Training Secrets of Jet Li
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Training Secret #1
Go for explosive. For cardiovascular fitness, Jet runs and bikes. But to maintain the speed and explosiveness that he’s become famous for? “Badminton,” he says. Yes, badminton-smacking the shuttlecock around for an hour three times a week is enough to keep his muscles poised. For yourself, try the more American rackets of tennis, squash, and racquetball-which won’t hurt your hand-eye coordination, either.
Training Secret #2
Think happy. Much has been made of exercise as a stress reliever, but Jet believes the workout is that much more beneficial if you have a handle on the stress before you start sweating. “During training you need to think about happy things,” he says. “If you’re angry, then you’re like, ‘Grrr,’ ” and he bunches up as if bound by chains. “I can guarantee the bad energy inside is bothering you. Even if you train for 2 hours, it will still be bothering you for the other 22.”
Training Secret #3
Accept that meditation is not girly. Of all his conditioning techniques, Jet prefers meditation over any other, and practices it at least an hour a day. (He’s gone as long as 14 hours.) Jet insists that his mental stretching directly affects his body-which he needs to stretch for only 15 minutes afterward. “After you meditate, the inside is already limber,” he says. “So it’s easy to stretch the outside.” Try brief meditations-5 minutes to start, then increase. And give it an honest try. You might be surprised.
The Self-Defense Secrets of Jet Li
Self-Defense Secret #1
Keep it simple. Too many guys watching too many movies worry too much about fighting style, says Li. He fell into the same trap. “As I grew up, I tried to create my own style, like Bruce Lee had his.” But now, “I try to have no style. If you think about style first, you still have much to learn. Just be natural.” He points to his water glass. “If I’m thirsty, I pick up the water, I drink it.” He does this and offers a sly smile. “Same thing in martial arts.”
Self-Defense Secret #2
Watch the Discovery Channel. To develop a heart that’s strong enough to stare a man out of attacking him, Jet watches nature documentaries. Quite literally, crouching tigers. “That feeling, you stand there, you already have the power.” A lot of people are afraid of you; you can feel it. That is completely from your energy inside. Watch the tiger. They’re scarier before they catch their prey.”
Self-Defense Secret #3
Change speeds. “We Asian people are not very tall and don’t have big muscles like American guys,” says Li, without a hint of shame. “So we’re conditioned to make people believe we can fight. To do that, you need training in speed, between the slow and the fast. That’s the tricky part. I know I can’t move the big people. But if I go slow first . . . ” Li’s hands inch up from his sides, ” . . . then POW, very fast!” and he snake-strikes the air across from me. “Very slow, very fast!” he demonstrates again. Then smiles. “I win.”
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