Nutribody

When it comes to taking up one or other form of martial arts, learning a little about the origins of your chosen discipline can help you come to terms with the true psychology of the sport. For those who want to take on the study of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Fairfax in Virginia is an excellent place to get a well-rounded grounding in many of the disciplines, including the popular Jeet Kune Do.

The legend of Lee

The name Bruce Lee is synonymous with Jeet Kune Do, and while many non-professionals may not know it, the reason is because, in fact, he was the one who developed the discipline in the latter part of his career. While most people put his name together with Kung Fu, due to his highly successful Hollywood movie career, Lee’s dedication to Jeet Kune Do is certainly not as well known.

Cut down in his prime, the legend of Lee lives on, perhaps even larger in death than during the life of the great man himself. A testament to his appeal is that even those who have no interest or association with the sport or his movies are familiar with his name and he has become a part of urban lore – although this almost certainly would not have been his aim. He, along with his contemporaries Jean Claude Van Damm, Jet Li, Jackie Chan and of course Chuck Norris, have gone a long way to bringing a little-understood art form into the mainstream consciousness. For those new to the discipline, MMA Fairfax instructors will be more than happy to introduce you to the ethos of Bruce Lee.

The difference between Jeet Kune Do and Kung Fu

Before the 20th century many of the disciplines were known by their specific names and the term Kung Fu became used more as an umbrella term. As Bruce Lee’s became more and more skilled and his style refined, the rigid and regimented movements of the martial arts he practised caused him a great deal of frustration. He went on to develop his own, unique style that, although retaining many of the original movements and techniques, was regarded as ground-breaking and hugely innovative – Jeet Kune Do was born.

If you’re looking for an exact science of the similarities and differences between Kung Fu and Jeet Kune Do you may have to go back to the drawing board. Because, in fact, it is the principles of adaptability, flexibility and the willingness to expect and do the unexpected that forms the very ethos of Jeet Kune Do. Lee believed that one needed to “feel” the discipline and their opponents psyche rather than follow a regimented and robotic regime of movements. He took movements from many disciplines to form the basis of Jeet Kun Do, and his approach revolutionised MMA. Fairfax teachers will be more than happy to explain the principles further and invite you to see the discipline in action.

The modern styles of fighting

When it comes to MMA, Fairfax teachers have a wealth of experience at their fingertips. While Bruce Lee cannot be credited with developing the modern disciplines of MMA, it is his forward and radical thinking that helped shape many of the techniques used today. When learning MMA, Fairfax centers focus not only on the techniques required in order to participate, but they also pay great attention to the mental and spiritual growth that enables someone to become a true proponent of the disciplines.