Hello everyone!
Just wanted some information on Paul Vunak. His training style, etc, etc. I found an opportunity to train with an instructor by the name of Bruce Pahl. He told me he trained under Paul Vunak. Just curious, if anyone has any info.
Thanks,
MS
Did Bruce tell you how he got his cert. from Voo?
It depends on who you ask.I spoke with one of Vu's top guys,who is no longer with him,he told me,"If you ever get a chance to train with Paul,do it,he really has something special".The guy in Tennesee is running the PFS org. now,Vu seems to have dropped out of sight.
"Vu seems to have dropped out of sight."
Yep, this is what I've heard also.
4 Ranges,
He did not tell how he got his certificate. I see his name on fighting.net as a full instructor, but could that mean anything?
MS
i don't keep up with Voo's org, but usually if someone is listed on his (or anyone else's official site), it usually means that instructor has approved that instructor to teach.
If he's an FS, that should check out.
But mind you Voo's instructors vary greatly from each other, as they're encouraged to really follow their own path (much like Bruce and Guro Dan does). So check out his classes, and see if it's a good fit.
What happened to Vunak? What do you mean he dropped out of site?
I am part of the PFS family and have gotten the opportunity to train with Paul a few times and he has that gift of teaching that very few people have. But yes, he is extremely hard to get a hold of. I think this is mostly due to the fact that he holds his own training and development as very important. He is constantly learning and training hard himself, thus he does not have much time for organizational stuff or group classes. If the guy is an instructor under PFS he should be all right.
"But yes, he is extremely hard to get a hold of. I think this is mostly due to the fact that he holds his own training and development as very important. He is constantly learning and training hard himself, thus he does not have much time for organizational stuff or group classes."
Ummm, yeah, okay, that's the reason Paul has been hard to get hold of at times and sometimes disappears. Sure. How long have you been around the PFS family again?
Paul is a great martial artist and instructor, it's just a shame that he's had the negative things in his life that he has. I wish the best for him.
"If the guy is an instructor under PFS he should be all right."
Not necessarily. As 4 Ranges alluded to earlier, quality and knowledge vary GREATLY, as in all organizations. Martial arts in general is a "buyer beware" type of thing that JKD nor PFS JKD is immune to.
manystyles, check him out for yourself with an open mind and see if he has what you are looking for.
Thanks.
I'll see on saturday what he's like and let you all know.
MS
Dunno know about that one, but at least you'll get to train with a real "renegade" trainer! LOL! Seriously, Paul was one of the first real martial arts renegades in the JKD community with physical talent to back it up. I dunno whats become of Paul or the PFS org lately, been outa the loop for couple years with that org.
I'll tell this much, Vu does have that gift to teach (if you can find him). I think PFS was such a hardcore org back in the days of "the Archive tape" if you know what I mean. Watch that tape and you can see some real talent there from some of the guys. PFS has taken some new directions since then.
Paul has been a huge influence on my personal M.A.
If going by his tapes is any gauge of personality,he seemed way more mellow,pre-SEALS.
I dont wanna add to the tales out there about Vu, but I am aware that Vu did engage in a lot bar fights and what have you. As far as the variance of instruction, your right. Some are into the modified trapping PFS is known for, while others, like me, have moved on to other things. That was one of the things Vu had told me that it was cool to do.
"also heard him and his buddies used to go out in a van and drop each other off in really hard ghetto's to see if they could make it out alive."
lol
Scott, I have been in the PFS family for a long time. What I was trying to get at is that Paul does what he wants, follows his own path, for better or for worse. Some of the things that many would consider negative about his background I consider a plus when training with him. Like all the streetfighting/barroom brawling he has done. I would never want to be in that many fights, but I highly value learning from his experience. i.e. the easy way.
Bhisma, sorry, that's NOT what I was referring to. Paul going out and getting into street fights is really among the least of his problems.
There are other 'issues'. No offense intended to you at all. I just know many people that have been burned.
Again, he's a great martial artist when he's on his game and has his head on straight.
Crafty Dog in in the Archive Tape, for sure.