Anatomy of a Street Fight

Jeet Kune Do: Its Concepts and Philosphies

Paul Vunak's interest in the martial arts began at the young age of nine when he began formal study in the art of Tae Kwon Do. By fourteen, he had achieved his first black belt. Paul began to explore other styles such as Kenpo and Hung Gar (Tiger Crane) Gung Fu. Within three years, he had earned another black belt (in Kenpo). More importantly, Paul had discovered that he wanted to turn his love for the martial arts into his life's work. 

In August of 1976, the school where Paul studied Kenpo closed. Paul decided to investigate another school he had been hearing about, the Filipino Kali Academy. One look and it was "love at first sight!" After a three-month waiting period (during which Paul established himself as the school pest by showing up every day, unauthorized, to observe), he began his study of Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do under the guidance of Lee's top student Dan Inosanto. Paul began travelling extensively with Dan for seminars and JKD demonstrations. One of the major highlights - setting up camp in Texas to work martial arts with the Dallas Cowboys! Paul achieved the rank of Full Instructor in Jeet Kune Do in July of 1978.

During these years at the Kali Academy, Paul realized that he had a certain propensity for the street-oriented side of JKD. He began to concentrate his martial art studies in those areas which were most suited for the gritty realism of a street fight. Gradually, other fighters with the same mentality began to gravitate toward Paul; and in 1983 he formed an organization devoted to these interests, Progressive Fighting Systems.

The concept of personal instruction in Jeet Kune Do was instilled right from the start. P.F.S. students typically came to Paul's home studio for weekly group classes. Word of Paul's masterful teaching style and world-class fighting skill began to circulate; soon, he was accepting students from all parts of the country. He began traveling to teach seminars, and made his first series of instructional videos in 1986.

The following year, Paul received an unexpected visit from the military. Almost before he knew what was happening, he moved to Virginia with a contract to teach hand-to-hand combat to the United States Navy SEAL Team Six. He remained in Virginia until 1991, when he returned to California to resume teaching group classes and seminars. Numerous law enforcement agencies, including police departments and SWAT teams, the FBI, and the DEA, began to solicit his highly effective training methods to augment their personnel training. 

Paul currently conducts training seminars worldwide and at his studio in Southern California. In the spring of 2000, he is scheduled to teach in Italy, Germany, and the U.K. He will also make his second appearance at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic in Columbus, Ohio during the last weekend of February 2000, as one of the featured guest speakers. (Wrestling's Goldberg and Ken Shamrock will also attend.) Paul continues to produce videos and instructional CD-ROMs; to date he has well over 30 videos available.
 
One of the most important objectives of Progressive Fighting Systems is to promote the worldwide expansion of Jeet Kune Do and the Filipino Martial Arts. Of equal importance is to demonstrate an undying loyalty to the man given the task of carrying on Bruce Lee's art, Dan Inosanto. Paul explains, "I owe everything to Dan. He had unlimited patience during my 'prickly' teenage years, when I had a major chip on my shoulder! To this day, I consider it an honor to count myself among his students." Most vital, perhaps, for Paul and his organization is to provide the means for students to grow and develop, not just physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. By pursuing these ambitions, Paul hopes to ensure that Bruce Lee's contribution to the martial arts and to humanity will never be forgotten. 

If you would like more information about seminars or a personal training program, please contact Paul by phone at (949) 248-8999. Or send e-mail to [email protected]