On Health, Fitness & Jeet Kune Do

Historically, Martial Arts schools incorporated, to some degree, an herbal pharmacy directed at keeping the students healthy after hard training or combat.  Similarly, students are also given a basic knowledge of how to self treat contusions, and other minor soft tissue injuries.  In modern times we see training centers selling sports balms like Tiger Balm, Icy Hot, Bengay, Cryogel, etc.  Although these products do work, in my experience there is nothing quite as effective as the time tested herbal formulas in the Martial Arts medicine toolbox traditionally prepared by the teacher at the school.

Hit Medicine or Dit Da is a little known branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine developed for healing tissue trauma resulting from fighting.

Unbenknownst to most, Hit Medicine can decrease healing time of minor soft tissue injuries by at least 50% in most cases.  In my early training, I would follow a conditioning protocol of applying herbal liniments to striking and blocking surfaces before and after practice (and sometimes during practice), effectively preventing the majority of bruising and decreasing healing time to a day or two at most.

These protocols are probably most useful to combat sports players who routinely accumulate injuries from full contact sparring.  Although less severe, the average Martial Artist still gets the occasional bruise, strain, sprain, and muscle soreness in which case Hit Medicine comes in very handy.

So what exactly is involved?

The basic Hit Medicine kit should include herbal plaster patches, topical healing wines (Dit Da Jow), an oil based liniment, plastic wrap, waterproof tape, and maybe an oral herbal formula.

The specific formulations on the plaster patches, Dit Da Jows, and oils differ depending on whom you speak to.  In many cases Dit Da Jow is home made using a “family” recipe.  I personally prefer the Yunnan Baiyau plasters and Herbalgy oil along with a homemade Dit Da Jow.  If you don’t have access to homemade Dit Da Jow, Zheng Gu Shui or Yunnan Baiyau Tincture will do.  Simply apply and rub lightly.

For more severe injuries, a wet herbal plaster can be applied and sealed using tape and plastic wrap.  The wrap is usually kept in place for 12 - 24 hours, removed, cleaned and replaced.

These techniques will help with acute injuries, whereas Acupuncture and more advanced Tui-Na techniques should be used to resolve chronic injuries.

Keep in mind that this is a valuable adjunct to training but NOT a replacement for professional medical advice and treatment, so consult your healthcare provider before starting any program.

In Health,

–
Nhan-Esteban Khuong, L.Ac.
www.SGVJeetKuneDo.com

The internet is an amazing tool that has brought within grasp, information that has been otherwise nearly impossible to obtain.  With this unrestrained access to electronic resources, however, there are those with questionable intent who muddle the free flow of thought inspiring information.

More specifically, I am referring to DVD based Jeet Kune Do certification programs being promoted via the internet.  I regularly receive questions regarding my thoughts on these programs.  Jeet Kune Do is not an easy martial art in which to receive training given the lack of qualified instructors, so I can certainly understand the attraction of a DVD program.  Instruction through electronic and paper media are powerful supplements, but they are exactly that — supplements.

Self taught martial artists with extraordinary skills and understanding do exist, Bruce Lee being one of the more obvious examples, but they are the minority and even these martial artists had mentors and teachers.

Jeet Kune Do simply cannot be learned without human interaction and some level of personalized guidance.

What is the purpose of a DVD JKD certification anyway?  Is it for teaching credibility?  I certainly hope not, as this would be a truly sad blow to the founder’s legacy.

Jeet Kune Do is not about accumulation of techniques and strategies as a training video might imply, but rather about personal growth and liberation over a foundation of phsyical, mental, and spiritual development expressed in combative form.

So, the take home message:  Learn what you can from videos and books, be critical of the information and its sources, and seek out a qualified mentor/teacher.

–
Nhan-Esteban Khuong, L.Ac.
www.SGVJeetKuneDo.com

Kicking, by its very nature is far more telegraphic than punching.

A punch is initiated with the hand before any other part of the body is set in motion, thus making it extremely non-telegraphic with virtually no preparation.

In order to throw any kicking technique however, the base must change from two feet to one and the upper body must shift to counterbalance the weight of the striking leg.  So how do you kick without giving away your intention?

Here are a few simple, concrete strategies in the executing a non-telegraphic kick:

1.  Deception

2.  Avoiding the “chamber”

3.  Low-line targets

Deception: The art of deception is perhaps the most important concept for success in the fighting arts.  When two opponents with equal physical attributes face off, it will be the more deceptive of the two who dominate. appearing to be faster, stronger and more overall less telegraphic.

In Jeet Kune Do, deceptive attacks are generally categorized under “progressive indirect” (one of the five ways of attack).  A progressive indirect attack is essentially initiating a forward movement with one attack in order to shorten the distance between you and the target, then changing the target or weapon in order to penetrate an otherwise effective defense.

For example, the “progressive” part could be a feinted eye jab (which allows the fighter to close the distance to the target) but finally change to a side kick aimed at the knee, thus completing with the “indirect” aspect of the attack.

In this picture, I land a snap kick to the inner thigh by first, feinting a jab, stealing a step, then throwing the kick.

2. Avoiding the “Chamber”: The classical method of the art of kicking generally stresses the chamber position as an important intermediate step before a kick is fired.  Although there are certain benefits to chambering the leg, the movement is extraordinarily telegraphic.  By changing the trajectory of the kick to more of an arc rather than sharp angle you will still have path clearance and excellent potential for power generation.  Kicking in an arc does not mean kicking with a straight leg, but rather that the knee and hip cocking is not severe enough to bring the foot away from the target.  As a rule of thumb in nearly any strike, make certain that the striking tool is always moving towards its target.

Difficult to capture on camera, here it can be seen that my kicking leg is traveling in a short arc from the floor rather than from a chambered midway point.

3.  Low-line targets:  Low line targets are the best targets in a self defense situation.  Bruce Lee once said that kicking the head is like punching the foot.  It’s actually not quite that severe given that the legs are much longer than the arms, but the point is generally well understood.  With this in mind, targets below the waist (ie. groin, knee, and foot) are closer to the striking tool and require less body shift to kick, thus effectivley reducing telegraph.

In the following photograph, JKD practitioner Sean Foon executes a successful low line stop kick to my knee.

These are fundamental principles to self defense oriented kicking, however “knowing is not enough” so remember to practice.

In Health,

–
Nhan-Esteban Khuong, L.Ac.
www.SGVJeetKuneDo.com

I recently came across this old picture of myself at four years of age during my first few months in Tang Soo Do.

Twenty five years later, it’s been an interesting and enriching journey to say the least.  I look forward to an even richer future.

Enjoy!

–
Nhan-Esteban Khuong, L.Ac.
www.SGVJeetKuneDo.com

The two most common, or at least the most obvious, reasons people take martial arts classes are fitness and self defense.

The most important, most powerful, yet least understood reason, however, is the development of spirit.

So how does this happen, and how can martial art practice lead spiritual growth?

In order to answer this question, we have to first define spirit and spiritual growth.

Spirit by its very nature is not an easy concept to describe.  The simplified short explanation most relevant to this subject as I see it is essentially this:  Spirit is that ethereal element that makes the whole greater than the sum of the parts.  Similarly, spiritual growth is the strengthening and further development of this ethereal element which naturally expresses itself as a whole that is even greater than previously.

In terms of people, spirit is what makes us more than simply bags of bones and flesh.  Yet, our bodies are the ONLY means by which we can achieve spiritual development.

I’m sure this concept might ruffle some feathers but how else can one achieve greater consciousness, awareness, enlightenment, etc., if not by some process that involves utilizing our bodies (yes, the body includes the brain).

With this in mind, martial arts provide an ideal laboratory for spiritual development.  One engages the entire body and all the senses through practice.  It develops a greater attunement of self and surroundings.  It develops our physical capacity (strength, flexibility, speed, reflexes, etc.) along with our mental (scientific reasoning, concrete problem solving, philosophy, abstract thought, analysis) and emotional capacity (passion, will, control, freedom, tranquility, determination, love, ferocity, etc.)

Spiritual development through martial art is cultivated through experience and deep reflection.  Of course fitness and self defense are amazing side effects of training but it is ultimately the ethereal chemistry, so to speak, that occurs as a result of practice that is most valuable.

In Health,

–
Nhan-Esteban Khuong, L.Ac.
www.SGVJeetKuneDo.com

When is the last time you took a moment to objectively listen to and evaluate that ever-present voice in your head?

We all have it. For some of us, it is louder and more obnoxious than for others. Sometimes the voice helps us make difficult decisions, but in general, it tends to be rather negative, cynical, and often cruelly chastising.

It’s called self talk, and for some reason the great majority of people tend to beat themselves up with it, and it is perhaps a student’s greatest challenge to advancement.

I see students punishing themselves far too often for making mistakes.  There are no mistakes!  There is always a better way of doing things, and we can always strive to be better.  Reminding and encouraging ourselves to excel is far more productive that convincing ourselves of how poorly we performed.

Martial arts, or any holistically engaging activity, can be used as a powerful tool to quiet and/or control self talk, but like most skills, turning the mental chatterbox into a trained and supportive ally takes time and diligence.

Focusing on a union of mind and body creates a certain synergy leading to ease of movement and physical expression. Bruce Lee saw the power of developing spiritual and mental strength, especially after that fateful day in 1970 when he injured his back, told he would never kick again, and subsequently bedridden for six months. Lee turned to books about philosophy, psychology, spirituality and personal growth. He also reinforced his mental/spiritual/emotional training via copious writing.

Reading and watching videos or listening to audios are also powerful ways to control mental chatter and retrain our self talk, just be certain that the material is engaging and positive. Follow up by practicing what you have learned, writing about it, and using positive language during self talk.

One thing that all martial artists and aspiring martial artists should remember is that the non-physical aspect of training is far more powerful than the physical. As Bruce Lee said, “JKD, ultimately is not a matter of petty techniques but of highly developed spirituality and physique.”

In Health,

–
Nhan-Esteban Khuong, L.Ac.
www.SGVJeetKuneDo.com

The Azusa Adult School will now be offering basic Jeet Kune Do and bodyweight based strength and conditioning this coming Fall.

I will be teaching a two hour class Thursday evenings entitled “Urban Self Defense & Functional Fitness.”

At a tuition of $80 for two months of training, this is a steal!  Keep in mind, however, that due to liability issues, contact will not be used during training.  With the exception of focus mitts, this will be a non-contact class.

For more info and registration go to: http://www.adultedreg.com/azusa/index.cfm?processtype=department&deptid=5261

San Gabriel Vally Jeet Kune Do is now hosting the Pasadena Jeet Kune Do Meetup Group Saturday Afternoons.

Our mission is simply to give as many people as possible an opportunity to learn about Bruce Lee’s martial art legacy, and of course have fun and stay healthy.

We will be meeting at the studio for now but will probably be relocating to a park once the weather cools down a bit.

For more details and to RSVP visit the official Pasadena Jeet Kune Do Meetup Group Site here: http://jeetkunedo.meetup.com/88/

Attendance is complimentary to all regularly enrolled SGV JKD students.

See you on Saturday!

–
Nhan-Esteban Khuong, L.Ac.
www.SGVJeetKuneDo.com

The dietary cholesterol and saturated fat controversy continues to rage on.

I have been asked recently, on several occasions, about the benefits and/or dangers of various foods relating to fat and cholesterol content.  If you haven’t read my Jeet Kune Do Nutrition Plan series, it might shed some light on general nutrition.

As for dietary fats and cholesterol and their relation to cardiovascular health, the main fact to consider is that trans fats are the substance we should be avoiding.

I understand that generations of brainwashing have lead to a fear of saturated fats and cholesterol that have been blown way out of proportion.  Both these substances, except for saturated fats produced via artificial hydrogenation, are actually ESSENTIAL to good health and also provide necessary protective factors.

Here is a concept that will really "bake your noodle" (as The Oracle said to Neo in "The Matrix"), cholesterol is a natural free radical fighting powerhouse that has been shown to be a marker for longevity.

(Uncomfortable silence . . . . )

Yep, I get a lot of blank stares when I tell people this.

I’ll write some more on this topic later with some specific examples.  In the meantime, think twice before considering any "low fat" or "no cholesterol" hype.

In Health,

–
Nhan-Esteban Khuong, L.Ac.
www.SGVJeetKuneDo.com

The Wednesday Night Group in Redlands has been producing short videos for World of Martial Arts TV. Here is a short clip demonstrating an "aggressive defense". I appear in the background holding Muay Thai pads and focus mitts.

Enjoy!

Watch Garage Training - Pad Drills on World of Martial Arts

–
Nhan-Esteban Khuong, L.Ac.
www.SGVJeetKuneDo.com