Ryan Wheaton

Chief Instructor

I have been instructing AMERICAN KENPO to men and women since 1991 and bring a broad, well-rounded perspective to my teaching.

I have taught well over 3,500 martial arts classes and always look forward to teaching every week and working with my students.

In high school, I started my training in TAE KWON DO — a "sport" oriented martial art. Then I made the switch to AMERICAN KENPO in college after seeing how incredibly practical and effective it was for modern day self-defense.

Now I'm an internationally certified 6th degree black belt under Mr. Paul Mills — a 10th degree black belt in AMERICAN KENPO. Mr. Mills was a private student of Mr. Ed Parker and has been at the art since 1966. Previously I studied with many talented and knowledgeable Kenpoists including: Frank Elsasser, Karl Kennedy, and Doug Anderson.

In 1990, just two months before he passed away, I was fortunate enough to meet and talk with Mr. Parker. At that moment, I knew AMERICAN KENPO was going to be something I would do for the rest of my life. He was in town conducting a black belt test and was an experience I will never forget.

I am fortunate to regularly conduct American Kenpo seminars at the American Kenpo Karate International's (AKKI) Kenpo Camps on both the east and west coasts, I sit on the AKKI's Board of Directors, and have been the Northern Utah Regional Representative for the AKKI since 1997. I am also a regular martial arts blogger.

The greatest satisfaction I have is seeing my student's progress and learn this highly practical, effective and fascinating martial art of AMERICAN KENPO.

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