"Research your own experience. "
"Absorb what is useful."
"Reject what is useless. "
"Add what is essentially your own."
"Using no way as way."
"Having no limitation as limitation."
"Simplicity, directness, and non-classical"
Research your own experience: To really appreciate the art of JKD, it is important to first research other styles of martial arts. This will allow you to see the true differences and decide what will make you a better practitioner. For example:
Paul Curtin's Eclectic Karate: possesses a strong base of street fighting; mixes traditional ways with new ways, linear Shotokan with circular Kenpo karate, joint manipulations with jujitsu; the practitioner develops internal strength from within, becoming competent in the required movements from the three different disciplines.
Fencing: offers good mobility, straight lines, and the shortest distance between two points, with the strong side forward.
Wing Chun gung fu: features good centerline defense, the economy of the straight line, and sensitivity reaction in trapping, as well as the economy of motion.
Kickboxing: possesses a very strong kicking base in straight or curved, high or low lines.
Judo: offers good balance, in throws, foot sweeps, and joint locks.
Western boxing: features rapid footwork, speed, power, accuracy, and combination of physical and mental abilities.
Aikido: possesses continuity in flowing movements.
Grappling: features body tackling, surprise attacks to take downs, joints and choke locks, and stamina improvement.
Absorb what is useful: Take anything that works from the above martial arts (combative arts) and make them useful for you as an individual. Some techniques that are useful for another person might not be useful for you in real life situations.
Reject what is useless: After you have understood the whole theory behind a particular art or technique, and you find that it doesn't suit you or work for you, simply reject it, because there is no reason why you should learn something that is of no use to you.
Add what is essentially your own: Making a technique work for you in a threatening situation is the most effective way. You start creating simple ways to practice better, faster, and more effectively. Because people are tall and short, big and small; you should make the technique work in the way that is most effective for you, not using an instructor's way of doing it.
Using no way as way: You will not create a particular set way of applying movements or techniques. One individual style or method of fighting doesn't have all the answers. If you create a set way, you have created a weakness in your open mind, body and spirit, and have filled your cup to the top, leaving no room for other ways, even when you feel that someone else's way might be more effective then your set way.
Having no Limitation as Limitation: This fits hand and hand with the previous belief, because once you have created a set way, making that technique the only answer for all individuals, you have created limitations in your training. When you are limited, you are sure to be defeated.
You might ask, "Isn't the essence of JKD to use no way as the way, and to have no limitations? It all sounds very confusing. There is a set way in JKD, whether it is the right lead or strong side forward or rear heel up--isn't that a way and a limitation? This question came to my mind, and I asked and searched for the answer. I came to realize that it is not a set way or a limitation. It is the best proven way to reach your opponent without any restrictions or limitations, compared to a traditional fighting method. There are many ways to get from point A to point B, but one way--JKD--is shorter and paved. The other ways are long and rocky. Which road should you take?
Simplicity: Keep your movements simple. This does not mean you should add more; as well as it does not mean just one hit, because different attacks are treated differently. They can be a straight or curved line because some might require more than just one motion. Make your moves very natural. Don't get into any fancy moves because you might block a hit or take down at the same time. Respond to it like it is a normal every day action. Every Jeet Kune Do practitioner tries to be very simple in his or her technique but this does not mean he or she lacks technique in real situations. You are only allowed one punch or kick before the other person grapples you and you both end up on the ground. All the fancy movements do not work in real life situations unless your opponent is a robot. Every Jeet Kune Do practitioner tries to be as soft as water, yet flexible as a bamboo stick. No matter what the situation is, you flow around it like water and take shape to fit the situation at that moment.
Directness: (Fits hand-in-hand with simplicity) Do what comes naturally. If an opponent strikes you, do not step back with your right foot, tight fists by your side, blocking with your left hand, pulling your left leg back into a cat stance. If you do, you will get knocked out. In Jeet Kune Do, just block, punch. If someone jumps in front of your car you would do what comes naturally to you, and slam on the brakes. Do not indulge in any unnecessary sophisticated moves. If someone pins you against the wall, don't try to do fancy Ju-Jitsu moves, it might work but it also might not. Why pin the wrist? Circle the wrist and elbow, then lock the wrist, then hit. You are not fighting a corpse. If you try to do that, things might not go your way and you will be opening yourself up to bigger trouble. In Jeet Kune Do, simply pin hit or pin knees, the groin, or just hit. It's very direct and you have a much better guarantee against your attacker.
Non-classical: Traditionally classical forms, katas and efficiency are all equally important. They do give you a good base and foundation. You do not need 20 forms and 20 katas to have a good base. The economy of form and katas is very important, but efficiency is anything that works in reality. In Jeet Kune Do, a student does not need to wear fancy uniforms. He or she can be as comfortable as they want. They are coming to me to teach them, not to look pretty, but to learn how to defend themselves. Some classical practitioners might argue that it shows discipline, respect and integrity. That might be true, but on the street you are not walking with your uniform on. So why not leave it for the student to decide what to wear during training? Some instructors might make it a rule that you must wear a uniform or you can't train if it doesn't fit the school curriculum. To me that is not right. A good student is anyone that has an "empty cup." A good martial arts instructor should leave the door open to anyone that is willing to learn regardless of forms
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