There are many detailed accountings of the Tracy System of Kenpo History proper, that are readily available.
However, a big part of the history of the Tracy System of Kenpo was the multifaceted documentation process of the system curriculum and business information, spanning many years. We would like to emphasize this aspect. One of the differences will be the material for the longevity of the curriculum and the idea of keeping the system standardized.
A brief synopsis……The Tracy brothers started their trek into martial arts in the late 1950’s. The first studio that the Tracy brothers opened was in San Francisco, California, named Kenpo Karate Studio. The second studio was in Sacramento, California, both in 1962. Third studio was in 1963 in San Jose, California. The Tracy brothers later opened studios throughout California and started the empire of Tracy’s International Studios of Self Defense. This led to the first idea of franchising the Tracy name all over the United State and Canada. Franchises were eventually ended and concentration was set on creating a legacy for the system.
In 1980, GGM Al Tracy released the filmed and written Tracy System as a means to document the certified system he wished to provide as a reference tool for all students to have for their teaching and/or training. These were the originals. There were many students of GGM Tracy then, who were called upon to be filmed this purpose. Later on, when the filming for video and written material was redone, he called upon us and our black belts to help in the huge project of refilming the katas and the exciting idea of having a picture belt manual. He knew that the written manuals were popular for reference, but he had a thought……..what about pictures for the visual learner? His idea was a huge success! The proof was in the end product. As far as wanting to refilm the system, he wanted to improve upon the actual film quality and film set. As he said, the katas looked the same from the 1980’s as they did with our black belts later. He wanted to show that the katas were taught the same and look the same. In 1980, the techniques were reorganized and put into different belts so they would be in the proper order to be learned before the katas were introduced to the student. In the beginning of the original filming, it was put on Beta, then VHS tapes, then later on to DVD’s for instruction purposes.
The white belt does not carry kyu rank. The Japanese ranking system came into effect. This ranking came with eight Kyu’s and ten Dans. Some katas were rearranged into different belts as well. The Yellow Belt was introduced as 8th Kyu, containing ten techniques with variations, basic blocks/strikes, but no kata requirement.
In 1999, the section of Book Set/Panther Set that was lost over many years, was reintroduced, filmed, then added to the documentation. GGM Tracy brought in Tai Chi and encouraged studio owners and teachers to consider it an official part of the Tracy System. His forward looking plans were to expand the system for the advanced/mature students by adding new material.
Side Story……..While filming the new picture belt manual we burned up very expensive cameras and went through many packs of batteries. The Yellow and Orange picture belt manuals were released in 1999.
The usual plan was to film all weekend with GGM Tracy traveling back and forth from Kentucky on chosen weekends. He studied the pictures to choose the best ones for the manuals. For a year, we rented a warehouse in Tinley Park, Illinois, dedicated to the filming of the picture belt manuals. We built a set with lights and camera stands so we could walk in on a Saturday evening, after running classes and private lessons all day, and start filming nonstop. Our black belts would rotate in and out. It was a painstaking process to take the time to get all of the poses correct, as well as the proper order for every movement. Once the pictures were chosen and properly placed on the pages, he had to get the proper text for each movement of the techniques. A lot of work went into these manuals and all of the documented material.
To get back to the history up until now. The videos, Quick Reference Manuals, Instructor Manuals and Picture Belt Manuals were to unify/standardize the Tracy System. One could go anywhere in the country and the system would be taught the same, backed up by the documented material with the intent to keep the material standardized and not left to individual interpretations and changes.
After the Picture Belt Manuals, we started refilming the kata requirements, updating the video section of the system. We started filming some extra kata material that was worked on over time with Becky. GGM Tracy, as he said at the KHOF ceremony in 2015, he and Becky were working on new material together and she was to choose who and when the upper belts were to get the new material. All of this new material is documented, either by video, or by written manuals with hand drawn pictures and text to match up with the specific movements by Becky. GGM Tracy through the years, added new and expanded DVD’s.
Today we teach all the material on film and written manuals to keep it all standardized. We didn’t get a chance to film and put on DVD some of the new material, but it is documented as said before. Becky is available for upper belts interested in delving into the new material or working on standardized material along with our upper black belts.
There were some others across the country who were used in the Picture Belt Manuals at different times as well as the original video filming in the 1980’s. Their efforts were important and appreciated. We feel the work and time spent with GGM Tracy and ourselves was a valuable and priceless experience for us. We feel we have been a big part of the documentation history and are happy to have contributed to the huge endeavor for the art we love.