Very good points.
I also run into the same issue when people ask me what I know or what style I use... Because I've adopted the JKD principles and I've cross trained in a few different styles and adopted a few techniques from others, I feel it's not right to claim those styles. Nor do I claim I know JKD, because I just follow the principles, not taking the styles itself (outlined in "Tao of Jeet Kune Do")
For example, though I learned a humble year of Wing Chun... I don't claim I practice it, because I haven't reached a level of proficiency nor am I currently studying it. For me to claim it, will almost seem like an insult to the style, tradition and masters.
So I find myself just saying "I know Kung Fu" or a "a collection of martial arts" and careful not to say "Mixed Martial Arts"... even though technically it is. Or to those who know something about Bruce and JKD... I explain the principle of JKD.
But Bruce himself said "Jeet Kune Do, It's just a name, don't fuss over it."
my 2 cents. |