Ung Moon or not?

 In Jeet Kune Do, we don't tend to practice 'forms'.  Forms for the uninitiated, are patterns-sequences of movements that train kicks, punches, stances etc and in some cases also are symbolic for a particular aspect of history of an art, or it's country of origin, amongst others. 

Nobody fights like that however. Traditional martial arts such as Karate and/or Taekwon-do, to name a few, often have a 'traditional' aspect in which forms (Kata in karate, Tul or Poomse in Taekwon-do) are being practiced and they count very heavily towards your next belt. They also have a sports/competition aspect, where practitioners spar eachother, and that looks very different. (they also compete in patterns but that's beyond the scope of this blog). 

Other martial arts do not practice forms (examples are Muai Thai, Boxing, fencing, BJJ etc.), but are concerned with the honing of skills such as punching/kicking etc etc and practice these on stationary targets, moving targets, and spar much more frequently to test their skills and develop timing/strategy. 

Bruce Lee was very aware of that and once his Jeet Kune Do journey had begun proper, he took the same approach, he mostly didn't practice forms (anymore) but instead all his training became focussed on sharpening the tools and develop rhythm, timing, strategy and become the best fighter he could be. 

However, Jeet Kune Do developed out of Bruce Lee's earlier ideas on the martial arts he termed Jun Fan Gung Fu, in other words 'Bruce Lee's Gung Fu' (Jun Fan Lee was Bruce Lee's cantonese birth name), and a significant element of that was still rooted in his formal training in Ving Tsun (Wing Chun) Gung Fu.  During his Jun Fan Gung Fu 'years', he also developed a pattern for his students to practice, with the same aim as traditional arts would, to develop techniques etc but in a formalised method. It was called Ung Moon, which many translate as 'the 5 gates'. 

It comes as no surprise that if you observe someone demonstrating this 'form', you would be forgiven to think you're watching someone practicing Ving Tsun, particularly if you see how they open (start) the form.  Various aspects, that would later return in Jeet Kune Do (in modified form) can be found in this form, for example the first section is about simultaneous attack and defence, executed by a series of blocks and strikes at the same time, both left and right, but it is performed from a more 'squared on' stance.  As you may know, the idea of simultaneous attack and defence is a principle very much present in Jeet Kune Do. 

There are JKD practitioners and schools that insist on training in this form, particularly in more recent years. It is almost as if there is a desire to 'formalise' JKD training in order to 'identify' it, perhaps make it more 'interesting' , and it's also depending on lineage. 

Those in a lineage more alligned with earlier 'Jun Fan Gung Fu' , and even Dan Inosanto's concept approach, are more inclined to study/practice this form than later lineages such as that of Ted Wong, where I belong too.  That latter approach is more alligned with Bruce Lee's later thinking to leave the form practice and concentrate on the more 'practical' / hands on approach of drilling and testing over and over... 

So what do I think? I'm not a person to insist that someone should practice JKD in this way or that way, but rather look at themselves and ask what do I want to acchieve?  If you want to learn JKD as per the latest ideas of Bruce Lee, then perhaps you should spend your valuable time on just drilling, working the bag, focus gloves and practice sparring.  If you are interested in where things originated, perhaps out of a general interest in the martial arts, then by all means learn the Ung Moon too. 

If you have the interest, the time and it alligns with your current goals in Martial Arts, then by all means go ahead, and enjoy!  There are some examples out there that show the Ung Moon from a more practical approach, be it in a very Ving Tsun like (squared on) approach, and have turned it into a partner drill by doing so. That may be more useful as to be fair, a more squared on 'positioning' happens in JKD almost naturally in close range (not striking or grappling/trapping range!! get rid of the idea to define distances by 'tools or techniques, but describe them by distance, for that's what it is, nothing more) but there are nuances here that go beyond the scope of this blog. Come to training to find out what that is.

My personal view is that from a practical (and time constraint) perspective, just practice the techniques that form this pattern(form), as individual / isolated partner drills and from a more alive basis (you're moving) like a semi free 'sparring' drill. 

I would short sell you not to leave you a link to someone who is performing the Ung Moon, and someone who explains some  practical applications of it.  Finally here's also a video of Jeet Kune Do veteran Chris Kent, a highly regarded and very knowledgeable instructor, with his views on the Ung Moon. 

You will note that they will use a lot of chinese terminology, where in later years Bruce would just call techniques by their english names, as we tend to do in our classes. (and I'm the first to admit I'm not familiar with some of this 'traditional' terminology, it's not required to learn Jeet Kune do as we practice it).    Again, terminology and chinese name knowledge is often used in a more 'formal' setting, and will help if you want to study the older variants of Bruce Lee's martial arts journey.  We call a punch a punch... your mileage may vary. 

Walk On! 

Promo : Jeet Kune Do Lessons in Devon, UK.

 Ok, apologies in advance but just a quick plug in case any of you readers stumble accross this blog and are interested in training with me. 

If you live in Devon, specifically in or near Torbay, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Ashburton and even Plymouth and/or Exeter,  and you want to learn Jeet Kune Do, get in touch. 

I offer monthly memberships, as well as ad hoc classes for those on shift work that can't make it to every class and therefore don't want to spend monthly fees that they can't attend.  I also do (limited) private classes for the right person(s). I value my spare time however so spaces are very limited! 

Get in touch via the website contact page at JEET KUNE DO and hopefully I'll see you soon!

Walk On! 

The straight lead

 Many of you will be aware of the book 'The Straight Lead', by Teri Tom.

The book delves into the signature punch that was developed by Bruce Lee and is a fundamental tool in the arsenal of Jeet Kune Do (or to use the subtitle of Teri's other book, 'arsenal of self expression' ).

It has been out of print for some time now and some second hand copies are offered for sale for frankly ridiculous prices, but if you want the book, but not pay as much as that, then rest assured. 

Terri Tom has anounced a revised version of the book, that will be released in May this year. 

It will be available through Amazon.  She says that all photos will be enhanced in high definition, and there will be an entirely new intro, which she described as ' a corker of a new intro'.. 

I have the original print but will order the new version and report back on my findings.   Here are the original (left) and new edition (right) side by side.

Walk On!

Train like you fight!

 Train like you fight, or you'll end up fighting as you train. 

If you train correctly, the latter won't be an issue, but if your supplementary exercise consists of 5-10K jogs, some (slow) lifting for strength and stretching, you are conditioning your body for endurance, not repeated high intensitity short bursts as is the case with a fight.  

A Jeet Kune Do person is not someone that steps into the ring for a competition fight either, but having that type of fitness will set you up quite well.  Ideally a self defence situation will mean that you will have to act fast, aggressively, overwhelmingly and then get out!  It's never a steady state contineous effort.

The photo shows Bruce Lee running with his pet dog (Great Dane) Bobo who often accompanied him on his runs.

 There's nothing wrong with occasionally going for a gentle jog, if only to clear your head, and if you are at the start of your journey, it could be something to help you build up a base level of cardiovascular endurance/fitness, but don't dwell on it too long.  The sooner you adapt your supplementary training to methods that support your martial arts training, the better.

HIIT and Interval running is much better to support your goal, but take a structured approach, below an example/suggestion.  

Suggestion for an Interval running program:

- build up to a 3-5K steady state run (using a Couch to 5K program is a good starting point) 5K takes most people around 30 -35 minutes to complete initially.  Run up to 2 times per week outside your martial arts training.  This will take most people (who are already somewhat active) about 4-6 weeks to acchieve. 

- Introduce intervals. You start off with up to 10 minutes steady state warm up, then you go trough a series of intervals: 6x 30 second sprint followed by 1 minute rest each (= 9 minutes), then return home (10 mins cooldown run).  This again is approx 30 minutes of work out time, but the middle bit focusses on anaerobic fitness (the ability to endure high intensity high heartrate and recovery).   

Do this for at least 4 weeks. 

-Progression: shorten the steady state warm up to about 5 minutes: The interval section will now be extended and changed a little to: 6x 2minutes at 90% of your max, with 1 minute rest in between (18 minutes), then cooldown run back 'home' at steady state.  This middle section more resembles a boxing match where you go 6 rounds at 2 minutes, with 1 minute complete rest in between. Again total workout time in the region of 30 minutes.  

4 weeks on this program. 

- Integrated Approach: This introduces an active recovery phase to the above progression. Rather than complete rest, you now keep on gently jogging, shuffle or shadow box.  Again start with a warm up steady state section, progress to the interval section , and a cool down section.   

4 weeks on this program.

You are now 16-18 weeks into the program.  To measure your progress go for a steady state 5K run, the same route/distance as you did when you started), your time will likely have improved and be below 30 minutes to complete it, possibly much closer to 20. 

Continue with your integrated program, but vary the intensity of your intervals, exchange sprints, with high intensity runs (90% of your effort but just shy of a sprint), or knee raises on the spot etc, vary your 'rest' phases. 

Walk On!

Jeet Kune Do - Training for the individual

 A phrase often uttered in the JKD community, but seldom properly understood is the one that says that Jeet Kune Do is a style without a style, that you have to find what works for you and cultivate it, etc etc. 

It is true, the intention of Bruce Lee for those that train Jeet Kune Do, is to develop themselves, not be stuck in fixed routines and forms because a classical martial art asks that you do so in order to progress.

Jeet Kune Do is an art that leaves the individual free in finding their own way. That doesn't mean that you can do stuff that violates basic principles on which Jeet Kune Do was founded.  If a technique is not efficient, it has no place in JKD for example. No matter how athletic, spectacular or otherwise it is. 

What Bruce Lee was after is that there is no fixed method of training, and for each individual the training methods may need to change. If your overweight, you need to include more exercises and a lifestyle that helps you reduce that weight.  If you're weak, you need to do strength training, if you are not flexible, you need to stretch. Find the weak points, work on them. If you are poor at kicking, find out why that is, and work on it, same with anything else.   When you work on these basics, first, then you can start to look deeper at individual techniques. Perhaps your straight punch is great, but you struggle with the hook, so work on the hook!  Get all the basics right first and get those to a decent level of proficiency.

Once all that is dealt with (and maintained), you'll start to find what works well. We are al built slightly different, taller/shorter etc.. Both the tall and the short person should be able to kick and punch, etc well (the basics), but when it comes to a fight, both will find different tactics that work better.  A taller person may find they can keep their opponent at bay because of their longer reach.  A shorter person may find he'll fight better in close range (when faced with a tall opponent) as it can neutralise the longer range tools of the opponent, whilst retaining more options themselves. Tactics and personal attributes will determine someones 'style' in JKD in the long run, not the searching for techiques or even arts to 'blend' into JKD. 

So two JKD persons, two different styles, both JKD. Think Tyson and Ali, two boxers, two very different fighting styles. Both box, no adding of anything else, but cultivating their strenghts and making boxing their own.   

In Jeet Kune Do, the following are the very basics every person needs to be working on and get good at, that can be trained on your own with minimum to no equipment,  outside of regular class. 

Ideally, if you have the space, invest in a heavy bag or a BOB (Century BOB), or both, as minimum training equipment on your own, which will enhance your training a lot. 

- Basic mobility (not as in footwork, but in moving all your joints through every direction of movement they are naturally capable of to loosen them up. ) For example: In which directions can you move your head?? (turn left, right, up down, tilt left and right (ear to the shoulder), and combinations of these! (try it, ear to the shoulder, and then in that position nod yes, then no)) You can do more than you think, work on that!

- Basic fitness (strength (body weight), endurance (jog, cycle etc), flexibility (stretch) )

- The on guard stance (Small Phasic Bent Knee Stance  (SPBKS))

- Footwork (learning to move in all 4 directions whilst maintaining the guard and relax whilst doing so) 

- Basic techniques(your basic kicks and punches, all from guard (and returning!! Don't let your limbs hang out there, on guard, on guard, on guard!!)  Both static (at first) and with footwork.  

- Elusive lead (5 lines of attack to various target areas)

Then comes refinment of all the above + method and tactics, for this you ideally need a partner (class time training). This is acchieved through a mix of drills, and (controlled) sparring. The list is not complete, but it gives you an idea of how this differs from individual training above.

- Timing & rhythm

- Basic trapping and sensitivity drills. (If you are lucky enough to own a wooden dummy (mook jong) you could also train some of this individually, but they can be expensive). 

- bobbing/weaving, slipping , parrying. 

- Sensitive Aura  ( e.g. distance judgement, vision and hearing, 'sixt sense' etc.)

- 5 ways of Attack

So you can see, many things to work on, in your own way, your own approach, catering to your own needs and wishes, whilst not seeking for solutions outside of the art. Lastly I'd also like to emphasise to learn to relax, not just physical , but mental. Take a moment and just 'breathe', just be, no thought, no distraction. Mindfulness. 

'The medicine for my suffering I had within me from the very beginning, but I did not take it. My ailment came from within myself, but I did not observe it, until this moment. Now I see that I will never find the light unless, like the candle, I am my own fuel, consuming myself  -  Bruce Lee' 

WALK ON!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

 

Wishing all our members, followers, friends and family a very merry Christmas and happy and prosperous New Year!

Walk On!

Ted Wong- who was he and what exactly did he teach?

We sometimes get questions on what it is that sets Ted Wong's approach to Jeet Kune Do apart from other 'lineages'.  

Ted Wong never learned any other martial art and all his knowledge was purely obtained by the teachings of Bruce Lee, throught the lessons that he enjoyed in private and by observing Bruce Lee teaching others. You could say that his knowledge was therefore very pure. As he practically 'lived' with Bruce Lee for a fair amount of time and was one of Bruce's closest friends, he is without question the person who spend the majority of time with Bruce Lee, training and observing. Other students are more well known for a variety of reasons, but Ted Wong was certainly the most knowledgeable when it came to pure Jeet Kune Do, and he passed this on in later years. 

To summarise what it comprises off we can state the following:

Sifu Ted Wong stressed the importance of great mobility through proper footwork to help the practitioner control their  fighting distance, and of proper body mechanics to improve their power generation and balance. He taught to understand and apply the 5 ways of attack to help  improve the practitioner tactics in combat. Certainly, all the basic tools and techniques must, under his guidance, be refined to "perfection" in order to improve ones physical and motor skills - to reduce ones limitations, to simplify ones techniques, to make no telegraphic movements, to eliminate wastage of motion, to develop spontaneity and naturalness, etc.  He would often say, he who controls the distance, controls the fight. 

Many martial artists make the mistake to want to learn more and more, and not to take the time to truly master the knowledge they already have, the truth doesn't lie 'out there', yet it lies 'within'! 

Sifu Ted Wong encouraged JKD practitioners to focus on themselves, to acquire a very good comprehension of the principles of force and to apply them to all of their moves in order to fully optimize their potential.

Sifu Ted Wong did not want the knowledge and experience he acquired from the many private lessons he got from Bruce Lee to become lost. So, he opened up to the world to share with them the learnt art and philosophy. Sifu Ted Wong was one of the original students of the Bruce Lee's backyard training in Los Angeles. He was also the last private student of Bruce Lee and one of the only three people certified in Jeet Kune Do by Bruce Lee.
Sifu Ted Wong had a goal, and that was to preserve Bruce Lee's art, which he worked very hard during a great part of his lifetime to achieve it, and to try and stop some of the misrepresentations of Jeet Kune Do that were starting to come to the fore during his lifetime..
To be disciplined and respectful to others, and to mind our own business were also part of his great teachings, not surprising either. Ted Wong himself was a quiet humble man. 

It sometimes is useful to stop and reflect on that for a moment, and you'll understand why very few of Ted Wong's students are outspoken and on social media, but instead keep themselves to themselves and just 'train'.  

Walk On!