Let's talk about JKD

[GhostlySykanRyu]

"Just go train, geez fellas while you guys are debating Bruce would be training. No one will ever control JKD and those who wish to learn and expand it for their on needs. It is the way it was and is meant to be. I have only trained in JKD/Wing Chun concepts and to be honest mine is the best version, not that ya'lls isnt great but mine is what works for me, that makes it the best for ME, I believe thats what Mr. Lee wanted, he will show you his path but one day you must choose your own way."

 

-Even Sifu Lee had to rest some times, and he trained his mind as well as his body...and if ye followed your own words, you wouldn't be visiting these wonderful forums, now would you? Yours is the best version? Doesn't bother me, I'm just a fan of the philosophy...but I'm sure that there are are few Wing Chun and JKD instructors that would beg to differ with you...

 

"Does JKD not have an advantage over other martial arts then?"

 

-I guess that all depends on your instructor(s) and how hard you train. Keeping in mind what is outlined in JKD IMO is beneficial.

 

"JKD does not have blets as such, they have phase 1 and 2 right? "

 

-I don't remember where I read this, but I recall JKD having 8 rankings, the highest being reserved for Lee. This is just how Lee ranked however, so it might not be applicable in modern JKD schools.

[street fighter]

I think you missed the point, it is not that what I do is better than what you do it is that it is better for me because I am able to do it not just try and conform to what works for others who may be bigger, smaller, faster or slower, I have found my groove that is why it is better,(better for me).

[Kickbox]

That's right Streetfighter. While other arts try to mould the fighter into their peice of reality JKD helps the fighter find his "groove". The fighter may look like he is doing WC or kali or boxing but in JKD effeciency is anything that scores. JKD is no art but it can look like any art...or not. I saw where someone said JKD is like the numbers 0-9. You can make up any number from that base. 0 can be JKD and 87641 can be JKD and 05984736 can be JKD. But JKD is never "only" one number or set of numbers. If you have three punching techniques, three kicks and a few takedowns/submissions you have the base for any combination of techniques to combat any self defense situation. The techniques may come from any system. So JKD is really the process of discovering what works for you. That's why they say you can't really teach JKD, you have to experience it and when you experience it your experience may be different from mine. Guro Dan said JKD is like a vacation. You take your vacation in the mountains. I take my vacation at the beach. WE both enjoyed our experience on vacation.. Dr. Beasley explained that JKD means "Using no (particular) way as the (only) way." He says that is what JKD is for.".self discovery. It's the FREEDOM to choose what works best for me. How do you define Freedom? Well define JKD the same way."

[street fighter]

Good stream kickbox, but you know the only reason I do not say that I am a JKD teacher as appossed to a combative instructor is the misconceptions of others and the meaning of what JKD truly is. I am a certified instructor of JKD concepts and the only people who will know this are those who are already training with me. JKD and "kung fu" are alot alike in the sense that people are lost in the movies and not true meaning behind each, one is a word to discribe anything that one works at to perfect and JKD is anything that is perfect for you, in the martial since. I hope this is not to confusing and bring the wrath of the JKD community down on me. Hey it is just me being me

[Cmon]

Well i have no flase preconception of what JKD is because this is the first time i have seen/experienced it. JKD is probably a better martial art for me because i can be taught many techniques punching/kicking/submission/trapping/grappling

 

and choose the ones that i work best with and use them. This is how i undertsand JKD.

 

Back to my question about JKD ranks and so on. 8 you say hmmm number 8 for bruce lee my challenge is to take that rank

 

Does anyone know what these 8 are called and are they like phase 1-8.

 

Thnxs.

[GhostlySykanRyu]

"I think you missed the point, it is not that what I do is better than what you do it is that it is better for me because I am able to do it not just try and conform to what works for others who may be bigger, smaller, faster or slower, I have found my groove that is why it is better,(better for me)."

 

-Understood (your previous wording just made it seem otherwise, gatcha).

 

Nice definition kickbox...JKD is hard to put into words...

 

Cmon-I'll go through my sources and see if I can find that tidbit again.

[Kickbox]

The information I used is from "The Jeet Kune Do Experience" by Dr. Jerry Beasley ( Paladin Press 2001).

 

The levels 1-8 were at one time considered by Bruce Lee but never used. After his death Guro Dan decided to give himself level 6. He gave Taky Kimura level 7 and decided that Sigung Bruce should be level 8. The "ranks" mean nothing since Sigung Bruce did not approve or issue the level/rank. Rank/level/certification in JKD is only a way to feed the ego. There are no ranks in JKD. How do you assign a rank to the concept of freedom? Can one person be 8 th level in freedon while another is 6th in freedom? When you confine/limit a person to a rank then you trade JKD for a peice of paper.

 

Let's say you are hungry and you want to feel verey full. JKD is the process of reaching that feeling. Once you are "full" you have reached your goal and you no longer need or can use JKD. JKD is like a boat. It's usefulness is in getting to the other side. Once the journey is complete you discard JKD. Let's say you want to earn a rank in JKD. JKD is the journey to obtain skill. Once you achieve the rank you are no longer JKD.

 

JKD is the journey...the way...the path... the destination is simply that a destination..not JKD.

[Cmon]

But there is a rank/level/certificate in JKD called phase 1. I am right about this because my instructor said i would be taking my phase 1 test at end of feb beginning of march.

[Kickbox]

After Sigung Bruce died people made up all sorts of levels and phases and even belts. Most "ranks" and phases are given for advancement in kali and stuff like that which Bruce Lee did not teach.

[GhostlySykanRyu]

Nice info again Kickbox...I found the info. again...it was a compilation in Lee's personal notes...it doesn't mention the actual use of the ranking system (or lack therof). It seems that Cmon's instructor made the same assumption as myself, but applied it as well!