A Venture into Jeet Kune Do, Grappling and Open-Mindedness

(from Black Belt Magazine, April 2004)

For years, martial artists have associated Larry Hartsell with two ultra-effective fighting concepts: grappling and jeet kune do. Bruce Lee’s system will forever stand at the forefront of martial arts popularity, and now that proponents of Brazilian jujutsu have focused the world’s attention on the effectiveness of ground fighting, grappling has come into vogue. This naturally brings us to Hartsell—an expert in both ways of fighting—as he twists Black Belt into a knot and chokes us into submission. At the mercy of his elbow lock and hook punch, we bring you the following interview. —Editor  Read on »

Wrestling is probably man's oldest sport and martial art. It is mentioned in both the Old and New Testament.

Larry Hartsell reaches out his hand and as mine comes in contact I am impressed at the power of his grip. It is not the bone-crushing squeeze of someone who has something to prove but rather the subtle touch of a man who is wonderfully in control of both his physical and mental being. Hartsell is not threatened by anyone and for good reason.

He is the JKD world’s premier grappler and an American icon when it comes to ground fighting.

Less than 72 hours before I was being gently introduced to the Jiu Jitsu of Rickson Gracie at a seminar in Eugene Oregon. Today contributing editor Don Smith and I are standing in the parking lot of our hotel in Milton-Freewater, Oregon chatting with Larry and his wife and business associate, Debra. Jim Keating is hosting a Hartsell fighting seminar in nearby Walla Walla and FULL CONTACT couldn’t pass up the opportunity to observe and work out with the man who both Ed Parker and Bruce Lee earmarked as their “hit man.”

Hartsell, recently married and pursuing a rigorous fitness program and diet, looks like every top-notch 1st Sergeant with whom I have ever served.

His time in the Army includes combat in Vietnam where he served with the military police.

Larry, already an accomplished Judo man enjoyed sparring with soldiers from the elite South Korean ROK division stationed nearby. “They were tough:’ he recalls with a reserved smile,” and always got mad as hell when I’d straight blast them.” The war taught Hartsell a great deal about himself and his fellow man, and there’s a veteran’s pride in his eyes when he shares such experiences with those who’ve served honorably.

Our first day in the gym was spent introducing the students to what grappling is all about. Hartsell was a patient teacher and makes good use of such training aids as a large chalkboard, upon which he outlined the flow of the class for the benefit of us note-takers. He is a quiet man by nature, and upon seeing this, I repositioned myself so I wouldn’t miss anything he had to say. Debra, an intelligent and attractive woman, sat nearby where she artfully laid out her husband’s books, t-shirts and other seminar goodies. They make a good team, both respectful of the other’s talents and presence. Read on »

(This article originally appears in AMAM Magazine)

Forward provided by Richard Bustillo

Larry Hartsell is considered to be among the premier Jeet Kune Do fighters in the world. Larry began his martial arts training by studying Judo in North Carolina from 1957 – 1960. He then moved to California, and for the next four decades, studied exclusively with his mentor and personal friend, Guro Dan Inosanto.

During the 1960′s, Guro Dan Inosanto introduced Hartsell to the famed Sensei Edmond Parker, Sr., and began his studies in Kenpo Karate. Shortly after receiving his black belt in Kenpo, he went into the army and served in Vietnam from 1966 – 1967. After his discharge, Hartsell returned to California, at which time, Guro Dan Inosanto re-introduced him to Si Gung Bruce Lee. Hartsell is an original student and member of the Los Angeles Chinatown Group founded by Si Gung Bruce Lee, for which Guro Dan Inosanto was eventually appointed the head instructor. Hartsell was also accepted as a private student of Bruce Lee’s, and trained privately at his home in Bel Air, California and also became a close personal friend to Bruce Lee. Lee considered Hartsell to be his “Premier” JKD fighter. Read on »

“yoga is as yoga does” (Elvis Presley Lyrics)

There’s nothing youthful about having a sore back, feeling overwhelmed, or losing flexibility. Whenever I don’t do yoga for a few days, I start to feel all of these. For every day I don’t do yoga, it takes two or three days to get me back on course… which is a good reason to never stop!

It is learning to stay strong even when its the most difficult thing to do. Like George Washington Carver said, “how far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life, you will have been all of these things.” I try to see life from everyone’s perspective, like MLK said, “an individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” I am just trying to start living.

Q1. What are the physical benefits of practicing yoga?

Yoga is a powerful discipline that can improve health and fitness. Regular yoga practice has been known to increase the stamina, flexibility, stability and strength. Practicing of yoga postures also brings a feeling of well-being to the entire body by stimulating the organs and improving the circulation. As the body works more efficiently, problems like headaches, back pain, stiff hips and digestive disorders can all be alleviated. Pranayama, the breathing techniques can lower the blood pressure, increase cardiovascular efficiency and aid relaxation. Read on »