Need recommendations for a good martial arts training book

[edisav]

Hello folks,

In the mid-nineties I took TaeKwon-Do for about three years and reached the purple belt. Today, I want to retake my martial arts training, but I want to do it on my own for three reasons. First, I don't have money; second, I don't want to be tied down to a contract; and third, I don't know of any good school in my area - provided that some of them lack integrity.

Today, I took my first step towards my goal and purchased the book "Bruce Lee - Jeet Kune Do." I must admit that I feel a little disappointed becuase the book is very philosophical but it doesn't offer much contents about techniques, which is my main interest. However, I like Bruce's approach in the sense that in JKD everything is allowed, and that a martial arts student should not identify with certain discipline only but look outward for more.

What I'm looking for is a good book that teaches good fighting techniques for self-defense and ways to develope discipline and self-confidence. I don't care about sticking to any specific discipline; in fact, I'd like to diversify that. I don't requiere that the book be written by Bruce Lee either, it could be anybody, as long as it's a good book.

Any unbiased and honest recommendations would be appreciated. Also, if someone in my situation has succeded doing it, I'd also appreciate such feedback.

Regards,
E.

[neiquando sefu]

I would advise that first you 'observe' other martial artists of different styles and aquire techniques that you could practice alone, as Jeet Kune Do is essentially an art that utiles the most effective techniques from the most effective styles in creating a way of fighting the works well for the practitioner.Although i myself have trained under many sefus and sensais the mojority of my martial training has been from my own research. I now have many of my own students who i encourage to develop their own ideas as well as learning direct from a teacher or from books.
As Bruce Lee said;
Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless and add what is significantly your own. Using no way as a way and using no limitation as your limitation.

nei quan do sefu

[John McNabney]

Hello folks,

In the mid-nineties I took TaeKwon-Do for about three years and reached the purple belt. Today, I want to retake my martial arts training, but I want to do it on my own for three reasons. First, I don't have money; second, I don't want to be tied down to a contract; and third, I don't know of any good school in my area - provided that some of them lack integrity.

Today, I took my first step towards my goal and purchased the book "Bruce Lee - Jeet Kune Do." I must admit that I feel a little disappointed becuase the book is very philosophical but it doesn't offer much contents about techniques, which is my main interest. However, I like Bruce's approach in the sense that in JKD everything is allowed, and that a martial arts student should not identify with certain discipline only but look outward for more.

What I'm looking for is a good book that teaches good fighting techniques for self-defense and ways to develope discipline and self-confidence. I don't care about sticking to any specific discipline; in fact, I'd like to diversify that. I don't requiere that the book be written by Bruce Lee either, it could be anybody, as long as it's a good book.

Any unbiased and honest recommendations would be appreciated. Also, if someone in my situation has succeded doing it, I'd also appreciate such feedback.

Regards,
E.

Where are you located?......Are you around Michigan?......Start off with the "Tao of Jeet Kune Do" and Bruce Lee 1-4 Fighting methods, that will be a good start.....Good luck in your training!


Take "IT" Easy,
John M.

[edisav]

I live in Charlotte, NC.

By the way, I forgot to mention other types of media such as DVDs.

Thanks

[kanik]

a couple books that inspired me are the book of five rings by miyamoto musashi and the art of war by sun tzu, the book of five rings a bit on the philosophical side, and was also written by miyamoto musashi, who was actually a sword fighter in old japan, it has a lot of stratagy in it, some pretty cool techniques, and, most the sword things can be changed slightly so as to fit unarmed combat. Now the art of war is heavy on stratagy and emphasises the fact that even if you are slower and/or weker etc. then the opponant, if you have better stratagy you will kick there ass... as far as actual technique goes... most books that give you techniques dont really work, and if they do the reader tends not to learn them very well. Think of the most simple and efficiant technique, also read the Tao of bruce lee by davis miller, its about the guy who wrote it and how bruce lee inspired him to train by himself and how effective it was, its very inspiring to read when you wanna train by yourself.

[b.ball]

hey guys girls i know an awesome book on jkd 25.50 title a system without a system by george hajnasr it's got hundreds of pictures and about 350 pages awesome for beginer or sifu check his web at www.jkdus

[Kirves]

I highly recommend Gene Simco's BJJ The Master Text (current, that is 2nd edition). A motherload of realistic techniques and with good detailed explanations.

[Oreomeister365]

I saw a vid somewhere of Dan Inosanto demonstrating some JKD, basic punching and so on, and it was basically exactly as I learn it, and it so happens that it is extremely similar to most modern MMA, seeing as JKD is MMA more or less (just less refined for sport value, which is where MMA and JKD draw differences) but otherwise, a few MMA media sources would help, perhaps not limiting your searches to simply JKD.

[NuffSpeed]

I'd disagree on learning strictly by books or dvds. If you want something as cheap as a book, and VERY effective for self defense and discipline, join a local amateur boxing club. They are generally well governed, offer real EFFECTIVE training, and are considerably cheaper then any other type of training out there. I've trained in JKD, Submission Grappling, Muay Thai, TKD, Kung Fu, Boxing, Kali, MMA, etc etc, and nothing compares for price to vice better than good old boxing IMHO. But like the other guy quoted..." absorb what is usefull", that is a completely personal statement, because whats usefull to me, might not be to you. On the other hand, if you have a considerable understanding of the basics in the different ranges, then books are great.

[Brother Horus]

I'd disagree on learning strictly by books or dvds. If you want something as cheap as a book, and VERY effective for self defense and discipline, join a local amateur boxing club.

Amen!!!
No one will learn martial arts by studying books!
a person with a SOLID foundation might get some good ideas or insights or some useful tidbits..but it will not be martial arts instruction.

The ONE most important book you can look into to find martial arts instruction:
The Phone book.

Why is it a "given" (or as you said, "provided") that ALL of the martial arts schools in your area "Lack Integrity"? I'd wonder what your definition is for 'integrity' if you think you can actually LEARN martial arts from a book.

I agree!!! Absorb what is useful! But in order to 'absorb' anything at all, even the greatest and largest of sponges MUST GO where there is wetness to come into contact with.

You can't learn to swim without getting wet.

HORUS

[Brother Horus]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE:
Try THIS:

http://www.challengermartialarts.com/schoolsNC.htm
OR THIS:
OR THIS


GOSH man....I can find Page after Page after Page of many many different forms of martial arts schools....
Then there's your local YMCA
Or
Your local Rec Commission
These two will often have Cheap Cheap Cheap martial arts classes...sometimes surpisingly good, reputable instructors charge hardly anything beyond devotion.

The city I live in isn't nearly the size of the city you do, and I can locate 14 martial arts clubs that don't charge more than $25.00 a month.
No kidding. and that's NOT including YMCA's and other nearby towns.
In a City the size of Charlotte NC,
you've got NO excuse.


HORUS

[Brother Horus]

IF

if you can't find SOMETHING

You aint Tryin














Horus

[ecamd1025]

I hear some of these responses and noticed they mentioned taht you take from other styles but that will make you limited. What bruce lee was getting into is not these philosophies that people explain. Find out for yourself, about what you are practicing, Mike brewer made a good comment on this forum on how these martial artists always talk about how deadly fights are. The mainstream martial artists are limited and mostly produce advertisements. Take a look at it yourself.
take care

Hello folks,

In the mid-nineties I took TaeKwon-Do for about three years and reached the purple belt. Today, I want to retake my martial arts training, but I want to do it on my own for three reasons. First, I don't have money; second, I don't want to be tied down to a contract; and third, I don't know of any good school in my area - provided that some of them lack integrity.

Today, I took my first step towards my goal and purchased the book "Bruce Lee - Jeet Kune Do." I must admit that I feel a little disappointed becuase the book is very philosophical but it doesn't offer much contents about techniques, which is my main interest. However, I like Bruce's approach in the sense that in JKD everything is allowed, and that a martial arts student should not identify with certain discipline only but look outward for more.

What I'm looking for is a good book that teaches good fighting techniques for self-defense and ways to develope discipline and self-confidence. I don't care about sticking to any specific discipline; in fact, I'd like to diversify that. I don't requiere that the book be written by Bruce Lee either, it could be anybody, as long as it's a good book.

Any unbiased and honest recommendations would be appreciated. Also, if someone in my situation has succeded doing it, I'd also appreciate such feedback.

Regards,
E.