The eternal student: meeting guro Dan Inosanto in the heart of Italy
There are moments in a martial artist’s journey that transcend simple training; they become pilgrimages. Last weekend, in the quiet town of Pomezia, near Rome, I finally checked a box that has been on my bucket list for years. I attended the NPIAMA Europe JKD Kali Silat seminar series to learn from the man, the myth, and the living bridge to martial arts history: Guro Dan Inosanto. At nearly 90 years of age, Inosanto isn’t just “still active”—he is a force of nature. Watching him lead multiple 3.5-hour seminars with the energy of a man half his age was a masterclass in longevity and passion, something to aim at.
A living link to 1964
To understand the weight of this meeting, you have to look back to 1964. That was the year Dan Inosanto began training with Bruce Lee. While many have attempted to preserve Lee’s legacy in amber, Inosanto has spent the last six decades evolving it. He is widely considered one of the “grandfathers” of modern martial arts, not because he stopped learning at JKD, but because he never stopped seeking. Being in the room with him feels like standing next to a library that can still throw a lightning-fast entry.
The seminar: a multidimensional flow
The atmosphere in Pomezia was electric. The seminars weren’t just a series of drills; they were a seamless blend of cultures and combat philosophies. We dove deep into a curriculum that only someone with Inosanto’s breadth of knowledge could orchestrate:
- The structure: blending the efficiency of wing chun and boxing.
- The flow: transitioning into the rhythmic, devastating stick and blade work of kali.
- The complexity: exploring the low-line entries and tactile sensitivity of silat.
- The power: incorporating the clinical striking of muay thai.
What struck me most wasn’t just Guro Dan’s technique, but the experts he brought with him. The floor was filled with seasoned practitioners, all moving with a level of expertise that speaks to the high standard Inosanto demands of his lineage.
More than just techniques
Between the drills, we were treated to “The Stories.” There is something profound about hearing firsthand accounts of the early days of Jeet Kune Do—not as myths, but as lessons in human potential. Guro Dan speaks with a humility that belies his status; he remains, at his core, a student. “The teacher is the one who should be learning the most.” This philosophy was evident in every minute of those 3.5-hour sessions. He didn’t just teach us how to move; he taught us how to remain curious.
A goal achieved
I have wanted to attend an Inosanto seminar for at least 25 years. To finally see him in action—to witness that level of precision and grace in person—was everything I hoped it would be. Leaving Pomezia, I didn’t just walk away with new drills; I walked away with a renewed perspective on what it means to dedicate one’s life to a craft.
At nearly 90, Dan Inosanto is still the fastest person in the room—not just with his hands, but with his mind. It was a privilege to be a part of it.