Just like Bourne

Posted on by Sifu Brandon Jones

The power of a book.

I vividly remember my father handing me the thick hardback and saying, “Read this. I think you’ll enjoy it.” Dad had no idea that he’d just laid something in my hands that would set the course for my life.

I was fourteen and had never heard of Robert Ludlum or The Bourne Identity, and I had no idea about the plot of the book. I immediately read the dust jacket and was mesmerized by Bourne having amnesia, and yet his body “knew” all of these special skills.

That one thought totally consumed me. The idea that the body could be trained to do something so well that it actually becomes an internal part of your being, something you can do without thought, as natural as breathing or sleeping.

I devoured the pages like a starving dog attacks a fried chicken leg. I read so much I even forgot about watching MTV. (That was a big deal for a teenager 1982, when MTV was a new phenomenon and actually played music videos.)

When Dad gave me the book, I was considering signing up for a summer Kung fu program. By the time I finished the first couple of chapters and Bourne had wiped out a group of fishermen with his “mentally buried” martial arts skills, I knew right then I had to learn kung fu. I wanted my body to know it…just like Bourne.

Now, over thirty years later, I continue to strive for that perfection in my own kung fu. I want to instill that same passion into my students and hope that they will believe that kung fu can be just as natural to them.

Since 1996, Brandon Jones has been keeping Tyler healthy and fit as founder and president of Tyler Kung Fu & Fitness. Brandon has twenty-nine years experience in martial arts and fitness training. Mr. Jones’ expertise is in the Preying Mantis System of Kung Fu and he is one of only nine people to earn the title Sifu (translates Teacher in Chinese) within the U.S. Kung Fu Exchange under Master Raymond Fogg. On occasion, his continuing education takes him to Hong Kong to further his kung fu and Qi Gong skills. Jones is the founder of the Stranger Danger program for children. The Stranger Danger program has been used by many Tyler School District campuses and is run as a PSA throughout the school year on the TISD channel. Brandon is also the Tai chi instructor for the East Texas Medical Center Olympic Center and for the ETMC Cancer Institute, as well as working with other area physicians in consulting patients for appropriate exercise programs. Jones is also a member of the American Medical Tai Chi Association. In 1998, Tyler Kung Fu & Fitness was the first martial arts school in Tyler to offer a fitness kickboxing class, and in 2000, Jones expanded their fitness program to include circuit boxing with the state of the art CIRCUIT BOXING room. Jones is often sought out as a guest speaker for a variety of organizations speaking on the topics of self-defense for women and children, tai chi for seniors, and adult fitness. Brandon was the self-defense expert for two years on CBS Channel 19, appearing weekly on the Live @ 5 evening show. Both KLTV 7 and NBC 56, have interviewed Mr. Jones numerous times concerning women’s self-defense and he was regular guest on channel 7’s Stay Fit program with Gillian Sheridan. Brandon and his business partner Dr. John Cheng, founded the nationally sold video, Tai Chi Forever; 8 Steps to Optimal Health. Tai Chi Forever is the only medically documented tai chi video on the market. Jones holds a degree in marketing with a minor in psychology from Stephen F. Austin State University. He has three lovely children and an even lovelier wife.

1 Reply to “Just like Bourne”

  1. What brought me here?

    I got bored after having finished working on my pharmacy license and started my job. I tried going to the gym and running, but both activities gave me only headaches without satisfaction.

    Then one of my colleagues mentioned Tai Chi. At that point, I couldn’t even think about doing Kung Fu for I didn’t know I would be able “to punch somebody in the face” (you still can call me a “sweetie” if you want to…..just kidding)

    So I started doing Tai Chi, but felt like my energy still had not been spent. Then I decided to try the “real thing”. Not immediately but rather slowly has it started growing on me.

    And here I am, after about one and half years, I feel like my life is being fulfilled with passion and satisfaction. Not that I am satisfied with my performance (absolutely not), but with the fact that I have found it, my passion .

    Thank You, Sifu, for helping me find it.

    Anzhela

Comments are closed.