We have developed a special program to provide you with the following benefits:

Our emphasis is on establishing discipline and courtesy in each student. The structure of respect is built in martial arts instruction.
The program builds confidence and character by providing each student with control over his or her body, and developing an ability to stand up to peer pressure and other intimidating situations.
The movements of martial arts develop coordination and increase strength and flexibility, which are very important throughout your lifetime.
The awarding of higher levels of sashes or belts can give you a sense of achievement and accomplishment. We keep this very much in mind. Because the length of time for achieving belts can be from 3 to 6 months, we award stripes on the sashes or belts as you progress between levels. Training for these gradings, and passing them, enhances an individual’s ability to concentrate, as well as plan for a triumph over learning hurdles. This is an excellent reinforcement of study techniques for tasks you may need to do.
The foundation of martial arts is its self-defense value. We are very careful to teach everyone that martial arts are not to be used outside the martial arts class in any manner other than in true self-defense. The result is a self-confident person who does not need to be a “bully” or to “show off” to others.
Finally, Martial arts are good clean fun for children and adults of all ages, and a great way to burn off extra energy and to reduce stress.
If you have any questions, feel free to talk to an instructor. We believe strongly in the value of our program for all ages – everyone can gain much benefit from martial arts for the rest of their lives.

Sincerely,

Lester Griffin

The single most important factor in becoming a Black Belt is not natural talent. Rather, it's regular attendance. Any student who attends regularly should be able to one day receive a highly coveted Black Belt.Most of the major champions produced at this dojo have been people who did not possess natural talent, did not have above average flexibility, speed, or strength. They did, however, attend regularly and kept working towards the achievement of their goals no matter what else came up in their lives.
We want to encourage each of you to follow the excellent example set by your sempei (Si Fu) and commit yourself to attending class on as regular a basis as possible. And, to help you achieve this important goal, we are establishing a new program which presents rewards to everyone who attends regularly.
To qualify for the first award, you must attend no less than two classes each week for one
month.

Griffin Martial Arts is a very unique organization within the Martial Arts Community. Our curriculum is based on the concepts of Jeet Kune Do and emphasizes practical Martial Arts training geared towards producing an individual who will be able to defend themselves at all ranges; standing up, on the ground, against multiple attackers, with and without weapons.

We teach Jun Fan Martial Arts (Bruce Lee's method), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Grappling, Kali (Filipino Martial Arts), Silat (Indonesian Martial Arts), Muay Thai Kickboxing (Thailand), Savate (French Kickboxing), and Wing Chun Kung Fu (Chinese Martial Art), Tai Chi.

This curriculum is unique the world over. You will not find many legitimate schools that offer that type of training to the general public, but that alone is not the only reason we feel you will find our organization unique. We believe that you will find our training methods, philosophy and friendly atmosphere a refreshing change from the other schools out there.

Though our curriculum is designed first and foremost for the benefit of street effective self defense, we also place a heavy emphasis on the development of an individuals character, discipline and compassion through personalized instruction, athletic mindsets and a politically free environment of friendship.

Griffin Martial Arts is first and foremost a JEET KUNE DO concepts school. What this means is that our primary goal is to produce people who can defend themselves effectively at all ranges, in all environments and with and without weapons. To be a complete fighter you must be able to kick, punch, fight at close quarter range and fight on the ground.

WHAT WE DO

In order to train people to become complete fighters and operate at the highest level possible we draw from the best available arts and training methods. For kicking we draw from the arts of SAVATE (French Kickboxing) and MUAY THAI (Thai Boxing).

For Punching we draw from WESTERN BOXING. It seems to be common sense that no one punches harder or more effectively than Boxers, it is a science; by utililizing Western boxing training methods and techniques we can create people who learn to use proper body mechanics and footwork in order to hit as powerfully as their bodyweight will allow.

Close quarter or (Trapping range) is where most street fights occur and it is probably the most neglected area in Martial Arts training. We spend a lot of time familiarizing students with this range so that if they ever do have to defend themselves they will be comfortable at close quarters.

Many street fights end up on the ground. If you do not train regularly on the ground against a resisting opponent than your self defense skills are seriously compromised. We draw heavily from the art of BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU, JUDO, SAMBO, DUMOG (Filipino Grappling), and Greco Roman. For our ground fighting here at the Griffin Martial Arts Academy, and we are proud members of the Dog Brother Grappling Association with Machado Affiliates (The Gracie's cousins).

Finally, there is the subject of knives and weapons. These types of instruments are becoming increasingly more common place in street assaults. Unfortunately, many Martial Art Schools teach their students to defend against blades by using a system designed primarily for hand-to-hand combat. Things like x blocks and kicking knives out of peoples hands (as well as other techniques, which could get you killed in a real confrontation) are commonplace. Here at Griffin Martial Arts Academy we choose to draw from a system, which was designed first and foremost for bladed weapons. The Filipino Martial Art of KALI has been used successfully in warfare for the last four hundred years by the people of the Southern Philippines to defend their homeland and it is this Art, which we utilize at this Academy for our weapons training.

" If you put limits on yourself and what you can do, physical or anything, you might as well be dead. It will spread over into your work, your morality, your entire being. There are no limits, only plateaus. But you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. If it kills you, it kills you." - Bruce Lee

"The only thing new is the history you don't know." - Harry Truman

Our method involves a steady progression from impact training to sparring against uncooperative opponents, in a very safe, but realistic environment. This forces the student to do something that is very hard for many people; confront the "truth" About themselves. They will know exactly what they can and cannot do. They will meet the emotions and mental states of fear, insecurity, pettiness, envy, pride, failure, and success; and hopefully with plenty of hard work, sweat and thought, they will overcome many of these issues and learn about themselves. Athletics (when used properly) can become a very powerful method of self improvement.

Art in all its forms has always been an extremely powerful method of self expression and self knowledge. From birth to death children and adults seem to be endowed with a natural instinct to create. Maybe this stems from a desire to be closer to God the master "Creator". But Whatever the reason the need to create in some way cannot be ignored. Art is after all the expression of the "self."

Some instructors of Martial Arts favor forms, the more complex and fancy the better. Some, on the other hand, are obsessed with super mental power (like Captain Marvel or Superman). Still, some favor deformed hands and legs, and devote their time on fighting bricks, stones, boards, etc., etc. This is not Art.

Art is the expression of the self. The more complicated and restrictive the method is, the lesser the opportunity for the expression of one's original sense of freedom! The techniques, though they play and important role in the early stage, should not be restrictive, complex or mechanical. Remember, You are 'expressing' the technique and not 'doing' the technique number two, stance two, section four? Like sound and echo without any deliberation. "It is as though when I call you, you answer me or when I throw something at you, you catch it. That's all." - Bruce Lee

"When power leads man towards arrogance art reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the areas of man's concern, art reminds him of the richness and diversity of his existence. When power corrupts art cleanses; For art establishes the basic human truths which must serve as the touchstones of our judgment." - John F. Kennedy

Martial Arts is one of the only vehicles for personal growth on Earth that combines the potentials of Athletic training with the power of Artistic self expression.

Through all this we must remember that in realistic Martial Arts any real growth as a person results from the very real ability to fight. If we tried to go to the higher skills of self perfection while ignoring the physical skills of self preservation, we would become hypocrites; and after all you don't go to a plumber to get your electricity fixed, would you really want someone who can't fight teaching you how to defend yourself and your family?

We think that when you visit Griffin Martial Arts, you will find friendly and open students who, out of necessity, learn to check their egos at the door. We also believe you will find down to earth Instructors who avoid titles like "master" and demonstrate a kindness and ability to help you grow that can only come from a person who engages in the kind of training described above. The kind of person who is willing to jump in and work out right alongside you.

Our method of training is a process, not a destination or conclusion.

Bruce Lee taught that there were three stages to understanding.

1.Sticking to the nucleus

2.Liberation from the nucleus

3.Total liberation (freedom)

In other words there is a big difference between having 'no-form', and having 'no-form'. One implies transcendence; a process, which once completed and learned can be changed, modified, or shed as you see fit. Another implies that you are simply ignorant.

If you ignore this process and try to go directly to total liberation then you will inevitably run into problems. Like a house with a poor foundation, you will only be able to build so much into it before it collapses. On the other hand if you never begin to free yourself from a form, style, or method and become lost in the process of accumulation, terminology and dogma, then you will never reach a level of true expression. You will never be JKD.

Griffin Martial Arts Academy assumes the long term commitment of the student, which allows us the time to build a solid foundation. Kicking, Boxing, Trapping and Grappling are taught in depth. Eventually shedding the conformity of 'good form' only after one has acquired 'good form'.

With this process a person should evolve who can fight well at any range, against any opponent, in any environment, your "style" is their "style", they have no "style". Efficiency is anything that scores.

"Tough is not how you act. Tough Is how you train." - Rickson Gracie

Bruce Lee taught in five key stages:

1.) LEARN: This basic process involves learning the correct 'form' behind each particular motion or drill.
2.) PRACTICE: This involves consistent correct practice for a sufficient amount of time (repetition).
3.) MASTER: This involves adding the key elements of 'timing' and 'motion'.
4.) FUNCTIONALIZE: This involves making the motion work against an uncooperative and
resisting opponent.
5.) MAINTAIN: Just because you have reached a certain amount of proficiency does
not mean you can stop training. You can always improve your jab.

Most Martial Artists stop the learning process at stage two. One school was known to 'test' their black belts for their second degree by making them perform a given move at stage three! Imagine spending years to reach blackbelt level in a Martial Arts system and in all that time you still have not even begun to learn or practice with the simple elements of timing and motion.

These elements of timing and motion (stage three in Bruce's progression), are taught in all of are beginners classses (level one). The only reason to delay this process of learning is ignorance.

The Griffin Martial Arts' curriculum is divided into six levels. These levels are not important as a pecking order, but are only used so that the student will be with a group of people who are all at about the ability level. This makes the Instructors job easier and allows the student to progress more rapidly. Every good teacher has a progression.

If and when you complete levels one through six then you will receive the rank of FULL INSTRUCTOR, under Lester Griffin and be certified to teach any and all of our curriculum.

With Wing Chun at the core of his system Bruce Lee incorporated a modification of various techniques from Northern Praying Mantis, Southern Praying Mantis, Choy Li Fut, Eagle Claw, Western Boxing, Wrestling, Fencing, Judo, Jiu Jitsu and some of the more refined kicks of the Northern & Southern Chinese styles. Innovative and radically ahead of his time in his training and teaching methodology, Bruce Lee developed a martial system and fighting strategy that has lost none of its effectiveness over time.

Emphasizing the "ranges of combat," students are taught to confidently and with ease flow from long distance "kicking range," to close quarter "trapping & grappling range."

The movements are crisp and efficient, utilizing the most direct lines and angles. JKD affords the practitioner a means by which to effectively pursue the most direct line of attack. And once an attack has been launched there are no breaks or interruptions. As one technique nears completion, it starts to blend into the next and so forth: one continuous flowing motion until the conflict is resolved.

The Jun Fan Gung Fu classes at the Academy are devoted entirely to teaching and preserving the arts & philosophies of the late Bruce Lee. Students are able to enhance their natural attributes, such as coordination, timing, speed, endurance, strength and agility, using the innovative teaching and training methods developed by Bruce Lee and preserved and taught today by his protégé, student and training partner, Dan Inosanto.

This letter serves to verify that Dan Inosanto was the senior instructor and student of my late husband, Bruce Lee, and that he is the legitimate practitioner and teacher of Bruce's art of self-defense called Jeet Kune Do. There is no other person who had as close and as long a relationship with Bruce in the study of this art.

Bruce met Dan in the early 1960's and when Bruce moved to Los Angeles in 1965, Dan was his first student. Shortly thereafter, Bruce opened a gym in Los Angeles Chinatown and Dan became his chief instructor. From 1965 to 1971, the two men worked out together regularly and as frequently as several times a week. They became close friends and our families saw a great deal of each other. In 1971 when Bruce moved to Hong Kong to pursue his film career, Dan
took over the administration and teaching of the Jeet Kune Do school. Bruce and Dan were in touch by telephone and letter for the next year and a half, and in the fall of 1972, Bruce invited Dan to come to Hong Kong to appear in his film, the Game of Death. This film was unfinished at the time Bruce died in 1973, but the fight scenes between Bruce and Dan were preserved for the revised version of the film which was completed by Golden Harvest Studios of Hong Kong several years later.

Bruce felt that Dan was a dedicated and gifted martial artist who was particularly adept at difficult physical movements and combinations of moves. In filming the Game of Death, Bruce enjoyed working with Dan because Dan had that rare "stage sense" with regard to the planning and presenting of light scenes. It made Bruce's work all the easier to have as his adversary one who knew how and when to act and react instead of having to use an untrained stuntman or actor.

At the time of Bruce's death, Dan Inosanto was the one man who had spent the longest and most recent period of time with my husband in the development and refinement of the art of Jeet Kune Do. With Bruce's passing, Dan became the senior spokesman and authority not only on the physical expression of the art, but also on the underlying philosophy and its application to many of life's pursuits. He has undertaken to continue Bruce's teachings at the training academy he has established in Southern California.

Linda Lee

Definitions

Boxe Francaise - Savate also know as the French Art of Foot Fighting, was developed over 150 years ago. It originated in the streets of French seaport towns as a highly effective means of self-defense. Savate started its history as a blend of different forms of foot-fighting from various provinces of France. It was combined with Parisian Wrestling, Cane Fighting, and English Boxing about 100 years ago to form French boxing. In the late l8th century, Savate was refined into a very elegant fighting sport by a number of people, the most famous of these Masters was Joseph Charlemont.

Boxe Francaise - Savate is a martial art that brings together the best aspects of all western fighting styles such as Boxing, Kick-Boxing, Wresting and Fencing. The Savature uses his or her body as a highly controlled projectile employing powerful sweeping motions and fluid strikes. Savate looks like a spontaneous ballet.

Boxe Francaise Savate is a sport for men, women, and children. It will help you develop SELF-CONFIDENCE, SELF-DISCIPLINE, BODY COORDINATION, BALANCE, FLEXIBILITY AND A POSITIVE SELF ATTITUDE.

THAI KICKBOXING

The national sport of Thailand where punches, kicks, elbows, knees, and throws are allowed. This Kickboxing art provides a great workout, while developing powerful striking tools, along with effective defensive tactics.

When the Western martial arts community discovered Muay Thai boxing in the latter half of the 20th century it got a very big surprise. Again and again the slightly built Muay Thai boxers dominated all challengers from China, Japan, the United States, and other countries. In contest after contest the Thai boxers used their devastating knee, elbow, fist, foot, and shin kicks to put down all those who dared to enter the ring with them.

The Western press covered the story of Muay Thai's superiority in detail. Thai boxers were routinely featured on the front cover of the major Western martial arts magazines. Within a very short period every serious martial artist in the world who had a concern for open competition was aware of the Muay Thai boxing phenomenon. Practitioners of countless styles were forced to benchmark themselves against the proven power of Muay Thai. Almost overnight, Muay Thai revolutionized the world standard for martial arts effectiveness.

After these demonstrations of superiority, Muay Thai techniques quickly found their way into many other styles. Western kickboxing, for example, was very strongly influenced by Muay Thai in a remarkably short period. Today, many no-holds-barred fighters and virtually all the mixed-martial-arts specialists include Muay Thai techniques in their systems. For instance, shidokan karate's mixed-martial-art matches feature marathon contests in which fighters must go three rounds of bare knuckles, three rounds of Muay Thai boxing, and three rounds of submission grappling. Thus, Muay Thai has infiltrated the thinking and the practice of the martial arts around the globe.

As Muay Thai became known in the West, the early trend was for established martial arts schools to include Muay Thai techniques in their existing systems. This trend continues, and more and more traditional Muay Thai schools are found in the West. These traditional schools generally teach the same techniques as the nontraditional variety, but their method and manner for training are different.

The main difference between a traditional and a nontraditional Muay Thai school is that the traditional schools also teach the cultural and traditional aspects of the art. One will see, for example, fighters from a traditional school wearing the mongkon headband, sealing the ring before the match, and most importantly, performing the wai kru ritual (respect for the teacher) and the ram muay (boxing dance) before fighting. Traditional fighters always demonstrate respect for the ring, their teacher, and the art in this highly stylized manner, while nontraditional fighters may not.

Tai \ Chi

This internal art benefits the practitioner by increasing blood circulation and flow through out the body, stimulating the meridian system as well as the circulatory and digestive system. Tai Chi Chuan builds inner power and relieves stress from a hard days work. It can also be applied as a fighting art.

Pentjak Selat

This vast Indonesian art is greatly respected by the few martial artists who have experienced it. This devastating style is graceful, subtle, and highly effective.

Kali / Escrima

This Filipino art is known for it's incredible array of techniques and drills that relate to sword, stick, knife, and empty hand fighting. It is a beautiful and functional art.

This System was invented by a Shaolin Buddhist Nun 400 years ago named Ng Mui, she combined the temples most combat ready fighting arts and got rid of the useless movements, only keeping the economic speed and attack theories of all of the Shaolin Temples styles. She then taught this new style to a girl named Yim Wing Chun, since that time Wing Chun has become known as the most powerful and realistic style of combat ever to be used in martial arts Bruce Lee Studied Wing Chun and was taught the style by She late Yip Man Leader of the Wing Chun Clan. The style is now carried on through the sons of Yip Man Yip Ching and Yip Chun who are now the Grandmasters of Wing Chun.

Myth #1 This myth long associated with the more traditional martial arts (and worming its way into the JKD family) stems from teaching methods derived from the military.

What most traditional Japanese martial artists consider to be Budo training methods, are anything but. During the era of the Samurai and warrior class of Japan men trained in a very efficient, aggressive, and by today's standards what would be considered 'informal' way.

When World War II broke out Japan no longer had an exclusive military 'class'. What they were in need of was a large military force. In order to create such a force, soldiers would have to be drawn from all segments of society. The samurai who never needed to be yelled at or prodded to train for combat, were replaced by merchants, farmers and tradesmen. Budo (the warrior way) was replaced by drill sergeants, straight lines of soldiers repeating the same moves in unison, yelling, titles of rank and a military style of teaching designed for people who were thought of as too inept to learn the traditional way.

Martial arts became popular in the United States after World War II. American service men came back from Japan with Judo and later Karate. Along with those Arts they brought back the training methods of the Military that had been used by the Japanese in place of true Budo. Because of ignorance the American public was lead into believing that these training methods (which should be quickly recognized by anyone who has ever been in the armed services) were the way martial arts was supposed to be taught. Martial artists of all styles have thoughtlessly adopted these same methods all over the world. The growth and athletic potential of martial arts has been seriously stunted ever since.

It is time to throw all this away. There are better ways to teach!

Myth #2 You must not give your students too much information, too fast, because "if you sell all the merchandise on your shelves no one will come back to the store."

This is perhaps the stupidest myth associated with martial arts. It may apply to a teacher of forms and techniques, but it should never be a concern to a Fighter. If it is then you lack the most valuable commodity a JKD man can have, Imagination. How can run out of an Art that has no limitations!?

If you believe this asinine myth, quit JKD now. You are in the wrong occupation!

Myth #3 You must teach alot of information at once or your students will get bored.

This myth is true if you are teaching a crop of students who measure their progress by the accumulation of techniques and the size of the notebooks.

I was taught movements and concepts from Caezar Gracie in the Art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu five years ago that I am beginning to apply and use now. Imagine if I logged those movements in my notebook and then said to Caezar "OK, I know these now...show me more." I am sure he would just laugh. However, with arts such as Kali and Jun Fan students learn a
double stick pattern, or trapping combination and then quickly request more variations and techniques to add to their notebook. The attitude of "I have 27 double stick patterns and you only have 12" becomes common.
The thought "can I apply any of this?" does not seem to even occur.

When teaching people who are interested in learning how to fight, it is not necessary to teach a million techniques. Teaching the basics well and showing drills for their application will always be greeted with enthusiasm.

Myth #4 You must not associate with your students in an informal setting or they will lose respect for you.

The kind of student who would lose interest in training because they realize that their Instructor is a mortal Human Being, is not the kind of student we want at the Griffin Martial Arts. You must know your students well in order to motivate them well.

Myth #5 You should refer to people differently depending on whether they are 'senior' or 'junior' to you in the Art.

This myth demonstrates the dramatic difference between the beggars humility and the warriors humility.

The beggar will bow down and scrape the floor for any man he deems to be greater than him; but at the same time he will demand that any man he deems to be lessor, bow down and scrape the floor for him.

The warrior bows down before no man and allows no man to bow down before him.

At this Academy we must strive for the humility of a warrior and shun the humility of a beggar.

A Note From The Instructor:

The great thing about this art is the fact that it is, in a sense, many arts. It is like having dinner at a smorgasbord. You have the opportunity to sample many different things and if you like what you see then keep it and make it yours. If you see something you don't like pass that art or technique on, but you can learn from it, by knowing how it works and being able to defend against it. You will be customizing an art to fit you, as an individual. Your way of approaching this art will probably be different from your training partners. You may be limber and like high kicks where as, others may prefer punching and may be built stocky. Just keep an open mind and try to be flexible with all techniques and have fun creating your indivdual art. Lester Griffin

THIS IS A SYSTEM OF SELF DEFENSE THAT CONTAINS ELEMENTS FROM SEVERAL ARTS INCLUDING:

WESTERN BOXING - Hand techniques and footwork of American boxing.
MUAY THAI - Strong leg kicks, elbows and knee strikes from Thai Boxing.
KALI & SILAT - Weapons and empty hand techniques from the Philippines.
JIU JUTSU - Throws, arm locks and ground fighting.
WING CHUN - Centerline theory: traps and sensitivity drills.

Griffin Martial Arts OFFERS:

PHASE TESTS
These are tests to make sure that the student knows and can demonstrate the material at the corresponding level of proficiency. Without testing, the student may not know how much progress has been made and the teacher may not be sure of what the student knows. The tests also provide extra motivation for the student to practice outside the class.

HIGH PERFORMANCE NEWSLETTER
The newsletter will be a means of keeping up with what is going on around the world with Jeet Kune Do and other related subjects. Articles will be written by students and teachers from all parts of the country. We want everyone to be a family and this is a good way of getting to know each other and other martial artist.

MONTHLY INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS

Lester will produce a video every three month that will cover the latest in training methods and techniques. These are designed to keep everyone up to date on the latest research and development so that we are always on the cutting edge.

EXCLUSIVE E-MAIL ACCESS
Apprentices and Instructors will be given a special e-mail address to reach Lester with any questions about training, teaching, etc. Messages will be answered promptly by e-mail or by phone if the question needs more in depth explanation.

INSTRUCTOR/APPRENTICE ONLY WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS
These special training sessions will cover the latest developments in technique, training methods and teaching methods. These will only be open to those who are apprentices or instructors with Griffin Martial Arts.