About The Instructor

 

The way of 4 elements is a system of martial arts created by Ken Stouffer in 2001. It incorporates aspects of many different systems. I have found through years of martial study, that there are many martial techniques practiced by different cultures, countries, and combat schools. I have also found that there are many techniques that are shared among these myriad martial arts. Between vast distances, across language barriers, and between peoples that have never met, there are techniques shared by most martial artists around the world. Sure, every martial art is different. I believe that what is most important however is that we focus on the things which we as people share in common, not the details that separate us. Way of 4 elements is a study in the techniques that we share as martial students, and not the doctrine which seperates us.

When asked to describe way of 4 elements, I am most inspired by this quote of Bruce Lee’s;

“There is only one type of body, 2 arms, 2 legs, etc that make up the human body. Therefore, there can only be one style of fighting. If the other guy had 4 arms and 2 legs, there might have to be a different one. Forget the belief that one style is better than the other, the point of someone that does not just believe in tradition, but actually wants to know how to fight is to take what you need from every martial art and incorporate it into your own. Make it effective and very powerful, but don't worry if you are taking moves from many different arts, that is a good thing. “

This is why I have made this system. Not as a tribute to Bruce Lee, or steal thunder from Jeet Kune Do, or to even compare myself to this late great master. I share his philosophy, I am just on a different path. I have had many teachers, and have studied from many sources, and the one thing that always fascinates me about martial arts, is when I find those techniques that have become common to many arts, yet not stolen or borrowed from any specific discipline. These techniques have, through time and practice around the world, become martial and physical laws. After studying the way of four elements you will find yourself watching films, or tournaments, or mixed martial arts, or self defense classes through your life… and you will find that you will often see and recognise many, if not at least one of these techniques.

The way of four elements is not a new martial art, it is merely a collection of some of the commonly used self defense techniques I have found utilised in many other disciplines. Through studying them, I hope you will learn the most natural way to express yourself as a martial artist.

Ken Stouffer is an NETA certified personal trainer with 31 years of martial arts experience. He has been teaching the way of 4 elements in Chicago for 7 years. He is also certified in CPR and First Aid. Ken is a first degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, and has been a student of several martial arts including; Kumdo, Olympic Fencing, Western Swordmanship, Kung Fu, Grappling, and Escrima.