The Art of JKD Certification Archives

Yesterday I went over to Octavio’s studio to further help with his Art of JKD Online Training series, and he surprised me with a certification! I am super excited and grateful to be apart of his Jeet Kune Do affiliate program. Octavio Quintero is a 2nd generation Jeet Kune Do instructor certified by Jerry Poteet (an original closed-door Bruce Lee student).

What is Jeet Kune Do? That can be a complicated answer, which I discuss in historical detail. The basic gist is Bruce Lee created his style of fighting that is a simplified version of wing chun mixed with elements of fencing, and Western boxing.

I have over 25 years of experience in belt-less systems. As I embark into becoming a fitness trainer, I feel grateful to have a specialization I believe in.

“I’m not telling you it is going to be easy – I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.”
Arthur L. Williams, Jr.

In addition to training in-person with Sifu Octavio Quintero since 2018, we just released a soft launch of his online Jeet Kune Do instructional series. I am excited to be enrolled into his online training to get certified in his program. Below is my progress. This would be the 3rd time I’ve studied JKD by video. This time is different as most of the material has already been covered by Octavio either by group class or by private instruction. It is also a kick to be in some of the training material. To be in a rather small part of Bruce Lee’s martial art legacy is something that I am grateful to be a part of. The great benefit, other than fulfilling a requisite to becoming a mentor in the program, is that am learning the art by a linear progression and there are details that I might have missed in past in-person instructions.

To be certified in The Art of JKD you have to fulfill two requirements:

Completion of a level in The Art of JKD Online Training series
Evaluation

For more information please see “How do I become a Mentor?“.

Level 1

On-guard position or ready stance, is the foundation that allows you to move freely and with stability. Octavio shows the footwork in how to explosively close the distance on an opponent. Octavio also teaches in detail how to use JKD’s main striking tools with superior footwork. In level 1 you will not only learn how to explosively fire-off strikes, but also how to set up for rapid-continuous strikes against an assailant.

Level 2

Leaves off exactly from where level 1 ends and does not leave anything out. In fact Level 2 builds on level 1 and introduces elements of Attack By Drawing, countering, combinations, and timing.