UMAA Barbados

Injecting the body shot...
umaakickboxing

Transitioning from LEARNING PACE to DRILLING PACE: The focus now shifts from merely learning the techniques ans sequences to reacting and synchronizing your movement with your partners. Attributes such as distance appreciation, line familiarization, perception speed, reaction speed and timing are essential for success. Your partner is "passively active" - providing stimulus to encourage reaction but not overwhelming your performance of the skill. This is no longer a matter of mere memorization, but development of correct response to stimulus.

There are no absolutes in combat. Though it's best to stay rooted for balance when defending the blade (i.e. both feet on the ground with a low centre of gravity), sometimes a timely kick on the low line can prove effective in obstructing your opponent's advance. This was just one of the concepts taught at last weekend's Knife Defense Workshop.

Learning and honing the tools of self-defense. Part of our Knife Defense Workshop this weekend. Today's session starts at 2:00pm. Come join us.

Day one of the Knife Defense Workshop completed. We honed tools, worked on attributes of the blade, line familiarization and the basics of knife vs. knife, and knife vs. empty hands. Day two of the workshop continues at 2:00pm today. Come join us.

"Old school" Muay Thai: The double underhook clinch gives total control of your opponent's posture and makes them completely vulnerable to the knee strikes.

Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do classes are held Tuesday & Thursdays @5:30pn and Saturdays @2:00pm. Come join us to experience the art and philosophy of Bruce Lee.

LEARNING PACE: "Slow to be controlled..."
It is important to take the time to drill technique and sequences slowly to develop correct form and muscle sequencing. It also allows you to notice and "tweak" any mistakes (for example the width of Nahjae's posture as he squats for the armbar). 10 to 24 slow repetitions are recommended to familiarize the body to the movement and for memorization. Remember the formula: slow = controlled = smooth = fast = deadly.

Entering to Trapping to Grappling: The ability to transition from skill to skill and through the various "ranges" of combat is an important theme of Jeet Kune Do. This requires "flow" or "fluidity of motion" guided by mental agility and sensitivity (tactile and/or "chi sao without the touch" as sijo Bruce framed it). The source of your techniques is secondary to their functionality. Efficiency and effectiveness are key. "Adapt like a shadow, respond like an echo."

WARNING: This video contains graphic violent content.

Violence has always been part of our world. As a kid, I heard adults talk about serious violence around the country, and as I grew up I saw and, at times, experienced violence myself. I can’t say for sure that violence is increasing, but gun violence has become more visible as fi****ms have become more accessible. Knife violence has always been with us, and it continues. It’s simply more visible now because of cell phones and social media. And it can happen anywhere—at work, at school, in your community, in your neighborhood, or at home.

You can choose to ignore it, or hope it won’t affect you. But denying it doesn’t make it go away. I’m an advocate for peaceful solutions to conflict and I’ll always encourage awareness, avoidance, de-escalation, and conflict resolution as the first options in any potentially dangerous situation. After all, martial arts are about refraining from violent behavior, and our practice is the art of “fighting without fighting.”

There will be times when we have to act to protect ourselves and the people we love. There will come a time to beat swords into plowshares, but this isn’t it. Even when we wish to be peaceful, true peacefulness comes from knowing you can handle danger if needed. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not truly peaceful—you’re harmless.

If you’re curious, join us this weekend to explore practical defensive tactics that can improve your chances of surviving a knife-based encounter. This isn’t vague or abstract training; it’s practical, real-world skills to avoid danger and, if necessary, respond effectively. It’s better to have this knowledge and not need it than to need it and not have it. Spend 4 hours with us over the weekend to boost your readiness. BDS $75 per session, or $120 for both. Call 256-UMAA to register.

“IT IS BETTER TO BE A WARRIOR IN A GARDEN, THAN A GARDENER IN A WAR.”

!