Jeet Kune Do (Orange County)
Jeet Kune Do is a Chinese term meaning 'way of the intercepting fist'. The term refers to the kung fu concept of intercepting attacks and turning them back on the attacker rather than dodging or simply blocking. Unlike more traditional martial arts like karate, the Jeet Kune Do path is not fixed or patterned.
A true "outside the box" thinker, Bruce was a true student of life - ever evolving and always searching for more. His passion and study of the art of Wing Chun Kung Fu, philosophy along with his readings boxing and fencing manuals, were what led him to the founding of Jeet Kune Do.
An avid student , Bruce studied under the legendary Hong Kong Grandmaster Yip Man (aka Ip Man). The core concepts of Jeet Kune Do are based on Bruce's study of Wing Chun. This includes such ideas as center line control, vertical punching, trapping, economy of motion, and forward pressure. Bruce Lee also incorporated the Wing Chun principles of efficiency, directness and simplicity.
Jeet Kune Do’s stance and elusive footwork come from fencing. A key principle in fencing, the stop-hit, is essentially the JKD namesake - the way of the intercepting fist. The concept that you can set up your opponent so that you will be able to intercept him in his most vulnerable state, upon his attack, is central to the work of such renowned fencing authors Aldo Nadi and Julio Martinez Castello, both of whom are quoted heavily in Bruce Lee’s Tao of Jeet Kune Do.
For additional body mechanics and maximum generation of power, Bruce turned to the writings of boxers Edwin Haislet, Jack Dempsey, and Jim Dricsoll. Again, all three are heavily quoted in Bruce’s writings. JKD’s vertical-fist jab, proper alignment, striking surface and hip rotation all come from boxing.
THE DRAGON INSTITUTE
Although we choose to call what we teach Wing Chun, we could also call it Jeet Kune Do. Our program is the closest you can get in all of Orange County to what Bruce Lee taught and practiced. His methods consisted of Wing Chun at its core with integrated boxing and fencing concepts (exactly the same material that we practice and teach at The Dragon Institute). Remember that Jeet Kune Do is merely a name used. Don't get hung up on the name. Carrying on the legend of Bruce Lee is something we are extremely proud and honored to be able to do.
BRUCE LEE QUOTES
"Again let me remind you Jeet Kune Do is just a name used, a boat to get one across."
"Either you understand or you don't, and that is that. There is no mystery about my style. My movements are simple, direct and non-classical. The extraordinary part of it lies in its simplicity."
"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. Don't get hung up on labels and parameters."
Find out more at http://www.ockungfu.com
