Martial Arts Mecca

The Style of a Legend

While Bruce was a master of Kung-fu, he also had other influences. In fact, Bruce’s father, Lee Hoi Cheun, was the first person to introduce him to the martial arts. Growing up, Bruce was trained by his father in the Wu style Tai Chi Chuan. After that, Lee was trained in Western style boxing, which eventually led to Bruce winning the 1958 boxing championship. Bruce was also trained in fencing, which only added to his martial talent.

As Bruce became older, he decided to invent his own style of martial art, which he named Jeet Kune Do, which literally means, “Way of the intercepting fist.” In essence, Bruce believed that formal martial arts training had become too rigid for practical use. Instead, he adapted his own style, and took elements from the different martial art forms he knew. When he first began developing Jeet Kune Do, his initial aim was to create a martial art that conformed to no known style, and only used the best elements of each individual martial art that he knew of.

He also took weight training seriously. He dedicated a few hours a day to his physical conditioning. In fact, many body builders site Bruce as their inspiration. He stretched, weight lifted and stuck to a rigid nutrition plan that significantly contributed to his success as a martial artist, and gave him the body to look the part for his movies.

Bruce Lee’s movies still inspire millions of aspiring martial artists. He truly was a master of the martial arts, and his legacy is a well deserved one.