Is this guy legitment?

[jllavin2]

He just seems a little too....over the top to be a legitimate instructor.

Centerline Jeet Kune Do - CenterlineJKD.com - Lineage

He seems a little...well extreme? I wish start Jeet Kune Do any help you can offer is appreciated.

[Tant01]

A choice of words...

"LEGITIMATE" LOL

I say take what you can get and enjoy it. If you find out after a few weeks or months or years that your Guro is a fraud at least you've learned what JKD is NOT.

My bet is the man know his business. There are MANY 3rd and 4th generation instructors out there TEACHING their version of "JKD" and they do it very well. Don't sell a man short for trying to make a living at it.

Generally speaking the few "associate" JFJKD instructors that I've met are gentlemen and scholars.

You can always supplement your routine training with seminars or chat with other students/instructors from other parts of the country or the world and compare notes... Odds are good that you'll be introduced to the same fundamentals. There is a structure or a "core" to the art. That's what makes a thing "JKD".

[chillaplata]

I don't know this instructor, but as far as I can tell from his website he looks completely legitimate to me. What exactly makes you think he may not be legitimate?

I did not find him or his instructors (Sifu Derderian and Sifu Seaman) listed on Guro Inosanto's website, but that, as Sifu Michael Wright pointed out in a recent post, does not imply they are not legitimate certified instructors. Only instructors who pay to advertise on the Inosanto Academy website are listed there, so many certified instructors (in fact the great majority I would think) are not listed.

As Tant suggests, the best way to judge him as an instructor is to try out his classes. I would certainly do so if I lived in the area.

Just my $0.02 as someone who trained JKD for a bit more than a year (and hopes to return to it soon). There are many members of this site (such as Sifu Wright) who are far more qualified to offer an opinion...

[Guest]

He just seems a little too....over the top to be a legitimate instructor.

He seems a little...well extreme? I wish start Jeet Kune Do any help you can offer is appreciated.

I've looked at his website, and I'm confused. What exactly is over the top and extreme about this instructor? Its a nice, informative site and he comes across as a good guy. He's in shape, everyone seems to be having fun, and he sounds like he knows his stuff. I'm a little curious as to what is behind your views.

To answer your question, nothing wrong with his lineage. Kevin Seaman is a very well respected instructor under Guro Inosanto, Master Chai, Erik Paulson, Francis Fong etc. This instructor has clear lineage back to Mr Seaman, no cause for concern as far as I can see.

Looks like a good training group, head down there and check it out.

[Max22]

He seems alright to me. If you are in CT you probably ought to try it out and then decide.

[Garland]

I'm confused about the "extreme" thing. He looks chill to me. It looks like he has a lot of fitness certification on top of his martial arts certifications...so that's a plus. Plus if it's a small gym with a handful of regulars, there's a lot of benefit to that for students (even though it sucks on the side of the gym owner in terms of trying to make a living). I'd say check it out.

[Flaves]

I dunno man, in my opinion, if you aren't certified under Guro Dan Inosanto or Andy Kimura, than you aren't legit. I don't even respect the Vunack JKD guys. Basically, according to that linage chart, it appears as if that guys Instructors, Instructor is certified under Guro Dan.

It's kinda like if I certified you in JKD (I'm not certified under Guro Dan, but one of my instructors is)... would you consider that legitimate? I wouldn't. lol.

[Garland]

does legitamite lineage necessarily = legitamite teaching?
does one necessarily preclude the other?

I say if the guy is open about where he comes from and where he is in the arts and the organizations he belongs to, and doesn't make false claims...he's cool in my book.

You can learn good stuff from anyone.
Of course...getting a direct Inosanto student is preferable...but, hey...take what you can get, man.

[Flaves]

Not necessarily, but I would question the curriculum that is being taught. It might be watered down or diluted.

For example, take this website which pretty much "sells" JKD certifications Bruce Lee Jeet Kune Do Jkd Martial Arts Instructors DVD training

If that was the instructors basis for his teachings, would you consider him legit. He may be a good teacher, but a good teacher who is teaching inferior curriculum doesn't mean he is legit.

I would also suggest that if he was a good teacher, and was looking to improve himself, he would try to always seek more certifications, curriculum, ways to become better and provide a better product for his students. In fact, isn't that one of the principles of JKD? Not to limit yourself to one style or method....

[Garland]

If that was the instructors basis for his teachings, would you consider him legit. He may be a good teacher, but a good teacher who is teaching inferior curriculum doesn't mean he is legit.

I would also suggest that if he was a good teacher, and was looking to improve himself, he would try to always seek more certifications, curriculum, ways to become better and provide a better product for his students. In fact, isn't that one of the principles of JKD? Not to limit yourself to one style or method....

1) nopes...prolly not.
2) who said he wasn't...I see no evidence either direction, and I'm assuming the best about the bloke.

[chillaplata]

I would care more about the extent and quality of his training than about the number of generations down he is on the lineage tree. He's trained for nine years under a respected instructor with solid lineage, and his instructor thinks highly enough of him to have given him an instructor certification in his own right. It's not like he received his certification by mail order or just for showing up at a weekend seminar. Sure, in an ideal world you might prefer to train under someone who has studied with Guro directly, but this instructor looks perfectly competent to offer quality instruction.

[Guest]

I dunno man, in my opinion, if you aren't certified under Guro Dan Inosanto or Andy Kimura, than you aren't legit. I don't even respect the Vunack JKD guys. Basically, according to that linage chart, it appears as if that guys Instructors, Instructor is certified under Guro Dan.

It's kinda like if I certified you in JKD (I'm not certified under Guro Dan, but one of my instructors is)... would you consider that legitimate? I wouldn't. lol.

I would - that's why its called lineage. Its a line of instruction passed down from generation to generation. Its the basis for the instruction of just about every martial arts system, in fact its the basis for the instruction of most forms of education.

What's wrong with being a 3rd, 4th or 5th generation JKD Instructor? I think its a good thing, everyone in your lineage will bring their own strengths and talents, you don't just get one version of the truth.

Guro Inosanto is nearing his mid 70's, what happens when he passes away, does JKD just stop? We need the 3rd, 4th and 5th generation JKD instructors - they are the future of the art.

All of the people I have trained with in Paul Vunak's family have been good fighters and great guys. How many of them have you trained with?

[John McNabney]

Nice post Michael....


The guy in question seems to have a link back to a BL student... Unless you train with him, you'll never know how good he is.... In my understanding, just because someone is linked to someone else doesn't mean you will learn or can learn from that person... The only way would be to train with him and find out for your self....


Here is a link to a up and coming Bruce Lee Lineage that is work in progress.

The Truth

[Jujujason]

The list on 'The Truth' is nice, but it is by no means complete AT ALL.

[John McNabney]

Nice post Michael....


The guy in question seems to have a link back to a BL student... Unless you train with him, you'll never know how good he is.... In my understanding, just because someone is linked to someone else doesn't mean you will learn or can learn from that person... The only way would be to train with him and find out for your self....


Here is a link to a up and coming Bruce Lee Lineage that is work in progress.

The Truth

I guess you missed this part...