Jeet Kune Do: is it still taught? | How and Where
If you’re looking for JKD schools, chances are you are having a hard time. That’s why you are wondering if Jeet Kune Do is still taught. This article will give you some insights on Jeet Kune Do and its two schools. Plus, you will learn more about the problems Jeet Kune Do is currently facing.
Jeet Kune Do is still being taught but it can be hard to find a JKD school since they are usually in garages and yards, unlike other martial art schools which are in gyms. The reason for this is that Jeet Kune Do has no real governing body that sets standards for learning.
That’s why most are having some trouble finding a JKD school. The truth is, it will be hard or impossible finding them in gyms. Ever since the death of Bruce Lee, JKD has come a long way but the problem here is that the schools in Jeet Kune Do are not actually systemized as we will discuss more later.
Is Jeet Kune Do still taught?
Jeet Kune Do is still being taught but Lee’s untimely death has left the said martial art without a specific training method or official authority to teach the martial art.
Another thing is that Bruce Lee only had a few Jeet Kune Do students to teach Jeet Kune Do.
Also, since there is no official organization that sets rules to make the training uniform. Their method of training is different from one another.
Another thing is that almost anyone with a martial arts studio can pick up a copy of the Tao of Jeet Kun Do, which Bruce Lee wrote. Then practice some techniques then start opening schools to teach JKD.
Thus, with the different sets of rules and training, there is no uniformity when it comes to studying JKD. So the system was pretty free and people were adding all sorts of things, some good and some not.
However, that made JKD a martial art that focuses on freedom.
As long as you find what is effective, you can use it. This actually made JKD evolve into some sort of an effective martial art since practitioners are always evolving for the better.
In fact, they never try to stick with tradition. If it doesn’t work, they won’t use it.
Since it always changes, only after 49 years after Bruce Lee’s death, there were already 2 schools of JKD you can enroll in. Here they are.
Type of JKD Schools
Jeet Kune Do (JKD) is still taught in two secondary schools.
The Contemporary JKD is the first Jeet Kune that is actually used in MMA which uses Kali for self-defense. It was actually thought of as the real JKD which Bruce Lee taught the basics and imbues the philosophy of using what works. Thus, it also has moves or forms from modern martial arts.
The second is called real or original Jeet Kune Do, which claims they are the original JKD. It can also be true since they try to stick with how Bruce Lee taught Jeet Kune Do to use moves from Wing Chun, Boxing, and other martial arts.
- Contemporary JKD– Right to Bruce Lee’s basic & Use modern martial-arts like support. Use Kali extensively to train weapons.
- Original JKD– Bruce Lee taught his students how to hold equipment, including the Jun Fan kickboxing set and the unique combination of Savate, Wing Chun, and Boxing, among others.
Both parties have schools over the country along with teachers providing personal lectures in their garage or yard.
If you are living in a huge city in the USA, It has nothing to do with taekwondo, karate, or Brazilian jiu-jitsu gyms.
As I said, JKD is not uninformed as anyone can make their own school. Unfortunately, this makes JKD largely an unknown art.
Is Jeet Kune Do Worth Learning?
Jeet Kune Do is worth learning because it is a martial art that is not only effective in fights but also imbues self-discipline and respect for others. It is also a good martial art to train your body in order to strengthen your body and muscle coordination.
Bruce Lee’s main goal at JKD was to use martial arts as effectively as possible, combining street fighting and self-defense.
Jeet Kune Do is a good martial art to learn because it is one of the most realistic martial arts. It was designed for street fighting and was performed by combining the best movements of different martial arts.
Also, JKD is a good martial art that can be trained to train coordination and body strength.
Honestly, JKD would improve not only strength but also self-confidence.
It’s also a helpful community where you can create friends. Since it’s not that uniform, don’t expect some belt progression systems or a concrete set of rules like other martial arts.
But that makes JKD unique. While it has no concrete set of rules to follow, it became a martial art that kept on evolving. It is quite fun to see more and more people appreciate this martial art.
Furthermore, trains students to improve their strength, flexibility, and coordination.
The practice of Jeet Kune Do allows you to perform more efficient, powerful, and faster movements. They also increase energy and metabolism.
During training, students perform a variety of exercises to develop and strengthen their muscles to achieve the perfect body tone.
Another benefit of learning in this martial arts room is that it works wonders to improve our brains, strengthen our ability to concentrate, and strengthen the overall harmony of mind and body.
For more information, you can check out my article where I discussed in a more detailed manner why JKD is worth learning. Here is the link: Is JKD Worth Learning?
Can you learn Jeet Kune Do by yourself?
You can learn Jeet Kune Do by yourself but remember that it would be hard. The reason is that in JKD, you need to feel the movement and techniques in order for you to fully get it. This is because the form is important in JKD. But starting is easy as there are numerous courses about Jeet Kune Do online for you to learn the basics.
As I said since there is no real authority to systemize the rules and teaching of Jeet Kune Do While there are numerous JKD schools out there, they have no governing body.
But actually, you can learn JKD at home. You just need to note something.
In JKD, you have to feel the body mechanics behind a technique to develop a level of skill and understanding. You need to study and do the movements correctly or it won’t be effective.
Thus, it is a good idea to find someone who has even a little understanding of the martial art just to make sure that you’re doing to moves correctly,
Combined that with the advice of a qualified coach that shows you the right form or technique, it would be worth it to learn even from home.
Also, studying martial arts right now is relatively easier since you can find courses online. Although, I recommend finding a course where your instructor would check your movements once in a while.
Otherwise, it would be very difficult, even impossible, to understand the moves on Jeet Kune Do.
Is Jeet Kung Do hard to learn?
Jeet Kune Do is definitely hard to learn. This is because it is a combination of moves from multiple martial arts such as Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Kickboxing. It is also quite unique from other martial arts that have a belt progression system. But studying JKD is very worth it.
Since you would be studying multiple martial arts at the same time with JKD, you can be sure that it would be extremely difficult to learn.
Furthermore, with its lack of instructors, it can be hard to find someone who will be focused on teaching you.
Thus, if you really want to learn this martial art, you need to be 100% dedicated to learning.
Furthermore, since they have no governing body, they don’t have any uniform way of teaching martial art.
So, how will you learn it will be a little different depending on the school you’ve enrolled in.
But as I said, it is a matter of dedication.
What I like about JKD on the other hand is that it is a martial art that’s staying away from tradition. You can change its moves if it would work better for you.
It is a martial art that promotes freedom and respect for others.
You will soon discover when you learn JKD that you are actually having fun. By picking the Jeet Kune Do course, you will likewise discover an activity that can be enjoyable.
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