INTERVIEW WITH SIFU MARK STEWART BY SALIM BADAT
Mark Stewart is probably best known presently for having returned Bruce Lee's JKD back to LA Chinatown in 1992, as well as for spreading JKD throughout Asia including Japan, Singapore and in Thailand where he lives.
Mark Stewart has been teaching martial arts, combative sports and defensive tactics since 1977. In 1990 he became the youngest 5th degree black belt in the world of the Okinawan Karate Do Association (Uechi Ryu Karate).
Mark is the founder of three organisations:
• International Jeet Kune Do, teaching Bruce Lee's JKD through the Ted Wong Lineage (Bruce Lee's Protege).
• SKD Tactical Weaponry, teaching Modern FMA/Kali through the Ted Lucaylucay Lineage (Lucaylucay Kali).
• Strike Force MMA, which is based on the IJKD Engagement Continuum with facets of wrestling and jits (Striking Emphasis).
Mark also specializes in teaching Defensive Tactics for Law Enforcement and the Military, including FBI, US Navy SEAL, US Navy Demolition, Singapore ICA, Singapore Prison Spear Team and AFP.
Mark is a former competitor in Karate, American Full Contact, International Muay Thai and Savate. He was the 1982 Great Lakes Black Belt Grand Champion and has compiled an International Kickboxing Record of 15-5-1. His last fight was a victory in Los Angeles, CA under Savate rules in 1994.
Contact: Mark Stewart STRIKE FORCE MMA/CQD International Jeet Kune Do SKD Tactical Weaponry www.ijkd.com email mark@ijkd.com
Please tell us about yourself and of your martial arts background?
I started martial arts training at the age of 14 in the Okinawan style of karate called Uechi Ryu. Eventually I became the youngest 5th degree black belt in the world of Uechi Ryu. During that period I was a point fighting competitor and eventually switched to full contact and kickboxing, compiling an International Kick Boxing record of 15-5-1. I also studied Arins, Wing Chun, Savate and Muay Thai.
How did you get involved in Jeet Kune Do?
My introduction to Bruce Lee and Jeet Kune Do began in 1975 when I read the compilation of his notes, which were condensed, edited and organised into the book, "Tao of Jeet Kune Do". Like many other martial artists, I began integrating principles and techniques of Jeet Kune Do into "my martial art" from 1975-1986, based on my understanding of it, from books, magazines articles and Bruce Lee's movies.
In the fall of 1986 I moved from Michigan to California and began to actually train, in BL Lineage MA. This method was presented to me through the Inosanto lineage and was taught to me by my friend and training partner Louis Campos. Then in 1987 I began to train at the Inosanto Academy in Marina Del Rey, California. At that time I participated in Sifu/Guro Dan Inosanto's Phase Classes. On Saturdays and Sundays I trained with Sifu/Guro Ted Lucaylucay in his art of Kali/JKD.
How did you get to meet Sifu Ted Lucaylucay?
In 1987 Ted Lucaylucay began to teach a small group of dedicated students at the Inosanto Academy in Marina Del Rey, CA. I was among this group of students and participated from 1987 to 1991. In 1991 I was awarded his Associate Instructor's certificate and went on to become an Executive Officer of Guro Ted's LK/JA Lucaylucay Kali/JKD. I subsequently trained with Lucaylucay on a private and semi-private basis until the passing of Guro Ted in March of 1996. Prior to training with Lucaylucay, I had trained in both Doce Pares and Pikiti Tirsia under Guro Edgar Guevara from 1979 to 1985
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How would you define Jeet Kune Do?
I define JKD as Bruce Lee's Martial Art. JKD or Way of the Intercepting Fist may be classified as a form of modern martial art. Although Jeet Kune Do is primarily inspired from Chinese Gung Fu, Western fencing and boxing, it is more accurately Bruce Lee's martial art. Lee felt that a real fight was unpredictable and that most classical styles emphasised dead patterns instead of live and spontaneous training. Lee also came to the conclusion that the MA was Universal and that "unless there is a being with more than two arms and two legs, that there is only one style of fighting, the human style".
Did you get to train at the Kali Academy and if so what was the training like?
No I did not.
Please tell us about the late Sifu Ted Lucaylucay.
Ted Lucaylucay was one of the kindest and most generous men that I have ever met. He was like an older brother to me and I will never forget him. I can see him now, wearing his suspenders, laid back and casual but with distinct depth, form and flair. Guro Ted was a man of structure and solid basics.
During the period that I trained with him (1987-1996), Ted emphasized three distinct, yet aligned areas with me. These areas were Boxing/Kickboxing (Jun Fan and Panantukan-Sikaran), Gung Fu (Wing Chun and Jun Fan) and Weaponry (Kali and Fencing).
Boxing/Kickboxing: Ted emphasised modern western boxing that was influenced by Panantukan as taught by his father "Lucky" Lucaylucay, Richard Bustillio and his own research and development. He liked to refer to his boxing as blade awareness boxing. In the last few years before his death, Ted primarily emphasised the Panantukan aspects with me. I feel that this was a process of refinement towards further alignment of the three areas that we trained in. Ted emphasised kicking that he learned from Jun Fan Kickboxing: very direct and powerful, but with a snap.
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Gung Fu: Ted emphasised classical Wing Chun techniques, drills and strategy including Chi Sao. Ted also taught the basic trapping routes from Jun Fan Gung Fu. When I look at Ted's empty hand sets, I see a high influence of Wing Chun combined with Mano Mano. In the last few years before his death I began to get more interested in Bruce Lee and Jeet Kune Do. Although Ted would never clearly define a physical Jeet Kune Do, he did share with me what he called the earlier training methods. This was in reference to training in Dan Inosanto's backyard when they still called what they did Jeet Kune Do, however Ted was more comfortable with calling this Chinese Kickboxing or Jun fan Kickboxing. Ted preferred the orthodox boxing lead vs. strong side lead and also was not fond of the vertical fist, lead straight punch.
Weaponry: Although we used a variety of weapons, Ted emphasised heavy weapon training with us. This was to build a solid structure and basics with the ability to end the fight quickly. He was fond of using the term Obtik, which is to utilise stepping, sinking and turning to power the stroke. Ted was a great believer in the importance of footwork, especially angulation. In the last few years prior to his death, Ted emphasised western fencing techniques (Serafino influence), training methods and strategies with the stick. He also emphasised the attached hubud drill stressing cqb with and without weapons (knife/stick/mano mano) with locks, takedowns and chokes/submissions.
Ted always emphasised sparring with and without weapons. I remember that his main concern for me, over the years, was to help me to develop a strong left hook. Most, if not all, of my private sessions with Ted included sparring with him personally and it was a great experience.
What was his forte in Jeet Kune Do?
Ted Lucay lucay's forte was boxing/panantukan, knife and stick. He did many other things but this was definitely his forte. He had the smoothest Carenza in the world.
What is the difference between Sifu Ted Lucaylucay's approach to Jeet Kune Do and Sifu Ted Wong's approach?
In regards to Bruce Lee and Jeet Kune Do, Ted Lucay lucay did not like the term JKD Concepts, he thought that it would cause confusion and he was right. However, he did say that he learned Jeet Kune Do as a concept, from Dan Inosanto and was fond of classical martial arts, self defence, and combative sports and always balanced his training and teaching accordingly. Cultivation and quality are the words that I choose to remember Guro Ted's approach by. He was the greatest and I miss him dearly
Ted Wong was the last private student of Bruce Lee and is considered by many to be his protégé. Ted Wong is known for teaching possibly the "purest form" and final stage of Bruce Lee's martial art as expressed by Bruce Lee. Ted Wong teaches this art and this art only.
What both Teds share is the proper process of refinement and cultivation of skill. Both are patient men who give careful consideration to what they do.
Are his other students still teaching and who are they?
Yes, they are my seniors Greg Allen in El Paso, Texas and Leonard Trigg in Portland, Oregon. There are also many others as well.
Why is Jeet Kune Do so fragmented?
This fragmentation is not unique to JKD. It is just the typical negative aspects of human nature.
Please tell us about Sifu Ted Wong and how did you get to train under him?
In 1991 I had the pleasure of meeting Ted Wong when I was invited to dinner with him and my friend Randy Williams. Sifu Ted Wong also attended the Grand Opening of a small gym that I opened in Canoga Park, California. Between that time and 1994, I asked Sifu Ted Wong, on numerous occasions, to accept me as a student. He politely told me that he really wasn't accepting any new students but that he would keep me in mind.
In 1996, after the unexpected passing of my teacher and dear friend Ted Lucay lucay, I went through a period of confusion and lack of clear direction in regard to my martial art. Was I to embrace the Inosanto method of multi-cultural martial arts/cross training, known as JKD Concepts, or would I continue to practice and teach the Filipino Dominant art of Lucay lucay's Kali/JKD?
Dan Inosanto’s approach is one of cross training in different martial art styles in order to "discover one's own personal method". It is quite multi-cultural; Chinese, Philippine, Thai, Indonesian, French, you name it. Dan calls this idea JKD Concepts and attributes its inspiration to Bruce Lee's philosophical references and personal research into different martial arts.
Ted Lucaylucay, having graduated from Dan’s teaching, discovered his personal method through the Philippine Martial Arts (kali). Teddy was also influenced by styles outside the Philippine methods, including Jun Fan Gung Fu, (Bruce Lee's Gung Fu), Wing Chun and boxing. However, in my opinion the primary source and principle structure of his teachings come from the Philippine source.
In the winter of 1997 I phoned Sifu Ted Wong and invited him to lunch. I hadn't seen him for at least three years. We met at the Golden City restaurant in L.A. Chinatown and we talked about many things, such as loyalty and dedication to one's teacher and to one's chosen method of martial art. He then invited me to go across the street to my gym and he proceeded to share with me Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do. I have been a private student and friend of Ted Wong since that day and it has changed my entire perspective and path.
What was unique about Sifu Ted Wong's Jeet Kune Do that motivated you to become his student?
He moved like Bruce Lee and the way he moved was very explosive, unpredictable and fast as greased lightning.
What does your personal daily training routine consist of?
My solo training consists of jogging, stretching and core conditioning, shadow boxing, double end bag work and light weights. My partner training consists of focus mitt training and sparring MMA Style.
What makes Jeet Kune Do unique?
It is unique that Bruce Lee conceptualised martial art as a whole and embarked upon a scientific course. It’s not one that blended styles but one that was born of the idea of non-style, geometry and physics. He described it as "simple, direct and non-classical". At the same time that Lee was creating his martial art he was also very much into philosophy. One source of philosophy was Zen. One of the primary tenets of Zen is detachment or more clearly, non-attachment. The tenet of non-attachment can be a paradox for most. However for Bruce Lee it was the perfect vehicle of understanding (enlightenment) that he needed to create his Jeet Kune Do. While non-attachment is a mental state, non-engagement is its physical counterpart. In the sense of fighting attachment or engagement imputes struggle. So with non-engagement through the use of physical science, our goal is non-struggle or to fight with the least amount of struggle. JKD however is the way of the intercepting fist and seeks to end the fight as quickly as possible through striking. In JKD engagement is any touch reference other than the strike itself. So ours is a very aggressive form of non-engagement which is a paradox to most but the true vehicle of understanding and expressing JKD. JKD primarily emphasises stepping and evading in order to strike without prior touch, secondarily deflecting in order to strike and lastly trapping and grappling in order to strike.
For decades following Bruce Lee's death, JKD was promoted as the concept of cross training and doing your own thing. This view of JKD gave birth to the creation of many freestyles and hybrids throughout the world. This is not a bad thing but not JKD. Bruce Lee clearly researched the totality of martial art, which includes striking and grappling both standing up and on the ground. But because Lee found that the "height of cultivation leads to simplicity" and that non-engagement is the height of that simplicity. JKD is a scientific vehicle for expressing simplicity in the chaos of fighting. This is unique.
Please tell us about your academy and the curriculum that you teach?
I teach at various locations in Bangkok, Thailand and in Singapore. In Bangkok we are opening a new gym in February and haven't picked the name yet. In Singapore I teach at Fight Works Asia and teach four separate curriculums. JKD, SKD, Kali, MMA and Defensive Tactics. All of the curriculums are aligned in regards to their geometry, strategy and tactics.
How did you get to settle in Thailand?
I love Asia and Thailand is a very easy place to live. I live in the Coastal Foot Hills of the Gulf of Thailand. It's lovely!
Do you train and teach Muay Thai and is this part of your JKD curriculum?
No, but I do teach modified techniques and tactics from Muay Thai in my MMA Curriculum.
What are your future goals and aspirations?
To train JKD Fighters for MMA and other combative sports and to use JKD as an adaptable vehicle that is bound by no genre.
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to interview you.
Thank You |
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