I need advice on how to start JEET KUNE DO

[Alexander]

Hello,

For a long time now I've always wanted to get into the martial art of Jeet Kune Do. I've had the drive for it, just that I haven't had the time of day to do it. Now I will finally have the time I need to commit myself entirely to Jeet Kune Do.

I'm seeking advice as to how I should get started. I was thinking about buying some DVD's & Books on JKD. However I have no clue what Books/DVD's are actually worth purchasing. Because we all know, most of us hopefully, that there is "crap" and there is "quality" on the products that we buy.

For my personal training in my basement, what would be some of the ideal pieces of equipment that I should buy to aid me in my training?

Please keep in mind that I have had no previous experience in any type or form of martial arts before. Like I stated earlier in this post, I have not had the time in my life up to this point to actually get started and train in martial arts.


Thank you,
Alexander

[lssanjose]

Let's start with where you're located. Also, what are you looking to do with martial arts in general? Once those are known we can probably point you to the appropriate instructor(s) that best meet your needs as a prospective martial artist.

[Alexander]

Let's start with where you're located. Also, what are you looking to do with martial arts in general? Once those are known we can probably point you to the appropriate instructor(s) that best meet your needs as a prospective martial artist.

I am 20 years of age and am located in Hilton, NY. I am looking into becoming a dedicated Martial Artist for many reasons. My primary reasons are: to protect myself, to protect my family & my loved ones as well as to have a better understanding of the body's inner-self and what it is capable of. By nature I am not a violent person. If I strike (punch or kick) at someone there had better be a darn good reason. I take violence very seriously and believe violence is THE absolute last resort into solving a conflict. I respect life and I do NOT take it for granted. Everyone should value their lives as well as life itself. Although not many do.

We do not live on this earth for very long. Our bodies have a life expectency of about 70-80 yrs average now with today's technology. Long ago the average life-span was about 50 years for the old man. Most warriors never even lived to see 25-35 years.

From what I've come to realize is whether we die sooner or later, what does it matter? Everyone dies. The things that keep us going in life are the very things that we treasure. For me.. it's the love for my family and the thought of my children having children of their own one day.

I would love to have children in the future as well as a wonderful wife one day. Those are my life goals and by making martial arts part of my life it will help me to have a better understanding of life itself.

[Blue Wave Gym]

ok

first get an instructor if possible, it's very important
then buy DVDs from matt thornton's straight blast gym especially rodney kings street boxing it's da bomb. Every thing you need to know about punches,kicks knees etc. also try burton richardson's DVD's
for your basement get a 70# or better heavy bag, a double end bag ,a speed bag with platform,a mirror for shadow boxing and a BOB bag or some other bag that LOOKS LIKE A HUMAN not, the spar pro though, cause it's a piece of shit. p.s. alot of DVDS out there are total crap so be careful.Go to as many clases you can and do a circut with the equipment(x # of rounds on each piece of equipment) you have at home also consider wieghtlifting and running if your joints aren't good enough to run than use an eliptical machine or swim laps. also do body weight exercises and stretch alot.

[richardjkd]

i would first go to www.inosanto.com

they have a great instuctor list.


also some great dvds on larry hartsells website as well as great vhs on inosanto website.

[robertlee]

I would look and see if ther is a place within your driving range where you can get some lessons. Without prior training its hard to understand as well. Its wirth a drive to gets hands on training then you can understand dvds and tapes much better if you have an instructor helping to guide you.

[El Mastero]

Get Jerry Beasley's tapes. They're pretty cheap. I hear they're being sold for about $5 each on VHS. Look it up. Good luck.

[JkD187]

If you can get down to Manhatten i suggest you go and check out SBG NY a branch of Matt Thornton's gyms. www.roninathletics.com

[Eyegouge]

Obvious choice missed.

Hey Alex. I would suggest buying yourself a Bruce Lee biography and then The Tao of Jeet Kune Do (if you haven't read them yet). Striking Thoughts is a good one as well. Bruce said himself that all you need to do is take what works for you from everything you learn and discard what dosen't. So if you can't find a "JKD" teacher in your area go take boxing, karate, wrestling, fencing, any martial art you can find. Learn what they have to offer and take all the moves and techniques you learned from them that actually WORK and make your own JKD. JKD isn't an actual style it's just a way of thinking. Learn everything you can dude and get in really good shape and your a JKD guy like everyone else.

[godhand]

if your looking for books i sugest tao of jeet kune by bruce lee and jeet kune do by george hajnasr.tao gives you more of the philosiphies and jeet kune do gives you step by step punches kicks etc.and GOOD LUCK with training

[Sensei Saki]

That is a hypothetical question.If I am ever looking for
you more of the philosiphies and jeet kune do gives you step by step punches kicks etc, I will ask him
Thanks for the compliment.
In the context of LUCK with training, I don't understand "."

[EmptyneSs]

Hello,

For a long time now I've always wanted to get into the martial art of Jeet Kune Do. I've had the drive for it, just that I haven't had the time of day to do it. Now I will finally have the time I need to commit myself entirely to Jeet Kune Do.

I'm seeking advice as to how I should get started. I was thinking about buying some DVD's & Books on JKD. However I have no clue what Books/DVD's are actually worth purchasing. Because we all know, most of us hopefully, that there is "crap" and there is "quality" on the products that we buy.

For my personal training in my basement, what would be some of the ideal pieces of equipment that I should buy to aid me in my training?

Please keep in mind that I have had no previous experience in any type or form of martial arts before. Like I stated earlier in this post, I have not had the time in my life up to this point to actually get started and train in martial arts.


Thank you,
Alexander

wait wait. isnt jkd NOT supposed to be an art or style? wasnt this exactly what bruce didnt want, for "jkd" to be looked at as an art? i thought it was just a set of concepts that can be applied to any martial art. as long as u train in something, and apply those techniques that is jkd isnt it? i do mt/boxing, bjj, and judo, but doesnt that make me a jkd practitioner? im blending techniques from diff arts, and retaining the things that work best for me from these arts. u could be training in tkd and be a jkd practioner right? is it really that much of a style now, or does being openminded and using jkd's concepts in your training enough to make u a jkd practitioner? or do u have to have the wing chun style trapping and punching, and most of your weight on your front leg when u fight in order to be a considered a practitioner of jkd?

[Tom Yum]

Hello,

For a long time now I've always wanted to get into the martial art of Jeet Kune Do. I've had the drive for it, just that I haven't had the time of day to do it. Now I will finally have the time I need to commit myself entirely to Jeet Kune Do.

I'm seeking advice as to how I should get started. I was thinking about buying some DVD's & Books on JKD. However I have no clue what Books/DVD's are actually worth purchasing. Because we all know, most of us hopefully, that there is "crap" and there is "quality" on the products that we buy.

For my personal training in my basement, what would be some of the ideal pieces of equipment that I should buy to aid me in my training?

Please keep in mind that I have had no previous experience in any type or form of martial arts before. Like I stated earlier in this post, I have not had the time in my life up to this point to actually get started and train in martial arts.


Thank you,
Alexander

Alexander,

Your best bet is to get some live training with an instructor. Send a PM to Tim Mousel, he teaches JKD and could probably recommend an instructor in your area.

[Tant01]

Just like Bruce....

Hey Alex. I would suggest buying yourself a Bruce Lee biography and then The Tao of Jeet Kune Do (if you haven't read them yet). Striking Thoughts is a good one as well. Bruce said himself that all you need to do is take what works for you from everything you learn and discard what dosen't. So if you can't find a "JKD" teacher in your area go take boxing, karate, wrestling, fencing, any martial art you can find. Learn what they have to offer and take all the moves and techniques you learned from them that actually WORK and make your own JKD. JKD isn't an actual style it's just a way of thinking. Learn everything you can dude and get in really good shape and your a JKD guy like everyone else.

This is without a doubt the most pitifull excuse for JKD I've ever read...


The "WAY" of the "Intercepting fist" is a philosophy of it's own. Just mixing your own cocktail of styles and calling yourself a JKD man is pathetic ... Then it's just some other "way" NOT JKD. That's why there's a list of recognized instructors and associate instructors of JKD. So folks looking for Jeet Kune Do can find the real thing if they actually care to search.

[SifuUga]

If you are really commited you will look for an instructor in your area. Guros Inosanto, Vunak, Richardson, Bustillo and Kent all have great instructor lists and are top notch people. There is a lot of good material out there in the form of books and video, too (not all of it is crap). Books and video are nice supplements to regular training. Nothing takes the place of personal training. If you want to work out at home start out with a bag. Any will do to start. Keep it simple. Body weight excercises and running go a long way for physical conditioning. There is a lot of free info available on the web, too. Look through some sites. And don't think JKD is the only way. If you don't find a JKD school be open minded to what is available to you in your area.