Tao of Jeet Kune Do - Exposing the Myths and Misconceptions About Bruce Lee's Art

How does one learn the style of no style?caveat being, once the original material is modified by
Some say it's only a philosophy. Others say that it isand individual, it ceases to be Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune
the original mixed martial art and that the bestDo and now becomes the individual's personal
techniques from so arts were combined to create aexpression of Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do.
super style.With this in mind, how does the aspiring Martial Artist
There is a lot of confusion about Bruce Lee's art oflearn Jeet Kun Do?
Jeet Kune Do, the core of which stems from twoCan Bruce Lee's personal expression be learned from
basic and opposing ideas:another's personal expression of said art?
1. Jeet Kune Do is the body of knowledge that BruceIn short -- no.
Lee taught to his original students, and is thereforeEvery adapted iteration of a subject loses some of
static and unchanging.the original quality, therefore trying to learn Lee's JKD
2. Jeet Kune Do is a living, changing, and adaptingfrom John Do's JKD, is really just a really difficult and
martial art designed to evolve with the individual topractically impossible, round about thing to do.
what works best.First, learn the original body of knowledge that Lee
Both are true, hence the unceasing debate about whattaught to his various students, now known and Jun Fan
JKD is and isn't.Jeet Kune Do. Then, spend a few years cultivating a
The reality is that Bruce Lee did, in fact, name his stylestrong base level of skill and application based
Jeet Kune Do. It is also certain that he died suddenlyexperience. Once you have reached a certain level of
without naming a successor to carry on. Dan Inosantomastery and intuitive understanding of the art of
was given permission to teach JKD to a smallcombat, begin exploring your own interpretation of
backyard group however he was, by no meansBruce Lee's living art.
authorized to change the art under the same name.You're now on the path to learning real Jeet Kune Do.
When Bruce Lee died, his Martial Art stopped evolving.For those who want to take the training to it's greatest
Therefore, from a tangible, historical stand point, JKD ispotential, pass on the knowledge, using your base of
the unchanging collection of techniques and strategiesexperience to help the student, but keeping clearly
that he taught to his students circa 1965 to 1973 (thedefined lines between your own adaptation of JKD
period of time generally accepted as being the JKDand Lee's original teachings. In this way, the founder's
era of the founder's development).methods remain intact and the living, catalyzing JKD
Yet, his intention was not for his methods to becomephilosophy can live on and continue to inspire others in
static and "crystallized". The individual should adapt it,its original form.
change it, and add what is uniquely his own. TheWalk on.