CHRIS KENT ​JEET KUNE DO

Numerous misperceptions exist today with regard to the art and philosophy of Jeet Kune Do. The following are nine of what I consider to be the most fundamental misperceptions. As you read this article you will obviously note some crossover between some of them, which is to be expected. 1) JKD was simply Bruce Lee’s “very personal expression in martial art” therefore only he could do it Some people claim that JKD was Bruce Lee’s “very personal expression of martial arts” an

Some people have labeled Jeet Kune Do as a ‘Chinese’ martial art. Others have called it an ‘American’ martial art. Personally I believe it is a mistake to label it as either. It is not a ‘Chinese’ art, nor is it an ‘American’ art. It is neither Eastern nor Western (although there are principles and elements from both cultures in its make-up). To me, it is an international art, or better yet, a ‘global’ art. For example, when it comes to philosophy, from the Chinese and Asian

Look at Bruce Lee in action, be it in one of his films, television appearances, or during a martial art demonstration. Look at him prowl like a leopard stalking his prey. Look at him strike with the speed of a cobra whose bite is felt before it is seen. Look at him leaping eight feet in the air to kick out a light bulb. Look at the balance and body alignment, his movements full of grace and purpose. Look at his physical dexterity and technical mastery. There is something abou

Originally posted on Facebook June 2011 To truly comprehend Jeet Kune Do, as a practitioner it is vital that you develop the proper mindset toward training. I call this mindset, for wont of a better term, the “JKD attitude.” At various times on my blog I will include what I consider to be essential ingredients in developing a full and clear understanding of Jeet Kune Do. One of the fundamental tenets of JKD that was instilled in me from the moment I first began my training i

(Originally posted on Facebook September, 2011) The image which you hold in your mind about a movement greatly influences the structure of the movement. The sensations that you focus on during the performance of a movement is of crucial importance in determining the actual form of the movement. If you change the area of focus through what is known as the “ideo-motor set-up”, you will change the structure of the movement and modify the technique. Ideo-motor set-up, as defined

Numerous blogs and articles have been appearing recently concerning JKD, Bruce Lee, and the practice of forms. Most of them have dealt with the practice of a form known as the “Ung Moon Form” (which I wrote a short blog about awhile ago). I thought it might be helpful to post a copy of one of Sifu Dan Inosanto’s articles from a column he wrote for Inside Kung Fu magazine some time ago. In it he discusses not only Bruce’s attitude toward forms, but also his own attitude towar

Originally published in July 2015 Okay, I know for certain that this blog is going to upset a number of people (so what else is new, right?), but here goes -- Is “classicalization” threatening to take hold in JKD? Is there a new “classical mess” in the making? It seems to me that for the past number of years there has been a sort of movement underway, the goal of which appears to be, for wont of a better term, to “re-classicalize” Jeet Kune Do. What do I mean by this? For a

The following is a re-post of a blog I wrote back in 2010. I recently had a conversation the other with a very nice gentleman who informed me that he currently practiced two systems of martial arts and was thinking about adding Jeet Kune Do, and wanted to know what I thought about the idea. I told him that my frame of thinking was probably very different from his (and a vast majority of other people it seems) with regard to what JKD was all about. That is the theme of this po

Here is a re-post of a blog I wrote back in December, 2011. “Breakfast of Champions” We know that breakfast is considered one of, if not the most important meals of the day. It helps you get a new day started after a night’s rest. In the same way that what you put into your body is important, what you feed or put into your mind at the start of each day is equally important. Beginning your day by feeding your mind positive, ideas, etc. can go a long way in helping you deal wit

“Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride…” Last year I took an online test from a book entitled “Strength Finders 2.0.” The book had been given to me by my good friend Greg Smith, a noted JKD instructor, friend, and top-level business professional, who suggested I read it and take the test, which would reveal my five top strengths. So I took the test. At the top of the list of my strengths was “Learner.” In the book it relates the following about “Learner” -- “You love to learn. The s