JKD - Style or Concept?

[cyderr]

i've been reading a number your entries on the subject of jkd and noted that alot of you people refer to it as a "style". my question to all of you is this - since bruce lee was not an advocate of "styles" in the traditional sense (i.e. karate, tae kwon do, kung fu, etc), how can anyone profess to teach jkd as one? does that not contradict bruce lee's philosophy?

 

my understanding of the subject is that jkd was not intended to be a set style but instead a concept, in which an the self expression of an individual, by way of martial training, was not confined by set traditions. instead, the concept of jkd was ment to encourage individuals to seek out,in their various studies, what techniques worked for them and implementing them in a effective and devastating self defense arsenal.

 

i'm probably not making alot of sense (cause i need some sleep) but i'm curious to get some view's on this subject.

 

[thaiboxerken]

You are correct "JKD" is a concept. You may as well think of JKD as fighting. We are training to fight and trying to find the essence of what works in fighting. There is no "style" just what works. That's the message of Lee. There is no good or bad in a fight, there is only the fight.

 

But, I still feel there should be a little structure for anyone claiming to teach "JKD" and that structure is Jun Fan Gung Fu. Why is that? Because "JKD" is a Bruce Lee thing, and people want to learn how Bruce Lee fought and trained. I teach Jun Fan more for the history and to give understanding of where his ideas came from. I personally wouldn't try to fight like he did, I don't have the attributes.

 

All in all.. shaddap and train!

 

 

[Singularity]

Thaiboxerken, I think your quote "shaddap and train!" describes JKD better than almost any other description I've ever heard. I think you have one of the rarely-found clear views on what JKD is, and ISN'T.

 

Dave

[Shaolin]

JKD was really Bruce's attempt to grow beyond where he was at a certain point. He stated that he knew that he could not beat his seniors with his Wing Chun (which he had not finished) and so he needed another way. JKD is that other way. It involved applying, to a large degree, Wing Chun concepts to other arts and finding a common thread that would allow Bruce to continue to grow. When Bruce began using JKD he already had a very strong base in traditional arts as everyone should. Many teach it as he did and others teach it differently - leaving out the Jun Fan boxing.

 

As to whether it is a style...I'll leave that to my Si-Bok.

Bruce Lee said:

 

Jeet Kune Do is just a name...Please don't fuss over it.

 

Jim

 

_________________

 

 

Moy Yat Ving Tsun

 

Rest in peace dear teacher, dear friend, dear brother, and dear father: Moy Yat Sifu

 

 

 

[ This Message was edited by: Shaolin on 2002-02-24 08:21 ]