Why I Didn't Do Jeet Kune Do, Misrepresenting WC/JKD, Seattle Sucks |The Kung Fu Genius Podcast #61
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- Опубликовано: 27 мар 2022
- Alright peeps, on this 61st episode of the Kung Fu Genius Podcast, the KFG (aka Alex Richter) will be answering all sorts of hot nonsense from RUclips! Lots of gems, lots of stopping a punch with a snotrag, lots of “You better not mention that jerk Bill Nye the Science Guy to the KFG!” Let’s get to it!
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Развлечения
The main reason for Bruce Lee's modification of his beloved Wing Chun was that most of his early Seattle students were over 200 pounds. He once compared those students (e.g., Glover, Hart, DeMile, Garcia) to "trucks rolling down a hill." Bruce knew he couldn't consistently go toe to toe with these larger human beings, so the footwork became more alive and he added the backfist to the striking component of his ever changing art. Dan Inosanto stated that, "Bruce thought that the Wing Chun structure worked well in a bathroom, but at a longer range, he preferred the Fencing structure." In terms of Larry Hartsell, he was a Kenpo student under Ed Parker and Parker introduced him to Bruce Lee in 1965. Hartsell states that he sparred twice with Bruce and that he basically got his butt kicked. Larry then served in Vietnam and when he returned to the United States, he became one of Lee's best (e.g., Bob Bremer, Dan Lee, Larry Hartsell) L.A./Chinatown students.
Great comment!
Can’t forget Bruce’s good friend Jimmy Lee :)
@@JKD1207 Bruce went from creating Jun Fan Gung Fu in Seattle to creating Jeet Kune Do in Oakland, and James Yimm Lee was a great sounding board in this creative process. The late, great Leo Fong also played a pivotal role in the Oakland period by encouraging Bruce to add boxing punches and angular attacks to his developing art.
Bruce Lee never finished the system and he had to make up for gaps in his training. Many martial arts have range, including Wing Chun. Bruce Lee understood his gaps. I can’t fault Bruce for improving his fighting style. However, I agree with Alex; systems need a thread. You have to know why you are doing things and how this feeds into your development. This is a conflict within Jeet Kun Do.
Concerning Seattle. I'm a student of the late Jesse Glover and moved in Seattle for over a decade. Bruce's first school was in Seattle..not Oakland as some have reported. Jesse was a champion Judo man before he met Bruce. The art Jesse did was what he called "non classical gung Fu" which had elements of judo philosophy of pressure and gravity added to Jun Fan Gung Fu. I've met Leroy Garcia, Taky and others..all fine gentlemen. Bruce's naming of what later became JKD is not what people think. Seattle is awesome and does not suck.
29:59 “Sifu Heartsell was a guy who we respect and revere to this day. He allied grappling with trapping and finishes by smooth submission instead of only “Trap by Strike” vertical fist and chop choy gua choy stuff we used to use.
Here's something about the JKD nowadays. In my area and neighboring ones, their Jeet Kune Do vehemently follows the Bruce Lee "moves". When I say "moves", I mean, they imitate the way Bruce Lee moves, his kicks, his punches, sometimes even his face expressions, hair style, everything! I've seen JKD teachers here who dresses like Bruce Lee, has the hair like Bruce Lee and teaches JKD that way. You can see how similar the side kicks are, and then some wing chun drills and applications, and they call it as the JKD as taught by Jun Fan himself.
Excellent understanding of what I personally term as JKD Concepts, rather than system or “style”. Time to get rid of the “boat on our back”Thank you for sharing Siifu…. Peace and brotherhood. Full salute.
A typical excuses of martial arts forms when pressure tested
WoW, spot on again KFG, you scare me sometimes, ha.
In your responses on both, why you do not do JKD and misrepresenting WC/JKD, your points are very similar to my own. The first is on your reasoning for not partaking in JKD, so many valid notes on first experiences; definition and understanding of JKD, and more importantly how it is 'taught'; the arguments of what JKD is; Jun Fan vs JKD; may I add the lineage issues and so on and so forth. This is exactly the issue I had trying to first find instruction and sustain instruction, along with the ultimate never-ending journey of getting in front of an actual instructor that was at some point taught by Bruce or an instructor that is 'certified'... In my personal journey, no matter how close I got to the totem pole of actual JKD authorities, I realized, especially when it comes to JKD - to me, it was, became, and is a self-discovery of Bruce, where 'have no way as way and, no limitation as limitation' philosophy of the interpretation of 'the way of intercepting hand/foot' He left this earth, before it was solidified as an actual system, completed martial art. What worked for him, worked for him and gifted everyone with this concept/philosophy/self-discovery martial arts system to where one can utilize the concepts and teachings to form one's own representation (And agree, no one should call 'their' version Jeet Kune Do) rather inspired by Bruce's art that was continually ever-changing. A very unstructured system, yes, Jun Fan was more structured, but I believe, at least my own interpretation of Jeet Kune Do and what it ultimately means to me, for that is THE ONLY version I can ever attest to. The debating and constant arguing over what Bruce mentioned not be fussed over (Bruce's closing quote in the Tao of Jeet Kune Do: "If people say Jeet Kune Do is different from "this" or from "that," then let the name of Jeet Kune Do be wiped out, for that is what it is, just a name. Please don't fuss over it.")
Funny, enough that is what most do, argue, and act like they are the authority of what Bruce's art was. I too was shocked at the early instructors that I started with, pulling out Escrima sticks or the Silat and Savate and other art references/training. I kept referencing at the time the only real source, The Tao of Jeet Kune Do, and felt, these ways we were not so aligned with the material contained in the book and overall feeling, so kept the search and got closer and closer to real lineages. Even then I realized, as closer to the true ways of Inosanto, Wong is, they are their own ways and understanding. It was not until training with so many authorities in the art, that actually put me off and stopped for a bit, 1) my way, is truly the only way I can ever represent the lessons, thus incorporating and crediting JKD, but not calling it as such, and 2) it is apparent Bruce had the knack to quickly know what each individual was very good at and taught or rather guided them to refine their innate skills. No matter how many top practitioners I have had the honor to meet and train with, they all were taught different elements by Bruce and inadvertently train, study in the way "they" understand it to be. Which actually is what anyone can do anyway with someone's personal art. Another common theme to those that actually trained with Bruce, was to also be told by Bruce, "Do Not do what I Do" I believe what Bruce taught one individual, may not apply to another. Besides, we are all composed of different: physicalities, aliments, understandings, and beliefs, so we are all much too unique to all fit in a box. Perhaps, as Bruce mentioned, "All knowledge, ultimately becomes Self-Knowledge," so the understanding, training, and application of it, is all on the individual, which can only be at best guided by another, but only enforced by the individual.
After over 25 years of studying, practicing, learning this journey of JKD, (and other martial arts systems) I never taught for I do not believe there can really be certification in this system (I know 3 individuals were given that right) and during my years of evolving through it and with it, I have 'guided and shared the gift' of JKD, but with the understanding that it is merely "my Own" understanding of it and guiding others to also be inspired to find their own. So at the same time, I Credit JKD where it is due and would never be Discrediting it by claiming 'this' or 'that' I have seen beautiful lifepaths re-directed with individuals I shared the way of Self-Discovery with and seen and expressed what it all has done for their own lives. So, as I would never claim this or that, I will say, I have experienced the beauty and power of Bruce's art, changing lives for the better. And for me, any given art (or the way taught and/or learned) that is not more than merely punching/kicking is only punching and kicking. If the lessons of the art cannot be expressed and applied in ALL facets of life, one should keep the reference as just physical activity.
Peace to everyone and Bravo KFG for stating 'YOUR' truth, it inspires others to keep it real.
So IMHO, the minute anyone claims to be an instructor of JKD and what it 'is' and/or 'isn't" RUN! Check out the source that Bruce gifted us.
Great points, great comment!
I apologize, I wish to add my ending perspective on the matter if I may. I hope my expression did not sound like I was stating either:
1) Jeet Kune Do is a system one creates on their own and stick a JKD label on it - I do not enforce such beliefs.
Or
2) There are no basic Jeet Kune Do fundamentals that defines it’s structure, because there are.
Just wanted to share an individuals opinion and experience is all. And for those who are seeking JKD instruction, to be careful and remember that the founder left almost 50 years ago, while the system still in development and evolving.
Be careful out there is all. And I fully am in complete respect and gratefulness on where Dan Inosanto AND Ted Wong took and directed the art. Both for the good of the art and responsible for its integrity even though not in the exact same way, which only proves Bruce’s point all along, using no way as way…
Congratulations and thank you to the whole crew for another gem of edutainment! I was wondering for some time if it was a legit question, but since you touched on the subject in this episode: are there any "life lessons" that you learned from your lifelong studies of martial arts/WT (besides efficency)? Thank you in advance (you earned the thanks already many times) and please keep up the excellent work. PS: loved your obvious "out of body experience" during the hypthetical 😄.
Thank you! Great question.
What you were describing was jkd Concepts line, the absolut mess what insosanto did to jkd. That has nothing to do with Bruce Lee's Martial Art Jeet Kune Do. Those are two separate things, and realy are opposite.
Your talk about Jeet Kune Do is so on the nail, the best Bruce Lee JKD teachers I trained with were Jerry Poteet, Larry Hartsell and Tim Tackett - never did sticks with these guys. The others like Dan Inosanto, Cass Magda, were 90% teaching Filipino Martial Arts and Silat but they use JKD in their adverts. Your videos are great by the way.
Thank you!
Greetings KFG! Just a brief followup to your statement about one of your reasons for studying WC/WT at greater length to see if Bruce Lee may have missed out on a more profound level of WC learning as one of his reasons for developing his own JKD. I have heard this to be the case from other folks but just wanted to get your take on it since you seem to know more on his life.
Wasn't entirely sure how to send this question to Dre so am posting this question here.
Thanks a bunch.
“Hypothetically Based Question for Mr. Dre Ison” Great podcast! All about it for sure fellas, I have a Dreison like question for Mr. Dre Ison, would you be surprised if I told you it was a hypothetical? Lol Okay here we go, you’re working the floor at your job one night, walking around, seems like a chill night, you’ve got your “KFG Podcast”best on (although once Sifu Alex brought the tux out it was game over), when all the sudden you see Francis Ngannou walk in with a couple of his buddies. You are pretty stoked because obviously it’s Francis Ngannou. You run up to introduce yourself and see if you can help them get a special table in the VIP section. You notice he’s already a little buzzed but you’re just stoked to be talking to him, snap a quick picture and take them all to the table. A few hours go by and you start to see Francis get progressively a little more rowdy every time you circle back from your route as a bouncer. To your surprise, Billy Blanks is at the table next to him and they start barking back and forth at eachother. Finally in a drunken stupor, you see Francis Ngannou jump on the table and start shouting like a mad man, he’s taking off his shirt, dancing around, trying to get a rise out of Billy Blanks. He’s shouting “Billy shootin Blanks!” Obviously Billy Blanks isn’t going to take that so he starts getting undressed as well and they get into a full out brawl. So here is the question, You have Francis Ngannou, and Billy Blanks, in a Butt Nay Brawl at your bar… you’re the bouncer on the floor, what are you doing? 😂
9 months ago. Why I Don’t Do JKD. The thing I appreciate most about this episode is what you said about listening to criticism of one’s martial art with a dispassionate mind and not allowing that criticism to get you bent out of shape and applying the principles of your martial art to your everyday life: that for me was the most important part, the jewel in the lotus.
Entertaining topics as always good sir!
Springarm dummy I used in my Teachers school in Chinatown NYC and I'm loved it !! It improved my trapping in the PAK MEI system !!
Ramon. Sup.
As One who has trained Both, pretty extensively, I think your reasons are Completely valid. Well thought out and well said, without demeaning anyone or any art. Respect to you Sir.
Thank you!
Hi sifu Alex. Great episodes, I'm always watching your videos. I have been studying jun fan jeet kune do Since 1998 and Became a apprentice instructor in 2013. But because of financial problems I left the school but I still train in JKD.. and I understand everything you said about JKD, and how you feel. Keep up the great job. I'm happy they are still sifu like you, who is honest and humble.
Thank you buddy!
Looking forward to this episode Alex,keep up the good work
Thank you!
Sifu Alex your the man, even do your an wing chun expert. You enjoy studying other martial art Disciplines. I like your Insight and storytelling.. good episode as always. 👍🏼
Great Content! Keep up the good work! Thank you.
Always in time when I'm on my way to Wing Chun practice
In one of Dans books he said that he had these exercises where he would flash a light in the dark and react to that ….
This Bolo observation was also an esoteric concept … that one is fastest right before or during sleep or something like that lead to this exercise. Try to find out pls , thx
Also pls try to find out about the balls on aj elastic band that he used to kick multiple times in one shot as they bounced unpredictably….. in his HK gym .
Good ideas for a podcast
Great episode Sifu Alex! QUESTION: Do you know much about Sammo Hung's Wing Chun training? Like who did he train with or was there a WC person he frequently consulted with. He's directed some of the most innovative WC fight choreography on film and I'm pretty sure I've seen him in a clip where he was at GM Leung Ting's school. Thanks! Keep up the great content!
Great question!
I trained him.
Awww I think you need a friend
34:08 I think a lot of high level wing chun people use jun fan method of gung fu.. it can compliment your wing chun very well.. Gary Lam is my favorite teacher n he observes certain Bruce Lee principles
king fu Genius great show, I just want to comment on the question that was asked Did Bruce use some device meant to help him relax to improve his reaction time in come. I don’t know the answer to that but recall an interview with Dan inosanto in which he said that Bruce told him that he was able to see himself above his own body when sparring an opponent, like a out of body experience. Your thoughts thx, Ray
The interesting thing that people forget or don't know, was that Lee pretty much abandoned trapping later in his training. His statement was that "nobody really fights like that" his own words. Interestingly enough, there is some use of trapping in bjj of all things, I've used myself!
But all of this brings me to what Paul Vunak once told me about JKD people. That most don't have an agenda, a plan or an end/exit strategy. Which is true, from what I've seen everybody is practicing entries and trapping like there is nothing else. After training with Hartsell & Wong I felt like I had a better grasp of all things JKD, then came Vunak! I can say that I really learned how to fight, but at his core was The Formula, which changed everything for me. Things became much clearer little by little.
Additionally, one other story he relayed to me was that if he had a kid he wouldn't put him in JKD because he felt things had gotten way too complicated! He said he'd put him in a year of boxing/ thai boxing and bjj, and by now probably some wrestling.
Good thing you know stories.
interesting but Paul Vunak does believe in trapping ...... I mean I do wrestling and it amazes me how much hand fighting is involved....and so many positions are in that hand fighting that can be called reference points ..... like in start of trapping, chi sao...... a simple trap or two can work , by someone who has some talent... I mean even a spinning back kick works in MMA, So why cant trapping work.. since it is a more direct way of attacking as opposed to retracting your hands and starting all over again with the punches.... trapping is one motion till the end ....punch - remove obstructions - finish....
Hope Rene Hinojosa AND the Mr Gung fu genius also reply...
@@zibtihaj3213 I would say that by now Vunak has probably either incorporated some clinch work & or responses from there other than the standard Dumog & trapping. While training with Larry he did some interesting trapping & boxing combos from the clinch. I think that things happen very quickly and also change just as quickly, for trapping to truly be functional to a degree, so wrestling hand fighting might just be more effective in that range.
@@renehinojosa1962 I think that multiple trapping thing worked for Bruce lee himself cause from all accounts he was the fastest.... like a flying arm bar cant be worked by everyone...... but if you can it would be the biggest surprise weapon ever
@@zibtihaj3213 compound trapping is difficult to pull off, especially against the structure of a boxer. Things happen so fast and at times a boxer won't present with reference points from which to pull it off. In other words, in the boxing range boxing is probably more economical than pulling off compound traps. Just my two cents based on my experiences.
Great episode. On the JKD/WC part would like to add that according to my experience all the pointers you mentioned about JKD (identity crisis, undefined, open definitions etc.) do in slight variations apply also to WC and many other martial art schools that are "Backyard" based and do not have a mainstream mass following where clear definitions, organizational structure and hierarchy are established and applied. There are basicly as many JKD definitions as there are teachers. I hope they should contain the cornerstones of the art and have a lineage to the founder otherwise you are inspired by JKD but not really schooled in it. Understand that you were confused after that short seminar type experience with an apprentice instructor. Sure that if the quality of the instruction was different that you had a chance for a bit more insightful training and learning experience. JKD is deceptive in many ways, be it in application or even studying it.
Yes, agreed although in most martial (say BJJ or boxing) you can just show up and learn and improve without constant existential questions or philosophical justifications of approach.
@@TheKungFuGenius True, but solid Boxing and BJJ gyms excel with good training environment and conditions (multitude of training partners, flexible class times, quality instructors) and that helps producing the results. Knowledge and extensive readings of the famous founder might make cool conversational topics after class but can never replace actual regular physical training. Usually traditional styles unfortunately miss the first (superior training conditions) and emphasize the latter (theory debate, history and gossip).
LOL!!!! Dude, I'm Brazilian and it's the first time that I'm watching full podcast episodes because your content is so rich, interesting and hilarious. Your sense of humor makes me laugh a lot, mainly with those wacko Dreison's questions. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Keep doing this, my man. Now I'll watch another episode because I'm not done with your content. haha...
Cheers. 😁
Glad you’re liking it!
21:21 it isn’t far off. I studied the entire jkd system. I ran out of ideas and training methods. It was all the same crap. I only saw a few really good jkd people and I learned it to the letter of the law. But at a point I rediscovered wing chun. I found that each and every single thing they do can be used in fighting. And it can be used to JEET.(intercept) so.. to me.. good wing chun is jkd..
What are your thoughts of Paul Vunak stuff from 1980s … the videos and all . His approach to JKD ?
Thx
@@zibtihaj3213 hi.. SON TSI here. Pronounced SUN CHI. In my humble opinion what Paul taught and teaches is almost perfect jkd. That doesn’t mean people under pressure, duress, and perhaps substances or alcohol is gonna be able to remember the routines. That’s why the personal breaking off of jun fan gung fu structure becomes so important. We need to be SELF SUFFICIENT. That might mean abandoning the back fist. So we don’t break our wrist over somebody’s head. When they duck and we go HOSTABLE. Lol. Then you have attributes to think about. My jkd might be top notch, (it is) LOL. But no... somebody could be 240 lbs and a grappling wizard too. There’s no way to know. So we teach PATIENCE, VIRTUES, understanding. More important than fighting techniques. Staying out of a fight is perhaps more important. Lastly... jkd should be a force multiplier that we can pull out of our asses at the last second. A nasty punch that works. A stop kick. The ability to GO IN LOADED and comprehend structure. The YUT GEE CHEUNG CHOY and CHOY CHAN DA are perhaps my favorite moves. The finger jab and PAK SAO are almost mandatory. And straight blasting is the way we DRAW FIRE (get a reaction) and abandon structure to finish with a JIK CHEUNG CHOY or LIN WAH KUEN straight CHAIN BLAST. A million fists is useless. A few good BEEFY ONES though? Good money all day long. Accuracy? Speed? Creativity? Absolutely key. JKD in a nutshell shell. Paul is very good. I know him personally and have his number.” 😛👍💯💥I am THE SAGE. Lol😛👍
@@JKDVIPER " abandon structure to finish with a .. " what does that mean Abandoning structure ?
is Paul OK these days... ? ( we hear all these things ... )
@@zibtihaj3213 picture you’re facing a guy, now just pick up your both hands and begin a PITTER patter doggie paddle and he has to raise his arm. If we use something lighter like doggie paddle hits there’s no real threat, and so practicing is easy at first. Once we get better we can throw REAL STUFF towards each other no problem. Ok.. so the guy raises his arm to block. The minute he takes a stiff rigid position with the arm out to hit or block, that’s where we change structure and abandon the old line of attack. Meaning, we PITTER patter, he raises up, and now we go wider in a 1-2 or whatever structure you like. But the idea of making someone think we’re sticking and so they begin to pressure outwards, only to u give it up and blast AROUND HIS STIFF FIXED ARM set up. That’s the key.
@@JKDVIPER mmmh thx - things to think about
QUESTION: Sifu Alex, You have often stated that, in your youth, you trained Wing Tsun daily for three years at The Castle in Europe. Does that academy still exist and if so, would you recommend that listeners who aspire to become a Wing Tsun Sifu apply and enroll at this academy? Also, where can they get additional information about the academy and its enrollment procedures? Thank you!
Great question.
@@TheKungFuGenius Cause you're a fraud
24:45 Bruce said “Turn your hands and feet into weapons, not use sticks n rags”
John Saxon is also buried in Lake View Cemetery. He died at his home in Tennessee but was buried in Seattle. I've read that he is buried close to Bruce but have not seen it in person to confirm it.
I just confirmed it to be true!
@@TheKungFuGenius Thanks Sifu Richter! Jesse Glover is also buried there but I have no idea if he is close to Bruce and Brandon.
Awesome guys.
Can u comment on how much Way of the Dragon was actually filmed in the colloseum? Looks like the exterior shots were filmed there but very dubious about the Norris fight. I read some of it was filmed in Golden Harvest. Do u know if the whole fight was filmed there or in Rome? Peace
It’s all shot at Golden Harvest on Hammerhill Rd. Only exterior shots were in Rome.
@@TheKungFuGenius appreciate the response, thanks. Thought as much. Frees up more time for dreison hypotheticals I guess!
One of lesser known students from the Seattle Era was Joe Cowles who later called his art Wu-Wei Gung-fu. There is an interesting interview with Joe Cowles with Paul Bax, who wrote disciples of the dragon and descendents of the dragon, on his RUclipschannel. Interestingly the base of this system today is in Israel and one of the instructors is even interviewed in Netflix- fight world last episode - masters of War.
Thanks for commenting
Thanks. I just discovered your channel and am a new subscriber. May I know your thoughts on Paul Vunak? Thanks again!
Thanks for subscribing! I learned a lot from Paul Vunak’s videos when I first got into all this in the 90’s. Serious stuff!
I heard that they build stair rails around it and cemented around his tomb to keep people from robing his body !!! Or to make it more difficult for would be body snatchers!!
I train "Jun Fan JKD" in the UK...or do I? :-(
After 4 years I've realised nobody can agree with what it IS.
There's Carruthers JKD in the UK which is taught as a style in it's own right, and has been exported around the world, with a complete abandonment of WC...there's also the JKD 'Blend' with Kali and Silat etc taught over here.
My Instructor is 76, he's trained under Inosanto, Jerry Poteet, Steve Golden etc and was part of the 'Nucleus' of the 1990's.
He appears to have a decent grounding in the Seattle, Oakland and LA era 'stuff', but isn't an expert in any of it.
I feel lucky to have him, BUT, he appears to be stuck in the 70's, and not even 100% sure if he has a FULLY endorsed instructorship...which I believe is common among the JKD community here.
BL never intended for us to 'copy' his journey..but to follow our own.
I feel JKD is stock full of folks who cannot agree on concepts or 'original'(if it's even possible to study original unless it's 1964!)
I may well move on to something else as I don't feel any progression or improvement.
JKD is dying over here...it appears to be used as a Label to get people through the Door....I'm envious of the fact it's not the case so much in the States.
Interested who your instructor is, your experience is a common one. In my experience what you and KFG is describing is very common in every martial art. The common factor is human beings, ego, pride arrogance etc blur lines and definitions into overly complicated territory.
I would advise you to be lead by the martial arts experience, what works consistently and honest experimentation with training partners.
Especially difficult when people just want to train but are constantly forced into these debates to justify their existence on the philosophical spectrum of JKD.
I know what you mean, but that honest experimentation and pursuit of practical knowledge would hopefully lead you to a place where that would be possible, just like your own experience in focusing on WT 🙂 (edit, really enjoy your podcast and your views on stuff)
Alex, enjoyed your answer to the first question about your decision not to pursue Jeet Kune Do. I know that in the late 1990s, there were, however, other well known and legitimate Jeet Kune Do kwoons where JKD was being taught and was not so nebulous. When you lived in Seattle, did you ever consider going to train under Dan Inosanto in Torrance, California?
When I was 18 in the late 1970s, my dream was to run off to Torrance and train with Inosanto. But because I was young, had no money, and lived in Canada, my mother convinced me this was not a practical idea.
She might have been right...
Dan inosanto used jkd seminar name but in reality it was KALI!! Once ask by a student why he did that ! It was to attract the public!! Because Bruce was famous and not many people if any knew about Phillipino martial arts!!
QUESTION: Sifu Alex, what are your thoughts on Jiu Wan lineage how much different do you think it is from Yip Man lineage. I've heard people from Jiu Wan lineage saying that their style is dirtier when it comes to fighting, what can you say about that. Also i would like to know if you have ever met Sifu Francis Fong student of Jiu Wan. Thank you very much keep up the good work.
Great question, although I don’t really know enough about the JW lineage to comment on it intelligently
Hello sifu Richter and gang, you are doing an excellent work in this. Question. I've noticed that the official EWTO has taken a different route to WT chi sao making it look like more like systema, is this a personal interpretation of GGM Kernspecht , was this ever taught to WC? (not asking you to tell me if this is BS of course, everyone trains as he wishes).
Thank you for commenting!
Well it's another great episode. They just keep coming.You guys have a cracking dynamic which creates good banter.
I particularly liked your comments regarding arguing with people online about MA.Complete waste of time.Its about as useful l as a chocolate teapot!
Thank you!
You mentioned Sifu Ralph Haenel from Vancouver as the start of your journey of WT. Can you talk about your experience about it perhaps?
Watch the first Castle Stories in Season 1
Question for you Sifu... what are your thoughts on Dominic Izzo and his expression of WC? As well as his thoughts on Bruce Lee? Keep up the amazing content brutha!
Thanks for the question, but I haven’t watched his stuff in years and don’t remember anything remarkable about his takes on anything. By “watching his stuff” i think I made it through two videos tops.
@@TheKungFuGenius yeah he definitely has a bit of a unique take on stuff as a whole... I'm law enforcement as well so his stuff seems to be along those line... but nothing special to me if that makes sense haha
Is your assumtion that everyone is on PED's?
Taiwan-based MMA fighter Qi LaLa (featured on Fight Commentary Breakdowns periodically) uses Wing Chun as a base and also mixes in Xinyi Liuhequan (a variant of Xingyiquan), which also uses a lot of straight-line attacks and movements. What other striking styles do you think complement Wing Chun well?
I like Qi La La! I think boxing works great as well with WC.
@@TheKungFuGenius yeah, it's interesting to note that JKD isn't the only descendant art from WC/WT and that people are still mixing today. The Ng Family school in Chicago teaches WC + Choy Li Fut + Sanda so there's definitely variety!
Saam bai tze/San bai zhi is also a training method in swordsmanship called wagging the sword, used to build strength and control in the forearms. Some groups use the stone mallets instead of the sword. Also, there are the Karalakattai or Indian clubs. Do you have any experience with these training methods, and which one, if any, interests you most?
Great question
Another good one. Great job except for Dreison part. Quick question: Anything you can say on Bruce Lee’s mental state toward the end? Keep up the interesting topics.
Thanks for the comment! I did cover this topic on a previous episode, especially discussing those last six months or so of his life. I don’t remember which episode that is unfortunately. I did cover it in some detail. And you want more Dreison? You got it buddy, no problem.
@@TheKungFuGenius lol wonderful
Second question, I'm posting it separately to help with the algorithm, Do you think about uploading your books to amazon or google play? Customs service truly sucks in Greece
Thanks for the help! We have a couple cooks on Amazon, but they really rip off the seller.
COMMENT: Sifu Alex, thanks to you and Dre, the term "hot nonsense" has become part of my lexicon. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
My daughters love it when I say "hot nonsense". It's quite useful.
Thats one of the main critisisms of jkd, that at least today, the priority is quantity rather than simplicity
Seems far removed from Bruce Lee's original ideas.
Hey Alex, great episode. It's funny when you were recounting your time in WA, since it was familiar.
I was a Si-dai of Johann when we were training at Sifu John Beall's school before he opened up his school in Issaquah. Btw, I also tried out Bob Moore's JKD class the first term he taught it at BCC and was not impressed. It looks like his curriculum hadn't gotten any more coherent and structured. lol Seems like we ended up doing similar things when you were still in WA.
Really enjoy your podcast and look forward to the new episodes.
Wow, amazing! I never hear from people who trained at TJWC!
@@TheKungFuGenius There's a few of us around, though many of the guys who trained there in the 90's have gone to other schools and styles
Thanks, are you still in the Seattle area?
@@TheKungFuGenius Yep. North of Seattle in the Bothell/Mill Creek area. I've been training over recent years in a JFGF school and have also been integrating more classical Wing Chun through friends who trained in classical. So I'm a mix of various styles over the years.
Also, I'm originally from Long Island, though I've lived in the PNW for more years than NY.
Did either of you train at the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute in Seattle?
I felt exactly the same when I visited Bruce and Brandon’s grave in 2017. Epic moment in life. No joke brother.
Me too . Went in 2015
@@ehrenthompson7891 Cool. My only regret is that I took pictures of myself standing there. I know everyone does it, but in a weird sort of way I felt like I was being a little disrespectful since I never met him and I was kind of just a tourist passing through Seattle. Maybe it’s just me. But the man had an enormous impact on my life.
You guys are having to much fun.👍
Hey Sifu Alex great episode as always
Question for the next A.M.A
Who would win in a fight Bruce Lee or" Mr hypothetical" Dresion?
Hahaha
@@TheKungFuGenius lmao
The Si Gong that didn't like you said more about him than you. Glad you kept it pushing.
Thank you!
Bruce Lee asked Larry Hartsell to research grappling arts to formulate the ground fighting curriculum for JKD. Sadly, Bruce Lee died while Larry Hartsell was conducting his research, training in various grappling systems. So, Larry shared all of his grappling research with Dan Inosanto, who expounded upon it with his own ground fighting techniques. Inosanto continued to add more martial arts techniques to his own JKD Concepts curriculum.
why a man like Bruce let another individual add to his art. not everyone is a genius. this, while Bruce was alive and teaching, many of his first students didn't understand jkd until Bruce die, Dan inosanto once said that once he read the tao of jkd he understood jkd and Bruce better. that goes for Ted Wong. now imagine Larry hartsell.
Another great podcast Alex! A question. Do you know of a young man named Sifu Gorden Lu the grand nephew of Ip man. He teaches in Virginia Beach. He also trains the Taiwanese police force. Never studied with him. However, I do know someone who has. He tells me he's a very serious, disciplined sifu.
I know of him! Thanks for commenting.
Is jkd the most effective martial arts?
27:28 I’ll level with you.. JEET KUNE DO has methods, timing, tools, and applications. Beyond that.. if I were to describe the tools .. and how the top artists use them.. it would be.. BUI SAO entries.. Western Boxing opens up once we land the Lead Strike.. put it this way.. JKD STRUCTURE changes a few things in the wing chun.. but only a few. Mainly, it’s trapping with BUI SAO and BONG type deflection. Control by strike instead of passive block, (example) gaang sao? Used with a punch (gaang-da) the UNG MOON 5 form and the JKD LIBRARY on RUclips both describe what our top teachers teach us.
8:10 The stuff huh.. the holy stuff. 🤛😎
Ohhh shhh.. hectic.. lol straight talk express tonight
Never done wing Chun I'm a lau gar man but would love to learn some
I've listened to this episode..TWICE!
8:59 my first SIFU was TAN NGUYEN
Sifu Tommy Carruthers in Scottland is doing a fabulous Job at Jeet Kune Do .. It would be great if you can do a zoom session with him on an episode of KFG ; It would be a great Episode ,,
No thanks.
A 1960s car not as good as cars in today society basically outdated same as jkd
Ending credits for Return of the Dragon should have actually been of a closeup shot of a tuft of chest hair on the Colosseum floor. Chuck Norris convinced Bruce Lee it wouldn’t work so he took the idea and put it in the end of Enter the Dragon with the claw hand thing. RIGHT?😅 sorry, couldn’t help it. The question about Chuck Norris his chest hair was too funny.
Never forget the chest hair!
A question for KFG. Could Wing Chun be a good stand up art for grappling? Wrestling/BJJ.
It could be, but it depends on the practitioner and depends on the teacher and method. There are no absolutes!
I was teaching a class in Vancouver and drove down to Seattle just to see Bruce and Brandon's graves. Sadly, I didn't get there in time and they closed the cemetery so I missed my chance. :-(
Yeah it closes kind of early.
@@TheKungFuGenius I DID manage to see Capoeira for the first time in Vancouver - they had a demo not far from my hotel. Very cool!
If you don’t mind me asking, what teacher (SIFU) was it.
I didn't know Sifu Larry Hartwell passed I my condolences to his family & friends 🙏. I had his book JKD The Way Of Enter & Trapping, Jun Fan was the name of The style being demonstrated in the book & it's name by Bruce's Chinese Name. Jun Fan is a conventional hybrid descendant of Wing Chun. I loaned it to my teacher & never saw it again but ,when I studied it, it was extremely 🤛useful 🤜!!
He passed away in 2007
I train with Larry, true gentleman. He autographed those same books he published. Learned a great deal from the man.
@@renehinojosa1962 Rene I wish I able to walk 🚶♂️ in your 👞 s , U actually met the man. I presume he was a classmates of my JKD instructor Sifu Rick Tucci of The Princeton Academy of Martial Arts in Princeton, NJ . Threw that book 📖 he wrote I learned Jun Fan Martial arts & I pretty efficient with it. Some of it I still know to this day . Sifu Hartwell gave a lot of his knowledge we all appreciate
@@jdjjdjd2667 Hartsell was a fascinating guy, always had Bruce lee stories to share whenever it fit the moment. More than likely, if they were at the Inosanto Academy, Tucci and Hartsell may well have trained together.
Always Y Appreciate your video end Poscast im practice Wingchun too 👍you are Amazing Sifu Alex,y hope in the Future come visit USA end meet you im living in Italy right now.
Please come visit!
35:52 junfan gung fu is a definite system that can be taught.. jeet kune do is his personal system at that time.. he ajj lb so added certain freedoms and ideas.. but we definitely have a curriculum.. it’s the same everywhere nowadays. Anybody doing bull crap .. it will show
Whoever has practiced JKD they will represent how effective or ineffective JKD is and this is why Bruce didn’t want to label his fighting. Because whatever works for you that is JKD.
To be honest, IMO, JKD is just a 'collection of tricks' much like Japanese Jiu-jitsu. It is not an alive system like the rolling of BJJ. You can't 'do it' in a sparring event, though some of the 'tricks' are valid and may work. The delivery system is to have BL-like attributes and few men do.
Good point, same criticism can be leveled to a lot of Wing Chun as well.
It has been brought to my attention that someone wants to talk/interview Bruce Lee's ' other ' son.
What would be the purpose of this ?
Some people just don't want to be known for their familys fame.
I am one of his sifu's and I teach Mizongquan. Bruce's son does not want to expand and follow his father's way, he has his own direction and many great martial masters will teach him because of his father.
Tell me what he accomplishes from coming out of obscurity ?
No one is talking about that fake rumor except you here in the comments.
@@TheKungFuGenius I won't even tell you his name at this moment in time. Do you have a valid passport and willing to travel to meet him if he is alive ?
Hahah words in RUclips comments
@@TheKungFuGenius well, do you currently have a active valid passport ?
Sure buddy, I’ll get on a plane with my passport and travel somewhere because some guy using a stock photograph from Alibaba told me to go somewhere. I get that you probably don’t have any meaningful relationships besides the ones in your head, but this is not how the real world works.
43:08 cool story
22:56 “I’m watching this again cuz I’m gonna try n help out the audience to understand the difference between effective JKD and popularized standardized JKD. This goes against Bruce and dans ideologies entirely.
58:12 yup yup (hit)
One of the problems with "JKD" is that many if not most people want to be like Bruce Lee, from his appearance, haircut to how he dresses, to the noises he makes and finally the moves he makes in his movies. They don't realize that the movies were essentially 'stage fighting' made for the camera and for dramatic impact and not to be the best 'fighting method', but they were a step or two above the, then current method of trading blocks and punches for long periods in Chinese cinema.
Also they don't realize that JKD was Bruce Lee's personal art and thus not applicable to everyone. To pull off his moves you had to have similar attributes, speed and dexterity and very few people have this. What is telling is that many of his students probably know this but persist, and carry on a type of 'fake JKD' by claiming they're doing 'demonstrations' and that's why things look so 'compliant'.
If only the world would listen to RUclips commenters everyone would be so happy.
@@TheKungFuGenius Just an observation no need to get snarky.
Ur So right
It is sad to me that many people do not know that wing chun does have circular hand strikes like jao Sao and not just straight punches and wing chun has elbows as well!! Something Bruce could have used if he has learned the art as a whole vs Wong jack man !! Instead of straight blasting himself to death ,because I remember a quote from boxer a Asian American guy forgot his name said to Bruce you should of used hook punches to put out Wong jack man ,but wing chun had circular strike very similar to a left hook in boxing except in wing chun it was a open palm circular hook strike that could of busted Wong jack man's EAR DRUMS!! who knows if Bruce knew that technique or was not taught that in his limited wing chun learning!!
Real jkd classes go over the gates. The methods of attack. The ranges of attack. Tools and applications. Theory and tradition jun fan gung fu. It has a curriculum. But it can’t be standardized. But it should contain those fore mentioned components. Or it’s bs
23:51 I’ll show you anything you wanna know Alex just let me know. Beware.. some guys like to make stuff up and try to sound smart. So if they aren’t saying what me and sifu Nate are saying. They lying
Any thoughts on paul vunak?
Not really
@@TheKungFuGenius That guy was teaching navy seals back in the day. NAVY SEALS LOL. 🤦♂️.
He’d still probably wreck you because he’s serious about training and doesn’t spend time fantasy trashing people in RUclips comments
@@TheKungFuGenius Im 6'5 240 pounds solid & ive been doing muay thai & lethwei for ten years so no i think ill hold my own. Also paul is like 70 years old. The only thing hes fighting is his depenz. As for you, if your the wet sock in this video then im sure id have no problem shoving you up my ass like a tube of preparation H ya soft ass goofball. 🖕😂🖕
Grateful to be weird...I've gone live there at Lakeview Cemetery multiple times. Never had a problem.
So I guess it’s totally fine then
@@TheKungFuGenius yep. Perhaps you know there are many who do so. They just don't bring it up. Not everyone thinks the same about everything. You and I may not agree on some things and agree on others. That's the beauty of being different...or I guess it's not acceptable to be weird. Not really concerned in either regard. You and I do agree on a few things though too. Like how many allow words to ruin thier day or week, or how many make a big deal about having different opinions. Imo there's beaty and uniqueness in being weird or different, so long as you're not a one of those negative vibration weirdos etc. 🐅🙏🐉
I always wondered why big Sean didn't have the jkd influence over you.
Because he wasn't an evangelical JKD guy who had to convince anyone. People who constantly have to convince friends of things are usually insecure people and not the type of people I would consider friends.
49:12 I can get out of my body n walk around.. when that sleep paralysis happens..
25:57 it’s so funny but.. I see guys training fencing and kali when.. Bruce Lee said that we’re gonna use the fencing and kali destructions in our trapping. So it goes like this. Guy punches. I stick an arm inside of his bridge arm. Then I slip my other hand next to it shuffling the hands to scootche over my first hand. The third hand catches him with a vertical punch. He was saying to FENCE WITH THE HANDS!!! I laugh! Cuz I see jkd guys doing actual fencing with the sword for jkd!! Soooo funny. Then they use the rag thing cuz inosanto liked pen cat Silat .. so they’re trying to kiss ass probably!! Lol SOO funny all of it
107:19 I hate that misrepresenting crap.. we do wing chun mostly
Anyone on here know any of the WT guys from the Bay Area? 3 months, learned allot.
At one point there were lots of “WT guys” from the Bay Area. Did you not catch their names?
@@TheKungFuGenius Simon Mayer from Germany. He (I believe) the Sifu of all the Si Hing's , my Si Hing was another guy from Germany, Mark, I can't remember his last name, my teacher in Oakland. Then there was Gerald and Joseph at UC Berkeley, great teachers. I know there was a huge sector in Mt. View/Silicone Valley. I know SF had a huge school. Outside of the WT, there was Chris Chen in SF and a guy named Duncan Leong (think that's the correct spelling) out of Vallejo. My ex wife and I took Mark's class and I have footage (I need to adapt it into digital) of her schooling a well seasoned guy while she was 5 month's pregnant. The WT also taught Arnis (Filipino stick fighting), forgive me for the wrong spelling. I'm now in Taiwan and considering a couple schools. It would help my Mandarin. Good channel.... What I liked about WT, was I stayed at the lowest level of the Si Lum Tao, but just that little bit upped me even though the drills were pretty basic. I'm a Robotic Popper and it helped me losen up my popping game big time. I even got an Animated So Lum Tao I should post, mixed with my high level of Shaw Brothers imitation 😂.... Good channel, thank you.
The same thing happen to me in the 90s in nyc looking for a JKD school LOL 😂 is like walking in Burger King ordering a whopper and getting a Big Mac instead lmaooo
Lol
Hello, how are you today?
I gave you a like and I subscribed.
🤲
Thank you!
JKD is consist of what I call The 12 families of The Way Of The Intercepting Fist 👊. Those various martial arts is what Bruce Incorporated into JKD . What U were studying was those arts broken down by a small percentage. A teacher who putts all he /she knows on a student's lap isn't a teacher at all!. That shows no patients & seeks to break the confidence & faith in that student
Still, the difficulty of disseminating JKD is a problem in itself.
You should have trained with dan inasanto
I have
Love your videos
Do you think your JKD experience could’ve been improved if you’d trained with Lee Da Gar? I hear Jason Stillwell did that. 😂
That would have made all the difference in the world!
27:20 if you see hopping around sparring stuff? Guaranteed bologna
6:06 “I’m a true believer in freedom of speech and rights.” Even if it’s hard to do, we stomach it, n dig down deep. “ That early group was trying” they probably wouldn’t have materials that would interest a wing chun guy.. wing chun had sooooo much more than jkd. Even though it may be equal if used properly. But a lot of jkd people, not all, but some or many, think down at wing chun.. ya clueless
But what if Bill Nye the Science guy was actually the kung fu brother of "fight Science wc YT"? And was a kung fu test all along! as a plot twist..... I really enjoyed your pod casts I like what ya said about how people get worked up or bothered by other peoples opinions on the internet...alot of people could learn from that message...
Thank you! Great comment.
Bill Nye is the man
He is in fact not the man, he is in fact the biggest jerk I ever met... and I live in NYC!
@@TheKungFuGenius 🤣
57:55 lmao
I'm sorry your experience with JKD was bad, did you ever get a chance to meet Ted Wong? Anyways I can recommend two of his students, one is Joaquin Marcelo who's probably the best Ted Wong student out there, but located in Spain, and secondly you can look up Mike Gittleson from Colorado, he's not too bad either.
P.S. Also, you do look Jewish haha.
Thank you, although at this point in my career, I think I’m pretty good with the JKD connections.
Alright, too bad. Hey if you can, at least get Mike Gittleson on your show, he's done a handful of interviews, would be chill.@@TheKungFuGenius
If I haven’t heard of someone, dollars to donuts, neither has my audience.
Woooow. Is that how it is? Damn, I'm kinda disappointed. Last attempt, at least get Richard Torres then.@@TheKungFuGenius
Definitely! My metrics show if your not Little, Kerridge, or Logan, my interviews tank.
Why didn't you train miyagi do or cobra kai?
Because I went to Eagle Fang.