Monday, October 12, 2009

Bruce Lee's Favorite Color

Interesting that to this day, martial artists still have no shortage of opinions about Bruce Lee and his methods (Jeet Kune Do). Without going into a critique of the various sides of the debate, an interesting related issue is that people would decide what to train or not train according to what Lee did. It's certainly not a bad starting point, but doesn't take into account individual abilities or preferences. To be more specific, my understanding is that at his furthest stage of development before he died, he had thrown out trapping and most defenses other than close evasion such as slipping, and only wanted to jab or cross or possibly kick his opponent and then be back out. His goal was that the only thing that would be touching between him and his opponent would be Lee's strike or kick. Ok, good for Lee, he had the development to be able to pull that off. Dan Inosanto told me that the last time he saw Bruce, he had become so fast that the only way he knew he was striking at him was because he could feel the wind in front of his face. As for the rest of us, how many of us are anywhere near that level? So for myself, there are many things that Bruce Lee didn't find useful that I find useful. I do know of JKD practitioners that are trying to emulate Bruce's final stage, and I have to wonder if they knew what Bruce Lee's favorite color was, would they now decide that their favorite color was the same?

1 comment:

  1. Jeet Kune Do is a philosophy of movement and self defense. The concept of JKD can be applied not just to fighting but to all aspect of life. i still recollect Bruce Lee's verses that are ever lasting and for ever inspiring...."I have not invented a "new style, composite, modified or otherwise that is set within distinct form as apart from "this" method or "that" method....." His tecnique of fighting was very distinct and full of art. He is not only the founder of the philosophy but the stunning hero of Jeet Kune Do. I remember him with respect.

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