Bruce Lee was the greatest Martial Artist of the 20th century, considered to be the Ultimate Fighter of all time. He is also considered the "FATHER" of the Modern Action Movie. His personal training consisted of day-by-day exercising (500 kicks per leg and up to 2000 punches per day) was well documented in his personal memoranda. This made Bruce Lee the deadliest man on the planet and the most physically fit. Twenty-six years after his death his art of Jeet Kune Do is still debated amongst the martial arts community (Is it an art, a method or concept). The reasons for these frequently asked questions were brought on by Bruce Lee's own description of Jeet Kune Do as "Using no way as way" and "Having no limitation as limitation". These phrases had sparked the controversy that had spanned more than two decades. In 1996, a breakthrough by the first lady of martial arts Linda Lee Cadwell (Widow of Bruce Lee) brought forth the formation of what is known as "The Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Nucleus". This called together all surviving students of Bruce Lee. The Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Nucleus is now known as The Bruce Lee Educational Foundation.

Bruce started training in the martial arts mainly to overcome his fear of being humiliated in a street fight. As a teenager he began to get into more and more fights for no reason at all. And if he didn't win he was furious. As a result, under the great master Yip Man's Wing Chun (meaning "beautiful springtime") teachings, Bruce became a proficient martial artist, not to mention a feared street fighter. However, Bruce actually had more than one teacher. As time went by, Bruce grew. His enthusiasm towards martial arts was more apparent. He was young, energetic and competitive. He soon became acquainted with Wing-chun's basic Kung Fu. Since he was very clever, Mr Yip loved him very much and taught him many secret techniques in Win Chun Kung Fu. He became an expert in Wing Chun Kung Fu.

When Bruce was about fourteen, he discovered that "dancing" could be a great deal of fun. He had a real Knack for it and rapidly became quite polished, never lacking eager partners. Much of the balance and footwork became evident in his later fighting style. His favorite was the Cha Cha, and he spent many hours practicing extremely complex dance routines. He eventually became the Hong Kong Cha Cha Champion.

At the age of 19, Bruce was becoming more and more involved in street fighting. So in 1959 his parents decide to sent him to live with friends in the United States, Where he would finish high school. While he was staying in Seattle, Bruce was allowed to live in the restaurant's attic in exchange for his services as a busboy and waiter. Bruce finished high school and went on to college. By day he attended the University of Washington and nights he was working in the restaurant. After a few months of this, he decided that this lifestyle was not for him. He quit his job at the restaurant and began teaching Kung-fu. At the age of twenty-two, Bruce authored an extremely unique text which he titled "CHINESE GUNG-FU: The Philosophical Art of SELF-DEFENSE." This book reflected his preocupation with spiritual as well as physical development.

Before Bruce finished his Bachelor Degree in Philosophy, he meet Linda Emery, a pretty blonde coed, enrolled in his class and in 1964 they were married. Shortly afterward, they moved to California. In 1965, Bruce's son, Brandon, was born. Couples years later his daughter Shannon was born.

When Bruce debuted to the world giving a demostration of Martial Arts at Ed Parker's 1964 internationals, Ed was getting it all down on film. Fate intervened a few years later while Ed was teaching Jay Sebring (one of the people later killed along with Sharon Tate in the Sharon Tate murders). Jay mentioned that his friend Bill Dozier (the producer of "Batman 1966 T.V. series") had bought the rights to the "Green Hornet" and needed a Kato. Parker showed Dozier the film on Bruce and the rest is history. As Kato on the popular T.V. series "The Green Hornet", Bruce introduced millions to the beauty, creativity and power of the martial arts.

In the U.S. Bruce knew many good friends in the field of martial arts. One of them was an expert in the nunchaku and Ka-li - Mr. Dan Inosanto. (Bruce Lee is the one in the center without shirt and Dan is the one whom is in the Bruce's right.) They exchanged their techniques. In short while, Bruce grasped the essential points in the use of the nunchaku and Ka-li. The beginning of the seventies saw Bruce spending more and more time between Hollywood and Hong Kong. Offers began pouring in from many different sources and he was continually in transit firming up commitments and scouting locations for future projects. In constant demand, his fees escalated accordingly to such astronomical rates as $275.00 per hour. However the perpetuation of Jeet Kune Do was still very important to him so before he embarked for good on his glamorous new profession abroad, he turned the responsability of his teaching over to his head instructor and friend, Dan Inosanto.

Personal life of Bruce Lee ! :
    

'Chi' of Bruce Lee :
With one kick Bruce could snap eight two-inch boards held togather by masking tape.
He could kick in the air and break the board that are dangled in the air. In 1965 Bruce would cut through two-inch boards dangled before him.

There was a giant bag in Lee's garage of five feet wide and eight feet high. Bruce could send it flying with his best kick.

One Inch Punch was his favorite stunt. He would punch one inch from solar plexus and send the guy across the room.

Workouts :
Running was the important part of Lee's workout. He used to cover atleast a couple of miles a day.
After this, a series of Tai Chi movements, an ancient art that Bruce felt to be ideal for the purpose of keeping him both mentally and physically fit.

Then there were the isometric exercises whereby the muscles are improved by pitting them against an immovable object - such as wall.

It is said that Bruce Lee through-out the day just never let up. If he was eating, he'd be pushing one hand up against the table; often whilst just standing around talking, he'd be pounding a fist into the cupped other hand. He frequently read a book with dumb-bell in other hand.

The Lee's sensational kicks were the product of high bar training and kicking trees.

Students says that Lee's home was filled with training devices. He had stretching device to stretch your legs. There were things available to toughen hands and feet. Lee used rice, sand and green peas. He also used special bags for punching and kicking


Bruce Lees' Philosophy :
Jeet Kune Do ultimately is not a matter of pretty technique but a highly developed personal spirituality and physique. JKD is not a matter of technology but of spiritual insight and training---Bruce Lee
Jeet Kune Do is a most valuable theory for developing martial arts.As Bruce would explain, Jeet means to stalk or to intercept, Kune means fist or style and Do means the way or ultimate reality.
There are six principle in JKD that should be considered by the martial artists who intend to gradually develop skills of their respective systems.Briefly the principles are:
1)Multicultural Arts:Since no one has a monopoly on knowledge, it behooves the prudent student to develop expertise in skill to be used in all four fighting ranges (Kicking, Punching, Trapping and Grappling), without the bounds of cultural restrains.
2)Range:All combat is governed by principle of range or fighting distance. A person who controls his distance controls the fight. If one's preferred range is kicking distance, then the other ranges must be supplemented to strengthen combative efficiency.
3)Five ways of Attack:There are five ways of offensively approaching an opponent. These methods are - Direct, Combination, Immobilization and Rhythm disruption attacks.
4)Individual and Instructor Preference: The often used phrase "My truth is not your truth" stems from the principles of individual and an instructor preference. Based on individual needs and abilities we tend to focus our skills in certain areas.
5)Environment: All combative forms reflects , to extent, a preferred social, political and structural environment. Understanding the limitation of a fixed system or technique and not being bound by these limitations is of common concern.
6)Absorb what is useful : Once the practitioner understands and can utilize the first five principles of JKD, the sixth principle " Absorb what is useful" takes on a new meaning. By investigating multicultural arts, experiencing the ways of attacks, appreciating the importance of instructor and individual preference and recognizing the restrains of environment and range, one can be more adapt at incorporating techniques into a system that has the potential to naturally flow.
Once Bruce said"The hight of cultivation is really nothing special. It is merely simplicity, the ability to express the utmost with the minimum." 

Bruce Lee's Life :
The Story begins with the small woman in San Francisco's Chinese hospital on November 27, 1940. The child she bore that day was her forth child. He was born in the year of the Dragon, during the morning hour of the Dragon. She named him Lee Yuen Kam. To his fan he became Lee Siu Loong, "The Little Dragon". A nurse in the hospital decided the infant needed an even more American name and dubbed the baby boy Bruce Lee.
Bruce Lee was a precocious child. He was forever jumping, talking, playing or moving. Then just as suddenly he could disappear into his room or a far corner and read a book for hours or become completely self-absorbed.
During Bruce's formative years they lived near the peak on Hong Kong island with an aunt and uncle. Even as a boy Bruce was considered fairly good looking and knew it. He liked to have his own way and by the time he was teenager he was an out-and -out bully. He had a natural flair for leadership. In one encounter Bruce got his head nearly knocked off and was inspired at thirteen to begin serious study of the martial arts as self-defense. His father Lee Hoi Chuan had been a student of the martial arts and shared some of his knowledge with his son. Bruce always said his father was his first martial arts teacher.
Bruce began studying Chinese Kung Fu which he always pronounced "Gung Fu" when he was thirteen. Bruce enrolled in Wing Cheun School and studied for the next two years with Yip Man. Once Bruce was committed to Kung Fu he was nearly fanatic. He would sit at dinner pounding one hand on a stool at his side to toughen it even as he ate and made conversation.
Bruce was a fantastic dancer and in 1958, shortly before he left Hong Kong, he won a Crown Colony Cha-Cha championship.
Since Bruce had been born in the US, he had to decide when he reach eighteen if he wanted to go to States to retain his U.S. citizenship. He did and in the fall of 1958, with only $100 to his name, Bruce booked passage to San Francisco, third-class on a freighter.
Bruce Lee's immediate problem upon his arrival was his living conditions. He was placed with a friend of his father's in San Francisco. For a short time Bruce gave dancing lessons to earn pocket money. Bruce jumped at the chance a few months later to move to Seattle where he would live above a Chinese restaurant and work part-time as a waiter.
At eighteen Bruce was outspoken and powerful. He was already teaching a few friends the way of Kung Fu and attended Edison Vocational Highschool days. Nights he would either work in the restaurant as a waiter or practice his Kung Fu. Bruce began taking pupils and shortly founded the Jun Fan Jung Fu Institute. During his final year at the University of Washington, Bruce met Linda, who became part of the group around him.They were married in a small Seattle Protestant church a short time later.
In February 1965 that Brandon Bruce Lee was born, Lee Hoi Chuen, Bruce's father, died in Hong Kong.Bruce lived with Linda, Brandon and latter Shannon in Los Angeles and survived on some television and film parts his students helped him arrange. He told people close to him with fiery conviction, that he would be the biggest, most important film star in the world someday and he really meant it. 

Opinions : What They Say? 

Bruce was extremely fast.......he was fanatic. He was the most fanatical trainer of the martial arts that I have ever encountered. He lived it, breathed it and slept it. from morning to night his mind was martial arts. And what made him so great was that he wasn't bogged down in tradition. He was always looking for ways of improving himself.
---Chuck Norris

He could make the air pop when he hit.
---Ed Parker

Bruce Lee has passed away. To me he is my hero; he was the best in the world...... He will always be the best in my heart.
---Benny "The Jet" Urquidez

Bruce kicks high, I kick lower; Bruce was serious, I' am comedy, Jackie is Jackie and Bruce is Bruce. Its a different style of approach.
---Jackie Chan

I did not discover Bruce Lee, just as much as he did not discover me, as many people are now saying. what I really did was remember him... His charisma stack in my mind. I kept thinking of a screen vehicle for him. It would have to be a starring part. I was sure. I couldn't have seen him doing anything less.
---Raymond Chow

THE LEGEND ON SCREEN

After the "Green Hornet" and "LongStreet" television series, Bruce was asked to star in the television series "Kung-Fu." But Bruce was later turned down by the producers of the "Kung-Fu" TV series, because they thought Bruce was too "Oriental" looking for mainstream american audiences. Then, after a little while, he went to Hong Kong to make a series of action movies, which propelled him into international superstardom. As time went on, Bruce was determined to upgrade his films. Eventually he incorporated his philosophy and Jeet Kune Do into his films. Bruce Lee only made 4 films about Martial Arts and another one incomplete (Game of Death). That's made 5 of them The Big Boss

Fist of Fury

With the box office success of The Big Boss behind him, Bruce asserted more of himself in each succeeding film. In The Chinese Connection his fight scenes were flawless and believable. His simple and direct fighting style of Jeet Kune Do would set the standard for all martial arts films to come.

Return of The Dragon

Return of The Dragon originally titled Way of The Dragon, was his third film, was a total Bruce Lee production. He wrote it, directed it, cast it and chose the locations. It was unheard of for a Chinese production company to go the expense of filming in the famed Coliseum in Rome. Chuck Norris, the famous American martial artist, was flown in to make the fight scenes still more exciting and to give this film a true international flavor.

Enter The Dragon

Enter The Dragon is considered by many to be the ultimate martial arts film of all time. Major motion picture stars along with American cinematography techniques were futured. Bruce also showed his weapons ability with the nunchaku and the Filipino double sticks. This was also the only film using his own voice in English.

Game Of Death

"The Game of Death" was to be his crowing achievement and would have been if he were around to complete it. He wanted to show his gratitude to his former students and instructors by including them in this film. Dan Inosanto was his Filipino-Style opponent, Taky Kimura, unable to attend, was to have been his preying Mantis opponent and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was his unknown style opponent.

Lee's Death :

Probably the most believable and probable story is the following:
Throughout Bruce's life, he was continually being challenged by other fighters. It was only natural for the Gung-fu legend to accept the challenge and kick some real ass. Although Bruce won all the fights he was involved in, he was probably hit numerous times in the head. Numerous blows to the head can in fact cause brain anyeurisms, the claimed "cause of death" from the autopsy.

During the filming of Enter the Dragon, Bruce fainted during a voice dubing session. That day the air conditioning was turned off, so as not to cause abnormal background noise in the recording. When some crew memebers went to check on Bruce, Bruce woke up and pretended that he was looking for his glasses that he dropped.

On July 20, 1973, Raymond and Bruce visit Betty Ting Pei at her apartment to discuss her role in Game of Death. That evening plans had been made for them all to meet George Lazenby over dinner and enlist him for a part. Bruce explains that he has a headache, takes a prescription pain killer offered by Betty, and lies down on her bed to rest prior to dinner. Bruce never woke up. The pain killer was believed to have caused an allergic reaction, which increased the brain aneurism.

Some tabloid reporters, wanting to find "dirt" on everyone, spread a rumor that Bruce and Betty Ting Pei were having an affair, and that Bruce died while having sex with Betty. For several years after Bruce's death, Betty refused to be interviewed. She thought it was best for her and Bruce's reputation, to stay out of the media. Years later, Betty goes on television and denies that Bruce and here were ever involved intimately. As with most mysteries, only the parties involved will know the truth.

Despite the rumors and proven causes of death, Bruce still remains the most brillant martial artist in the world. It is tragic that he died such a young death, but his short life was very rewarding. Bruce's acheivements will be noticed for years to come.

On Bruce Lee's Death The circumstances surrounding Bruce Lee's death in July 20 of 1973 unleashed a storm of discontent which swept across Asia, and throughout the rest of the world, leaving in its wake a tangled welter of claims and counterclaims regarding the causes of his dying. His physical fitness was too well known for people to accept that he might have simply died of natural causes. (I'm personally think it was a natural causes.)
No one had any premotions of the disaster to come when Bruce went to a meeting with Raymond Chow (Bruce's Producer) at Betty Ting Pei's apartment to talk about finish The Game of Death script, which contained a major role for Betty. Raymond had left them late in the afternoon, planning to meet again later for dinner. Bruce complained of a headache and Betty gave him Equagesic, an aspirin compound she often used herself. Bruce went to lie down in the bedroom. Raymond called in midevening to find out why they had not shown up at the restaurant and Betty told him Bruce was asleep. Chow went back to Betty's apartment and attempted to rouse Bruce, without success. They began to get alarmed and Betty called her doctor, who tried unsuccessfully for several minutes to revive him. They called for an ambulance.
Bruce Lee the "Little Dragon," was dead on arrival at the hospital. Emergency treatment was used to try to stimulate his heart and breathing, but there was no life.

Linda arrived with Chow to be with Bruce at the end, but they were too late. How Bruce died is a matter of public record---a brain aneurysm in the vicinity of the cerebral edema, which surfaced in May of 1973. Whether it was present from birth or caused later by a blow to the head is pure conjecture. In any case, he was living on borrowed time with a damaged blood vessel in his head capable of exploding at any moment. The medicine prescribed for him, Dilantin, was not to deal with the problem of edema or aneurysm, but for the epilectic convulsions brought about by the edema. So a cerebral aneurysm claimed him as he slept, unfortunately in Betty Ting Pei's apartment. That Bruce suffered a severe brain trauma two months earlier was known to many people. That a weakness was present, whether congenital or brought about through stress or a hard blow to the head, was a matter of knowledge to many in Hong Kong, particulary in the film industry. Hong Kong is stunned by the announcement of Lee's death. Thousands line the streets to honour his symbolic burial parade and scores of spectators were injured in the crush. Steel barriers were erected along the coffin's route to restrain the crowd.

Bruce Lee was buried in Lake View Cemetery in Seattle U.S.A. Then, Brandon Lee was buried next to his father on April 3, 1993. To this day, 24 years after the Bruce death, fresh flowers are found on his gravestone and his son every day.

Bruce Lee will live in the movies and Martial Arts forever!

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Another Tragic Lost

Actor and martial artist Brandon Lee, the son of the legendary Bruce Lee, died in Wilmington, North Carolina U.S.A. in March 31, 1993 after being shot in the abdomen during the filming of THE CROW movie. He was 28 years old. His father was only 32 years old when he passed away in 1973.
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The Basic Theory Of Yin And Yang
In The Art Of Gung Fu
by Bruce Lee

The basic structure of Gung Fu is based on the theory of Yin/Yang, a pair of mutually complementary forces that act continuously, without cessation, in this universe. This Chinese way of life can be applied to anything, but here we are interested in its relationship to the art of Gung Fu.
The black part of the circle is called Yin. Yin can represent anything in the universe as: negativeness, passiveness, gentleness, insubstantiality, femaleness, moon, darkness, night, etc. The other complementary part of the circle is Yang, which represent positiveness, activeness, firmness, substantiality, maleness, sun, brightness, day, etc. The common mistake most people make is to identify this Yin/Yang symbol, T'ai-Chi, as dualistic; that is Yang being the opposite of Yin, and vice versa. As long as we separate this "oneness" into two, we won't achieve realization. Actually, all things have their complementary part; It is only in the human mind and his perception that they are being separated into opposites. The sun is not the opposite of the moon, as they complement and are interdependent on each other, and we cannot survive without either of them. In a similar way, a male is but the complement of the female; For without the male, how on earth do we know there is female, or vice versa. The "oneness" of Yin/Yang is necessary in life. If a person riding a bicycle wishes to go somewhere, he cannot pump on both the pedals at the same time or not pumping on them at all. In order to move forward, he has to pump one pedal and release the other. So the movement of going forward requires this "oneness" of pumping and releasing. Pumping then is the result of releasing, and vice versa; Each being the cause of the other.

In the Yin/Yang symbol there is a white spot on the black part, and black spot on the white one. This is to illustrate the balance in life, for nothing can survive long by going to either extremes, be it negativeness or positiveness. Therefore, firmness must be concealed in gentleness, and gentleness firmness, and that is why a Gung Fu man must be pliable as spring. Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo will bend with the wind. So in Gung Fu, or any other system, one must be gentle yet not giving away completely; be firm yet not hard, and even if he is strong, he should guard it with softness and tenderness. For if there is no softness in firmness, he is not strong; in a similar way, if one has firmness concealed in softness, no one can break through his defense. This principle of moderation provides a best means of preserving oneself, for since we accept this existence of the oneness (Yin/Yang) in everything, and do not treat it dualistically, we thus secure a state of tranquility by remaining detached and not inclining to either extreme. Even if we do incline on one extreme, be it negative or positive, we will flow with it in order to control it. This flowing with it without clinging is the true way to get rid of it.

When the movements in Yin/Yang flow into extremes, reaction sets in. For when Yang goes to the extreme, it changes to Yin; and when Yin (activated by Yang) goes to the extreme, it returns back to Yang (that is why each one is the result and cause of the other.) For example, when one works to the extreme, he becomes tired and has to rest (from Yang to Yin). This incessant changing of Yin/Yang is always continuous.

The application of the theory of Yin/Yang in Gung fu is known as the Law of Harmony, in which one should be in harmony with, and not against the force of the opponent. Suppose A applies strength on B, B shouldn't oppose or gives way completely to it. For these are but the two extreme opposites of B's reaction. Instead, he should complete A's force, with a lesser force, and lead him to the direction of his own movement. As the butcher preserves his knife by cutting along the bone and not against it, a Gung Fun man preserves himself by following the movement of his opponent without opposition or even striving (Wu-Wai, spontaneous, or spirit action). This spontaneous assisting or A's movement as he aims it will result in his own defeat.

When a Gung fu man finally understood the theory of Yin/Yang, he no longer "fusses" with so-called "gentleness" or "firmness"; he simply does what the movement requires him to do. In fact, all conventional forms and techniques are all gone, his movements are those of everyday movements. He doesn't have to "justify" himself like so many other masters have, claiming his spirit or his internal power; to him, cultivation of martial art in the long run will return to simplicity, and only people of half-way cultivation justify and brag about themselves.


Fancy Footwork :
by Bruce Lee and M. Uyehara

In jeet kune do, mobility is heavily emphasized because to-hand combat is a matter of movements. Your application of an effective technique depends on your footwork. The speed of your footwork leads the way for fast kicks and punches. If you are slow on your feet, you will be slow with your hands and feet. Jeet Rune do footwork should not only be easy, relaxed and alive, it should
also be firm. The traditional, classical horse stance seeks solidity in stillness. This unnecessary, strenuous stance is not functional because it is slow and awkward. when fighting, you have to move in any direction instantly. Proper footwork contributes to hitting power and your ability to avoid punishment. Good footwork will beat any kick or punch. A moving target is definitely more difficult to hit than a stationary one. The more skillful you are with your footwork, the less you have to use your arms to block or parry kicks and punches. By moving deftly, you can elude almost any blow and  prepare your fists and feet to attack. Besides evading blows, footwork allows you to cover distance rapidly, escape out of a tight corner and conserve your energy to counter with more sting in your punch or kick. A heavy slugger with poor footwork will exhaust himself as he futilely attempts to hit his opponent. You should be able to move rapidly in any direction so you are well-balanced to withstand blows from any angle. Your feet must always be directly under your body. The on-guard stance presents proper body balance and a natural alignment of your feet.

The Shuffle
To advance, do not cross or hop. Instead, shuffle your feet. At the outset you will feel clumsy and slow. As you keep practicing this movement daily, however, you will develop your speed and grace. To do the forward shuffle, stand in the on-guard position. Slide your front foot forward about a half-step, widening the space between your feet jus  for a second as you slide your rear foot forward. When your rear foot is moved forward, you should be back at the original position. To advance
further, repeat the process. While doing this, maintain your balance and keep your guard up. You should not be flat-footed; you should glide on the balls of your feet. Learn to move like a tightrope walker. Keep both of your knees slightly bent and relaxed. Your front foot should
be flat, but do not plant it heavily on the floor. It should be light and raised intuitively about V8 of an inch. Your rear heel should almost always be raised in stillness or in motion. It is raised slightly higher than the front foot, about one-fourth or one-half
of an inch. When your rear heel is raised, it facilitates switching your weight immediately to your other foot when delivering a punch. Your raised back heel allows you to react quickly and act as a spring, giving in to blows from any angle. Naturally, your heel should drop at the impact of the blow. There is no fast rule that says your heels should be constantly raised or when they
should be flat. This depends on several factors. including body position and your reactions.
In the advanced shuffle, you should be light on your feet and your weight should be evenly distributed, except for just a split second when you are advancing your front foot. At that instant, your weight would shift to that foot just a little. In retreating or moving backward cautiously, reverse your movement. The basis behind the backward shuffle is like the advance. From the on-guard position, slide or shuffle your rear foot backward about half a step, widening the space between your feet for just a split second as you slide your front foot backward. When the front foot is in place, you should be in the on-guard position and perfectly balanced. Unlike the advance shuffle, your weight should shift slightly to your rear foot for just an instant. To retreat further, continue to repeat the process. Learn to be light on your feet continuously, and keep your rear heel raised.
The forward and backward shuffle must be made with a series of short steps to retain complete balance. This position prepares you to shift your body quickly to any direction and is perfect for attacking or defending.

Quick Movements
The quick advance is almost like the forward shuffle. Begin in the jeet kune do on-guard position and step forward with your front foot about three inches. This seemingly insignificant movement keeps your body aligned and maintains your balance as you move forward. It also allows you to move with both feet evenly supplying the power. Without this short step, your rear foot does most of the work. As soon as you glide your front foot, quickly slide your back foot up to replace your front foot's previous position. Unless you move your front foot instantly, your rear foot cannot be planted properly because your front foot will be partially in the way. Just before your rear foot makes contact with your front foot, slide your front foot forward. At this position, if you have not taken another step,
you should be back at the on guard position with your feet apart at a natural distance.
The purpose of this drill is to move your body quickly, about eight feet or more, in several steps. Except for the first three-inch step, the series of steps should be made at a normal walking space.

Quick Retreat
The footwork for the quick retreat or rapid backward movement is similar to the quick advance except you move in the opposite direction. From the on-guard position, move your front foot back. Your front foot, like during the quick advance, initiates the movement. Your rear foot
follows a split second later. Unless you move your rear foot before your front foot makes contact, your front foot cannot be planted properly. Unlike the quick advance, you do not have to slide any of your foot. It is just one quick motion, but your body should be in alignment and in balance.
If you were to move just once, you should be at the on-guard position. But the purpose of this movement is to move your body four feet or more. The quick movement and shuffle can only be accomplished by being light on your feet. The best exercise for overcoming the force of inertia to your feet is skipping rope and shadowboxing several minutes. While exercising, you must constantly be conscious of keeping your feet "light as a feather." Eventually, you will be stepping around with natural lightness. You must move without any strain, gliding on the balls of your feet,
bending your knees slightly and keeping your rear heel raised. There should be sensitivity in your footwork. Quick or relaxed footwork is a matter of proper balance. In your training, as you return to an on-guard position after each phase of maneuvers, shuffle on the balls of your feet with ease and feeling before continuing on your next maneuver. This drill enhances your skill as it simulates
actual fighting. Unless there is a strategic purpose, forward and backward movements should
be made with short and quick slides. Lengthy steps or maneuvers that cause your weight to shift from one foot to the other should be eliminated except when delivering a blow. At that moment, your body is imbalanced-restricting your attack or defense effectively. Crossing your feet in motion is a bad habit because it tends to unbalance you and expose your groin area. The movement should not be a series of hops or jerks. Both feet should be slithering rhythmically just above the surface of the floor like a graceful ballroom dancer. Visually, your movement should not be like a kangaroo
hopping across the open plain. Instead, it should be like a stallion galloping with even, rhythmic and graceful strokes.

The Burst
The forward burst or lunge is the quickest jeet kune do movement. It is also one of the hardest to learn because it depends on good coordination. It is used to attack with a side kick or to counter an attack such as a kick. The forward burst is one deep lunge. From an on-guard position, step
forward about three inches with your front foot, like the quick advance movement. This will align and balance your body. For faster reactions, use your lead hand as an impetus. By sweeping your
lead hand upward, you create momentum. This feeling is similar to what it would be like if someone was jerking you forward suddenly while you were holding onto a rope. This hand sweep also distracts your opponent and throws his timing off. While sweeping your hand upward, swing your hips forward simultaneously, dragging your rear foot forward. In that split instant, your weight is heavily on your front foot. At this moment, your leg straightens out to thrust your body forward. Sometimes, on an especially deep, penetrating leap, your rear foot may be  ahead of your front foot while you are gliding in the air. You must land on your left foot only, as your right foot is delivering a side kick.
As soon as you have completed your kick, you should quickly place your right foot down and assume the on guard position. That one leap should carry your body at least two wide steps.
In a recent test with the forward burst, it took only 3/4 of a second to travel eight feet. By applying the classical lunge movement or stepping by crossing your feet, it took one and one-half seconds to reach the same distance-twice the time. The leap should be more horizontal than vertical. It is more like a broad jump than a high jump. You should try for distance by keeping your feet close to the floor. Your knees should always be bent slightly so that the  powerful thigh muscles (springy expressiveness) are utilized.
When practicing this footwork in the beginning, don't worry about your hands. Just keep them in the regular jeet kune do position and concentrate on your footwork. Once you are accustomed to the foot movement with proper balance, learn to sweep your hand forward just before each leap.
To develop speed and naturalness in your movement, adopt the following exercise in your daily training. From an on-guard position, do the forward burst without penetrating too
deeply. Sweep your hand upward and leap forward without straining yourself. Quickly place your front foot down without kicking. Continue to do this motion over and over again without stopping. But make sure you keep your balance and fluidity in motion. This exercise is excellent to adapt your
body to move with ease, rhythm and grace. As you become more adaptable to the movement, increase your speed and work toward shortening the distance by more and more execution. Eventually, you can substitute a backfist punch for the sweeping movement of your hand.
The backward thrust is like the quick backward movement except that it carries your body backward quicker and deeper. From an on guard position, push the ball of your front foot to initiate the motion which straightens your front knee and shifts the weight to the rear foot. Then the front
foot, without pausing from the initial motion, leaves the floor and crosses your rear foot. Just before it lands, your rear leg, with its knee bent and acting like a spring, should thrust your body with a sudden straightening of its leg. You should land on the ball of your front foot just a second
before your rear foot touches the floor. That one quick motion should carry your body backward at least two steps. The backward burst carries your body just as fast as the forward lunge. In
the same test, it took exactly the same time to travel eight feet backward as forward-3/4 of a second. But by comparison, the classical movement covered the same distance in one second flat.

For your daily training, do the backward burst for speed, balance and rhythm instead of deep penetration. Move with lightness of your feet and keep practicing toward shortening the distance. When jogging, rapidly shuffle your feet and keep jogging. Or you can do a forward burst while your partner does the backward burst. From an on-guard position, attempt to reach your partner with a light side kick as he tries to keep his distance. Then reverse your positions. Learn not to hurl yourself recklessly at your partner. Instead, try to narrow the gap of space in a calm and exact manner. Keep drilling faster and faster by lunging 200 to 300 times per day. Acceleration can be increased only by discipline in your workout.

Quotes From Bruce Lee 

"Training deals not with an object, but with the human spirit and human emotions."

"Optimism is a faith that leads to success."

"I too challenged many established instructors. But I have learned that challenging means one thing but how you choose to react to it means something else entirely. What is your reaction to it? How does it get you? If you are secure within yourself, you treat it very, very lightly because you ask yourself: 'Am I really afraid of that man?' 'Do I have any doubts that that man is going to get me?' And if I do not have such doubts and if I do not have such feelings, then I would certainly treat it very lightly."

   
JEET KUNE DO
The Art and Philosophy of Bruce Lee
by Dan Inosanto

"Bruce Lee showed me life and truth," states Dan Inosanto,  the genius' premier disciple and the man Bruce Lee personally groomed to help point the way for those seriously interested in pursuing his recently conceived method of self-discovery, Jeet Kune Do.

Aside from his immediate family, Dan Inosanto was as close to Bruce Lee as anyone. They experienced an immediate rapport based on mutual respect for each other's extraordinary martial capabilities, soon becoming fast friends. So much so, that in 1966, Dan named his first child, a girl, Diana Lee, after his now famous companion. The pair traveled together, trained together, gave demonstrations together, taught together, experimented together, socialized together, and yes, even made movies together - at the same thne cultivating one of the most heartwarming relationships in the torrid annals of martial arts.

-- INSIDE KUNG-FU Magazine

TAO OF JEET KUNE DO
by Bruce Lee

My husband Bruce always considered himself a martial artist first and an actor second. At the age of 13, Bruce started lessons in the wing chun style of gung-fu for the purpose of self-defense. Over the next 19 years, he transformed his knowledge into a science, an art, a philosophy and a way of life. He trained his body through exercise and practice; he trained his mind through reading and reflecting and he recorded his thoughts and ideas constantly over the 19 years. The pages of this book represent the pride of a life's work.

In his lifelong quest for self-knowledge and personal expression, Bruce was constantly studying, analyzing and modifying all available relative information; his principle source was his personal library which consisted of over 2,000 books dealing with all forms of physical conditioning, martial arts, fighting techniques, defenses and related subjects.

In 1970, Bruce sustained a rather severe injury to his back. His doctors ordered him to discontinue the practice of martial arts and to remain in bed to allow his back to heal. This was probably the most trying and dispiriting time in Bruce's life. He stayed in bed, virtually flat on his back for six months, but he couldn't keep his mind from working—the result of which is this book. The bulk of these writings was done at that time, but many scattered notes were recorded at earlier and later times. Bruce's personal study notes reveal that he was particularly impressed by the writings of Edwin L. Haislet, Julio Martinez Castello, Hugo and James Castello and Roger Crosnier. Many of Bruce's own theories are directly related to those expressed by these writers.

Bruce had decided to finish the book in 1971 but his film work kept him from completing it. He also vacillated about the advisability of publishing his work because he felt it might be used for wrong purposes. He did not intend it to be a "how-to" book or a "learn kung-fu in 10 easy lessons" book. He intended it as a record of one man's way of thinking and as a guide, not a set of instructions. If you can read it in this light, there is much to be aware of on these pages. And, you probably will have many questions, the answers to which you must seek within yourself. When you have finished this book, you will know Bruce Lee better, but hopefully you will also know yourself better.

Now, open your mind and read, understand, and experience, and when you've reached that point, discard this book. The pages are best used for cleaning up a mess — as you will see.

In the hands of a singular man, simple things carefully placed ring with an undeniable harmony. Bruce's orchestration of martial arts had that quality, most apparent in his combat motion. Immobilized for several months with an injured back, he picked up a pen. There, too, he wrote as he spoke, as he moved—with directness and with honesty.

Like listening to a musical composition, understanding the elements within it adds a specialness to the sound. For this reason, Linda Lee and I are liberalizing the introduction of Bruce's book to explain how it came about.

The Tao of Jeet Kune Do actually began before Bruce was born. The classical wing chun style that started him on his way was developed 400 years before his time. The 2,000 or so books he owned and the countless books he read, described the individual "discoveries" of thousands of men before him. There's nothing new within this book; there are no secrets. "It's nothing special," Bruce used to say. And so it wasn't.

Bruce's special key was knowing himself and his own capabilities to correctly

-- Linda Lee

BRUCE LEE - VOLUME 3
JEET KUNE DO
Bruce Lee's Commentaries On The Martial Way
Edited by John Little

In 1970, Bruce Lee suffered a back injury which confined him to bed. Rather than allowing this to slow his growth as a martial artist he read feverishly on Eastern philosophy and Western psychology, constructing his own views on the totality of combat and life. It was during this time that Lee wrote 7 volumes containing his thoughts, ideas, opinions, and research into the art of unarmed combat, and how it applies to everyday life. Some of this material was posthumously published in 1975, but much more existed. This lost material is now available for the first time.

This landmark book serves as a complete presentation of Bruce Lee's art of jeet kune do.   The development of his unique martial art form, its principles, core techniques, and lesson plans are presented here in Lee's own words. It also features Lee's illustrative sketches and his remarkable treatise on the nature of combat, success through martial arts, and the importance of a positive mental aptitude in training. In addition, there are a series of "Questions Every Martial Artist Must Ask Himself," that Lee posed to himself and intended to explore as part of his own development, but never lived to complete. Jeet Kune Do: Bruce Lee's Commentaries on the Martial Way is the book every Bruce Lee fan must have.

John Little is considered one of the worlds's authorities on Bruce Lee, his training methods, and philosophies. Little is the only person who has ever been authorized to review the entirety of Lee's personal notes, sketches, and reading annotations. He is currently the Associate Publisher of Bruce Lee magazine and the managing editor of Knowing is Not Enough, the official newsletter of the Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Nucleus.

"Bruce Lee's long awaited magnum opus on his art of jeet kune do has finally arrived! An instant classic!"  --Inside Kung-Fu

"The Bruce Lee Library stands as the definitive presentation of Bruce Lee's magnificent legacy. Each volume belongs on the bookshelf of every serious martial artist."  --Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Nucleus

BRUCE LEE’S TOUGHEST FIGHT

by Michael Dorgan (from Official Karate, July 1980)

Considering the skill of the opponents and the complete absence of referees, rules, and safety equipment, it was one hell of a fight that took place that day in December. It may have been the most savagely elegant exhibition of unarmed combat of the century. Yet, at a time when top fighters tend to display their skills only in huge closed-circuited arenas, this battle was fought in virtual secrecy behind locked doors. And at a time when millions of dollars can ride on the outcome of a championship fight, these champions of another sort competed not for money, but for more personal and passionate reasons. The time was late winter, 1964; the setting was a small kung fu school in Oakland, California. Poised at the center of the room, with approximately 140 pounds packed tightly on his 5’7" frame, was the operator of the school, a 24-year old martial artist of Chinese ancestry but American birth who, within a few years, would skyrocket to international attention as a combination fighter/film star. A few years after that, at age 32, he would die under mysterious circumstances. His name, of course, was Bruce Lee. Also poised in the center of the room was another martial artist. Taller but lighter, with his 135 pounds stretched thinly over 5’10", this fighter was also 24 and also of Chinese descent. Born in Hong Kong and reared in the south of mainland China, he had only recently arrived in San Francisco’s teeming Chinatown, just across the bay from Oakland. Though over the next 15 years he would become widely known in martial arts circles and would train some of America’s top martial artists, he would retain a near disdain for publicity and the commercialization of his art, and consequently would remain unknown to the general public. His name: Wong Jack Man.

What happened after the fighters approached the center of the room has become a chapter of Chinatown’s "wild history," that branch of Chinese history usually anchored in fact but always richly embellished by fantasy, a history that tells much about a time and place with little that’s reliable about any particular incident. Exactly how the fight proceeded and just who won are still matters of controversy, and will likely remain so. But from the few available firsthand accounts and other evidence, it is possible to piece together a reasonably reliable picture that reveals two overriding truths. First, considering the skill of the opponents and the complete absence of referees, rules, and safety equipment, it was one hell of a fight that took place that day in December. And second, Bruce Lee, who was soon to rival Mao Tse Tung as the world’s most famous Chinese personality, was dramatically affected by the fight, perhaps fatally so.

Due to the human desire to be known as an eye witness to a famous event, it is easier to obtain firsthand accounts of the fight from persons who were not there than from those who were. As to how many persons actually viewed the contest, even that is a point of dispute. Bruce Lee’s wife Linda recalls a total of 13 persons, including herself. But the only person that she identifies other than her husband and his associate James Lee, who died of cancer shortly before her husband died, is Wong Jack Man. Wong, meanwhile, remembers only seven persons being present, including the three Lees. Of the three persons other than the Lees and himself, only one, a tai chi teacher named William Chen (not to be confused with the William Chi Cheng Chen who teaches the art in New York), could be located. Chen recalls about 15 persons being present but can identify none other than Wong and the Lees. So except for a skimpy reference to the fight by Bruce Lee himself in a magazine interview, we are left with only three firsthand accounts of the battle. They are accounts which vary widely.

Linda Lee, in her book Bruce Lee: The Man Only I Knew, initially dismisses the fight as follows: "The two came out, bowed formally and then began to fight. Wong adopted a classic stance whereas Bruce, who at the time was still using his Wing Chun style, produced a series of straight punches. "Within a minute, Wong’s men were trying to stop the fight as Bruce began to warm to his task. James Lee warned them to let the fight continue. A minute later, with Bruce continuing the attack in earnest, Wong began to backpedal as fast as he could. For an instant, indeed, the scrap threatened to degenerate into a farce as Wong actually turned and ran. But Bruce pounced on him like a springing leopard and brought him to the floor where he began pounding him into a state of demoralization.

"Is that enough?" shouted Bruce.
"That’s enough!" pleaded Wong in desperation.
So the entire matter was just another quick triumph for the man who frequently boasted he could whip any man in the world. Or was it? Later in her book, Linda Lee hints that the fight may have amounted to more than the brief moment of violent diversion she had earlier described. "Bruce’s whole life was an evolving process - and this was never seen to greater effect than in his work with the martial arts," she begins. "The clash with Wong Jack Man metamorphosed his own personal expression of kung fu. Until this battle, he had largely been content to improvise and expand on his original Wing Chun style, but then he suddenly realized that although he had won comparatively easily, his performance had been neither crisp of efficient. The fight, he realized, ought to have ended within a few seconds of him striking the first blows - instead of which it had dragged on for three minutes. In addition, at the end, Bruce had felt unusually winded which proved to him he was far from perfect condition. So he began to dissect the fight, analyzing where he had gone wrong and seeking to find ways where he could have improved his performance. It did not take him long to realize that the basis of his fighting art, the Wing Chun style, was insufficient. It laid too much stress on hand techniques, had very few kicking techniques and was, essentially, partial."

Still later in the book, Linda Lee adds: "The Wong Jack Man fight also caused Bruce to intensify his training methods. From that date, he began to seek out more and more sophisticated and exhaustive training methods. I shall try to explain these in greater detail later, but in general the new forms of training meant that Bruce was always doing something, always training some part of his body or keeping it in condition."

       
Bruce Lee's Method of Training :

Aerobic Exercises
One of the most neglected elements of martial artists is the physical workout. Too much time is spent on developing skill in techniques and not enough on physical participation. 
Practicing your skill in fighting is important, but so is maintaining your overall physical condition. Actually both are needed to be successful in a real fight. Training is a skill of disciplining your mind, developing your power and supplying endurance to your body. Proper training is for the purpose of building your body and avoiding activities or substances that will deteriorate or injure it. 


Bruce Lee was a specimen of health. He trained every day and consumed only the proper food. A1though he drank tea, he never drank coffee - instead he normally consumed milk. He was a martinet who never let his work interfere with his training. Even when he was sent to India to find suitable locations for filming, he took along his running shoes. 
Lee's daily training consisted of aerobic exercises, plus others which were patterned to develop his skill in fighting. He varied his exercise to avoid boredom. One of his favorite exercises was running four miles a day in 24 to 25 minutes. He would change his tempo while running - after several miles of constant, even strides, he would sprint several feet and then return to easier running. Between changes in running tempo, he would also shuffle his feet. Lee was not particular where he ran: at the beach, in parks or woods, up and down hills or on surfaced streets. 


Besides running, Lee also rode an exercycle to develop his endurance, legs and cardiovascular muscles. He usually rode full speed - 35 to 40 miles an hour - continuously for 45 minutes to an hour. Frequently, he would ride his exercycle right after his running. 
Another aerobic exercise that Lee scheduled in his routine was skipping rope, which you can adopt. This exercise not only develops your stamina and leg muscles, but also improves you, makes you light on your feet. Only recently, physiologists have learned, by several tests, that skipping rope is more beneficial than jogging. Ten minutes of skipping rope is equivalent to 30 minutes of jogging. Both are very beneficial exercises for the cardiovascular system. 


Skipping rope properly is one of the best exercises for developing a sense of balance. First, skip on one foot, holding the other in front of you, then rotate your foot, skipping on the alternate foot with each revolution of the rope, from a gradual pace to a really fast tempo. Minimize your arm-swing; instead, use your wrist to swing the rope over. Lift your foot slightly above the ground, just enough for the rope to pass. Skip for three minutes (equivalent to a round in a boxing match); then rest one minute only, before you continue for another round. Three rounds of this exercise are sufficient for a good workout. As you become conditioned to skipping, you can omit the rest period and do the exercise for as long as 30 minutes straight. The best rope is made of leather, with ball bearings in the handles. 


Additional endurance exercises are shadowboxing and actual sparring. Shadowboxing is a good agility exercise which also builds up your speed. Relax your body and learn to move easily and smoothly. At first, concentrate on your form, and move lightly on your feet until it becomes natural and comfortable - then work faster and harder. It is a good idea to start your workout with shadowboxing to loosen your muscles. Imagine your worst enemy stands before you and you are going to demolish him. If you use your imagination intensely, you can instill into yourself an almost-real fighting frame of mind. Besides developing stamina, shadowboxing increases your speed, creates ideas, and establishes techniques to be used spontaneously and intuitively. Going several rounds is the best way to learn proper footwork. 


Too many beginners are too lazy to drive themselves. Only by hard and continuous exercise will you develop endurance. You have to drive yourself to the point of exhaustion (you will be out of breath, and can expect to feel muscle aches in a day or two). The best endurance training method seems to be a lengthy period of exercise interspersed with many brief but high-intensity endeavors. Stamina-types of exercises should be done gradually and cautiously increased. Six weeks in this kind of training is a minimum for any sports that require considerable amounts of endurance. It takes years to be in peak condition, and unfortunately, stamina is quickly lost when you cease to maintain high-conditioning exercises. According to some medical experts, you lose most of your benefit from exercises if you skip more than a day between workouts. 

Warming Up 
To warm up, select light, easy exercises to loosen your muscles and to prepare them for more strenuous work. Besides improving your performance, warming-up exercises are necessary to prevent injury to your muscles. No smart athlete will use his hand or leg violently without first warming it up carefully. These light exercises should dictate as closely as possible the ensuing, more strenuous type of movement. 


How long should you warm up? This depends on several aspects. If you live in a colder area, or during the cold winter, you have to do longer warm-up exercises than do those who live in a warmer climate. A longer warm-up is recommended for the early morning rather than for the afternoon. Generally, five or ten minutes of warm-up exercises are adequate, but some people need much more. 


A ballet dancer spends at least two hours. He commences with very basic movements, gradually but consistently increasing the activity and intensity, until he is ready to make his appearance. 

Exercises 
Bruce Lee learned that certain exercises can help you greatly in your performance, and others can impede or even impair your execution of techniques. He found that beneficial exercises are those that do not cause antagonistic tension in your muscles. 


Your muscles respond differently to different exercises. During a static or slow exercise such as a handstand or lifting heavy weights such as a barbell, the muscles on both sides of the joints operate strongly to set the body in a desirable position. But in a rapid activity such as running, jumping or throwing, the muscles that close the joints contract and the muscles directly opposite elongate to allow the movement. Although there is still tension on both muscles, the strain is considerably less on the elongated, or lengthened one. 


When there is excessive or antagonistic tension on the elongated muscles, it hinders and weakens your movement. It acts like a brake, causing premature fatigue, generally associated only with new activity - demanding different muscles to perform. A coordinated, natural athlete is able to perform in any sporting activity with ease because he moves with little antagonistic tension. On the other hand, the novice performs with excessive tension and effort, creating a lot of wasted motions. Although this coordination trait is more a native talent in some than in others, all can improve it by intensive training. 


Here are some of the exercises that you can adapt to your daily training. For flexibility, place your foot on a railing or other object, keeping your leg horizontal to the ground- it could be slightly lower or higher, depending on your flexibility. 


For the beginner, do not attempt any strenuous exercise. Instead, after placing your foot on the railing, just move your toes toward you, keeping your extended foot flexed straight. After a few minutes, rotate your foot. In a few days, as your leg muscles are limbered, you can proceed to the next step. Press your knee to keep your leg straight and lean forward from the hip as much as possible without injuring your muscles. From this exercise you then proceed to the next step. Keeping your extended leg straight, push your hand downward. As you progress, you'll notice that you are also beginning to lean forward, putting more stress on your leg muscles. Finally you are able to touch your toes. After some months, you may be able to wrap your hand around your foot even with the support raised higher. 


Other leg flexibility exercises include leg splits and hanging leg raises. To do this exercise, use a long rope supported by a pulley. A noose encircles your foot. Pull the other end of the rope to the maximum height your leg muscles will bear without hurting yourself. Try to keep your foot horizontally aligned throughout the exercise. This exercise allows you to execute high side kicks. You should rotate your legs in all these exercises. 


Advanced students who like to do exceptionally high kicking can progress into trampoline exercises. Lee uses two light dumbbells and jumps high to develop both balance and springy legs. Once he can control his body on a trampoline, he attempts leg splits, a high front kick, and a flying side kick. 


Other limbering exercises include body stretches. After you have developed elasticity in your leg muscles, you should be able to stretch your body as far back as possible, then bend forward as far as possible, until your head is touching your knees. 

Abdominal Exercises 
No one could help but notice Lee's abdominal muscles. "One of the most important phases of fighting," he used to say, his your midsection." To do this, Lee concentrated on several exercises that you can also adopt. The most popular are the sit-ups on a slant board. Secure your feet, bend your knees and after placing your hands behind your head, lift your body toward your feet. Do as many as you can until you feel the strain around your abdomen. After reaching 50 to 100 repetitions, you can place a weight such as a dumbbell or barbell plate behind your neck and do your sit-ups. 


Another excellent way of doing sit-ups is to sit at the edge of a bench, have someone secure your ankles, and lower your body as far down as possible toward the floor. This exercise stretches your mid- section much more, but it is more difficult to do. If you have a chinning bar, you can also develop your abdominal muscles by hanging onto the bar with both hands and slowly lifting both legs until they are extended horizontally. Keep them in that position for as long as possible and try to beat your last record each time you do the exercise. Buy a kitchen timer to help you keep track of time. 


Another excellent exercise is the leg raise. Lie on the floor, keeping your back flush to the floor by pushing in your midsection, and lift your head slightly until you can see your feet. Keep your legs together and straight. Then lift them upward slowly, as high as possible. Then slowly return them to the floor. 


To get the most out of this exercise, do not let your feet touch the floor. Keep them about an inch above the floor and start to raise them again. Do as many repetitions as possible. If you have a weight lifting bench, you can do it with the legs extending beyond the board. This exercise is also good for your lower back muscles. 


One advantage in executing an abdominal exercise is that it can be done while you are doing another activity. For instance, Lee used to watch television while lying on the floor with his head slightly up and keeping his feet spread out and slightly above the floor. 


To toughen your midsection, get a medicine ball and have someone drop it on your abdomen. To vary your exercise you can also have someone throw it directly to your midsection. Let the ball hit your body before catching it. 


If you do your workout alone, you can use your heavy punching bag as a substitute for the medicine ball. Swing the heavy bag and let it hit your body. You can adjust the spot of impact either by moving forward or backward. If you want a heavier impact, swing the bag harder. 


In your daily life, there's always an opportunity for more supplemental exercises. For instance, park your car several blocks from your destination and walk briskly. Avoid the elevator and use the stairs instead. While climbing the stairs, you can have a good workout, either by running up or by skipping a step or two.