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CALL 972-222-2880
Self-Defense
Authorized Training Center
10-Week Self-Defense Academy
1-Day Survival Camp for Adults
1-Day C.O.B.R.A. Camp for Kids
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Register for a FREE
Lesson. This class will
help you know more about
our program and help you
make a more informed
decision on membership
for you and/or your child.
Just wear something loose
and comfortable. The only
people in the class will be
those just trying it out for
the first time.
Immediately following the
session, we will be going
over all the program
details such as tuition,
scheduling, etc, and be
able to answer all of your
questions.
If you cannot make it on
the date shown, please
use this form to contact us
and we will get back with
you to set up a time that is
more convenient for you.
The art is divided into 4 primary forms of practice.
BASICS: These are the very fundamentals of any martial art. The Stances, Blocks,
Punches, Kicks and Maneuvers must be practiced with proper execution in order for
them to be optimized for application.
FORMS: This is a pre-arranged set of movements that put the Basics in fundamental
combinations. This is to teach and develop proper position, anatomical alignment and
execution of key movements and key combinations.
SELF-DEFENSE: This is the heart of Kenpo. Every other physical element of the art is
to develop the most practical and efficient movements and strategies for the Self-
Defense techniques.
FREESTYLE: (Sparring): This is a practice that brings forth the conditioned responses
and movements that the student has trained. Generally done with protective gear, the
students pair up and attempt to strike their training partner in designated target areas,
while trying to block and evade their partner’s strikes. At our school we practice “Light
Contact” sparring which is to say that our strikes are controlled for safety. We do not
spar full contact sparring.
The physical art of American Kenpo is a more
modern and practical approach to the situations
found in today’s modern world. Whether if be a child
in a school yard confrontation or an adult in a full on
assault, Kenpo teaches practical and effective
methods of defense to deal with it.
While the art of Kenpo dates back thousands of
years, the more modern practice of the art known as
“American Kenpo” was developed by Senior
Grandmaster, Ed Parker. Mr. Parker has been called
“The Father of Karate in America,” having opened
the first commercial school in 1956. He taught many
high profile celebrities, with the most notable being
Music Legend, Elvis Presley.
Mr. Keith Gorham
6th Degree Black Belt
Our Chief Instructor is Keith Gorham. Mr. Gorham has been involved in the
Martial Arts since 1975 and has been teaching Kenpo since 1982. He
began his Kenpo training under Mr. Eddie Jolly in Graham, Texas in
1981 and was asked to become an instructor in 1982. He earned
his black belt in 1984, becoming Mr. Jolly’s first black belt student,
an honor that he carries with great pride.
In 1986, Mr. Gorham moved to Fort Worth and opened his
own Kenpo school in a very small space in Haltom City,
Texas. As the school grew, the school moved into a larger
and nicer facility in North Richland Hills in 1988.
In 1988, Mr. Gorham came under the direction of Senior
Grandmaster, Ed Parker. He received 3rd degree black belt
from Mr. Parker in 1990 and currently holds the rank of
6th degree black belt.
In 2001, Mr. Gorham moved to Mesquite, Texas and
continued to commute daily to the NRH school. Then
in 2004, he moved the school to Mesquite.
Mr. Gorham is patient, yet motivating, and truly cares about the
personal progress of each and every student.
FULL TIME INSTRUCTORS
Keith Gorham has been involved in the martial arts since
1977 and has been teaching Kenpo since 1982. He taught
under his instructor, Mr. Eddie Jolly at Mr. Jolly’s school in
Graham, Texas from 1982 - 1986 at which time he moved
to Fort Worth and opened his own school. Mr. Gorham
earned his black belt in February of 1984 under Mr. Jolly
and currently holds the rank of 6th degree black belt.
Dalton McCay began his Kenpo training under Mr. Gorham
in June of 2004 at the age of 15. He was among the first
group of students at the Mesquite school to earn black belt,
which he accomplished in 2008. Mr. McCay attended
Eastfield College where he opened a club to teach Kenpo.
He is currently a full time instructor at our Mesquite school.
Rhonda Gorham is the wife of Keith Gorham and
is co-owner of Texas Kenpo Karate. She began
her Kenpo training in 2004 and was among the
first group of students to receive their black belts
at the mesquite school in 2008. She is also the
Office Manager of our Mesquite school.
Keith Gorham
(972) 222-2880
Keith.Gorham@TexasKenpo.com
1919 Faithon P Lucas, Suite 142
Mesquite, TX 75181
Lil' Dragons (ages 4 - 6)
The Lil’ Dragons program is a
little more advanced than the
Tiny Tigers class, as this age
group is able to comprehend a
bit more of the mechanics. While
still having a LOT of fun in class,
this group begins learning actual
Self-Defense techniques,
appropriate for their age. This
helps to prepare them for the
more comprehensive Juniors
program when they come of age.
Jr. Tigers (ages 7 - 9)
Our Jr. Tiger program is for children ages
7 - 9. This group begins learning the
more serious curriculum of the Juniors
program but at a more age appropriate
pace. While certainly a fun class, this
group is learning the formal and practical
techniques of American Kenpo Karate.
As they become more advanced, they
join the Juniors program where the pace
increases and the curriculum is more
challenging as they proceed toward the
coveted goal of Black Belt.
Juniors (ages 10 - 13)
The Juniors class is certainly FUN for all
the students but is also where the more
focused and serious development takes
place. These young students learn much
more than just the basic karate
movements. They learn age appropriate
applications of self-defense as well as more
advanced skills as they progress. Children
love our classes because they are
challenging and FUN. We place a very
strong emphasis on personal growth and
positive character traits such as: Respect,
Responsibility, Self-Discipline, Self-Control,
Kindness, Courtesy and Self-Worth.
Adults love our programs because if our no-
nonsense approach to Self-Defense and the
great exercise. The movements of Kenpo are
easy to learn and practical in application, should
the need ever occur. We do not combine
children with the adult classes to ensure that
you will be learning the art as it applies to you.
Regardless of your age, size, coordination or
fitness level, you can learn this fascinating art.
This is a Great Family Activity. We have many families
that are in our classes. This is a great way to get
involved with your children and become a direct part
of their development as a Martial Artist.
Achieving Success is one of the primary goals of a
Martial Artist. The status of Black Belt is an
internationally known level of expertise and success
in any martial art. In our schools, we have a
standardized and practical system of helping our
students reach Black Belt.
We take pride in the camaraderie in our schools,
as our students become great friends and
training partners. You will be helped and
encouraged by everyone in the class, not just
the instructors.
Our “SuperKids” philosophy is built on concept of
positive reinforcement. Our goal is not merely to
produce students who have super martial arts skills, but
who also have super life skills. We work hard to
reinforce the positive character traits in our students that
we know the parents are working toward at home. We
require our young students to keep their rooms tidy, to
do their best with their school work and to treat their
family and others with respect. We keep a check on
these things by constantly checking with the parents to
see how their child is doing at home. If the child isn’t
doing their best with school work, or isn’t treating others
with respect, etc, that child may not be eligible for
promotion until satisfactory improvement has been
made.
It is only when a child gives their best effort in our
martial arts class, at home, at school and at play, that
they are truly “SuperKids!”
When you walk into our school, you will be
greeted with a warm in smiling face. Owned
and operated by Keith & Rhonda Gorham, our
school is a pleasant and personable place for
learning and positive growth.
Our facility is 2000 sqare feet with the
majority of it being our training mat. The
matted surface provides firm support and
stability for training, yet absorbs and
cushions the impact of the rigorous
training, falling, kicking, etc.
We have cubbies in which our students
store their shoes and personal items while
in class. Our facility is open and spacious
without obstruction of view, helping to
guarantee that the students are always
monitored and never out of sight.
We have everything you need to get
started and carry commonly used items on
our shelves. We also have an online
martial arts store from which you can order
thousands of martial arts products and
have them delivered right to your door
within 2 days.
C.O.B.R.A. Reality Self-Defense is a unique
program that teaches self-defense tactics in real-
world training scenarios. The heart of COBRA is
the 10-Week Reality Self-Defense Academy. We
also offer 1-day camps for adults and children as
well as camps and seminars for groups and
businesses.
