Dennis Nackord
10th Degree Black Belt World Champion
Senior Member of the Joe Lewis Undefeated National Fighting Team
With almost 60 years of professional karate training and teaching experience, Mr. Dennis Nackord continues to teach at his home school in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Throughout his distinguished career, he has helped open more than 20 martial arts schools and has promoted over 300 black belts.
Mr. Nackord began his martial arts journey in 1966 in his hometown of San Francisco. He attributes his development and philosophy to the guidance of four influential mentors:
Edmund K. Parker:
As the founder of American Kenpo Karate, the late Ed Parker was renowned for his unique ability to explain the underlying principles and mechanics of movement in ways that were both clear and insightful. His teachings laid the foundation for Mr. Nackord’s deep understanding of martial arts. Mr. Nackord trained with him from 1967 until his death in 1990.
Joe Lewis:
A legendary figure in martial arts history, Joe Lewis was an eight-time world heavyweight karate champion and America’s first kickboxer. From him, Mr. Nackord gained invaluable insight into the strategies, timing, and mindset required for real combat—wisdom forged from Lewis’s extensive experience in the ring. Mr. Nackord trained with him from 1968 until his death in 2012. Mr. Nackord is also Joe Lewis’s highest-ranking student and one of only two men ever promoted to 9th Degree Black Belt.
Marty Feldman:
A world champion boxing trainer, Marty Feldman brought a level of skill and realism that only the sweet science of boxing can provide. Mr. Nackord regards him as the best puncher he has ever encountered and credits him with sharpening his striking skills and fighting strategies. Mr. Nackord trained with him from 1970 until his death In 2017.
Dr. Maung Gyi:
An internationally respected martial artist and the individual who first introduced kickboxing to the United States, Dr. Maung Gyi is the founder of the American Bando Association. His teachings emphasize the combative, healthful, and spiritual dimensions of martial arts. Today, Dr. Gyi continues to mentor many of the world’s leading martial artists and is considered a true martial arts master. Mr. Nackord trained with him from 1996 until the present time.
The Nackord Karate System teaching methods are
unique, effective, and time-tested.
Mr. Nackord has studied American, Chinese, Japanese, Burmese, and Okinawan forms of martial arts. In his teachings he emphasizes that the principles underlying a movement are far more important than from what form or style it comes. This is because proper principles run as a common thread throughout all good styles.
“One must look for what is similar in styles to properly learn about movement.”
Although our methods retain all the important aspects of a traditional teaching system, the NKS methods have been Americanized. In place of a rigid, dogmatic approach to teaching, the NKS methods rely on an understanding on modern day situations and environments, while using practical demonstration and familiar nomenclature. With over 50 years of experience, our methods of teaching have been proven over and over again to produce highly skilled and knowledgeable students.
The Way of Three
Here we combine the three elements of physical fitness, psychology, and philosophy into one system called the Way of Three. It is a system based in part on Monk Yoga. The Way of Three can guide us to live our lives strengthened against physical and mental imbalance and make us aware of the importance of living a life with reduced stress.
Motion Science
Motion Science™ – 1. The study of body mechanics which endeavors to refine human movement into precision action for optimal athletic performance while incorporating the principles of geometry and physics (levels I & II). 2. The study of individual or group action as it effects an adversary’s mental or physical reaction (level III).
Check out our
martial arts schedule!
Make sure to take a look at our class schedule. Find the right time to start martial arts classes at Nackord Karate System!
Reach Out Today!
It has been our honor to provide Wayne martial arts lessons for over 50 years. As well as bringing the highest level of Karate in Wayne, we also invite those in Devon, Berwyn, Paoli, Malvern, and King of Prussia to join us! You can find our martial arts school above The Happy Mixer Gluten Free Baker in the Gateway Shopping Center!