Martialedge interview sifu David Gallaher of the Gung Fu institute. Sifu Gallaher has had the opportunity to study with some of worlds finest martial arts exponents. He has trained privately for years under the tutelage of Sifu Ted Wong. Sifu Wong was personally trained by the late Bruce Lee. In this exclusive interview, Sifu Gallaher breaks down the basics of Jeet Kune Do and what it takes to be a modern martial artist.

Martial Edge: The concept of Jeet Kune Do is well vaunted in the MA community, but what does it truly mean?

David Gallaher: Jeet Kune Do is Bruce Lee’s personal expression of combat. Jeet Kune Do utilizes the material in martial arts that work quickly. With this approach in mind, Bruce concentrated on identifying techniques that were usable on the street. After he established what techniques were effective, he practiced them over and over. Even after mastering the techniques, Bruce continued evolving as a martial artist by continually and improving those techniques. Bruce did not spend his time on katas and forms as he thought they were of little or no use to the martial art fighter.

Jeet Kune Do is best described as simple and direct, devoid of any wasted motion. It is a science of fighting based on: 5 ways of attack; broken or irregular rhythm; geometry, physics; and body conditioning (strength and cardio). I can tell you what Jeet Kune Do is not. It is not a bunch of styles all thrown together type of martial art "chop suey". Nor is it an eclectic style. Jeet Kune Do is Bruce’s complete understanding of body mechanics.

Martial Edge: Tell us about the academy and what you hope to achieve from it?

David Gallaher: Our main focus is Jeet Kune Do and Wing Chun. My commitment to my teachers is to keep the styles pure and honest as a true expression of their founders. Our focus is street preparation not sport. We keep classes fun but with a serious side. Compared to Jeet Kune Do, Wing Chun is a more classical style with 3 empty hand forms, wooden dummy set, and 2 weapons (pole and knife). I also teach seminars in Kun Tao, Kali-Arnis-Escrima, and Silat. Another exciting class is the Little Dragons program for children.

My desire is to spread the truth of these fighting methods with a dose of philosophy dealing with morals in life lessons, holistic living, and mental, spiritual, and physical development. I want to have well rounded students of all ages capable of doing anything based on simplicity without losing the essence of the arts.

Martial Edge: What are some of the things you have learned along the way?

David Gallaher: My first time in Hong Kong was the culmination of everything I had been studying. The sights, smells, sounds, traditions, and culture of China cannot be experienced in the United States. By returning to the source, immersing myself in the culture, and studying with the Grandmasters, I developed a passion for the arts that cannot be learned without the exposure to the wisdom and ethics of the older generation. Sadly, the old generation is a dying breed and much of their knowledge will likely die with them. That is why exposing students to the culture is so important to maintaining the purity of the art. The truth of the arts is passed on to the next generation. In a society where belts are handed out without the wisdom to support them, this becomes an exceedingly difficult task.

Martial Edge: How do you balance between teaching and personal development?

David Gallaher: As I teach, I participate. I don’t coach from the sidelines. The arts I teach are very active and taking part is a requirement. I see my instructors at least twice a year so I do not become lazy in my techniques. I am at a level of expertise where I make it habit not to be lazy. Martial arts are my passion. It is on my mind all day. My personal life is a balance of martial arts, family and a strong relationship with God. Concentrating the positive and deflecting the negative. If I can’t influence a person into the virtues and the enlightenment of martial arts I have to move on to a student who is ready to be filled with the “tea" that I was filled with by my teachers.

Martial Edge: What would you say are the benefits of cross training and experiencing different styles?

David Gallaher: The elegance of the arts and the beauty of the motion are different motivations. A martial artist must first ask himself: Am I here to learn self-defense or to compete. A student exposed to Jeet Kune Do, a formless art, will learn to punch, kick, and grapple to protect himself and become the form himself. There are no limits in Jeet Kune Do it is thinking "outside the box". A student, who seeks the sportsmanship aspect of the arts, will appreciate the form to give the movements and motivation.

The benefit of cross training is the exposure to other styles. Many students take one style and believe that the style they know is the only style that matters. As you get exposed to others you will begin to see holes in what you have been schooled in. I am by no means a believer in "chop suey" training and the exposure to many styles with little understanding. Time and patients are essential to fully learning one art before beginning another. Bruce Lee did not learn in "bits and pieces". Once you have mastered an art you can then begin to research others and find that many overlap with slight variations. Only by mastering each art can you take your partial training and become more whole. Those who have mastered the arts think of all you have learned. How much could you actually use in a street confrontation. These are the "need to knows" and "nice to knows".

Cross training offers a way to be open-minded and able to learn the different stages of being a martial artist.

Author Profile: Ben Johnson

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Ben Johnson is the Chief Editor of Martial Edge. He has worked for the website since 2005. Click on Ben's profile to find out more information

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