Since 1997, I've been exposed to the Bruce Lee/Jeet Kune Do world. I may not have had face to face contact with some of his students, but I did correspond with them through email; or instant messaging. I did, however, meet some face to face. I also gathered a good amount of phone time with students of those students.
Reflecting on my time within, it's been met with great joy, pain; and a great deal of education. Since that time, I've been in search of Jeet Kune Do, as taught by Bruce Lee; my being from San Diego, CA didn't help my cause either. When the Bruce Lee Foundation was the "Nucleus," it did what it could to preserve, perpetuate, and promote Lee, and his art. By this process, many of these students of Bruce's came out of the woodwork. While this was going on, I stumbled across an Internet community featuring Bruce Lee students, their students, and JKD seekers from all over the world.
Since I started involving myself with this site in 2002, I've met many people, crossed many paths with other groups. More importantly, I've been through a fact-checking journey of who's who in this vast world of Bruce Lee fans, students, and friends - who was really there; what they had to offer; or what have you.
Throughout an additional six to seven years since, I've had my highs, and really lows. I was able to train in what I've wanted, I even traveled to Tulsa, OK - of all places (I like the people, and town), but I saw the ugliness (as evident in other arts) in this world in which I was a part. It seemed as the years went by, it turned out to be a jockeying contest over who was closest to so, and so's jock strap; or who kissed the best arse. Worse, was the lobbying required to get in good standing: particularly, the lobbying through a single individual who more or less controlled your fate in obtaining "due recognition," while those who were seemingly poor ambassadors to the art, and their teachers, getting a lot of "love, and support."
Friday, April 22, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Is Jeet Kune Do a Dirty Name?
In my experience, whenever Jeet Kune Do is mentioned, it's met with alienation, or assumption - alienation because, honestly, some just don't know what it is; or its history. Most of the time, it's assumption born of decades of bad education regarding these topics in question. But, sometimes, it's both.
When I mention Jeet Kune Do (JKD) to some, I've met assumptions pertaining to Bruce Lee's choice of armed, and unarmed weaponry - nunchaku, and flying side kicks are famous examples. Or, people have often equated JKD to simply doing your own thing, by virtue of quoting the infamous "Using No Way As Way," and "Having No Limitation As Limitation." I've also met some alienation in the form of correcting the way unarmed tools of the trade are being delivered since it doesn't fit the mechanical paradigm of modern Boxing; or most martial arts in general. Such instances are fine; I harbor no sour grapes over it.
What's more intriguing is this love/hate relationship with the art when it comes to others. When they hear it, sometimes they'll know, and say, "Oh, Bruce Lee's style." But, because they haven't seen real; or solid representations of it, things get seemingly get lost in translation. Sometimes, I've debated whether or not to mention I do JKD, and just stick to using a euphemism: Boxing, Kickboxing; or dare I say, Scientific Streetfighting (I'm not fond of that term, personally). Also, I've debated whether or not I should say I even have some experience; I don't mind being a totally empty cup, at times. I did toss out most of what I was taught before, settling into the material shown to me in 2005 - and I think I was better for it. The only supposed danger in doing that is probably wasting my time in learning extremely rudimentary movements. At the same time, I don't want the issue of being dishonest hanging over my head.
I'm a willing sponge, to a point. I started working out at this MMA gym in February, and I love it. Because I have no real grappling, or "MMA" experience, I'm willing to absorb all there is to offer. Not to mention, I did pick up a few pointers while working out at a TKD school, briefly; I still remain good friends with the people there. Aside from this, I, and others know what I do is slightly different - yet, somewhat noticeably so. I thought this difference would have been respected to a fair degree. Further, I would think this difference would have been welcomed, as well. At this point, I think it's fair to say, I might as well just shut up, and color my coloring book.
It's weird because I'm proud of the art I've been doing for six years, and counting. Those who know me well, know I have my criticisms regarding it, however. At the same time, I feel like there's an uphill battle to prove its merits - theoretically, and empirically.
For more information on JKD, checkout this website when time allows. More later.
When I mention Jeet Kune Do (JKD) to some, I've met assumptions pertaining to Bruce Lee's choice of armed, and unarmed weaponry - nunchaku, and flying side kicks are famous examples. Or, people have often equated JKD to simply doing your own thing, by virtue of quoting the infamous "Using No Way As Way," and "Having No Limitation As Limitation." I've also met some alienation in the form of correcting the way unarmed tools of the trade are being delivered since it doesn't fit the mechanical paradigm of modern Boxing; or most martial arts in general. Such instances are fine; I harbor no sour grapes over it.
What's more intriguing is this love/hate relationship with the art when it comes to others. When they hear it, sometimes they'll know, and say, "Oh, Bruce Lee's style." But, because they haven't seen real; or solid representations of it, things get seemingly get lost in translation. Sometimes, I've debated whether or not to mention I do JKD, and just stick to using a euphemism: Boxing, Kickboxing; or dare I say, Scientific Streetfighting (I'm not fond of that term, personally). Also, I've debated whether or not I should say I even have some experience; I don't mind being a totally empty cup, at times. I did toss out most of what I was taught before, settling into the material shown to me in 2005 - and I think I was better for it. The only supposed danger in doing that is probably wasting my time in learning extremely rudimentary movements. At the same time, I don't want the issue of being dishonest hanging over my head.
I'm a willing sponge, to a point. I started working out at this MMA gym in February, and I love it. Because I have no real grappling, or "MMA" experience, I'm willing to absorb all there is to offer. Not to mention, I did pick up a few pointers while working out at a TKD school, briefly; I still remain good friends with the people there. Aside from this, I, and others know what I do is slightly different - yet, somewhat noticeably so. I thought this difference would have been respected to a fair degree. Further, I would think this difference would have been welcomed, as well. At this point, I think it's fair to say, I might as well just shut up, and color my coloring book.
It's weird because I'm proud of the art I've been doing for six years, and counting. Those who know me well, know I have my criticisms regarding it, however. At the same time, I feel like there's an uphill battle to prove its merits - theoretically, and empirically.
For more information on JKD, checkout this website when time allows. More later.
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