Jeet Kune Do: The Filipino Connection Part 1
If what we do is Kali, why is JKD considered part of that training? Its all because of Guro Dan Inosanto and Bruce Lee.
In 1964, two of the most influential figures in martial arts history, Bruce Lee and Dan Inosanto, met at the inaugural Long Beach International Karate Championship. This encounter marked the beginning of a close friendship and collaboration that would go on to shape the world of martial arts, combat sport, and the spectacular martial arts action we see in films today.
Guro Inosanto’s Kenpo Karate teacher Sifu Ed Parker was busy organizing the tournament. Parker gave Inosanto the task to escort a special out-of-town guest. That guest was Bruce Lee.
Bruce Lee was invited present a demonstration of his unique style of martial art called Jeet Kune Do. Guro Dan was immediately drawn to Lee's dynamic and innovative approach. They quickly became close friends and training partners. This friendship would last until Bruce Lee’s death in 1973.
Inosanto was one of Lee's most trusted students and went on to spread the teachings of Jeet Kune Do to a new generation of martial artists. I am grateful to be one among those ranks.
Guro Dan played an important role in preserving Lee's legacy after his untimely death, ensuring that his teachings and philosophy would continue to inspire martial artists around the world.
Today we can see Lee’s influence on the sport of MMA. Dana White gives credit to Bruce Lee as the Father of MMA. Many martial artists were inspired to begin training because of Bruce Lee’s films.
What most people don't know is that Hollywood's top action film directors and fight choreographers were trained by Dan Inosanto at the Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts. Jeff Imada, Damon Caro, Chad Stahelski, and David Leitch are all JKD practitioners under Dan Inosanto. The instructors and students at our school are on their own journeys as artists in film and television. Though the focus of our training is Kali we keep close to our roots in JKD.
Through Guro Dan Inosanto, Pamana Kali is a part of the JKD legacy . We will continue to practice our arts with the tenets set by “The Little Dragon” Bruce Lee.
“Research your own experience. Absorb what is useful. Reject what is useless. Add what is essentially your own.”
– Sijo Bruce Lee
