Iron Arahat

I'd upload stuff too...also look at some of these places that offer freespace...if we get eough guys toghether we could get quite a collection going...

The San Shou amatuer champions will be determined October 1-7 in Armenia at the world Championships... Check out the site at: http://www.wushu2001.am/ As for a favorite fighter its tough to say a lot of these guys are friends, and I have respect for all of them.

Unfortunately so many arts become diluted like that, and with an uneducated public half the time it just gets worse. They either think what they are taking is realy good, and maybe never find out until it's too late. Or it turns them off completely. We had a civilian teach a seminar once, not JKD, but it was almost comical. First was his total lack of understanding of law enforcement, but the techniques, were weak. The problem was a lot of the guys bought it, because they have no experience other than basic, and with a compliant training partner this stuff "appears" to work. As always during class I keep my mouth shut, and play along, see what they have to offer (always can learn something new). After class I asked him who trained him, and he dropped a dozen names some BJJ, Ninjitsu...(I wont name names to protect the instructors that he named that he probably never met). I really think there should be some legal ramifications for stuff like this...Dan has a good reputation, he doesn't need idiots riding on his coat-tail and charging $2000.

I hope so too Ken... Have you seen this seminar stuff happen before with the BJJ, Kali, etc.? Can't Dan do something legal to stop people like Vunak from using his name?

It is true if they have a chance to get it...in some cases you wont even get a chance to use it yourself unless it's in hand. A good movie to watch for anyone is "Surviving Edged Weapons" by Calibre Press. I know there are copies out there, and it is not sold directly to civilians; however, if you can get it watch it. You will be surprised...

A lot of what I have seen of JKD has been guys that have become "certified" instructors through attending seminars. Now are these guy's just being taught the concept of JKD, and then being let loose on the world? For example Paul Vunak (an instructor under Dan Insanto) offers the following: "The price for a two-day personal training instructorship program is $2,000.00 US" and also makes the following claim, "You'll receive certification to teach my art to others! Since the all three of the Training Programs are instructor candidate courses, most people will be qualified to receive an official Instructorship Certificate, testifying that you are now qualified to teach others what you have learned." See for yourself at: http://www.fighting.net Also the guys I know up here are seminar crazy. Always have different guys coming to train...which in itself is great...but after a couple of seminars make them instructors under their system. Now are these guys getting cash, or what's the deal. I know with Judo it takes years to be able to teach, and I would have assumed the same about BJJ. This is what has puzzled me about JKD, I have to say at least Ken has started from the roots, and from what you guys have said that appears to be the "proper" means of learning the art. Do you find that stuff like this has hurt JKD Ken? I have to admit other than reading some of the old Lee books when I was a kid, I am quite niave to the current state of JKD. Thanks for the info so far guys it's good stuff....

From what I have seen with friend who have train Muay Thai, it is very intensive, and a lot of work. Because they are focusing on ring work, a lot of bag work, pad work, etc. It developes well conditioned athletes. I would say that there is more Muay Thai schools around than that of San Shou, although San Shou is just a set of rules for fighters of different kung-fu systems to come together. With this said alot of Chinese martial artist do not fight San Shou, and alot of gyms do not train full time for the sport. Fighting San Shou is a second thought in most kung-fu schools. It is easier to get Muay Thai bouts across NA, UK, for most thai athletes prepare for the ring...were as most kung-fu schools do not.

To Goose, My point is that a magazine rolled up can be used as effectively as a Kuboton, but does not have the stigma attached as an "offensive" weapon. Just like a swiss army knife over a hunting knife... Just because you don't carry a weapon doesn't mean you can't defend yourself. Personally I've been in situations without a weapon in my line of work, and because of other skills come out on top. Something to ponder...any weapon you have can be used against you...a gun, knife anything...by carrying a weapon in many cases you increase the possibility of ending up in a box.

So why learn Jun Fan Gung Fu...if it doesn't blend with your style...what if a JKD practitioner doesn't find the concepts of Jun Fan practical. Isn't using Jun Fan as a base art conflict with the philosiphy in some ways? If Bruce's base was Wing Chun...isn't that were everyone should start? I had one JKD instructor call JKD the "Rats of the martial arts, because we take the best from everything."

So there is no real structure to all JKD...just stick in what fits? So theoretically someone could turn around and say that they teach JKD, because they are using the "concept"? So if someone says they are a certified JKD teacher...then what? If Dan doesn't certify guys in JKD, who are all these guys claiming to be JKD instructors?

Still need clarification...so if Bruce's "JKD" is diffenerent from Dan's, and Ken's is different from them both...if we took a school from one side of the country and compared it to another, chances are you would learn entirely different things?

I have never trained there, but they have some decent fighters up and coming. This is what I'm using to guage the school. Best is to go see and judge for yourself. NYC is big...there is also Shaolin school run by Shi Yan Ming: 678 Broadway 3rd Fl / NY, NY 10012 / tel 212.358.7876 / fax 212.358.7879 He will teach you traditional Shaolin...what I learned. Like I said before San Shou is just a set of rules...you apply what you learn in the ring. No problems ask away...someday we will meet I'm sure, most likely retired and coaching

Sand is not the best to start with, and you need proper medicine. If you train them wrong guaranteed arthritis.

Yes, the school is a San Shou school. Yes, it is worth a 45 minute drive (I drive 8 hours- one way to train with my sifu) if you want to train san shou. website is: http://www.angelfire.com/ny/sanshou/

I'm curious about JKD, and maybe people can shed some light on this for me. As far as I understand there are two main schools of thought "nucleus" and "concept". "Nucleus" which sticks with the way Bruce Lee taught the art. "Concept" which basically believe that JKD evolves. Now I'm curious with how there is any structure, unless someone teaches June Fan first as a base (is this done?), and then develop from there. Also if one were to take JKD in one school then to another, if instructors pick and choose what they want to teach...grappling, sticks, trapping, and so on...whose to say they will be even remotely close?

Always tragic when someone young and talented passes away. A positive role model for many, she will be greatly missed. Buddha Bless

You should all try UFC for the Dreamcast, it's a really good game. I was surprised how good they made the grappling portion of the game. For kickboxing K1-Grand Prix..they third game in the series is actually good, leg kicks, training fighters, tournaments...just awesome for the playstation... Has anyone seen the new virtual fighter 4...it's really cool it includes the addition of a Shaolin Monk...

Cool...somewhere to visit when I go back home to visit my folks. Last time I was there I went to a club in Glenrothes, working out of the shopping centre. I think it was karate and kickboxing. My cousin is in Inverness... I miss home somedays... Anyways for sore muscles, bananna's for potassium, massage, and stretching before and after a workout will help.

Thank you...the fighters still pay the annual dues, but we hold extra training for them. Believe it or not very few people want to fight because of the time commitment involved. I just want to teach my art, and do my bit to keep the out commercialism.

I have fought under thai rules competitively, but not trained in Muay Thai...

I'm a switch fighter...but of course beigh right handed I'm stronger orthodox...

I think alot of the ideals of the belt system has been lost. It used to be that the student did not prepare or shoot for a rank; but rather it was awarded when the student achieved the level necessary to warrant the rank. I guess it's hard to collect belt test fees if there is no test... I'm not sure who said it (probably Kano) "rank follows the man" - not "man runs after rank"

I teach to give back to the community I live in, and out of respect for my Sifu. I run a non-profit organization, that has training fees of $350/year canadian (so obout $210 US or 130 pounds) for training four days per week. I train fighters for free, so long as they are dedicated. [ This Message was edited by: Iron Arahat on 2001-08-26 14:26 ] [ This Message was edited by: Iron Arahat on 2001-08-26 14:27 ]

I think as long as the child understands that a black belt does not make a child think he knows it all, then fine...black belt is just the beginning. If you look at the the kyu-dan ranking system (created by Dr, Kano - and used by most systems), it wasn't until you reached 7th to 10th dan, that you were considered a technician of the art. Swelled heads show poor leadership by senior sudents...not necessacarily a failure in the belt system itself....

If you want to fight full contact there are lots of opportunities to do so still... I think the reason that a lot of tournaments limit the contact is number 1 liability and secondly that people tend to shy away from full contact because they are afraid...