Greenville Academy of Martial Arts

Greenville Academy of Martial Arts Teaching self-defense classes for over 30 years and the proud headquarters of the Ip Man Wing Chun Union.

Self-defense and character, not competition are our goal. “Ready for today; respecting the past.” Group, private, and online instruction. Premier martial arts school since 1994 offering Jeet Kune Do (Bruce Lee's martial art), Wing Chun Kung Fu as taught by Ip Man, and Boxing.

“JKD isn’t just self-defense; or the forerunner of MMA. Bruce Lee saw JKD as a science and philosophy of fighting, not c...
09/21/2026

“JKD isn’t just self-defense; or the forerunner of MMA. Bruce Lee saw JKD as a science and philosophy of fighting, not competing. That changes quite a bit. Targets, tactics, weapons, multiple opponents. But - and for me this is the important part - JKD is a martial art. Perhaps a kid gets into fighting because he’s unhappy with his life. Maybe he hates his job. Will his training help him improve himself? But Martial Arts is about self mastery, not just competition. I’ve learned a lot in my life from JKD...how to be a better man, to be disciplined, faithful, how to deal with failure and frustration, how to seek improvement through self discipline rather than blame others or my circumstances. I don’t think that’s stressed enough in MMA.” Sifu Jonathan Parsons

The leading straight punch is the mark of the JKD master. Wild swings are easier for novices. But swinging isn’t punchin...
09/19/2026

The leading straight punch is the mark of the JKD master. Wild swings are easier for novices. But swinging isn’t punching. Punching is all snap; it’s controlled cruelty. It’s vicious calmness.

For something seemingly simple, it requires study and tons of practice because discipline is never natural. Lack of control under pressure is the human norm. We all suffer from that and it’s why martial arts is so important. Character is formed through training. It tests us because we must focus. It’s mind and body. It’s more than just a hard workout…that’s not really so hard. What’s hard is to simplify and focus. That’s why true straight hitting is so difficult. It requires great mental discipline, not mere sweat.

Instead of using footwork to get into range, and relaxed whip with the whole body to get power, impatient novices swing. This is why fistic science, when backed by martial strength (not bulky gym weight lifting strength that lacks flexibility and fluidity) and intelligence is superior and will beat brute force.

“One morning we were in my basement training and working on hitting off the swing step. Sifu was holding the mitt for m...
09/18/2026

“One morning we were in my basement training and working on hitting off the swing step. Sifu was holding the mitt for me and was watching my movement to the hit. When we switched and he was hitting it was all smooth, smooth and POW! Such acceleration in his delivery. He explained that the hit MUST be hidden in movement of the swing step, before the opponent realized it was coming, he’s hit. Before that I’d never worked the lead punch while swinging right or left and never from motion like that. Sifu taught me - as Bruce Lee taught him - that footwork and hitting were one motion. This will increase your speed and power by hiding the strike.” Jonathan Parsons, co-founder of Cornerstone Jeet Kune Do.

09/16/2026

Pepper spray is a nearly ideal self-defense tool in the modern world. It fills the gap between having to hit someone or using a lethal tool like a fi***rm. We recommend POM pepper spray, which I’m showing here. If you want to get a brand you can trust, they’re great.

Nothing like learning, training and sweating with people you love.
09/14/2026

Nothing like learning, training and sweating with people you love.

09/11/2026

Bruce Lee said that if an opponent is exceptionally fast and/or won’t go for feints, the beat can be used. The beat is a crisp movement of the hand made against the opponent’s with the intention of knocking it aside or obtaining a reaction. Beats, jams, checks and traps are critical skills to learn, along with footwork, to give you the ability to “fit in” with the opponent…especially if they’re taller or faster.

09/09/2026

Sifu Jaz working the bag. We don’t just mean “hitting the bag” mindlessly. There’s nothing wrong with warming up and cooling down. But bag “work” means making sure you take care of your defensive responsibilities too. Notice how she changes angles and uses footwork. She’s not just standing there hitting it. If you do that, it’s gonna be a whole lot easier to hit you. Don’t forget that all of us are products of our discipline, that is, what we practice. You don’t have to be a world champion with a big fight coming up to benefit either. Good defense makes you a hard target to hit, which means the average brawler won’t stand a chance. Plus, it’s a better workout too.

Some of you guys don’t know that you’re part of a big family in Jeet Kune Do (and Wing Chun too). If you don’t already ...
09/07/2026

Some of you guys don’t know that you’re part of a big family in Jeet Kune Do (and Wing Chun too). If you don’t already know him, here’s an introduction to Sifu Jonathan Parsons, my Kung-fu brother. He’ll be here later this month if you’d like to meet one of the truly great JKD and your “Kung-fu uncle.”

09/05/2026

We’re closed for regular classes Saturday and Monday for oxymoronic Labor Day where we celebrate work by not working. 😎

09/04/2026

Sifu Jaz teaching on the critical importance of footwork. But not just any type but the JKD (fencing based) footwork that moves the ready-position. And the ready-position is ready to fire the primary strikes of eye-jab, straight lead (and jab), groin and knee kick. Usually from the front hand and foot. Integration is the key. We can’t stop hit everyone all the time. That would be nice, and we’re trying to do exactly that, but the footwork, parries, and head movement all support the basic stop-hit. Understand this and you avoid the twin errors (and terrors) of oversimplification and complexity. Mitt drills like this are taught specifically so as to develop the right technical and tactical reflexes under pressure. It’s safe but “alive” (as Bruce Lee would say), because we can’t exchange bare knuckle punches, eye jabs, and kicks to the nethers and knees in sparring. That’s why we use the mitts so creatively and good coaching is critical.

Address

872 Woodruff Road
Greenville, SC
29607

Opening Hours

Monday 4pm - 8pm
Tuesday 4:30pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday 3pm - 8pm
Thursday 4pm - 8:30pm
Friday 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday 9am - 11am

Telephone

(864) 270-2468

Website

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