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The Arts
Jeet Kune Do (Concepts)
Jeet Kune Do refers to a set of concepts laid down by the late Bruce Lee to govern effective Martial Arts practice. With the development of the individual as its ultimate goal it is this quest that can often lead an individual to investigate a number of Martial Arts systems. Heavily grounded in the training of attributes such as timing, distance and awareness, it is often felt that Jeet Kune Do practitioners view the Martial Arts as a menu from which that which best suits them can be picked. However, if someone finds all they need to be effective within one system then that is every bit as valid an example of Jeet Kune Do as those that draw from more than one art.
In JKD there must be a common thread linking the moves together, for example zinc and copper, they are separate things, but when they come together they create alloy and brass, you can no longer see the zinc or copper but you know they are there.
The Jeet Kune Do approach goes way beyond Martial Arts. It is an approach to life that seeks to help you consolidate strengths, identify weaknesses and continue to grow into the unknown. Bruce Lee once said of Jeet Kune Do, "it's just a name, don't fuss over it", that advice still seems valid today with the process being more important than its name. Jeet Kune do is a problem solving art.
Jun Fan Gung Fu
With Wing Chun at the core of Bruce Lee's system, Jun Fan Gung Fu/Jeet Kune do incorporates a modification of various techniques from Northern Praying Mantis, Southern Praying Mantis, Choy Li Fut, Eagle Claw, Western Boxing, Wrestling, Fencing, Judo, Jiu Jitsu, and some of the more refined kicks of the Northern & Southern Chinese styles. Innovative and radically ahead of its time in its training and teaching methodology, Bruce Lee developed a martial system and fighting strategy that has lost none of its effectiveness over time.
Emphasizing the "ranges of combat", Jun Fan Gung Fu is designed to confidently and with ease "flow" from long distance, kicking range, to middle distance, hand range, to close quarter and trapping & grappling range.
The movements are crisp, and efficient, utilizing the most direct lines and angles. JKD 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 until the conflict is resolved. Whilst devoid of the traditional art's forms, 'Jun Fan Wing Chun' does incorporate the wooden dummy sets albeit in a modified form (these are later augmented by the JKD sets). The use of 'reference points' to recreate positions within combat allows for the development of trapping skills which are enhanced within the practice of 'Chi-Sau' (sticking hands). The use of training equipment such as focus gloves and kicking shields allows the practitioner to move away from static drill's and develop within an environment closer to the unrehearsed atmosphere of combat. Jun Fan Gung Fu/ Jeet Kune Do is a good base system for anyone interested in delving further into the JKD concepts.
Filipino Martial Arts - Kali-Eskrima-Arnis-Silat
The highly sophisticated and comprehensive martial art from the Philippines is weapon based, but ultimately an empty hand system.
The Filipino martial arts are drawn from 26 primary sources, the instructors who Magulang Na Guro Dan Inosanto has spent his life training under. With influences such as the late Grandmaster John La Coste, Magulang Na Guro Dan Inosanto has developed a program that introduces students to 12 main areas, including, but not limited to single stick, double stick, stick & dagger, double dagger, panatukan (Filipino boxing), Sikaran (Filipino kicking methods), Arnis & Silat.
Combining both weapons based and empty hand training, the Filipino Martial Arts are incredibly well rounded with all ranges of combat fully addressed. The two approaches to training are complimentary with the weapons based approach magnifying the body mechanics that can later be translated into the empty hand phases. With no restrictions, the entire body is used to strike and deflect in a continuous flow of motion; there is almost a total absence of any blocking in the traditional sense. The variety of options found within the weapons practice includes single & double stick, single & double knife, stick and knife, and flexible weapons. The length of the weapon directly affects the type of body mechanic enhanced and the emphasis on the need to flow between ranges mirrors that of its empty hand counterpart.
The empty hand phase includes the sub-sections of Panantukan and Pananjakman that cover use of the upper and lower limbs for striking and off-setting of balance to influence the opponent's position. The translation of weapons based movements to empty hand allows for a unique approach to destroying limbs prior to attacking the major targets so as to facilitate a more humane approach to a combative situation. This phase also includes the practice of 'Hubud', a flowing exercise used to both develop sensitivity and to recreate the combative energy feel of a centre line attack.
In the US as long ago as the 1500's, the Filipino Martial Arts have something to benefit everyone. Developed for "mass attack" as well as single opponent confrontations, the training heightens student's awareness of their surroundings and teaches them to use their environment as tools of combat. Everyday objects, such as umbrellas, books, bandannas, etc., become effective means of self-defense in the hands of a properly trained individual. Use of left and right hand techniques develop coordination. Drills and techniques taught in a fluid, non-restrictive manner allow students to enhance their natural attributes and improve their sense of timing, speed, awareness, balance, agility, and confidence.
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