It is amazing to me how some people expect extraordinary results in their martial art training but are not willing to put forth the time and energy necessary to achieve even ordinary results. They approach their training in a random, hit-or-miss fashion.

The following transcript came from The Bruce Lee Memorial Issue magazine published by Black Belt magazine -- © 1974 by Rainbow Publications

Bruce Lee as seen through the eyes of students of Jeet Kune Do

DAN INOSANTO

My relationship with Bruce was as a friend and an instructor. As a friend, I don't think I've had anyone who has helped me as much as Bruce has. As an instruc­tor, I feel I am very fortunate to have trained under him.

The dictionary defines technique as: “Any method or manner of accomplishing something… the method or procedure (with reference to practical or formal details) or way of using basic skills in rendering an artistic work or carrying out a mechanical operation.” Techniques are the “what” and “how to do’s”. They are specific applications that fit specific circumstances. In Jeet Kune Do, techniques include such things as the proper fighting stance or ready position, the mechanics of a particular punch or kick, the various types of footwork used, etc.

With over 35 years experience, Chris Kent is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s leading authorities on Jeet Kune Do. A full-time, professional martial art instructor, educator, author, and public speaker, he has gained international recognition for his knowledge and leadership in disseminating the art and philosophy developed by Bruce Lee, and is considered one of the few individuals in the world having total comprehension of all facets of Lee’s martial art.

Some of his accomplishments include:

• Youngest and final member admitted into Dan Inosanto’s fabled “Backyard JKD” group during Bruce Lee’s lifetime.
• One of the first students to be awarded the title of Full Instructor in the Jun Fan Martial Arts (Jeet Kune Do) by Dan Inosanto.
• Author / Co-author of 4 of the highest rated books on Jeet Kune Do.
• Featured in such books as “Jeet Kune Do Conversations”, “Jeet Kune – The Art and Philosophy of Bruce Lee” and “Filipino Fighting Arts – Theory and Practice.”
• Co-founded and for 5 years served as a Board of Directors member of the “The Bruce Lee Educational Foundation”.

With over 35 year’s experience, Chris Kent was the youngest and final member admitted into Dan Inosanto’s fabled “Backyard JKD” group during Bruce Lee’s lifetime, and was one of the first students to be awarded the title of Full Instructor in the Jun Fan Martial Arts (Jeet Kune Do) and the Filipino Martial Arts by Guro Dan Inosanto.

A full-time, professional martial art instructor and author/ co-author of 4 of the highest rated books on Jeet Kune Do, he has written and produced 2 series of training videotapes and DVDs which remain the standard of the industry. Plus he has been featured in such books as “Jeet Kune Do Conversations” and “Jeet Kune Do – The Art and Philosophy of Bruce Lee”, and co-founded and served on the Board of Directors for the Bruce Lee Educational Foundation for 5 years. Due to his exceptional background he has gained international recognition for his knowledge and leadership in disseminating the art and philosophy developed by Bruce Lee, and is considered one of the few individuals in the world having total comprehension of all facets of Lee’s martial art. He is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s leading authorities on the art and philosophy of Jeet Kune Do.

The following are excerpts  from the article:

“Chris Kent – Living La Vida JKD”

(Bruce Lee Magazine – CFW Enterprises – 2001)

In order to get the most out of JKD it is essential to know how to make Bruce Lee’s notes work for you—how to bring them to life and use them to help you achieve your fullest potential as a martial artist. Lee’s notes have been likened to guideposts, or clues, that can lead an individual to their own self-expression in the martial arts. But guideposts do a person little or no good if they don’t know how to read or interpret them correctly. So the first thing that needs to be understood is how to study Lee’s notes. This is not as easy as it sounds. When reading Bruce Lee’s notes, three intrinsic principles should guide your study. These principles may, in the beginning, require several separate readings but in time can be done concurrently. The three principles are as follows:

I have come to the realization that, over the years since it came into existence, the “name” or “term” Jeet Kune Do has in some ways now become its own form of limitation. That’s right, the very name of the art that I have spent most of my life perpetuating has become, not from my personal understanding of it, but rather, due to the public’s varied perceptions (or perhaps misperceptions would be a better word), restrictive and limiting. How? Let me give you a few examples of some of the various perceptions regarding what Jeet Kune Do is that I’ve run across.