BRUCE LEE and JEET KUNE DO

[Great Sage]

BRUCE LEE and JEET KUNE DO
by the Great Sage

This is the first of many posts to follow by me, the Great Sage. With that said, I want to add that all the hogwash about Bruce Lee taking drugs, having inferior complexes etc. is based on pure speculation and is therefore, irrelevant. Bruce Lee was the most dynamic martial artist who ever lived. I wouldn’t consider someone who could do thumb push-ups with 275 lbs. on his back physically challenged. However, Bruce was born with an ailment which prevented him from kicking correctly. But like the warrior he is, Bruce overcame this obstacle as well.

In reading Bruce Lee’s notes and knowing how hard he trained, it’s very unlikely that Bruce would resort to such paltry things as drugs, alcohol etc... Bruce was a very spiritual and philosophical person. He lived by his ideals and that is what made him special.

Someone mentioned that Bruce Lee was a real “azzhole” in real life. Well, did you ever meet the man? I heard Grand Master Joon Rhee talk about Bruce Lee years ago and he mentioned nothing but the good character of Bruce. If Bruce seemed cocky, it was his persona and the fact that he wanted to show the world that the “little guys” can make a big difference.

Now there are a lot of JKD frauds out there these days. But these people seem to be missing the point. JKD is a concept, one man’s expression of the martial arts. I’ve read that Bruce’s top students don’t advocate any JKD schools for that matter. You cannot learn JKD techniques. You don’t practice JKD moves. It’s an idea that you apply. When you realize this you understand that whatever techniques you practice is self-preventative of your own brand of JKD.

[Ryu (JKD?)]

Bruce is on the phone. He says you guys all talk about him too much.

Ryu

[kh_s]

What exactly is a JKD fraud ?

[Patrick G.]

Originally posted by Ryu (JKD?)
Bruce is on the phone. He says you guys all talk about him too much.

Ryu

lol....

and tell him i want my 8-track back..

[Tulgat]

I don't know about the drug stuff but he was really well physically cool man and plush no one can do a one inch punch. Those biatches up there who thinks that Bruce is "azzhole" .

[marino13]

I practice JKD and to say that it's just a theory or concept is not right, it's so much more. I train in a curriculum that starts in Seattle and ends when Bruce passed away. When I reach the end, then I'll make my own way. JKD does have set patterns and technique, but is not bound to them.

Ted Wong wrote, "Jeet Kune Do is a unique martial art in that it is the first martial art that is not based solely on tradition. Granted Jeet Kune Do has specific and distinguishing techniques and a core curriculum that Bruce thought important to teach all his students. However, this is viewed as more of a " launching pad " from which the practitioner initiates their own exciting journey of self-discovery and self-expression. "

So I'm not saying that what you said is wrong, it's just not right either ! There is a lot more to it than that. To fully understand, I feel you have to start where Bruce did and end where he did. Then you go out on your own to find your JKD . I look at JKD as being like Kung fu. There is several types of Kung fu, and there will be several types of JKD. You just have to have a base to build on.

Richie

[m.artist]

Originally Posted by Great Sage

BRUCE LEE and JEET KUNE DO
by the Great Sage

This is the first of many posts to follow by me, the Great Sage. With that said, I want to add that all the hogwash about Bruce Lee taking drugs, having inferior complexes etc. is based on pure speculation and is therefore, irrelevant. Bruce Lee was the most dynamic martial artist who ever lived. I wouldn’t consider someone who could do thumb push-ups with 275 lbs. on his back physically challenged. However, Bruce was born with an ailment which prevented him from kicking correctly. But like the warrior he is, Bruce overcame this obstacle as well.

In reading Bruce Lee’s notes and knowing how hard he trained, it’s very unlikely that Bruce would resort to such paltry things as drugs, alcohol etc... Bruce was a very spiritual and philosophical person. He lived by his ideals and that is what made him special.

Someone mentioned that Bruce Lee was a real “azzhole” in real life. Well, did you ever meet the man? I heard Grand Master Joon Rhee talk about Bruce Lee years ago and he mentioned nothing but the good character of Bruce. If Bruce seemed cocky, it was his persona and the fact that he wanted to show the world that the “little guys” can make a big difference.

Now there are a lot of JKD frauds out there these days. But these people seem to be missing the point. JKD is a concept, one man’s expression of the martial arts. I’ve read that Bruce’s top students don’t advocate any JKD schools for that matter. You cannot learn JKD techniques. You don’t practice JKD moves. It’s an idea that you apply. When you realize this you understand that whatever techniques you practice is self-preventative of your own brand of JKD.

you and marino 13 are both correct. you can learn many different styles of martial arts, but when use what works for you, u are, essentially, doing jkd. ur using what works for you. that's what jkd is about. practicality and making things work for u in life. good posts you 2

[Duece]

Originally Posted by Great Sage

BRUCE LEE and JEET KUNE DO
by the Great Sage
You cannot learn JKD techniques. You don’t practice JKD moves. It’s an idea that you apply. When you realize this you understand that whatever techniques you practice is self-preventative of your own brand of JKD.

This is not a sarcastic question, I'm just not sure what you mean by this. I can use a boxing technique, with a few kicks thrown in there and still call it JKD because I made it up myself??

Lets say for some strange reason my "on guard" stance were keeping my arms straight out to each side like the letter 'T'. Since I created this techniquer myself, I can call this JKD?

[SLK.fidget]

what ailment did bruce have, how did it effect his kicks, and how did he overcome it, because all the books and videos i read shows that he has amazing kicks, i am not doubting u i just really want to know. thanks.

[robertlee]

All things are not JKD. And in the end JKD is what you do. But at first. Its the set of tools handed down by bruce. As you learn it and find within it what you can get to work for you . That is your JKD. If all M/A s could be borrowed from to make any thing JKD then that would be easy. But its not. Any thing added to the original training. I wouyld consider as concept. And yes it can apply to futher your JKD. But by its self Its not JKD. But each there own If any thing makes you better. Go for it. But you do not have to call it JKD when its not.

[brokenelbow]

Wow, what a unique and original thread. Obviously much thought went into it. Way to go and keep up the good work!

[marino13]

You use the original guidelines and techniques that Bruce set forth, this is from the beginning to the end. You can't pick and choose your spots, it has to be from start to finish. After that do as Bruce said, " Use JKD as a boat to get across the water, after you get there discard it, because it has no more use to you " I know once I get across, I'll build my own boat to get back ! It's getting across that must be done first though .

Richie

[eXcessiveForce]

Bruce's "ailment" was that one leg was longer than the other. This is what made him adopt that particular lead. He wanted to have his longest weapon infront.

The real question is. If i combined a bunch of things from differnt styles why would I want to name it JKD?

JKD is way of the intercepting fist. It would be a pretty dumb name for something that does not do intercepting or may not even use fists but open hand strikes.

Forget calling what you do JKD. Start doing it until you can call it effective. Till then its all just words.

[marino13]

Like I said earlier, it can't be JKD unless there is a core curriculam. He adopted the lead side forward to have his strongest weapon forward, and he emphasized using the longest weapon to the nearest target, which would make that the leg.

He got this power side forward strategy from Sifu Gin Foon Mark, and his Praying Mantis style, and from fencing, which he got from his brother. Then he tweaked it out and made it his own. Now I'm by no means saying he didn't have an ailment( to be honest i don't know ) but I know the power side theory wasn't all based on his ailment .


Richie

[m.artist]

when did bruce take the praying mantis style?..i never read anything on that