Obsidian Fist Kenpo Karate

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The style we use in Obsidian Fist is a modified form of Hawaiian Kenpo Karate. This school's lineage has influence from Kyokushin, Kajukenbo, Ohana Kenpo, and Shaolin Kempo. Through the experiences of Sensei Esch and his fellow martial artists and apprentices, the art has gone through pressure testing, refinement, and advancement to become what it is today. We come from Ohana Kempo and Ed Parker Kenpo lineage, but recently went independent and moved to a bit of a modified curriculum, with training coming from Master Speakman and Sensei Esch.

Our instructors and their rank and origins:

Sensei Esch, 3rd Dan, Ohana, Obsidian Fist School Founder/Professor

Sensei Julian, 2nd Dan, EPAK

Instructor Mabel, 2nd Dan, Kenpo 5.0

Senpai John, 2nd Dan, Ohana

Our System

In our dojo, we teach a progression-based skillset to discipline the mind and body of students, and to help them in becoming the best versions of themselves they can be. We emphasize sparring, strength training and conditioning, technical mastery, and ability to adapt tactics to work in most scenarios. We will teach you the entire martial arts curriculum, from how to condition your body, how to safely end a fight, how to fight competitively, how to remain healthy physically and mentally, how to legally defend your self-defense, and much more.

Progression

Progression is marked through the kyu and dan systems, otherwise known as the belt system, but it is not limited to the belt system as progression can simply be demonstrated by the skill of the practitioner. The belt system goes as follows;

White belt - 10th Kyu

White and yellow belt - 9th Kyu

Yellow belt - 8th Kyu

Orange belt - 7th Kyu

Green belt - 6th Kyu

Blue belt - 5th Kyu

Purple belt - 4th Kyu

Brown belt 1st to 2nd - 3rd to 2nd Kyu

Brown and black belt - 1st Kyu

Black belt - 1st Dan to 10th Dan

Each belt has a meaning to it; for example orange means the rays of wisdom, and black means continuous experience.

Sensei Ellie Esch, 3rd Dan

About Sensei Esch, founder of Obsidian Fist school

Sensei Elliot (known as Ellie after transition) Esch is a German-American, Texas-forged warrior who began training at six and never stopped sharpening himself. He carries the speed of Taekwondo, the root of Judo, and the precision of Kenpo as if they were carved into his bones. His 3rd Dan in Ohana Kenpo Karate, earned on June 9th, 2026, reflects not ceremony but endurance, grit, and discipline. He teaches with the weight of someone who has bled for every lesson and risen stronger each time. Along the way, he learned first aid, survival, and technical skill in the Scouts, adding practical resilience to the martial discipline that shaped him. He also trained MMA alongside a close friend who learned directly from a UFC fighter, sharpening his edge with real‑world combat insight. And through it all, he continues to learn as relentlessly as he teaches, refusing to let mastery become stagnation.

Our Seal

Our seal shows our lineage and connection to traditional Kenpo. We use it only in formalities such as certificates and ceremonial gis, as it is something to be treated with honour.

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