Elvis Presley may have left the building, but to the people whose lives he touched, whether it be through his music or through his friendship, Elvis’ energy and impact is still very much alive and well.

Local writer Michael Miller has co-written “The Elvis Experience”with Dave Hebler –– who protected “the King of Rock and Roll” from 1972 to 1976.

The book gives readers a look through the eyes of Hebler, who goes into full detail about his time with Presley.

Miller said he and Hebler met in 2007 at a Florida Kenpo Camp.

“We hit it off and I began taking seminars under him a few times a year,” Miller said. “I ended up becoming a certified instructor under him through his Gift of Power organization. I was one of only four people to be certified under him.”

Miller added that the idea for the book came after Hebler released a DVD discussing stories about his experiences with Elvis.

While at a hotel on one of his tours, Presley had gone to observe a demonstration held by Ed Parker, who was demonstrating his martial art called American Kenpo. The demonstration impressed Presley so much that he introduced himself to Parker afterwards and would later become one of Parker’s students. One day, Elvis stopped by Parker’s studio while Hebler and others were working out. Presley joined in on the workout and Hebler, who was Parker’s top student at the time, happened to be his partner that day. The two hit it off so well that Presley asked Hebler to become one of his bodyguards.

On the day Hebler and Presley met, “We did a technique line, some sparring, and Elvis came out and joined us,” Hebler said. “I think what impressed him was my version of Five Swords (one of the system’s self-defense techniques). He really loved that technique. My version is about 13 different moves, it’s a like a mini-form.”

Hebler also reflected on Presley asking him to be a bodyguard.

Hebler said, “I was astounded, number one. Number two, I was delighted, of course. He could have had anybody in the world as his bodyguard and he chose me. That was pretty special, as far as I’m concerned.”

Once Hebler became his bodyguard in 1972, he also started teaching Presley Kenpo. Hebler taught Presley more than Parker did. Hebler was Presley’s Kenpo instructor the entire time he worked for Presley. The musician obtained a ninth-degree black belt under Parker. Although Hebler was Presley’s instructor, Presley’s promotions came under Parker.

In the book, Hebler takes readers on his journey of how he met Presley, how he became Presley’s bodyguard and karate instructor, what it was like during his first day on the job, and the things crazy women did during concerts.

Hebler also goes into some fun and humorous stories with Presley including stories about “the big drug bust,” “the San Diego Chicken,” “the lady ninja,” “the gaudy bauble,” “the gunslinger,” “the kid with the watches” and many more.

The book brings out the essence of Elvis the giver, Elvis the martial artist and Elvis the Christian to paint the picture of who Elvis the person truly was.

Hebler even touches on some of the tough times such as Presley’s problem with prescription drugs, how Presley fired him, and the controversial book “Elvis What Happened?” that he co-wrote with Presley’s other bodyguards, Red and Sonny West.

All in all, Hebler believes that Presley gave American Kenpo a great popularity boost.

“We owe him a great debt of gratitude. Somebody of his stature giving a nod of approval to Kenpo was huge,” Hebler said.

Hebler holds a 10th-degree black belt in American Kenpo –– the highest rank one can obtain in the system. Hebler was a the top student of American Kenpo founder Ed Parker. Parker created the system to be a modern martial art geared towards understanding the human anatomy, physics and modern practicality. American Kenpo is commonly known as “a thinking person’s art based on science.”

Miller holds a fifth-degree black belt in American Kenpo and is a student under Hebler.

Miller obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in writing from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in April 2002.

This is Miller’s fifth book. His other books include the “Legends of Kenpo” biography series, “Martial Intellect,” and “Kenpo Perspectives” –– which are all available on Amazon.

In addition to writing, Miller is also a local business owner who has run Miller’s Kenpo Karate Dojo — the only full-time martial arts studio in the history of McKean County —since 1998.

Miller’s websites are www.michaelmillerwriter.com and www.millersdojo.com.

Hebler’s website is www.davehebler.com.