Bruce Lee did more than blaze the movie screens with powerful, lightning quick punches and kicks. He launched a martial arts revolution and encouraged martial artists to break the ties that bound them as practitioners. Lee freed himself and other martial artists from the ties that limited the skills traditional fighters. He envisioned unity among the divided disciplines of martial arts. After years of research and development, Lee managed to fuse every helpful martial arts components into one system. He incorporated western boxing, the Chinese style of Kung Fu called Wing Chun, and Western fencing and added bits of Karate, Judo, Aikido, Muay Thai, and Jiu Jitsu. The result was a concept that served as a forerunner for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), called Jeet Kune Do (Way of the Intercepting Fist).
Jeet Kune Do, according to Lee, is not another martial arts style or method. It is a concept where different combat arts and techniques are used. Whether it is from Japan, China, India, or the Philippines, combat artists are encouraged to explore various fighting system and absorb its essence. Lee wanted to create a martial art that was unbound and free, where movements are simple, direct, and non-classical. He later expanded the notion that the art should be used for personal development and become a better fighter. The final stage of training designed for practitioners of Jeet Kune Do was the “no limitation” stage where advanced students were free to change and explore their personal styles of fighting.
Bruce Lee was able to accomplish this feat because of superb physical and mental training. He freed himself of the stress and anxiety that distracted his training. He developed his abdominal muscles because these muscles play a key role in the movement of martial artists. In addition, these muscles protects the ribs and other vital organs. Lee constantly trained and attempted to achieve maximum efficiency, according him martial artists of his time lacked necessary physical fitness to back up their skill. There were times when Lee would ride a stationary bike for 45 minutes to increase his muscle definition and reduce body fat. He combined weight training with his regular workout to improve his performance and physique. His workout was designed to avoid bulky muscles to avoid hefty muscles that might interfere his martial arts movement. In addition, Bruce Lee trained properly to avoid muscle spasms and lower back pain. Injuries may hamper his training and affect his performance. He also took nutrition seriously and was strict on his diet. He drank his concentration of vegetables, apples, celery, carrots, and prepared it using an electric blender. Lee consumed high-protein drinks which included powdered milk, eggs, bananas, and peanut floor.
Bruce Lee is one of the most recognized names in the world and accomplished so much despite living a very short life. His goal of breaking the bounds that acted has limiting factors succeeded and started the genesis of many hybrid martial arts. Lee did not become a seasoned martial artist overnight, his accomplishments are products of intense and vigorous training coupled with proper nutrition.
