IN HAWAII:

Original Kenpo Founders: The genesis of Kenpo were various Chinese-Okinawan & Japanese Martial Masters that made the self defense system from numerous eastern combat systems (Not Pictured).

This is our direct lineage to Kenpo Karate from Hawaii:

1. William Chow-ORIGINAL founder of Kenpo Karate (Karaho Kenpo Karate):

The most influential Grandmaster of Kenpo from Hawaii. The first to teach under the name Kenpo Karate. Direct student of various Boxing-Karate-Kungfu instructors. Adriano Emperado (Kajukenbo), Ed Parker (Parker Karate) & many others are through his direct tutelage. A very combat oriented martial instructor.

2. Ed Parker-PRIMARY GRANDMASTER in our lineage:
Founder of Ed Parker American Karate (10th Dan Founder of the Parker Karate system). Kiai Karate is primarily Parker Karate.
Was a direct student of Grandmasters William Chow, Adriano Emperado, Lau Bun, Tino Leifiti & Ark Y. Wong (among others). His Kenpo Karate (Karate, Kungfu, Kali, Lua hybrid) system was an eclectic amalgamation of his training with these various masters & others. Most famous of the Hawaiian Kenpo Karate masters.

Bestowed 9th Dan (Master of The Arts) in Parker Karate to Master Tom Garriga & was a Direct Teacher of Grandmaster Robert Hermansen.

A-Tom Garriga-1st Gen:
Founding Grandmaster of Wuji Chuan Fa & 9th Dan in Kenpo Karate directly under Grandmaster Ed Parker.

Was a direct Student of both Grandmaster Ed Parker & Master Ark Y. Wong of Southern Shaolin & other Chinese Masters. Taught Kiai Grandmaster Robert Hermansen both Parker Karate & Wuji Chuan Fa. He bestowed Wuji Chuan Fa Master Rank (9th Dan equivalent) to Master Robert Hermansen & 4th Dan (Instructor Rank) in Parker Karate to Master Gary Cox in the 1980s. Both Masters Hermansen & Cox trained with him separately.

B-Robert Hermansen-2nd Gen:
Kiai Kenpo (Parker Karate) Grandmaster: 10th Dan founder of KIAI KENPO KARATE ASSOCIATION. Direct Ed Parker & Tom Garriga student.

Was a Black Belt student directly under Ed Parker & was promoted to advanced Master's rank in Wuji Chuan Fa-(Chinese Kenpo: 9th Dan equivalent) under Tom Garriga (9th Dan in Kenpo Karate under Ed Parker & Founder of Wuji Chuan Fa-Ed Parker Karate with kungfu). He co-founded the Kiai Karate Association with Master Gary Cox. He was declared the 10th Dan System Founder. He promoted Master Gary Cox to 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th & 9th Dan over 25 years. Instructor Gilliam trained with Master Hermansen for 5 years, learning both Parker Karate & Chinese Kenpo.

Instructor Gilliam earned 3rd Dan in Parker Kenpo Karate & 5th Dan in Kiai Combat Kenpo under him. (Master Hermansen teaches an incredible blend of Parker Karate & Chinese Kenpo).

C-Gary Cox-3rd Gen:
Kiai Kenpo Karate (EPAKK)/Military Karate.

Kiai Kenpo Karate Association 9th Dan, Founder of KIAI KARATE (Eclectic Kenpo Karate, Japanese Karate, Green Beret Karate & Filipino Kali system). Direct Robert Hermansen & Tom Garriga Student. Promoted to 4th Dan by Tom Garriga in the 1980s & 9th Dan by Robert Hermansen in December 2021 after 25 years of training under him. Knew Ed Parker personally.

Promoted Instructor Gilliam to 2nd Dan, 4th Dan & 5th Dan in Kenpo Karate. He also promoted Instructor Gilliam to 5th & 6th Dan in Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist & allowed him to formally teach that syllabus (combative blended version of Ed Parker American Karate & Tracy Karate, traditional Korea-Okinawa-Japan Karate, Military Karate, Muay Thai-Knife & Filipino Kali).

*Gary Cox is Instructor Gilliam's True Master: he trained with Master Cox for 22 years: until his death in 2025. Both Master Cox & Instructor Gilliam had advanced ranks in other Systems. Kiai Karate is primarily Parker Karate but is a syncretic blend of other systems that both Master Cox & Instructor Gilliam trained in-therefore Kiai Karate is a Parker Karate system, but has strong components of other arts. Mr Gilliam was authorized to add Korean Karate & Muay Thai into the Kiai Karate syllabus-hence the name Integrated Fist.

D-Head Instructor Gilliam-4th Gen:
Kiai Karate 6th Dan & direct student of Masters Robert Hermansen & Gary Cox. Instructor Gilliam is trying to bring the spirit & philosophy of martial arts as manifested by the masters in his lineage.

NOTE: Both Robert Hermansen & Gary Cox trained extensively under Master of The Arts Tom Garriga (Ed Parker Disciple) in addition to Robert Hermansen's advanced training under Grandmaster Ed Parker. We are no longer affiliated with the great Master Tom Garriga-However, he is included here as part of our lineage. Master Garriga was a US Marine & trained in China under various Kung Fu masters in addition to Kenpo Karate Grandmaster Edmund Parker. He is the embodiment of our idea of American Military Martial Artist. We respect him greatly.

LEFT ROW: We formally include the teachings of our other Parker Karate Teacher-Master Sleven L Spry.

Our lineage through him:

Ed Parker (on upper Right side of Page.

We also include through Master Spry the following lineage.

A-Grandmaster Ted Tabura: Master of Polynesian Lima Lama (Master Haumea "Tiny" Leifite lineage) & Kobujitsu. We formally integrate techniques & Concepts of this art into Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist. He was one of Master Spry's Main Teachers.

B-Grandmaster Steve Spry (American Kenpo & Lima Lama Master): Professor Gilliam is authorized to teach concepts of American Kenpo (Ed Parker) & Lima Lama-Kobujitsu (Ted Tabura). Professor Gilliam is OFFICIALLY a distant student of Master Spry. He has distance trained under him for several years. His arts are fully integrated into Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist.

NOTE: Due to our HEAVY traditional Korean & Japanese Karate influences, as well as Muay Thai & Filipino arts our footwork & stancework may vary slightly from mainstream Kenpo.
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Kenpo as a term and as fist-method striking existed before Mitose in Hawaii-Japan. Hawaiʻi already had judo/jujutsu and karate activity since the late 1800s. We are of that lineage.

Mitose’s major contribution was catalyzing the particular lineage that became Hawaiian/American Kenpo. We supplement our style with concepts from these arts:

There were 5 major influencers of Kenpo Karate in Hawaii (All were instructors at the school of James Mitose, All great Masters)-they are:

William K. S. Chow

Thomas Young

Edmund Howe

Arthur Keawe

Paul Yamaguchi

"William K.S. Chow is responsible for Americanizing the art form. He opened his own school in 1949 where Edmund K. Parker became his student.... Parker combined this method with other martial art techniques and opened the first commercial Karate studio in 1954" (https://thekarateblog.com/kenpo-karate/). Ed Parker had met him through Frank Chow, William's brother, who had taught Ed since age 16. William Chow called his art Kenpo Karate, it was a Karate & Kungfu (Hung Gar & other styles) hybrid. He is the genesis of our Kenpo Karate system.

We are an associate member of the OFFICIAL International Kenpo Karate Association (I.K.K.A.)™- Senior Grandmaster Edmund K. Parker Sr. original Organization. The legacy of Ed Parker Sr. lives on through the wisdom and discipline of those who worked with him, learned from him, and followed his principles in the original IKKA.
International Kenpo Karate Association https://epsikka.com/

We are part of Steven L. Spry's Organization-IKKI (International Kenpo Karate Institute). This is his Org's logo. Instructor Gilliam is in the USA section. http://ikki-akt.com/american_kenpo_today
Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist is an Ed Parker American Karate system that:

- Preserves the essence of Parker's Kenpo Karate legacy while simplifying its complexities

- Incorporates elements from Japanese-Okinawa, Thai, and Filipino martial arts to enhance speed, power, and practicality.
Additionally, Professor Gilliam has several years of Japanese-Okinawa Karate (Wado, Shotokan, Shorin, Shuri, Uechi, Goju & Traditional-Military Taekwondo).

- Finally he has several years of Southeast Asian Martial arts (Kali-teacher credentialed, Kungfu, Muay Thai & Silat). Principles of all of these arts integrate into the unique DNA of our Kenpo Karate style.
These blends of martial arts have made Kiai Karate it's own unique brand of Kenpo Karate with noticeable differences, from footwork to Kihon. We teach these as an amalgamated conceptual framework-in one art (not as separate systems).

THE 5 GENERATIONS OF PARKER'S KENPO KARATE:
Kenpo Style Generations of Transition to Ed Parker's American Kenpo:

1st Generation 1954-1961 (Original Kenpo-Kenpo Karate):
Instructor Gilliam likes certain aspects of this period best. The Kihon was "harder" & the Okinawa Karate influence was more prevalent.
This is the period the Tracy Karate lineage is from: Master Gary Cox had a lot of experience in the Tracy art before he became an American Kenpo Karate Adherent. He uses alot of these techniques as well.

2nd Generation 1961-1963 (Traditional Kenpo- Kenpo Karate with Forms added): Instructor Gilliam also admires this period as well.

3rd Generation 1963-1969 (Chinese Kenpo): Masters Garriga & Hermansen were influenced from this period.

4th Generation 1970-1981 (Ed Parker's Kenpo): Master Hermansen was Primarily from this timeframe.

5th Generation 1982-1990 (American Kenpo or Ed Parker Kenpo Karate-EPAKK): Master Cox's primary Period of technical influence.
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The system’s principles are aimed to produce a Kenpo Karate style that is:
- Holistic
- Simple
- Dynamic

Professor Gilliam is also separately ranked & recognized through the following Martial Systems:

-1st Dan-Japanese Karate: Shin Ryu Kai (Japanese Karate) under Shihan Johnny Piro

-Additionally he has several years of formal crosstraining in Kungfu, Kali & Kuntao-Silat which is organic to Parker Kenpo Karate & integrated seemlessly into the Kenpo Karate curriculum of Kiai.

Our systems intentionally use a very small number of forms.
Kiai Karate has eight kata, derived from Ed Parker’s Long and Short forms and several combat-specific sets created by Master Gary Cox.
Changhun Taekwondo uses only the eight Taeguks, taught with permission from Kwanjangnim Derman Hodge Sr.

Forms are reference tools in my training, not the focus.
Application, pressure, and function come first.

NOTE: These arts are all organic to the system developed by William Chow & Ed Parker in Hawaii. These arts are the systems that originally comprised Kenpo Karate. They are not taught separately but integrated into Kiai's Kenpo Karate system.

IMPORTANT: we are our own organization that teaches our own modified version of Parker Karate. We are very clear we are an offshoot system due to our desire to teach our own syllabus. We have had several competitors excel at the Kenpo Internationals & respect all practitioners of all forms of Chow & Parker based Karate systems. We have always had a very positive relationship with the Parkers specifically & the Kenpo World in general. We also use techniques & conceptual ideas from Tracy Karate & respect their organization.