GhostlySykanRyu

I have similar views... Lee's to me are entertaining because they were IRL as effective as hitting someone with a Buick. Norris' are effective because they are quick, effective, and the fact that he can move those long legs so quickly is effective. Even on Walker Texas Ranger you can see his Karate background intermixed with what he learned from Lee. Van Dammes' are good for show. Nothing else. Kareem Abdul Jabar too was an impressive kicker, at that height I suppose he didn't have a choice!

Very interesting...I'll have to look for these movies.

I'm definitely going to have to read that one... Is Norris really that old already? I thought he was in his mid-fifties. I just assumed that he was slightly younger than Lee during his training with him. Heh, I'll never forget those clips. Norris was already a champion, listening to "No no no, how many times do I have to tell you..."

NOTHING solves all problems, and the Tao is not meant to, it in fact stresses that hard work is the key. It's very useful for the afforementioned punches as well, outlining different methods and combinations as well. Keep the corkscrew hook in mind, it's very hard to follow and can open up most opponents for a devastating straight lead. So above all, just give it everything you got!

Unless sparring, each movement should be made with full commitment. If a person means me harm, I harm the person. If my life can be in danger at any moment, I will be sure that the threat has ended in it's totality.

The first to think of Gung Fu apparently had found a way! I'm not saying that a sensei does not help, I'm saying one is not entirely necessary to achieve goals. There are always alternative ways of training that are effective, even if some do not care to admit it.

You are misinformed my friend. Lee realized that traditional styles were not enough after his bout with Wong Jack Man, a rival Kung Fu black belt that challenged Lee for teachin caucasions traditional techniques. While Lee won (reports of the battle are sketchy as to how long it lasted, but by all accounts Lee had pummeled him into submission:keep in mind this was before Lee reached his martial peak), he felt that it had taken far too long to win with Wing Chun, it not being dynamic enough. This led him to think more about how martial arts were being run, being bound by tradition, or honor that never really existed in the Western world. So he began to study and train harder than ever. During weight training, he damaged his fourth sacral nerve in his back, leaving him bed-ridden for six months. During this time he trained his mind and gathered an extensive martial and philosophical library. He trained his mind as he would later train his body. During and after this time he came up with the concepts that were Jeet Kune Do. And as his research progressed, he found that limiting one's self is a downfall. As for him not using his elbows during films, I don't blame him. Perhaps he felt they were impracticle (though I'm sure he practiced plenty an empi during training). Perhaps he simply feel the need to use them as much as the backfist. Either way, it matters not. Regardless of all of this, arguements like this will never damper the name, empire, and philosophies Lee forged.

Heh, it's not like I've trained in total isolation...though the sparring I have done might be a bit too intense for what is allowed in the dojo...then again, I've never been in the dojo...I guess it just depends on the sensei/owner?

There are plenty who know the basic movements of JKD as Lee laid them out, but the way is much more than that. In reality, there is only one person on the face of this earth with the actual consent to instruct in official Jeet Kune Do...and a teacher is not always needed to learn...where do you think the first martial art came from? It was theory. A theory that spread and became law so to speak. JKD goes against that law. When being asked to teach a person Jeet Kune Do, Lee would reply: "I don't believe in system, nor in method. And without system, without method, what's to teach?" Lee intended Jeet Kune Do to be a base and way of learning the martial arts that would be practical and require only hard work...hopefully I've cleared things up a bit...

I understand why some of you are doubtful, I've come to expect it actually. The reason I am only now training in a dojo:I want my own base to start with. At this point I have learned much and know exactly what works for me in just about every situation. I do speak with quite a few experienced martial artists, and have trained with a handful (I had a SWAT member on his knees within ten seconds, I must be doing something right). So yes, I get other points of view, and on occasion I'll tape my movements and compare them to documentations of proper form. I do not simply imitate, nor do I simply learn. I absorb, and there is a difference. I study and I train. When I practice a new movement I do usually have people compare it to the source. Regardless of what any say, I know what has worked for me and what will continue to do so. I do not doubt the benefits of a dojo, but I have waited until now for valid reasons. Now I cannot pick up the bad habits of others, I already have had a chance to train my body and mind, and most importantly I will be able to tell the difference between a truely martial movement and one that has been imitated for far too long, losing it's effect. So now I continue with my own martial way, though I'm sure many will still disagree with my methods. Fair enough, it is expected.

I'm not saying this just because I'm a fanatic...this will truely help you. Read the Tao of Jeet Kune Do, Lee took quite a bit from western boxing. In the book he outlines how to throw strikes faster and more powerfully, and you could probably even use the stancework and training.

When you walk onto the mat or into the ring, do not think of the outcome of the match. Simply let yourself flow. While fighting, try not to be concerned with the kata or technique itself, as that will slow you...just let your true mind take over. You know the movements that are best for you deep inside, they will be the most effective in the heat of the moment. Remember, "It hits all by itself."

I've actually put in a few years of intense physical and mental training without ever stepping foot in a dojo. To me, martial arts are a personal journey, I am only entering a dojo to see how far I have gotten, and to get a few new viewpoints. Theres plenty of great literature out there on the martial arts, and instructional videos are priceless, as they often show you the heart of a given system.

I train every day, regardless of what is done. I do weight training every other day, and try to get in a MA training workout at least 4 days a week. Most of my weight training workouts can be found in Muscle and Fitness magazine, I try to keep things well rounded.

*shrugs* You call it egotistical, I call it absolute confidence. Either way, the man was amazing, and is deserving of no insults.

I miscinstrued nothing...I read and I replied. Metaphors tend to need a comparison, and sarcasm usually requires tone of voice and reasoning, or at least a slight hint that the comment is well, sarcastic. No matter, my apologies for misinterpreting Still, the statement stands true

Just be careful, there are plenty of people out there that will take their set style and slap on the JKD name and emblem for effect, which was most definitely not Lee's intent... BEsides, you don't really need an instructor for JKD...JKD is within yourself.

Jeet Kune Do is more of a mindset and way of life than a new art. There are few actual JKD dojos, and even fewer that do not exploit the name. My advice would be to study JKD as much as possible through Lee's literature and videos, then apply it. Absorb information that is useful and forget all that is not. The advantages like the art itself are limited only by yourself. If you train and study hard, you will reap the benefits like in anything else. It will not be easy, or at least should not be...ever. If training becomes easy, it needs to become more difficult. If you Taekwond-do techniques truely work for you, then no, they will not be negatively affected. Lee put out some very useful pointers on kicking that you might be interested in. Should you devote all of your time to practicing Taekwon-do? That is for you alone to decide. I would suggest you look into JKD as much as possible...you can use aspects of it in any martial art, and in any part of life. If you do not limit yourself to a set style or way, and if you train hard and believe in yourself, you are already a practitioner of JKD my friend.Good luck!

He was a martial artist first, an actor second. The purpose of the movies themselves were to show people his martial way. A long way from the truth? And you have what evidence to back that up? Yes, he was obsessive, he devoted his life to the arts and worked hard to get his views across. He was hardly an egotist, he was simply confident in his skills as any martial artist who trains hard should be...and he didn't preach humility, he preached confidence and hard work. You seem to be attempting to tear Lee apart due to his personal qualities. He didn't want to be a role model, he never attempted to be. He just wanted to be the best martial artist out there, and he wanted to make a big impact. And he did, while still managing to run a family.

Heh, I use a heavy refridgerator, it has a small amount of give as well.

On a normal day, after shadow boxing , stances, and kicking; I'll do some push-ups to get things pumping. It's usually about five cycles of the following (no more than 30 seconds between each): 20 push-ups 15 triangle push-ups 20 knuckle push-ups 10 fingertip push-ups 15 clapping push-ups Then at the end of a training session I'll do three sets of as many as possible (assorted types). I'm trying to build up callouses on my hands and knuckles, so I'll occasionally lay down small stones and cinders and do the push-ups on them (being careful to pick out any glass or metal fragments, I learned that the hard way!). Another type I use to strengthen the knuckles and wrists is to find a flat hard surface, then do "clapping" knuckle push-ups...they must be working for me, the knuckles don't bruise afterwards any more.

Maybe I too can offer some advice...but first off, what are you trying to accomplish? Stamina? Size and weight? Trying to get shredded? There are different weight lifting techniques for every result. And if I can't answer any questions, pick up a few issues of Muscle and Fitness magazine...you'll find everything there.

Well, learning how to NOT get hit may help, but aye,I train for the worst too... Neck stretches and crunches over the years have seemed to do the trick pretty nicely, considering I can take heavy slugs to the throat (though not very happily). Getting hit seems to help too, and being in good shape overall is always good. I also practice something similar/identical to combat Ki (I can't varify it considering I do not have the techniques of the Juko Jai, all I can say is that my methods work for me. It seems to work for everything but the groin basically...so to me the mind is the most important. Pain is a direct stimulous from the body to the mind. A message...one that can be ignored or even stopped.

Wow, this is the first MA board I've seen of such quality... Well, my name pretty much wraps up my beliefs and training methods...though I'm different than most martial artists in some aspects. I'm young, and have been in almost constant physical and mental training for three years now. I'm very new to the dojo aspect of the arts...I wanted to have my base (JKD) and knowledge accumulated before entering the "official" world of martial arts. I'll be entering a Jiujitsui dojo ASAP, as soon as I get my reminder for life, my JKD tattoo. So now I come here to see if I can learn more...particularly about the dojo atmosphere.

Aye, I do shadow boxing daily, it's a great warm-up!