Thoughts on 'teaching' Jeet Kune Do.

These are my beliefs about the Jeet Kune Do system with regards to the way it is portrayed.

Bruce Lee did not believe in martial arts or self defense classes as such; and so closed his schools in favour of teaching those closest to him. I find it strange that people are compelled to say they practice Jeet Kune Do, yet bear the ignorance and closed mind approach that Bruce disliked so much. Is there any such thing as a JKD class? I'm not so sure. Jeet Kune Do (according to Lee) is just the name of an ideal; not a martial art. If one knows how to apply technique in any given situation; they are the true practitioners of JKD. If a subject can be taught, it has been summarised. In my view this is impossible to apply to any martial art. Even something as simple as a straight punch has so many variables and curves etc etc. I would go so far as to say that every punch is unique; in speed, timing, distancing and execution all playing a part in the successful-ness. How can we generalise all these variables into a single technique that can be taught by an instructor, that will work for every person in every situation? We can't. It would likely take us thousands of years just to analyse proper technique and adapt it; let alone put it into practice on the battlefield. Now, if you yourself can utilise any technique (whether learned or instinctive) to take down the guy that is trying to rob you...well done; you have discovered the path of Jeet Kune Do. If on the other hand you turn up to class every Tuesday night at 7.30 to learn techniques that Bruce Lee 'used'; you are being taken for a ride: that is not the essence of Jeet Kune Do!
I like to think of it as trying to teach an artist how to draw. Of course you can teach the artist the techniques needed to draw accurately; but you cannot teach him how to be creative...this he will gain from observing and doing; not learning from an instructor. The only creativity being taught here is the instructors' own thoughts on the subject; rather than the artist's true expression.
I know a guy that 'practices' JKD; who refused to spar with me because I study karate. This I thought was strange: Here is a person refusing to spar with me because our 'styles' don't ''fit together''. From what I can interpret from Bruce Lee's words, this is exactly the kind of attitude he was trying to dispel among martial artists. As he said himself; unless you have extra limbs there is NO different ''way'' of combat. This is true...to a point. A lot of people are confused by different modes and styles, not to mention the etiquette and formality of each seperate branch of martial arts. The ''style'' is the physical appearance and application of the learned techniques withing the form itself, whereas the ''way'' is the mode or mannerisms in which these techniques are executed. For example, we would not see someone that practices ninjitsu throw a punch the same way (if at all) as western boxing. The motor skills and muscle workings are the same; but the mannerisms and modes in which the technique is applied is different.
Let's not also forget that Bruce Lee said seperate styles of martial arts were the cause of this close minded attitude. Let's for s second presume that he was right; a karate student will always be devoted to karate, and the same goes for any other style...it is their art and that's all they know. This is fair enough to presume; but I happen to disagree with Bruce Lee on this one. It is not the style or art form that restricts the student, it is their inability to become ''aware'' of others. This may sound like I am re-regurgitating Bruce's words; I assure you these are my own feelings on martial arts. Bruce always argued that unless a martial art can adapt; it is an in-efficient way of keeping yourself alive in a combat situation. I whole-heartedly agree with him; but here is the problem in the modern world...
People do not generally join martial arts classes to fight any more. They join for relaxation, inner/outer well being, improved fitness, improvement of one's discipline, the list goes on. The point I am trying to make is that most people do not wish to become super efficient fighting machines these days; they merely enjoy the atmosphere. Of course, at its roots martial arts is based on combat, death and all the rest of it, but if Bruce believed that combat effectiveness was the most important product of martial arts training: he was contradicting his own theories. Of course, he isn't here to defend himself, and a lot has changed in the 30+ years he has been gone, but if fighting was the sole purpose of martial arts, it would have driven itself into a dead end and become and 'un-intelligent' method of expressing oneself. Although it is true that most traditional styles have become so closed that manipulation of any technique is seen as failure or improper on the students' part; I believe the reasons and goals for people training in the martial arts has become broader, more sophisticated and generally more varied than ever before.

Now this does not mean I think myself higher and wish to degrade those who do practice JKD. On the contrary, I would like to encourage people to take up martial arts and see the benefits both physically and mentally. What I do have to say to prospective martial artists is that every 'style' or mode of practice has it's own usefulness inside and outside of the dojo; whether it be actual combat or just day to day occurances that would require many of the skills you will aquire through your journey as a martial artist.

Note: If you wish to use any of the material in these blog entries, please email me and request it. I'd be more than happy to allow the use of my work if it is properly referenced.

Thankyou