Common Misconceptions: “So You ONLY Teach Jeet Kune Do?”
We hear this question often, especially from beginners who are new to the world of martial arts: “So you only teach Jeet Kune Do?”
With the rise of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), there’s a common belief that learning multiple styles will make someone a well-rounded martial artist. While this idea might sound logical at first, it’s actually the opposite of what true mastery is about. Bruce Lee himself taught that less is more.
“It is not daily increase but daily decrease, hack away the unessential. The closer to the source, the less wastage there is.” – Bruce Lee
To Move with Efficiency
Jeet Kune Do is not about collecting techniques from various styles or following a rigid “system.” Instead, it’s about understanding movement, timing, and efficiency. It’s built on principles of physics and body mechanics, teaching you how to move in the most direct and effective way possible.
Rather than conforming to a pre-defined style, Jeet Kune Do focuses on helping students discover their own strengths, weaknesses, and unique attributes. Through Jeet Kune Do, students not only become more capable martial artists but also grow as individuals—developing confidence, adaptability, and self-awareness.
“If you understand motion, you don’t need a style or system.” – Bruce Lee
Why “less is more” in martial arts
When you try to learn too many styles at once, it’s easy to get lost in an endless collection of techniques that don’t always work together. Jeet Kune Do cuts through that noise. By focusing on core principles and efficiency, you develop real, applicable skills that work in any situation—skills that aren’t diluted by unnecessary movements or over-complicated patterns.
“A fully developed individual goes beyond any style or system.” – Bruce Lee
Jeet Kune Do Goes Beyond a Style or System
To call Jeet Kune Do a “style” is a misunderstanding because it is based on kinetics and physics, which is why Bruce Lee often referred to Jeet Kune Do as “scientific street fighting”. Jeet Kune Do is not only about the physical element, it is also a philosophy, a way of thinking about martial arts and movement. Bruce Lee created Jeet Kune Do as a process of removing what doesn’t work and refining what does. It’s not about doing more; it’s about doing better.
