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| MARTIAL ARTS STYLES |
| The following is a brief description of a few martial arts styles that has heavily influenced the RMATA. They each make up part of the bigger picture of martial arts. |
| JEET KUNE DO |
What can I say here that hasn't been said countless times about JKD? I will only state my
opinion about the subject. I often get asked what JKD is, and my one minute answer goes
something like this; JKD is the idea of the best way to do anything, given any situation. It is
limited by nothing, including the martial arts. It is different for each of us. We all have different
assets, limitations, restrictions, and characteristics. In relation to the martial arts, it would not
make sense for us each to train exactly the same, or fight the same way. We are not all the
same. JKD is our personal melting pot of the various aspects that make us who we are. It
doesn't have to be called JKD, it's just an idea. JKD is, for me, also a goal of where I want to be
in any aspect of my life. If someone tells me that they train the martial art of JKD I still don't
have a good picture of their fighting style. The four ranges of non weapon combat (kicking,
punching, trapping, and grappling) each have several specific styles of martial arts specializing
in them specifically. An idea of being a JKD martial artist is, for me, to be well rounded in all
ranges of combat. I must be able to fit in with my opponent, always taking advantage of his
weakness and flowing with, not fighting against, his energy. I may be the best grappler in the
world, for example, but if I cannot defend myself against an excellent striker and am rendered
unconscious before I can close the distance and take him to the ground, all of the grappling
training I have done is for nothing. For me, to train in JKD means to always keep an open mind
to all styles and ways. It is to take whatever I can from wherever I can, and make it my own by
altering it to suit me best. It has been said that JKD has no way as way, no form as form, and no
limitation as limitation. Keep in mind, my description here is not all of JKD; you can't put it in a
box and pass it along like a manual of techniques or even an elaborate description.
In an attempt to help you understand JKD better, I ask you to read the following poem (From
Bruce Lee's Tao of Jeet kune Do) slowly and carefully. After you have done that, re-read each
line, each word, slowly and with a meditating mind. I have spent several hours learning from
this short poem, and each time I read it I still get more and more from it.
opinion about the subject. I often get asked what JKD is, and my one minute answer goes
something like this; JKD is the idea of the best way to do anything, given any situation. It is
limited by nothing, including the martial arts. It is different for each of us. We all have different
assets, limitations, restrictions, and characteristics. In relation to the martial arts, it would not
make sense for us each to train exactly the same, or fight the same way. We are not all the
same. JKD is our personal melting pot of the various aspects that make us who we are. It
doesn't have to be called JKD, it's just an idea. JKD is, for me, also a goal of where I want to be
in any aspect of my life. If someone tells me that they train the martial art of JKD I still don't
have a good picture of their fighting style. The four ranges of non weapon combat (kicking,
punching, trapping, and grappling) each have several specific styles of martial arts specializing
in them specifically. An idea of being a JKD martial artist is, for me, to be well rounded in all
ranges of combat. I must be able to fit in with my opponent, always taking advantage of his
weakness and flowing with, not fighting against, his energy. I may be the best grappler in the
world, for example, but if I cannot defend myself against an excellent striker and am rendered
unconscious before I can close the distance and take him to the ground, all of the grappling
training I have done is for nothing. For me, to train in JKD means to always keep an open mind
to all styles and ways. It is to take whatever I can from wherever I can, and make it my own by
altering it to suit me best. It has been said that JKD has no way as way, no form as form, and no
limitation as limitation. Keep in mind, my description here is not all of JKD; you can't put it in a
box and pass it along like a manual of techniques or even an elaborate description.
In an attempt to help you understand JKD better, I ask you to read the following poem (From
Bruce Lee's Tao of Jeet kune Do) slowly and carefully. After you have done that, re-read each
line, each word, slowly and with a meditating mind. I have spent several hours learning from
this short poem, and each time I read it I still get more and more from it.
| Into a soul absolutely free From thoughts and emotion, Even the tiger finds no room To insert its fierce claws. One and the same breeze passes Over the pines on the mountain And the oak trees in the valley; And why do they give different notes? No thinking, no reflecting, Perfect emptiness; Yet therein something moves, Following its own course. The eye sees it, But no hands can take hold of it- The moon in the stream. Clouds and mists, They are midair transformations; Above them eternally shine the sun and the moon. Victory is for the one, Even before the combat, Who has no thought of himself, Abiding in the no-mind-ness of Great Origin. A Taoist Priest (From Bruce Lee's the Tao of Jeet Kune Do) |
| KALI |
Originating in the Philippines, Kali is an art mainly focusing on armed combat. Kali training is done extensively
with rattan sticks about as long as the distance from a persons armpit to their wrist. Daggers are also heavily
incorporated into the training. I think that Kali is a great art to train for preparation of armed confrontation. Proper
Kali training will give you muscle memory on the best way to react to whatever angle a weapon or strike is
coming at you. If someone swings a baseball bat at you for real, you can't defend against it like you would a
punch or kick. Footwork is heavily incorporated into Kali to enable you to properly deal with weapon attacks.
Besides from being a beautiful art to train, Kali is also a highly effective way to deal with armed combat; but
neither you nor you opponent have to use a weapon to use Kali. The techniques from Kali can just as easily be
used in empty hand (unarmed) combat.
with rattan sticks about as long as the distance from a persons armpit to their wrist. Daggers are also heavily
incorporated into the training. I think that Kali is a great art to train for preparation of armed confrontation. Proper
Kali training will give you muscle memory on the best way to react to whatever angle a weapon or strike is
coming at you. If someone swings a baseball bat at you for real, you can't defend against it like you would a
punch or kick. Footwork is heavily incorporated into Kali to enable you to properly deal with weapon attacks.
Besides from being a beautiful art to train, Kali is also a highly effective way to deal with armed combat; but
neither you nor you opponent have to use a weapon to use Kali. The techniques from Kali can just as easily be
used in empty hand (unarmed) combat.
| MUAY THAI KICKBOXING |
Originating in Thailand, Thai boxing focuses on the kicking, boxing, and trapping ranges of combat. Thai
boxing utilizes eight of our natural weapons; hands, feet, knees, and elbows. Training this art not only
enhances students' self defense ability, but it is also a great cardiovascular workout. It develops
confidence in students as they obtain a real understanding of how devastating proper strikes can be. It
would not be right to speak of Muay Thai Boxing without thanking and crediting Ajarn Surachai "Chai"
Sirisute, President and Founder of the Thai Boxing Association of the USA, for the popularity of Muay Thai
in the US today.
boxing utilizes eight of our natural weapons; hands, feet, knees, and elbows. Training this art not only
enhances students' self defense ability, but it is also a great cardiovascular workout. It develops
confidence in students as they obtain a real understanding of how devastating proper strikes can be. It
would not be right to speak of Muay Thai Boxing without thanking and crediting Ajarn Surachai "Chai"
Sirisute, President and Founder of the Thai Boxing Association of the USA, for the popularity of Muay Thai
in the US today.
| JUDO |
Coming from Japan, Judo focuses on how to get your opponent to the ground, and a little of what to do
when you get there. It incorporates many throws, sweeps, tackles, and the like. It is a great addition to any
martial artist's total combat ability, since a fight can be ended with the execution of a proper Judo throw
(imagine in the street being tossed headfirst to the pavement!). Besides getting your opponent down, it
also teaches how not to be thrown yourself; or in the event that you are thrown, how to land with minimal
damage.
when you get there. It incorporates many throws, sweeps, tackles, and the like. It is a great addition to any
martial artist's total combat ability, since a fight can be ended with the execution of a proper Judo throw
(imagine in the street being tossed headfirst to the pavement!). Besides getting your opponent down, it
also teaches how not to be thrown yourself; or in the event that you are thrown, how to land with minimal
damage.
| BRAZILIAN JIU - JITSU |
BJJ is an art specializing in the grappling range. It is akin to wrestling with chokes and joint locks. I
spend a lot of time training on combat within the grappling range. It's an awesome workout that not
only keeps you in great shape, but helps prepare you for the reality of a street fight that goes to the
ground.
I don't think I could write enough here to do the Brazilian fighters justice for BJJ's incorporation in to
the mainstream martial arts here in the US. There are so many great BJJ stylists out there, such as
the members of the Gracie family, the Machado family, and countless others. Since most fights that
last over a few seconds go to the ground, it only makes sense to do extensive training there. BJJ is a
great art to learn what to do when you get there. Make sure you check out my links page to see some
great BJJ fighter's websites.
spend a lot of time training on combat within the grappling range. It's an awesome workout that not
only keeps you in great shape, but helps prepare you for the reality of a street fight that goes to the
ground.
I don't think I could write enough here to do the Brazilian fighters justice for BJJ's incorporation in to
the mainstream martial arts here in the US. There are so many great BJJ stylists out there, such as
the members of the Gracie family, the Machado family, and countless others. Since most fights that
last over a few seconds go to the ground, it only makes sense to do extensive training there. BJJ is a
great art to learn what to do when you get there. Make sure you check out my links page to see some
great BJJ fighter's websites.
| SAMBO |
Sambo is a Russian martial art that is a mixture of many styles from around the world.
Sambo focuses on the range of grappling, using techniques similar to those of other grappling styles,
but also some that are definitely different. While also using joint locks and chokes, it has many
(many!) techniques aimed at and around the area of the legs, knees, and ankles.
I have found that someone with a little experience in Sambo can often defeat a more experienced
grappler that is not trained in defences to Sambo's attacks.
Make sure you check out Gokor Chivichyan's webpage to see one of the best grapplers in the world.
Gokor is one of Vince's main grappling instructors.
Sambo focuses on the range of grappling, using techniques similar to those of other grappling styles,
but also some that are definitely different. While also using joint locks and chokes, it has many
(many!) techniques aimed at and around the area of the legs, knees, and ankles.
I have found that someone with a little experience in Sambo can often defeat a more experienced
grappler that is not trained in defences to Sambo's attacks.
Make sure you check out Gokor Chivichyan's webpage to see one of the best grapplers in the world.
Gokor is one of Vince's main grappling instructors.
