Jeet Kune Do in Portland, Oregon: Applied Self-Defense Training

Our jeet kune do classes teach a philosophy of movement and self-defense. As taught at Northwest Fighting Arts it draws from, but is not limited to, the arts of jun fan kung fu, silat, panatukan, boxing, muay thai , Chinese boxing and wing chun. Our jeet kune do lessons in Portland are varied, exciting and constantly interesting. Members train in techniques from these arts intensely, develop a deep understanding of them and then apply what works to their personal self-defense style. Our students learn jeet kune do in an open environment that is accessible to everyone from beginners to advanced learners.

Develop Your Own Style

One of the concepts taught in the NWFA jeet kune do lessons in Portland is to explore in depth, many martial arts, drawing from them the techniques most effective and natural for you. In this way you develop a kind of toolkit of movements to effectively express and defend yourself. The concepts of jeet kune do can be applied not just to fighting but to all aspects of life.

In the words of Bruce Lee, author of “Tao of Jeet Kune Do”:

“I have not invented a “new style,” composite, modified or otherwise that is set within distinct form as apart from “this” method or “that” method. On the contrary, I hope to free my followers from clinging to styles, patterns, or molds. Remember that jeet kune do is merely a name used, a mirror in which to see “ourselves”… Jeet kune do is not an organized institution that one can be a member of… There is no mystery about my style. My movements are simple, direct and non-classical… The extraordinary part of it lies in its simplicity… Jeet kune do is simply the direct expression of one’s feelings with the minimum of movements and energy. The closer to the true way of kung fu, the less wastage of expression there is. Finally, a jeet kune do man who says jeet kune do is exclusively jeet kune do is simply not with it. He is still hung up on his self-closing resistance, in this case anchored down to reactionary pattern, and naturally is still bound by another modified pattern and can move within its limits. He has not digested the simple fact that truth exists outside all molds; pattern and awareness is never exclusive. Again let me remind you jeet kune do is just a name used, a boat to get one across, and once across it is to be discarded and not to be carried on one’s back.”

Jeet Kune Do Martial Arts Lineage

  • Yip Man was the first wing chun master to teach the art openly. He was Bruce Lee’s sifu leaving the world several masters to continue the art.
  • Bruce Lee (Lee Jun Fan) was the founder of the philosophy of jeet kune do moves. He was a profoundly talented individual who opened up the world to Kung Fu. Bruce Lee advocated adopting what is useful and effective for each individual from many arts and integrating them into a personal form of self-defense.
  • Guro Dan Inosanto is Bruce Lee’s heir and leading authority on JKD. Guro Dan continued to develop and refine the art introducing Filipino martial arts like kali and silat. Eventually he boiled JKD down to “the concept of cross-training” in different styles and “doing your own thing.”
  • Guro Ted LucayLucay experimented with various martial arts styles. After moving to LA he became one of the early “backyard” students of Richard Bustillo and Dan Inosanto. He founded the LucayLucay Kali/JKD association.
  • Punong Guro Leonard Trigg is an avid proponent of the Filipino martial arts. He accepted leadership of Guro Ted LucayLucay’s organization upon his death as well as assuming the mantle after Punong Guro Edgar G. Sulite died. Professor Trigg brought his deep knowledge of western boxing to the art.
  • Professor Jeff Patterson has been involved with the Filipino and jeet kune do schools for martial arts for over twenty years. He started Northwest Fighting Arts in Portland, Oregon, in 1994 and has since been a full-time instructor working to polish NWFA’s curriculum and teaching strategies. He has taught the art to thousands of students many of whom have become instructors, as well as amateur and professional fighters. He has been fortunate to study first hand with many great teachers such as Punong Guro Edgar Sulite, Maestro Ted LucayLucay, Guro Dan Inosanto and Professor Leonard Trigg.

Do you wish to discover a self-defense and martial art style that is uniquely yours and comes naturally to you? Discover the tao of JKD in Portland at NWFA. Call us now on 503-235-3435 or visit our location in Portland, OR.