Jeet Kune Do Singapore

Welcome to Jeet Kune Do Singapore

2012-02-23T00:27:00.003+08:00

Established in 2011, JKD Singapore is a small family of martial artists who are determined to perpetuate and maintain Bruce Lee's fighting method exactly as he taught it to his students.

If you believe we are the right people for you to train with, contact us today!

"There is no mystery about my style. My movements are simple, direct and non-classical. The extraordinary part of it lies in its simplicity. Every movement in Jeet Kune Do is being so of itself. There is nothing artificial about it. I always believe that the easy way is the right way. Jeet Kune Do is simply the direct expression of one's feelings with the minimum of movements and energy. The closer to the true way of Kung Fu, the less wastage of expression there is."

- Bruce Lee

Foreword

2012-02-22T21:09:00.000+08:00

One's relationship with the martial way begins when he becomes aware that the human mind and its physical body are powerfully connected in combative expression. When the mind understands, body movement is advanced and when the body understands, the mind advances.

In other words, the Jeet Kune Do experience involves both art and also craft. It is art because it is a series of mental ideas expressed in the form of intelligent combative movement, as well as a craft because a dedicated and wholehearted physical effort is needed in order to experience its process.

Therefore, when one seeks JKD, he does not duplicate something externally. Rather, through an honest approach to understanding how things are, he strives to actualize and better himself from the inside-out by using this new-found consciousness to empower all aspects of his life.

In this sense, Jeet Kune Do offers one the opportunity to achieve both physical and mental breakthroughs. As you embark on "the way of the intercepting fist", remember that JKD is the name used to refer to our diligent journey to liberate ourselves from fixation and push our very limits back, one kick at at time.

Let your breakthrough begin.

- Sean Firlyes Lim
Jeet Kune Do, Singapore

Who is Jeet Kune Do for?

2012-02-21T00:28:00.000+08:00

Working women and men who wish to find an outlet to relieve stress through a martial art that is simple, direct and effective.
Artists from various walks of life looking to express themselves through a martial art.
Parents who wish to develop their children mentally and physically.
Competitive martial artists who wish to research and cross-train using the techniques, methods and principles that Bruce Lee utilized.
Military or law enforcement personnel who wish to seek advancement in combat proficiency.
People looking to pick up basic street-defense skills to be capable of protecting their family and loved ones.
People looking for casual exercise with their friends.

Acknowledgements

2012-02-20T23:10:00.000+08:00

I consider being able to trace my Jeet Kune Do lineage directly back to Sijo Bruce Lee to be the most honorable achievement of my life. This is made possible only with the opportunity given to me by Sifu Mark Stewart, the founder of International Jeet Kune Do.

I would also like to thank my original Jeet Kune Do teacher, Sifu Douglas Evans, for introducing me to the art and mentoring me throughout my journey in JKD.

I am deeply grateful to my 师父, Sifu Ken Lau and Guro Steven Sim for imparting their knowledge in martial arts to me. Without them, I have no beginning in the martial arts and for that I will always be thankful.

I thank my seniors, Wong Jiexiong, Adam Yeo, Sean Tan, Lendl Kok as well as the SMU fencing team for guiding me selflessly.

Finally, I offer my sincerest gratitude to my family and friends, Daniel Ngo, Dominic Ong, Nicholas Eng and Wang Dabin for always being there.

I can see far ahead only because I stand on the shoulders of these magnificent people.
I will remember your kindness dearly and not let you down.

- Sean Lim

Knowing the Difference

2012-01-27T02:57:00.000+08:00

You enter a gym. After warming up, you perform some shadow boxing. Next, the instructor holds a set of pads for you, and you are to strike them in a certain order before doing a set of static exercise. After another hour of exhausting bag work, you are invited to do some controlled sparring. Training concludes and you return home, happy and satisfied with the effort you put in. As an aspiring martial artist, you decide that your goal is to "perform better" the next time you spar with your friends.

The above is a routine which we may be very familiar with. There is absolutely nothing wrong with such a system - amateur and professional competitors put their heart and soul through similar, dedicated routines and eventually accomplish great things in the ring.

However, it is important to know that ring-fighting is a sportsman's career. It could be fundamentally wrong and dangerous should one confuse competition-based fighting with actual street fighting. Systems that favor a "sports" approach often incorporate rules that could ultimately handicap a martial artist in an actual self-defense situation.

Therefore, when one selects a functional martial art, it is very important to understand the direction of his or her focus. Here are some important differences between sport and street-based martial arts that we should be aware of. On the streets, there are...

No Referees

No one decides what is fair - you could be attacked by multiple people, with or without weapons.

No Rules
You could be immediately attacked in the eyes, groin or even toes. There are no "foul"s!

No Weight Categorization

The oppressors often have a significant advantage, be it size, weapons, numbers and most of the time, ambush.

No Logic

The attacker may have decided that no matter the outcome of the "negotiation", he will strike you.
And he will strike you when you are least prepared for it.

After all the years of hard work that you put into protected sparring,

Will your conditioned mind and body be able to respond to real armed aggressors?
What if space is a constraint?
What if your loved ones are with you?

You may think diplomacy, but there can be no diplomacy without deterrence. You do not own what you cannot protect. Most importantly, if your body is conditioned to spar with rules, it will be very difficult for you to make the switch to actual fighting. The strike comes at the drop of a dime, and the fight ends within seconds.

If you know that your training in martial arts prepares you to be ready for whatever that may come, you will feel deeply empowered. Jeet Kune Do is all about combat realism - it is training and discipline towards the ultimate reality in combat. With Jeet Kune Do, your understanding of physical movement and human interaction is never limited by fixed rules nor confined within set regulations.

Know the difference!

"When you're talking about fighting, as it is, with no rules, well then, baby you'd better train every part of your body!"

- Bruce Lee

What Should I Look for in an Instructor?

2012-01-26T16:06:00.000+08:00

How does one know if he or she has found a good Jeet Kune Do instructor? The Jeet Kune Do world has been confused by people wanting to cash in on Bruce Lee’s name, debates over concepts vs originalJeet Kune Do, and questions about whether Jeet Kune Do is even an art at all.

This discussion does not include a list of core techniques. To be sure you are getting the best technical instruction you can, please refer to Bruce Lee's books and writings to best discern for yourself if your instructor is a credible one.

There are several qualities that a Jeet Kune Do instructor should possess.

Technical & Physical Qualities
These qualities relate to the skill level of the instructor.

Lineage
Did your instructor ever study for a good length of time with one or more original students of Bruce Lee or one of the direct second generation students? There could be concern if all your instructor has to show for his Jeet Kune Do training is seminar participation certificates. An instructor should have trained directly for a significant amount of time with an instructor of direct lineage to attain certification.
Core Techniques
Does your instructor seem to have a firm grasp and a skilled expression of the basic techniques ofJeet Kune Do? One way you can discern this, as discussed above, is to study the books that were written by Bruce Lee himself. Does he seem to know what he is talking about? Do his techniques work? Do they have solid scientific and physical backing that can be demonstrated to you?
Philosophical Content
Does your instructor know the basic philosophical tenets of Bruce Lee and can he explain them clearly and well? Can he relate these philosophies directly to the physical techniques?
Physical Fitness
Does your instructor have a relative level of physical fitness? Can he perform the moves accurately and well?

Structural qualities
These are qualities that relate directly to the instructors’ pedagogy.

Teaching Materials
Does your teacher have a methodology for imparting his teachings? Do the lessons build on one another?
Does the teacher make sure that you have a certain mastery of the material before moving on to something new?
Does the instructor quote directly from Bruce Lee in his teaching? (This is important if the student is to be sure they are getting enough philosophy mixed in with their physical technique.)
Focused Attention
Bruce Lee believed that class sizes should not be too large - that individualized attention should be given to each student during the lesson or in additional private lessons for the student to really benefit and grow.
Does your instructor give individual feedback during lessons and/or will he/she set time aside to work privately with you from time to time?
Transparency
Is your instructor transparent about his lineage and training?
Is he clear about what he callsJeet Kune Do as having originated from Bruce Lee andJeet Kune Do as having originated from himself or others?
Is your instructor open to questions about his background and or teaching materials?
Is there a sense of accountability, good communication, fairness and respect within the school?

Personal Qualities
These relate to the instructor himself – his attitude and self expression.

Representation of the Bruce Lee spirit
Does your instructor have a passion for teaching that involves active learning that never ceases? Does your instructor practice what he preaches? Does your instructor merely recite the teachings of Bruce Lee or does he practice them in his own life? Does your instructor seem to exhibit a true love and passion for the martial arts? These questions should help you discern for yourself if your instructor embodies the spirit of Bruce Lee.
Humility
Does your instructor display a certain amount of humility or does he display a fair amount of ego and self-importance?
Does your instructor foster idolatry of himself or his methods and foster negative attitudes about others?
Adaptability
Is your instructor rigid like a board or is he pliable like bamboo? Can the instructor adapt to the needs and strengths of his individual students? Does the instructor have the ability to deconstruct, test and apply thoughtfulness to his teachings? Does the instructor have an open mind?
Loyalty, Sincerity & Honesty
Is the instructor changing his position and his point of view to keep up with new trends in martial arts?
Is he respectful of his seniors in the arts? Does he answer questions honestly and openly, saying “I don’t know” when he doesn’t know something? Is your instructor sincerely trying to help you better yourself as an individual?
Attitude
Does your instructor have a good attitude? Does your instructor foster a positive attitude among his students and classes? Is your instructor encouraging and optimistic while challenging you to be your best?Is your instructor himself a student of the arts? Does he seem to dig deeper with time in terms of his understanding of the art?
Does he continuously strive for and attain simplicity?
Communication Skills
Does your instructor communicate clearly? Do you understand the lessons and what is being asked of you as a student?
Do his lessons make sense?

Documentary: 'I Am Bruce Lee' (2012)

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‘I Am Bruce Lee’ tells the amazing story of one of the most iconic human beings ever to enter the public consciousness. Voted as one of the most important people of the 20th century in Time Magazine’s Time 100, as well as one of the Greatest Pop Culture Icons by People Magazine, Bruce Lee continues to be honoured and remembered for his enduring legacy.

Bruce Lee’s often revolutionary and sometimes controversial thinking on a multitude of planes has become a source of inspiration and debate for a generation of philosophers, actors, filmmakers and athletes. The film is a compelling and visually stunning uncovering of Bruce’s life, his enormous impact, and his ever-expanding legacy in the world of martial arts, entertainment, and beyond—despite his tragic and sudden death at the age of 32.

The film goes more deeply into the story of this legendary master than ever before.

‘I Am Bruce Lee’ features interviews with people who knew Bruce intimately, along with a broad array of international icons from the entertainment and athletic fields – people whose lives, careers and belief systems have been forever altered by the legend who UFC President Dana White calls the “Father of Mixed Martial Arts.”

UFC Fighters on Bruce Lee

2011-12-25T09:35:00.002+08:00

This 14 episode mini-series captures the influence of Bruce Lee in the sports and entertainment world and celebrates the life of 'the dragon'. Big names such as Anderson Silva, BJ Penn, Randy Couture, Frank Mir and many more discuss how Bruce Lee has paved the way and inspired them with his techniques, philosophy and lifestyle.

How Bruce Lee Changed the World

2011-12-24T10:04:00.000+08:00

More than just a biography, this film explores Bruce Lee's global impact to see how he has influenced all areas of popular culture including fitness, cinema, music, sport, dance, video games and philosophy.

JKD, Fencing & Boxing

2011-11-01T02:18:00.000+08:00

Although Bruce Lee began his martial arts journey with Wing Chun, he also dove into researching other martial arts. He read thousands of books on various fighting systems, but the majority of books in his personal library were either fencing or boxing titles. These were the volumes that were most heavily underlined and annotated by Bruce. These were the arts that were most subject to his scrutiny. And these arts form the foundation of Jeet Kune Do.

While Bruce Lee analyzed many fighting styles, this does not mean he incorporated all of them into his arsenal. Arguments of whether or not Jeet Kune Do is a style aside, Jeet Kune Do is the name that Bruce Lee gave to the fighting techniques and strategies he was developing and employing. It was what he was doing - how he was most efficiently using arms, legs, body weight, tactics, and the laws of physics - to fight.

True, there are philosophical principles that guide the physical side of Jeet Kune Do, but we must never forget that Jeet Kune Do is about doing, about action - very specific action. That action is comprised of the Jeet Kune Do techniques developed by Bruce Lee himself.

Contrary to common misconception, Bruce Lee did not merely take techniques from various arts and throw them together. He studied and tested very specific elements, and essentially, these were elements from two arts - Western fencing and boxing. Jeet Kune Do’s stance, footwork, and major strategic points come from fencing. A key principle in fencing, the stop-hit, is essentially the Jeet Kune Do namesake - the way of the intercepting fist. The idea that you can set up your opponent so that you will be able to intercept him in his most vulnerable state - on the attack - is central to the work of fencing authors Aldo Nadi and Julio Martinez Castello, both of whom are quoted heavily in Bruce Lee’s Tao of Jeet Kune Do.

For body mechanics and maximum generation of power, Bruce turned to boxers Edwin Haislet, Jack Dempsey, and Jim Dricsoll. Again, all three are heavily quoted in Bruce’s writings. Jeet Kune Do’s fist jab, proper alignment, striking surface, hip rotation, and kinetic chain sequence all come from boxing. Even with the heavy influence of both sports, however, it’s important to note that Jeet Kune Do is neither fencing nor boxing. To technically explain this would be beyond the scope of this writing, but it’s important to remember that Bruce never lifted techniques wholesale from other arts for the sake of accumulating new techniques. Each weapon was subject to scientific analysis, modified, and tested in fighting situations.

The Evolution of Jeet Kune Do

2010-12-07T17:32:00.000+08:00

In this video, our Sifu Mark Stewart gives a demonstration on Jeet Kune Do, explaining its differences from Wing Chun as well as how it evolved from there.

Ted Wong Passes Away

2010-11-24T17:45:00.000+08:00

Ted Wong
November 5, 1937 - November 24, 2010

It is with a heavy heart that we must regretfully inform you that Sifu Ted Wong, who was the protégé as well as a close friend of Bruce Lee, passed away on November 24.

Wong's journey in Jeet Kune Do began in Los Angeles, California in 1967, as a pupil of Bruce Lee. Shortly after, Bruce Lee saw something special in Ted Wong and took him as a private student. From July 27, 1967 to October 14, 1971, Wong studied under Lee at least 122 times. According to Lee’s own appointment books, Wong spent more time receiving private instruction than any other person.

With Lee’s death in 1973, Wong found himself without a teacher.What followed is a story of great pain, moral integrity and self-reliance.While others were quick to capitalize on their association with Lee, Wong threw himself into 15 years of seclusion, studying the material his teacher had left behind.He tracked down the sources that influenced those writings, books that had been in Lee’s library to draw connections between what he had seen Lee do so many times and the principles outlined in his writings.

When he lost his instructor, Wong faced the same temptation we all do: to look to outside sources—different masters, different styles.He chose to do the opposite, and it wasn’t an easy path to follow. But Wong had all he needed: the road map left by his teacher and the benefit of many hours spent with one of history’s greatest martial artists.

Ted Wong's Jeet Kune Do
Certification by Bruce Lee, 1967

In the 15 years that followed, Wong developed a solid understanding of what Lee had tried to teach him. Wong didn’t supplement his arsenal with techniques from other arts. The only thing he added to Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do was an understanding and analysis designed to enable future generations to benefit from Lee’s lifework.In the 15 years it took Wong to connect the dots between his training and Lee’s writings, others misinterpreted those writings and misrepresented their teachings as jeet kune do.

After decades of turning down requests for interviews, Wong found himself in the spotlight. While he could have turned a handsome profit by opening a school, Wong did not take that route. Instead, Wong planted JKD seeds in countries around the globe, including Japan, Hong Kong, Puerto Rico, Sweden, Holland, Scotland, Italy and Spain, as well as across the United States. He made regular trips to those locations for years and built a small army of loyal students.

Ted Wong is known today as one of the most knowledgeable men in the world when it comes to Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do. He studied under Bruce Lee from 1967 to 1973.

In his spare time, Wong served on the board of the Bruce Lee Foundation, where he contributed his time as an adviser and instructor.For his selfless contributions to the foundation, the legacy of Bruce Lee and the art of Jeet Kune Do, Black Belt inducted Ted Wong into its Hall of Fame as the 2006 Man of the Year.

Rest in peace, Sifu Ted Wong.