The Bruce Lee brigade is in town. In flesh and blood. Kicking. Punching. Blocking. Trappling. And, grappling. Swift 'n' sure movements, coupled with precision strikes, is a treat to watch. Keeping a safe distance is highly recommended for the faint-hearted ones. After all, just in case...!
City Express was invited to witness a special training session of Jeet Kune Do (JKD) concepts in Bangalore, recently.
Leading from the front was Sifu Satyaki Gupta, the only Indian to be certified by legendary guru Dan Inosanto. In addition to teaching JKD concepts, Satyaki is also authorised to teach Filipino martial art Kali and Malaysian combat method Silat. Guru Dan is widely revered as the flag bearer of Bruce Lee in JKD concepts.
JKD CONCEPT
JKD is an extremely efficient combat philosophy. It is an eclectic/hybrid system and philosophy of life founded by Bruce Lee with direct, non-classical and straightforward movements. JKD practitioners believe in minimal movement with maximum effect and extreme speed.
“The system works on the use of different tools for different situations. These situations are broken down into ranges, with techniques flowing smoothly between them. It is referred to as a 'style-without-style' and doesn't work on fixed patterns. The emphasis on various timing of action or reaction is also of great importance in the JKD combat philosophy,” says Satyaki.
JKD has often been referred to as a problem-solving art. “Therefore, a teaching approach which emphasises the student’s curiosity and problem-solving abilities is stressed upon. It teaches one to adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own,” says Satyaki, quoting Bruce Lee.
The epic fight between Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris in Return of the Dragon is the finest instance of JKD on screen, says Satyaki, eyes wide open.
BANGALORE CONNECT
Satyaki and his team are warming up to promote JKD and associated combat forms in a big way in Bangalore.
“The city is already exposed to modern martial and combat systems. We are planning to devise combat-based fitness programmes, especially for the busy corporate clan. Four years of proper training can make you proficient in the basics of JKD concepts. I can say that 98 per cent of JKD schools in India are either fake or having fake lineage. They teach you a hodgepodge of karate and kung-fu in the name of JKD, in coloured uniforms. It's more of good entertainment, but it's not JKD,” says Satyaki, a globe-totter, now working for a leading software firm.
As you read this piece, a new movement called 7CASP (7th Chakra Art for Self Preservation), is slowly but steadily catching signals from the like-minded who are ready to get on to strike mode.
The core offering of 7CASP consists of practical combat training in JKD, its concepts, Kali and Silat. Satyaki feels that those committed in making JKD an integral part of their lives are bound to gain a lot.
“None of these concepts and styles of fighting require exceptional physical strength. Stress on adaptability, technical correctness and exploitation of an opponent’s vulnerabilities are key to winning a combat,” he says.
7CASP will run certification programmes for the public in JKD, Kali and Silat to start with.
“Very soon, traditional Wing Chun Gung Fu and CSW (Combat Shoot Wrestling) will be added. Specialised programmes in armed defence using blunt weapons and strategies to create combat awareness/ weapon retention will be offered to relevant select public, armed forces and security agencies,” says Atrijit Dasgupta, an entrepreneur and a JKD student.
Internal arts training covering breathing, static and dynamic ranges of motion-based programmes will also be taught.
Gurumukh Singh is a software engineer and one of the JKD followers in Bangalore. “While JKD concepts offer a wide range of combat techniques, it also teaches you the art of speed and precision. Your movements become strong and you would know how to deal with each situation differently,” Gurumukh says.
SPECIAL TRAINING
Based on JKD, there are tactical blade and hand-to-hand curriculum only for the special operations groups.
“Given an opportunity, we'd like to use our vast international experience to give a training edge to the armed forces. All training sessions for armed forces will be free. We don't and never will charge a penny for those who protect our country. We are also open for training police commandos of Karnataka police,” Satyaki says.
Even FOR WOMEN
Satyaki says that some of the instructors under Guru Dan are women, who according to him are incredible.
“True martial arts doesn't need tonnes of physical strength. It is based on athletic abilities, strategies and common sense, skill and spirit. The JKD concepts are best suited for women as it teaches them multiple options to get on to the combat mode, if need be,” he says.
Anisha B, an advertising professional, and a passionate JKD practitioner says one should train as much as possible to master the art.
“Usual basic cardio-vascular exercises such as jogging, swimming and self-weight based exercises are good, apart from stretches and some posture based exercises,” she says.
When asked about the art form Kali, Anisha adds, “It's a system for supremely effective close quarter fighting with both hands empty as well as weapons such as sticks, staff, short and long blades and whip. Kali teaches a person to use anything available as a weapon.”
m akm@newindianexpress.com