Posted by: DragonFire1134
Interesting "JKD" email read - 08/17/04 01:44 PM
I found this to be an interesting read, perhaps you will to.
[QUOTE]Here is where the confusion with the term 'JKD' lies:
I see many martial artists who claim to do JKD who don't have a clue. They have read a little about Jeet Kune Do and Bruce Lee,
found some principles and tactics to incorporate, so now they are
doing JKD, too.
I am really happy they have found something to absorb from Bruce's writings/teachings. Cool. Still, in my head, it's confusing to call this person's system "JKD."
Then we have the majority of Bruce Lee's students -- and the students
of these students. I am one of those -- a student of a student.
Are we practicing JKD -- no, I don't think so. Here's why:
Some of his students remember exactly what Bruce Lee taught them. They pass this on to their students -- for the most part, accurately.
{Don't give up on me -- I really will turn this all into the practical -- eventually.}
But Bruce would be rolling in his grave to see that these guys have stagnated -- they don't progress -- just repeat what they were
taught -- just what Bruce Lee was trying to avoid.
On the other hand, some of his students combined JKD with other arts. They made a blend. This is another group.
It's an interesting blend. In fact, it started my interest in the Filipino arts.
I am still interested in practicing them, and learning how to deal with Arnis, Largo Mano, etc., should I ever have to.
Let's be honest -- do you for one minute think that Bruce Lee would have stood for the arm patting, two hands on the stick (in some styles), or the lack of center-line in many of the hu-baud exercises?
Be brutally honest.
You know exactly what Bruce would have done.
So, these guys aren't doing JKD. But no harm, no foul -- because some of them study under the designation of "Concepts." No need to stay faithful to Bruce -- just employ some of the 'concepts.' I approve of this type of honesty -- unless they truly feel that they are doing what Bruce Lee did.
Let's move on to the penultimate group:
We have a small, and I do mean small, handful of Bruce's students and students of his students, who have continued to progress. These original students might even have a thing or two to discuss with Bruce ---after all, Bruce Lee died in his 30s. His students outlived him by at least 25-30 years.
If they took his ideas, and extended them out, it's logical to assume that they may have found a twist or two, right?
You would assume.
Bravo to these few. They are embodying the idea of Jeet Kune Do --
they aren't static. The style continues on in a dynamic state, correct?
My argument is that what they are doing is great, but it's not JKD -- anymore. It's no longer purely Bruce Lee.
Which brings us back to discussions that have appeared in magazines
and all over the Internet -- did JKD die with Bruce Lee?
My answer: I think we should let go of the term, but not the information
and the principles.
By the way, the last group is a group of folks who use the name with not one bit of understanding of what Bruce Lee was about.
They use the name, because it fattens their wallets and bank accounts.
Nothing more.
That last group doesn't even belong in this discussion.
So, are you ready to turn this discussion to the practical?
I wish I had a name to express what I want to talk about-- a name that didn't confuse --a name that would make sense to all, and yet be more descriptive than just 'progressive martial arts.'
So, I need to move beyond the name. Not hard.
We have just seen that the name 'JKD' doesn't mean much. It doesn't help to define accurately how someone expresses him
or herself in the martial arts.
There are a myriad of "Tips, Tactics, and Techniques" (subtitle of this newsletter) that somehow fall short of the JKD definition.
On the other hand, there are a ton of techniques from other styles that already embody the true principles incorporated or discovered by Bruce Lee. And some techniques only need a little modification, maybe the elimination of a telegraphed motion, to make them "Bruce Lee efficient."
Whether you hail from a classical school and are looking for self improvement, but still want to stay faithful to your style; or if
you practice JKD, JKD Concepts, or some other derivation; or even if you claim to be practicing 'true' Jeet Kune Do, I have the same advice about learning "JKD":
We could keep talking, but you get the point.
A lot of what is purported to be JKD isn't.
And techniques don't have to 'display' the JKD label stamped on them, to embody the teachings of Bruce Lee.[/QUOTE]
Sorry if I bored you with this.
[QUOTE]Here is where the confusion with the term 'JKD' lies:
I see many martial artists who claim to do JKD who don't have a clue. They have read a little about Jeet Kune Do and Bruce Lee,
found some principles and tactics to incorporate, so now they are
doing JKD, too.
I am really happy they have found something to absorb from Bruce's writings/teachings. Cool. Still, in my head, it's confusing to call this person's system "JKD."
Then we have the majority of Bruce Lee's students -- and the students
of these students. I am one of those -- a student of a student.
Are we practicing JKD -- no, I don't think so. Here's why:
Some of his students remember exactly what Bruce Lee taught them. They pass this on to their students -- for the most part, accurately.
{Don't give up on me -- I really will turn this all into the practical -- eventually.}
But Bruce would be rolling in his grave to see that these guys have stagnated -- they don't progress -- just repeat what they were
taught -- just what Bruce Lee was trying to avoid.
On the other hand, some of his students combined JKD with other arts. They made a blend. This is another group.
It's an interesting blend. In fact, it started my interest in the Filipino arts.
I am still interested in practicing them, and learning how to deal with Arnis, Largo Mano, etc., should I ever have to.
Let's be honest -- do you for one minute think that Bruce Lee would have stood for the arm patting, two hands on the stick (in some styles), or the lack of center-line in many of the hu-baud exercises?
Be brutally honest.
You know exactly what Bruce would have done.
So, these guys aren't doing JKD. But no harm, no foul -- because some of them study under the designation of "Concepts." No need to stay faithful to Bruce -- just employ some of the 'concepts.' I approve of this type of honesty -- unless they truly feel that they are doing what Bruce Lee did.
Let's move on to the penultimate group:
We have a small, and I do mean small, handful of Bruce's students and students of his students, who have continued to progress. These original students might even have a thing or two to discuss with Bruce ---after all, Bruce Lee died in his 30s. His students outlived him by at least 25-30 years.
If they took his ideas, and extended them out, it's logical to assume that they may have found a twist or two, right?
You would assume.
Bravo to these few. They are embodying the idea of Jeet Kune Do --
they aren't static. The style continues on in a dynamic state, correct?
My argument is that what they are doing is great, but it's not JKD -- anymore. It's no longer purely Bruce Lee.
Which brings us back to discussions that have appeared in magazines
and all over the Internet -- did JKD die with Bruce Lee?
My answer: I think we should let go of the term, but not the information
and the principles.
By the way, the last group is a group of folks who use the name with not one bit of understanding of what Bruce Lee was about.
They use the name, because it fattens their wallets and bank accounts.
Nothing more.
That last group doesn't even belong in this discussion.
So, are you ready to turn this discussion to the practical?
I wish I had a name to express what I want to talk about-- a name that didn't confuse --a name that would make sense to all, and yet be more descriptive than just 'progressive martial arts.'
So, I need to move beyond the name. Not hard.
We have just seen that the name 'JKD' doesn't mean much. It doesn't help to define accurately how someone expresses him
or herself in the martial arts.
There are a myriad of "Tips, Tactics, and Techniques" (subtitle of this newsletter) that somehow fall short of the JKD definition.
On the other hand, there are a ton of techniques from other styles that already embody the true principles incorporated or discovered by Bruce Lee. And some techniques only need a little modification, maybe the elimination of a telegraphed motion, to make them "Bruce Lee efficient."
Whether you hail from a classical school and are looking for self improvement, but still want to stay faithful to your style; or if
you practice JKD, JKD Concepts, or some other derivation; or even if you claim to be practicing 'true' Jeet Kune Do, I have the same advice about learning "JKD":
- 1. Don't get stuck on the name
- 2. Don't even get stuck on the style. Find 'JKD' from each style.
- 3. Pick a Bruce Lee principle, like "not playing the other person's game," and then apply it to every piece, each facet, of your style or system.
- 4. If you do find a principle that is sound, you may have to discard parts or all of your style, to align yourself with your more efficient way of defending yourself.
- 5. Listen to what the JKD experts are saying, but then use your own powers of observation, to see if they stay true to their words. I know of one teacher who promotes stop kicks and 'broken rhythm,' but he actually has no clue. Watch for yourself -- everything is in rhythm --- yuck!
- 6. If a move continuously gets you in trouble, you have to modify it or drop it. No fair hanging onto favorites, just because.
- 7. Learn how to 'deal with' the techniques you have eliminated. After all, you eliminated them because the lacked. If they lack, then you should have no problem taking someone out quickly and efficiently who tries the inferior move on you, right? (Even if you don't high kick, you still have to know how to deal with one.)
We could keep talking, but you get the point.
A lot of what is purported to be JKD isn't.
And techniques don't have to 'display' the JKD label stamped on them, to embody the teachings of Bruce Lee.[/QUOTE]
Sorry if I bored you with this.