JKD in Israel

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Jun Fan Gung FuJeet Kune DoJ K D - COMBAT SYSTEM

 

JEET KUNE DO

Jeet Kune Do/Jun Fan Gung Fu is the training methods and techniques originally developed by Bruce Lee. It is the only modern, (non-traditional), form of gungfu in the world. Unlike classical forms of martial arts, which can be compared to the traditional dance of ballet, Jeet Kune Do is comparable to modern dance, with it's emphasis on improvisation. In Jeet Kune Do, ("JKD"), the individual is more important than the style or system. It's primary aim is the true self-expression of the individual. While JKD is certainly a devestating form of combat, the goal is the expression of key principles: economy of motion, (less is more), simplicity, longest weapon to the nearest target, and the elimination or minimizing of passive, (blocking) motions. Hopefully, these principles translate to everyday life, and transform the practitioner to creative self-expression.

Jeet Kune Do was conceived by the late Bruce Lee in 1967; literally "way of the intercepting fist." Unlike many other martial arts, there are no senses of rules or techniques that constitute a distinct Jeet Kune Do (JKD) method of fighting; JKD utilizes all ways and means to serve its end. It is bound by nothing and therefore free, it possesses everything, but in itself is possessed by nothing. Those who understand are primarily interested in its effects of liberation when it is used as a mirror for self-examination. In the past, many have tried to define JKD in terms of a distinct style, i.e., Bruce Lee's gung-fu, Bruce Lee's karate, Bruce Lee's kick-boxing, or Bruce Lee's Method of fighting. To label JKD Bruce Lee's martial art is to miss its meaning; its concepts cannot be confined within a system. To understand this, a martial artist must transcend from the duality of the "for" and "against" into one unity which is without distinction. The understanding of JKD is a direct intuition of this unity. The truth cannot be understood until we have come to full understanding of ourselves and our potential. According to Lee, knowledge in the martial arts ultimately means self knowledge.

Jeet Kune Do is not a new style of karate or gung-fu. Bruce Lee did not invent a new style or a composite, or modify any style to set it apart from any existing method. His main concept was to free his followers from clinging to a style, pattern, or mould. It must be emphasized that JKD is merely a name; a mirror in which we see ourselves. There is some of progressive approach to its training, but as Lee said, To create a method of fighting is pretty much like putting a pound of water into wrapping paper and shaping it." Structurally, many people tend to mistake JKD as a composite style because of its efficiency. At any given time, it can resemble Thai boxing, Wing Chung, wrestling, or karate. Its weaponry resembles Filipino Eskrima and Kali, and, at long range, northern Chinese Gung Fu or Tae Kwon Do. According to Lee, the efficiency of the style depends upon circumstances and range: a staff, for example, would be the wrong weapon to bring into a telephone booth to fight, whereas a knife would be appropriate. A good JKD practitioner must develop intuition. According to Lee, "a style should never be like a bible in which the principles and laws of which can never be violated. There will always be a difference with regards to quality of training, physical make-up, level of understanding, environmental conditioning, and likes and dislikes. This JKD is not an organization or an institution to which one can belong. Either you understand or you don't, and that is that," in Lee's words.
When Lee was teaching a Chinese system of gung-fu upon his arrival in the U.S., he did have an institute of learning but after that he didn't believe in a style or system, Chinese or otherwise. According to him, to reach the masses some sort of organization had to be formed, both domestic and foreign branches with affiliations: but he also felt it was not necessary to have these because a martial artist finds himself more often in places that are contrary. To reach the growing numbers of students some sort of pre-conformed sets had to be established as the standard for these branches. As a result, many members will be conditioned according to the prescribed system; many will probably end up as prisoners of systematic, drilling.

With Wing Chun at the core of his system, Bruce Lee incorporated a modification of various techniques from Northern Praying Mantis, Southern Praying Mantis, Choy Li Fut, Eagle Claw, Western Boxing, Wrestling, Fencing, Jiu Jitsu, and some of the more refined kicks of the Northern & Southern Chinese styles.
Emphasizing the "ranges of combat", students are taught to confidently, and with ease, to "flow" from long distance ("kicking- range"), to middle distance ("hand-range"), and to close quarters ("trapping and grappling range"). The movements are crisp and efficient, utilizing the most direct lines and angles. Students are able to enhance their natural attributes such as coordination, timing, speed, endurance, strength, and agility, using the innovative teaching and training methods developed by Bruce Lee.

Jeet Kune Do is primarily a striking art that includes some basic trapping and grappling, to facilitate, you guessed it, striking. "JKD is about space/time mastery" and is based on it's sound structure and super mobility.
In the sense of simplicity vs. complexity, JKD prepares for any possibility but not every possibility. In other words it is not concerned with the unlimited possible scenarios that "might" happen and exactly how to deal with them. JKD is concerned with having a long term, adaptable strategy. JKD is unrehearsed, streamlined and adaptable. This adaptability comes from the idea of "being like water." Like water, JKD is the art of fitting in. Like water, which structure is H20, The JKD structure is the on-guard stance. JKD is built on its sound structure and super mobility. Like water, JKD chooses the path of least resistance. "Like a wave" water crashes (water fills the void) and water recedes (water creates the void).
In JKD the movements are crisp, and efficient, utilizing the most direct lines and angles this affords the practitioner a means by which to effectively pursue the most direct line of attack. And once an attack has been launched there are no breaks or interruptions. As one technique nears completion, it starts to blend into the next and so forth: one continuous flowing motion with constant forward pressure until the conflict is resolved.
Innovative and radically ahead of his time in his training and teaching methodology, JKD has lost none of its effectiveness over time. The most important aspect of training in the philosophy of JKD is to train the human attribute set. Attributes are the abilities that we possess that enhance our performance. These are the qualities that bring techniques alive and make them functional. The great thing about attributes is that each one can be improved through proper training. If you are not fast, do speed drills. If you are not strong, try weight training and calisthenics. Identify your weakest area and work daily to improve them.

Attributes

Health
Mobility
Attitude
Flow
Timing
Power
Speed
Accuracy
Coordination
Sensitivity
Rhythm

Strength
Endurance
Flexibility
Balance
Durability
Agility
Knowledge
Experience
Relaxation
Precision

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