Hey Everyone,

Im Chris Wells from Montgomery, Al.
I have had martial arts experience in Iwama Rye Aikido and Karate. I have always been a fan of JKD and wanted to take classes but their isnt anyone in my area. I recently decided to take classes at HardCore Jeet Kune Do under Sifu Lamar David II "www.hardcorejkd.com" in Birmingham which is 1 1/2 hours away from where I live. I wanted to know if anyone on here has made that transition from something like that and JKD and how hard was it to adap to that drastic change?


Also thank you for letting me be apart of this forum and thanks for any replies.


-Chris

Hello Chris!

I am looking forward to having you come and train with me! I know you may be a bit apprehensive, based on the fact that Jeet Kune Do is quite a bit different from what you are accustomed to, but I'm sure you will make the transition just fine! The main thing that I will say is that you must "empty your cup", as Bruce Lee would say, in order to look at Jeet Kune Do with an open mind! You must be wiling to "let go" of some of the attitudes that tend to be instilled in the mind and body by the more traditional martial arts. The good thing is that with your previous training in aikido, you are somewhat familiar with the principle of flowing movements. To flow in Jeet Kune Do is very important. In a sequence, one movement should flow effortlessly to the next without hesitation. I think you will do just fine, so don't worry!

By the way, I met another guy named Chris this morning and he is planning to start training next Saturday as well! I'll see you there!

Keep Blasting!
Sifu Lamar M. Davis II
Senior Instructor
Hardcore Jeet Kune Do
sifu@live.com
http://www.HardcoreJKD.com
http://www.DragonBlastMA.com
Phone (205) 296-7070 (Incoming Only)
or (205) 213-2086

"Hit Hard, Hit Fast, Hit First - ALWAYS!"

"The REAL future of Jeet Kune Do belongs to US, the few, the proud, the HARDCORE! Now, what are we going to do with it?" _ Sifu Lamar M. Davis II

Im pretty sure I will make the transition pretty good. I normally give 110% at everything I do because im a perfectionist at everything. Thats the bad side of me because if it isnt right I will redo it a million times. I've read alot of JKD books and watched videos so hopefully that gives me a better understanding of what im doing and why.

Im just glad im finally doing this

-chris

it is MUCH easier than going the other way!
I am currentlybtraining in a Southern Mantis school and it is frustrating.

That said, I have noted that any martial arts, boxing or wrestling experience
gives at least a short term advantage in learning JKD.

Jmp

once you see how everything works you won't want to stop learning

Positive Energy Activates Constant Elevation
P.E.A.C.E.

different with learning. I have noticed not only in my training but the new students that I teach the basics to that old/bad habits have to be broken. Examples are chambering the leg when kicking or pulling back the hand/floating the elbow when punching. Then there is the stance that really throws people a curve. This is all muscle memory and you will do/use what you have trained till it is replaced. I not only trained TKD but wrestled and did some other stuff as well. I found out that I would grab an arm as soon as it touched my hand. Having prior martial arts training is both helpful and hurtful. It is all the individual. I had to brak the bad habits and learn to flow. Most Americans and especially big guys are very "forceful" as in they tend to use power rather than flowing. We are also very tense as in we tend to stay in a rigid stance. These are the two hardest things that I had to learn to do and still do. Relax and flow.

The main thing one has to learn is that they must crawl before walking and walk before running. Learn it slow and right rather than fast and wrong. I look forward to training with you.

Kent