New Generation Jeet Kune Do

I was just on Unilocal researching different martial arts classes and came across New Generation JKD. I remember reading some of the reviews in the past and agreed with some and no much with others. So I was enrolled in the class about a year starting in about March or April of 2011. This was the first martial arts class I had EVER taken. Looking back on it. I’m glad it was for a couple of reasons. I found that Jeet Kune Do serves as a great foundation for anything you take afterwards simply bc it incorporates so many different aspects of fighting into it. The second reason is bc Barry is sort of the same as far as incorporating all different types of teaching methods. He is very skilled at figuring out what a person’s strengths and weaknesses are and will tailor his teaching based on that. He also clearly believes (and helps you to believe) that fighting is also gives a person insight into their character and overall personality. He is passionate about helping each student shed light on not only the external but also the internal ways of improvement. As far as some of the reviews, saying he’s mean. I mean come on, he definitely won’t bullshit you. and would you want your doctor to sugar coat shit. The guy is trying to teach you how to defend yourself in encounters and in life… man up. LOL Anyway… I met some great people in his class, learned a lot and maybe one day I’ll go back. Only reason I left was bc of financial reasons and just couldn’t keep in in my budget and schedule. I highly recommend the class.

I’m a student of Southern Internal Kung fu of ten years, and a student of Sifu Barry’s for a year and a half. I wish I had discovered his training earlier in my life. It’s hard to figure out how much I’ve progressed because all I can think about in his program is how much more there is to learn. Sifu Barry is truly inspirational and skilled, and will always be honest with you. His real world approach to instruction and sparring let’s you know very quickly where your weaknesses lie. My limits have been increased under his training. The greatest thing at the school is that all distance of combat is studied. My ego has definitely been knocked down a peg, which is good. I’ve trained under a few very excellent teachers, but never under someone that had a great understanding of combat at every distance (kicking, punching, grappling, ground, whatever…).

NGJKD is the only place in the area for authentic JKD training. You don’t just learn JKD concepts mixed in with other martial arts styles. There is a difference. This is the real deal. Barry is extremely knowledgeable having been trained by Jerry Poteet who was trained by Bruce Lee. I started training about six months ago with no prior training in martial arts. I have learned alot about myself and JKD in the process. Barry is an excellent teacher and tries to make sure his students understand what they are learning and why. If you are looking for serious JKD training, New Generation is the place to be.

I started training at New generation JKD about a year ago. I have had no previous experience with martial arts before New Generation, so I was pretty nervous about joining. Sifu Barry welcomed me to the class and made my transition there very easy. He is a great teacher and a very hard worker. Class sizes are at a minimum so he can focus on the individual, as opposed to a full class where your teacher may not be able to correct you or see what you are doing. My experience at New Generation has been kind of a life changer for me. I feel more energized, healthy, and most of all less stressed and more positive in my daily routine. Also I am learning to handle unfortunate situations if they ever arise. Sifu Barry has all the tools you need to become a great Jeet Kune Do practitioner. I would also like to add that it is very hard to keep up with students and schedules. Sifu Barry will try his hardest to keep you in training, and work with your schedule. Now this may mean taking some private lessons once in a while, but its worth it if you are committed. Some may say the training is expensive, I think sifu Barry is very reasonable with his class prices, and there is no contract. Learning is priceless anyhow.

I don’t typically write reviews, but I feel the need to respond to a previous review as I believe it to be inaccurate. (It’s funny to me how someone can give a review about a business but hide behind a fake name.)
I’ve been a student of Barry’s for three plus years and have found my experiences to be satisfying. Amy’s right. He is one of the «most loyal and dedicated martial artists.» He constantly trains to better himself, his classes and his students, and through his advice, training and guidance, I myself have become a better person.
I’ve certainly experienced ups and downs during training, and even left for a period of time, but I came back. Even now there are times I still consider leaving, but that only tends to happen when times get tough. Whenever I talk with Barry about how I am feeling, he listens and offers advice but never pressures me to stay. This is «my process» (word for word), and I have to make that decision. I have never been degraded, nor have I seen anyone else treated badly by Barry. Is Barry honest? Absolutely. He says what’s on his mind, and he practices what he preaches. If that is hard for people to accept, than so be it.
Training for life, as I like to call it, is not easy. So, if I’m going to do it, I want someone who will push me. I am one of those students who pays for one-​on-​ones when I miss class, but that certainly does not mean he’s gone easy on me. If you’re looking to better yourself and be challenged at the same time, then Barry’s «school» is a great fit. Who wants to be given a false sense of security when you’re trying to learn how to defend yourself? Contact training is not for everyone. Work hard. Ask questions, and strive for the goals you wish to achieve.

This review is long overdue. Although Barry is very knowledgeable, there is a reason why you won’t find any other reviews about him (except for his girlfriend’s very positive review below). His classes and seminars are expensive. You’ll walk away with maybe one or two new concepts per class, but he’ll purposefully harm and demean your classmates during sparring sessions. You’ll see your peers get beaten so badly that they never come back. He’ll go easy on students that buy private sessions though as they are his bread and butter. He’ll publicly berate and talk horribly about students who quit. Be aware that his girlfriend, Amy, will secretly eavesdrop on any conversations and misconstrue them when she reports to Barry. She owns the studio, so she is profiting from you. You’ll find yourself sitting on a studio floor while Barry is standing over you and your peers threatening to «kick the shit» out of everyone for badmouthing him. This will all happen prior to his horrific Lifetime Drama about his ups and downs of becoming the next Bruce Lee. In the end, you’ll make friends, but you’ll all be in the same boat — scared to say anything or even contribute any input to the class. He responds to your concerns with apathy or anger, and he does not return texts or phone calls. If you don’t like it, that’s «too f@cking bad». Word for word. Save your $ and go elsewhere. There are plenty of other knowledgeable jkd instructors who don’t treat their students like expendable, worthless trash.

Barry is one of the most loyal and dedicated martial artists I know. He stays in phenomenal shape and is constantly expanding his expertise. Yes, he is the crazy guy to go for a run at midnight and do multiple training workouts/​day. I have worked with Barry since 2003 and he is the closest I have seen to Bruce Lee (trained by Jerry Poteet who was Bruce’s student). He is truly a one-​of-​a-​kind person AND a phenomenal martial artist. If you are serious about learning the art of Jeet Kune Do and martial arts, Barry is your #1 guy! If I could give him 10 stars I would. He will never let you down; he’s that good!