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Why grappling instead of one particular style?

New York Martial Arts Academy's grappling classes are not limited to one style or system. Bruce Lee did not believe in styles because each style is inherently limited by its strengths and weaknesses.  Moreover, styles inevitably take away from the student's individuality. The techniques shown during our JKD grappling classes take elements from Wrestling, Sambo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo.  As is imperative to any Jeet Kune Do practitioner, the sport side of these arts is ignored.  Sport tactics by and large can get a martial artist into precarious predicaments during a real fight. For example wrestlers are taught to put their belly on the ground to avoid a pin.  This is obviously not a good strategy for the street because it does not allow the individual a visual defense to fend off any blunt force by his or her attacker.  Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teaches a practitioner to go to the ground and try to submit.  What happens if there are multiple attackers or weapons involved?  Lastly, classes are taught without the traditional Judo/ Jiu Jitsu Gi because it is more realistic for the street.  Bruce Lee’s governing principles are alive in all of our JKD grappling.  Simply mixing martial arts is not Jeet Kune Do and sport martial arts that are being commonly taught are simply not made for the street.  Martial art's most important purpose is street survival, not competition. 
 

Limiting the opponents tools

In a Jeet Kune Do class it is often overheard that a good fighter limits his opponents tools.    What does this statement mean?   In simple terms, limiting my opponents tools simply means that I put myself in a position where I...

What is Basic Front Hand Education?

When reading Bruce Lee's notes it is clear that he was a firm believer in placing the strong side forward.  90% of our striking should be done with our strong hand and our strong leg.  The reasons are two fold.  First, because our...

Blocking, Evasion, Interception

When studying Jeet Kune Do, Defense is categorized as Blocking, Evasion and interception.   Blocking is just as the word implies, stopping and opponents strike with a body part that was not the opponents intended target.  Blocking is the...

Art, Science and Philosophy of Bruce Lee

Here at New York Martial Arts Academy we have always believed in teaching the Art, Science, and Philosophy of Bruce Lee.   The Art is what we do.  The Kicking, punching, trapping, grappling and understanding of the weapon in long, medium...

Women's Self Defense

In discussing martial arts programs tailored or directed towards women different names are generally used.  The most common one is cardio kickboxing.  Programs of this nature are offered at almost every gym.  What these classes...
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