JIMMY ONORATO
JIMMY ONORATO
INSTRUCTOR
Jim Onorato began his formal martial arts training in the 1970s at East West Kenpo Karate in Farmington, Connecticut, beginning what would become a lifelong study of Kenpo Karate, self-defense, and the traditional Chinese martial arts.
Hachidan - 8th Degree Black Belt
Kenpo Hall of Fame Inductee
Kenpo International Lifetime Achievement Award
Jim’s principal Internal Chinese Martial Arts studies include:
Teaching and Experience
He earned his Shodan (First-Degree Black Belt) in 1986 and continued to pursue martial arts knowledge well beyond the requirements of rank and advancement. Over time, his interest increasingly focused on understanding why techniques work—the mechanics of movement, structure, balance, timing, power, and the fundamental principles shared across different martial arts systems.
After relocating to New York City in late 1990, Jim was introduced in the summer of 1991 to Great Grandmaster Al Tracy, founder of Tracy’s Kenpo Karate.
That introduction became a defining point in Jim’s martial arts journey. Through his association with Al Tracy, Jim developed a deeper understanding and appreciation of the principles, structure, and practical effectiveness of Tracy’s Kenpo Karate. He has remained a dedicated student and practitioner of the system ever since.
“You simply must experience the profound connections between the core Internal Chinese Arts and the External Arts.”
— Jimmy Onorato
CONTINUED STUDY
Continuing that philosophy today, Jim trains with Shihan Gary Gione of Elite Defensive Tactics, further expanding his knowledge of practical defensive tactics, real-world self-defense applications, and the Internal Arts.
This continued training complements his background in Tracy’s Kenpo Karate and the Internal Chinese Martial Arts and reflects a philosophy that has remained constant throughout his martial arts career:
There is always more to learn.
Jim continues to train, study, teach, and share the knowledge accumulated through decades of martial arts experience, with particular emphasis on practical self-defense and understanding the relationship between the Internal and External Martial Arts.
For Jim, martial arts remain a lifelong pursuit of knowledge, understanding, practical application, and continual improvement.
“The intersection between Internal and External Arts is the pathway to true understanding and the practical, natural interpretation of yourself and your true capabilities.”
— Jimmy Onorato
INTERNAL CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS
In 2001, Jim was introduced to Great Grandmaster David Lin of New York City, beginning another important chapter in his martial arts education.
Through his direct training and association with Great Grandmaster Lin, Jim was exposed to the traditional principles and methods of the Internal Chinese Martial Arts.
His studies expanded beyond individual techniques to include anatomy, body mechanics, structure, balance, movement, relaxation, mental focus, and the development of natural power.
The combination of these Internal Chinese systems with his extensive background in Tracy’s Kenpo provided Jim with a unique opportunity to study martial arts from two complementary perspectives—the Internal and the External.
Rather than viewing them as separate disciplines, Jim has spent years exploring the principles they share and how those principles can improve movement, efficiency, power, self-defense, and overall martial arts understanding.
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