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Who says size matters? Mr. Paul Dye, also called "A Little Firecracker" by Grandmaster Edmund Parker, began his Kenpo career in 1972 at Dave Helbler's school in Glendora, California where Mr. Jim Thompson was the Chief Instructor. It was a rough and tumble school, and Mr. Hebler readily admits that the challenge was to "Beat the students off the mat." Mr. Dye, however, "Could not be beaten off the mat." When the school closed in 1974, Mr. Dye began teaching out of his home. It was his intention to create a more relaxed atmosphere of teaching and learning while avoiding the pitfalls and pressures martial arts schools were subject to in the 70's. This also allowed him to spend more time with his family and continue his job at the Criminal Court Building in downtown Los Angeles. Presently Mr. Dye splits his time between teaching at home, in various regions of the United States and Europe, supporting the art of Kenpo in whatever way possible, working a full-time job in Los Angeles, and spending time with his wife, two daughters, and grandson. Mr. Dye quickly earned the nickname of "Mr. Intense," and it is that same intensity, along with an emphasis on focus and targeting taught with personalized one-to-one instruction in a relaxed family-like atmosphere which are the Hallmarks of his teaching style. With more "hands-on" learning and a smaller teacher/student ratio, the quality control is much easier to maintain. Mr. Dye encourages his students to "Recreate;" to devote time experimenting with each principal of movement, incorporate personal adaptations, and explore the myriad of possibilities available to them as they journey through the world of Kenpo. Although the training space is only about 22 feet by 22 feet, "The Garage" has produced European Champions, International Champions, along with State and local champions, not to mention outstanding instructors. Students range from all ages, adolescents to adults working together in the same classes two nights a week. Because Mr. Dye does not advertise, students who train with him are referred by friends, family, students or other Kenpoists. Lessons include basics, techniques, forms, sparring, and ground grappling all of which are taught at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. With the personalized training and care provided by Mr. Dye, it is not long before a new student begins to feel like part of the Dye Kenpo Family. Anyone who has had the opportunity to step onto the mat knows the feeling of dedication, love and respect that resonates from "The Garage." Mr. Jack Autry, who sat alongside Mr. Parker on Mr. Dye's Black Belt testing board 25 years ago and has sat on hundreds since in his more than 30 years in the martial arts, spoke from the heart when he said, "When I step on the mat in Mr. Dye's garage, I sense the same feeling; the closeness and respect, coming from Paul's students about him, as Paul, the other Black Belts, and I felt about Mr. Parker when he was teaching and we were on the mat with him". That is a HUGE compliment! From my many years of experience in the martial arts, I can tell you that Mr. Dye's 'little garage' has produced some of the greatest Kenpo practitioners I've ever seen. Who says size matters?" |
AKKS Newsletter article featuring Paul Dye's Kenpo Karate by Patty Dye |
