Luther unleashed

Thanks again guys.

I agree that BJJ and MMA are replacing a lot of traditional styles in commercial success. However, I am not aware of Karate fading away, I guess I thought Karate is probably the most recognized name in the history of martial arts and that it would draw an audience. I mean, I’m just giving my opinion but for adults I believe it has faded drastically. The amount of adults that used to take karate classes 20 years ago vs now has drastically changed, although I agree it’s universally accepted as the most popular name in martial arts for kids, however. I have always enjoyed the teen and adult classes, teaching them that is, the most. Unfortunately 8yrs old to 12 years old or so is by far the most popular. I have seen this at many locations throughout the years.

My opinion is that BJJ and MMA are still doing pretty well. Traditional arts have been a struggle for years since the old blood and guts era but I believe since Covid and inflation it hasn’t come back around to the same level. Maybe in more time that will change but as a teacher it’s just a fact that most common people see martial arts as an activity like soccer, to us here it’s a way of life. It’s deeper to us. Most people aren’t that way so when money gets tight, it’s one of the first things to go.

Thanks guys. Sensei it’s been a while. Glad you’re here.

hello again my friends I am a longtime member that has not logged in for many years and with the help of Patrick I was able to access my account once again. Just wanted to say hello. My name is Lex. I look forward to interacting with you.

It is what you believe it is. As a mechanic I worked for a guy that was a specialist in electrical and he was VERY good at electrical, and I worked for a guys that believed in knowing more and was good at so many things.. I personally learned all I could and didn’t want to specialize. Of course I got best in a certain area anyways through naturaly leaning into what came easy. Similarly I am the same way in martial arts. I believe more is better. I believe 3 black belts in 3 different styles is better then a 3rd dan in one. Not all will agree but it’s my journey, and yours is yours so whatever you believe is right in this matter. In the end a 3rd dan in one and another 2 black belts is even better. I don’t however believe one style is limiting because your style is really a concept that can be applied so many different ways that it can’t possibly limit a person if they think outside the box, just my opinion of course. Happy training.

Tao Of Jeet Kune Do - by Bruce Lee. This book was such an eye opening experience reading it. I read it in 93ish, and I was 16ish lol. It was my first real experience in martial arts and helped mold me incredibly. To this day I focus on learning what I can, any style, with complete disregard to structure or worry of anything except a technique’s usefulness. I do keep a foundation when teaching though in Tang Soo Do because teaching with structure is best, for me personally. Because of this book I have focused on speed first, and non-telegraphed movements are a focal point. Typically training in traditional arts this isn’t the focus as much more focus as you all know is placed on posture, hip movement, and angles. To me this book lays down the footwork for mixed martial arts, long before guys were doing it as a sport in small underwear lol.

I certainly can’t say you are, but I can describe what stands out as a student that’s not easy to teach. As you mentioned you question consistently, I think this is great and instructors should allow this in my opinion but some do not always. Where it becomes a big problem is when a student tries to suggest using the other hand for a technique or coming from a different angle, questioning why the instructor has this approach is one thing but offering suggestions to a new approach is not really OK in that in my opinion is stopping over lines because I have been in the situation where it eats up a lot of class time having to explain to a particular student why that is not the best way to do this particular technique. Usually when somebody is like that it’s not a once in a while thing it’s typically how they are. The class time is valuable, so if questions turn into suggestions then your eating up class time by challenging what’s being taught. THAT is a very hard to teach student. I can’t say whether you meet that criteria LOL. Again, questions are good, and I encourage them because they create a relationship and class environment that makes it fun to learn through interaction. The old “I say, you do” mentality is not quite as fun and everybody learns more when they’re having a little fun.

I can relate. I moved around constantly. When I was a kid I went to several elementary schools, 3 jr high schools, and 4 high schools. Crazy to say that. I went through this with training too of course. As I aged I kept this gypsy mentality for years. I never was able to continue training much at one place thus I have a very mixed background in martial arts, although I use this to my advantage. I have been studying martial arts on and off since 83. I went without testing on many occasions. If I hadn’t god knows I could be some 8th dan or something. This, I have grown to care very little for Rank. There is so much benefit in testing, and then again so much benefit in NOT testing too! The rank isn’t the most important thing and I think most people get too caught up in it and place their martial arts value in it. Happy training!

Pricy... yes! I did this in 2017 for a few months. I started out renting. This was one of only two options. I paid $400 a month for 2 days a week, 4hrs total. I went the first month with ONE student so I paid to teach obviously. Then they allowed me to “partner” with them. This consists of a standard fee of 50% to them, of tuition. This is quite high, as an example I was at a few rec centers previously, one took 10% and I was there a few years, the other was 30% and I needed up leaving sooner, just as an example. Inevitably I was booted from my spot because of the over need for the use of my slot for a boxing program. The director was former boxing champion Elaina “babydoll” Reid, Long story short but I took a six week break to take care of my daughter who is having complications of cancer treatment with her blessing and I was told my spot would be available when I come back, upon returning she had given my slot away to a boxing program. My experience with the Y is that I will never do it again. I ended up getting very lucky and partnering with a major city in the area for a three-year contract locking down the space at a community center. The option was that they take 20% of student tuition or I pay $100 per month for the space, upon doing math I took the $100 a month for the space because essentially that means I only need two students per month to make the rent and the rest is in my pocket at a tuition rate of $50, which is similar pricing to another martial arts (Aikido) program there. I’m at 14 as of tonight, and I have been open since Feb 5th 2018 so I’m way past my $100 rent and we’ll into profit. I would not tell you not to take a deal at the Y because I did it but I would just exercise caution and say that you were probably better off trying the recreation centers first! Good luck.

Great feedback guys, I appreciate everybody’s input. Because I stated the techniques of done for power it’s important to express this point of view I think. Something I learned along the way it’s something my instructor calls spontaneous reaction, and what he means is that in a situation like a fight where you are simply reacting your hands may go through the motions but they may not complete full chambers. Before I heard my teacher say this I used to refer to it as a maximum and a minimum within the technique. We always practice to the maximum but many situations it’s OK to not complete full chambers and things of that nature for the effectiveness and natural affect. It’s the type of thing I’d like to do a video on something but it is something I teach often. I think that’s an important point because I certainly don’t believe that any time you use these techniques for power that they have to be complete full chambered actions. I believe they can be manipulated to thrive on the situation they are needed. Don’t get mad at me, but these technics can be like water my friends haha!

I respect your opinion but disagree a great deal. I do agree it’s not always needed just as you pointed out people hitting hard without full body rotation. However I was also taught to perform a roundhouse with my heel pointing at the target for maximum power, because of the hip rotation. Obviously it’s not always needed but can be very effective, and this is how I see the reverse punch. Where I really disagree is when you say it doesn’t generate power better then other methods, I mean I agree that it’s true, but I disagree with you throwing it out based on this. Perhapse the methods you use to generate power with your hips in your style aren’t any better then other methods as well but you certainly don’t disregard them as very useful! As I said I learned and tech many techniques involving movement of the feel and whole body where using the pulling hand to control or even pull, won’t be as effective. At any rate, I believe this was a real intent in this technique that you have echoed it being overlooked. This was kind of my point in my post, so not shocking. Hope Mr Poage is ok, I know he’s not, but I hope he will be! Take care. I didn't mean that the body rotation wasn't important--just that pulling the hand to the hip to accomplish it wasn't necessary. I'm not necessarily "throwing it out," but I don't really emphasize that usage of hikite when I teach. I mention it, but find the other uses to be more useful, so I emphasize those instead. When teaching students to generate power, I'm much more concerned with the legs, hips, core, and shoulders than the hands. Thanks for the well wishes! I hear you. In terms of a fight is use mostly a higher hands like a boxer anyways but there are some attacks that I practice in which the traditional approach suits me. In most cases I would throw out traditional techniques that produce power for overall protection as in a box in guard. I was just interested in seeing what the overall view was on this. As I said for most of the 90s I saw these techniques as a way to generate power and it wasn’t until I got into Tang Soo Do techniques that I really learned applications because it’s application heavy just as most Karate styles are.

I respect your opinion but disagree a great deal. I do agree it’s not always needed just as you pointed out people hitting hard without full body rotation. However I was also taught to perform a roundhouse with my heel pointing at the target for maximum power, because of the hip rotation. Obviously it’s not always needed but can be very effective, and this is how I see the reverse punch. Where I really disagree is when you say it doesn’t generate power better then other methods, I mean I agree that it’s true, but I disagree with you throwing it out based on this. Perhapse the methods you use to generate power with your hips in your style aren’t any better then other methods as well but you certainly don’t disregard them as very useful! As I said I learned and tech many techniques involving movement of the feel and whole body where using the pulling hand to control or even pull, won’t be as effective. At any rate, I believe this was a real intent in this technique that you have echoed it being overlooked. This was kind of my point in my post, so not shocking. Hope Mr Poage is ok, I know he’s not, but I hope he will be! Take care.

To the bold type above... You're still practicing as often as you can all that you've been taught thus far?? Have you mastered all that you've been taught?? Have you spoken with your instructor about your frustrations respectfully?? I know you want to be a better MAist; I sense that. PATIENCE WHILE LEARNING!! MA betterment is achieved but only in time!! Do you still believe in your instructor, outside of your frustration?? Do you still believe that your instructor challenges you often?? If no to these last 2 questions is a NO, then maybe it's time to go. Who's fault is that...you and/or your instructor??!!?? The old school angle. I appreciate this attitude of mastering what you know first and speaking with your instructor. I have to say though I’m not a fan of it. I think it’s a great reason why many quit. Some will quit anyways, but some perhapse got bored. I’m personally ok with students moving forward, as long as they are still training what is taught to them in class. We are in a fast pace society, and although rank should take time IMHO, I feel not only allowing but encouraging students to look ahead is a positive thing. I just don’t think instructors have the time to always show students all they seek in class when it comes to looking to the future. I know I don’t. I see it similar to them training in other arts, which I’m also a big fan of. I want students to seek their own path, because it’s what I did.

I love topics like these because I have never heard this and I think it’s a great biproduct of the technique. In short however I’m not exactly talking about self-defense but in a way I am because it is the reason we practice most of these techniques. Basically I just want everybody’s answer to what predominant reason they believe they were taught to chamber the hand near the hip/ribs!

Somewhere around 1990 for my instructor taught me the reason for bringing your hand back to the hip in traditional Arts. I realize that some martial arts do not bring them all the way to the hip because they place it near the ribs or closer to the arm pit but it does not change the application/reasoning! Technically I placed mine typically just above the hip or just at the base of the ribs but again this is not what the post is about. At this point I have learned a tremendous amount of applications to traditional martial arts and I find that most people overlook the most basic thing that I learned as a white belt and I believe in strongly. I learned it in a Tae Kwon Do school no less, which TKD is not typically known for having a tremendous amount of applications, not in a sense of how often Karate practitioners practice them anyways. It’s was a traditional TKD school however which relates VERY closely to Tang Soo Do, which relates VERY closely to Shotokan which makes sense. At any rate I’m not going to give it away until I get some feedback from everybody because I would like to see if anybody nails this concept. As always I appreciate everybody’s input.

It’s a shame. Taekwondo places under qualified to teach active shooter seminars, or to teach Krav Maga classes, or Kickboxing but they use these words and class titles to make a financialy sucessful program/school! So many times it’s Taekwondo, I see it, most others see it. It gives Taekwondo a bad name. Yes other styles in other schools can fall under this category however it seems to follow TKD the most. This is not about TKD though, it’s about schools, as mentioned, selling their program as anything they need or want to only to make money and creat success. Success of numbers anyways. Not being true to the arts, or what you actually know is not succeeding, as numbers can’t fix that. Please, don’t sell out just to make money. If you haven’t studied Kickboxing please don’t teach self jabs and crosses with kicks and call it that to sell it. If you haven’t trained in Krav Maga, please don’t teach a class called that, and if you aren’t qualified by being a police officer, a self protection specialist of some sort, or ex-military, please don’t teach active shooter seminars. Putting people in jeopardy over ego or money is the WRONG thing to do. Teach whatever you like, I don’t stick to one system and never really have but I’m open about that and I don’t cal it something it’s not, OR lead people to believe I have knowledge I dont have. I have made my Bio sound many ways as I have growth through the years, I have labeled my program in different ways for different reasons, but never taught something g I wasn’t well taught in, or labeled something that was really not fitting, just to make people come in. Upholding integrity in the arts is more important to me then what style or how many styles you teach. I do NOT teach or want to teach only one style, but I don’t call it “Batman fighting methods” knowing people will think they are Bruce Wayne, and teach Tang Soo Do either. Success doesn’t mean getting students by any means necessary. Success means doing it truthfully and not changing what really is just get those numbers. Building numbers may not take weeks, it will probably take time, BUT please remember that “anything worth having is something that one must work for”!

To the bold - I see where you are coming from and I can not deny that you have a valid point. Students emulate their teachers in the beginning. This is true. However as we develop we also start to explore and develop our own way. This is natural. To say that it is robotic... well maybe in the beginning but this apart of the natural learning cycle. Yes students copy their teachers but they also grow with time and develop their own way. This has to be the way since we all have different skill sets, body types, abilities. You can not be a carbon copy of your teacher no matter how much you try to be. It's just not possible and further it would hinder your personal growth. As far as following the Kata itself is concerned - this IMHO is a pit fall. The Kata is a vessel that contains the techniques/applications. To follow the Kata literally without question is folly IMHO. The postures (each individual step, move, stance, whatever you prefer to call them) contained within the Kata are what is representative of the application contained. Yes you can have a sequence or series of postures that represent the application as well but if you follow the Kata only you miss many possibilities. One posture(application) from the beginning (pick a point in the Kata) can be utilized with another posture (application) in the end of a Kata or can be used with a posture (application) from another Kata altogether. If you study the chinese combat/martial arts manuals you will see these postures as representations of the applications/techniques. They are individual snap shots that have been put into a specified order (Kata) as a means of keeping and passing down this knowledge to your students. The kata is a container that holds the knowledge. The Kata is also a means of training the body to move in an efficient manner and to teach proper body mechanics to achieve maximum power in a technique. I do not disagree with your points. I only point out that to take the Kata literally (although you can as another means of learning) without seeing the whole picture is folly. One should explore all possibilities. This is the reason why you can literally study one or a few Kata for a life time. It is also the reason that many of the original founders may have only passed down a few Kata or only knew a few Kata themselves. It's because the possibilities are limitless and there is no Mastering the art. If explored and studied fully the student will remain a student for a life time. Especially considering that there are on average 14 to 20 Kata studied in an art. In some cases many more. Great post. Thanks for taking the time to write it out. There are 14 total Kata in my current system and I’m glad there isn’t more, because it takes years for me to perform the movements in crisp form, where it feels natural and comes quickly with power. I learned in beginning to teach how much my Kata could gain in skill. I have taught the first basic form so many times because I have taught so many beginners, that I realized how much growth can happen even on a basic level. It was in my 3rd year of doing basic form number one that I learned a new and excellent application to it. As you say the learning process is limitless! Just to reiterate, I firmly believe that the forms/kata, in many cases, are not a display of the actual technique as I feel they sometimes only represent the technique. A good example of this would be in Naihanchi. An application I learned for the purpose of kicking your own knee was really just “representing” kicking your opponents knee. If we try to hard to make the technique the same it will make it less effective because obviously kicking your own knee and kicking your opponents will require completely different mechanics therefore practicing the kata 5000 times will not help you kick your opponents knee as if it was second nature. To will need to practice the represented technique in order for that to happen. Basically We are saying the same thing.

It's the title of this topic; an interesting choice of words!! I took offense to the wording because those of us in Shindokan are taught that both Kata and the human are BOTH FREE!! Both are free to express across the board; unlimited expressions. Both are free to research. Both are free to agree and/or disagree. Both are free within and without any Kata...any technique...anytime and anyway and anywhere. Nothing is set in stone, and for it to be so, limits us. Kata and human are equally free in and out of Oyo, and not because Oyo is a funny principle, but Oyo bring life into the deep research of effectiveness as well as in the totality of said encounter. Alas, that's the beauty of Oyo...find...discard...find...discard...find...discard...and so on and so forth, but this is why I say that both Kata and Human are free to explore that which hasn't been discovered as of yet. Ok...back to my corner with a sock stuffed into my mouth taped shut!! While it’s not my intention to offend you, I’m not surprised, only because I seem to have a different mental approach to traditional arts then many do. People are free, but many are not free thinkers, especially in martial arts. Forms are a conduit for restriction and robotic thinking. Because we emulate so closely to those before us, it’s hard to say we are free to express through forms, with the exception of applications. I fear that many try to hard to make their applications look like the kata, rather then use the kata as a representation of a technique. In this way I believe kata is very restrictive, because people make it that way, or we may choose to make them free, by opening them up and allowing them to grow, and to spark more technique. We are free sensei8, but I’m afraid many traditional martial artists limit themselves with their thinking. Not all of course, just many IMHO. I respect our input here. These are just thoughts that cross my mind, and I enjoy sharing!

I trained in JKD beginning in 1993 and I trained for four years. That was on the Matt training so to speak, I still practice today. The thing is it has evolved to really all look the same, much of what the video shows certainly looks like JKD but as I said now days it all looks so similar. When I learned it we used many of the Bruce Lee formats of his fighting stance and basics as just the groundwork and the concepts of the art we’re just ideas that could be implemented in just about any movement. The idea of a straight line beating a curve is actually not entirely closely adhered to in JKD as it is in wing chun, but my nature the concepts of JKD, many of them and the structure is built on top of wing chun. If I was to ever fight Mike Tyson I would certainly not discredit his hook because I have the thought process that a straight line always wins LOL. In my mind I practice JKD today because I do as Bruce lee tried to do which was create something to fit everybody, this was the concept of JKD, not merely intercepting your opponents movement. The system I study has mixed styles with a foundation in Tamg Soo Do, and essentially all practitioners are welcome to find what works for them, Weatherby sparring stance, go to techniques or what ever. In the sense I am carrying on Bruce Lee’s vision of JKD. I’m not going to lie, I always cringe a little bit when I see cookie cutter movements emulating Bruce Lee because he was always very loud about the fact that he did not create a martial art and everybody should look differently because everybody should make it to fit them. In this sense I am carrying on Bruce Lee’s vision of JKD. I’m not going to lie, I always cringe a little bit when I see cookie cutter movements emulating Bruce Lee because he was always very loud about the fact that he did not create a martial art and everybody should look differently because everybody should make it fit them. JKD is truly a concept and I thought process and not a physical martial art as we have come to know martial arts today. So, in essence I teach and train in Jeet Kune Do. Anybody who mixes styles to their liking also practices JKD, although the core concept of JKD is not about the exact technique used, because Bruce taught what worked for him and what he felt was effective for him, but the core is not to block and then strike, it is to intercept your opponents attack with an aggressive direct attack. Anybody who mixes styles to their liking also practices JKD, although the core concept of JKD is not about the exact technique used, because Bruce taught what worked for him and what he felt was effective for him, but the core is not to block and then strike, it is to intercept your opponents attack with an aggressive direct attack. A Taekwondo practitioner could easily implement this thought process into their movements for an effective Jeet Kune Do thought process. It really isn’t about the technique, it’s about the thought process. It’s more about timing and synchronicity.

Thanks for sharing this video here, I saw this video years ago as it has recirculated on social media as well. I’m a bit surprised at the sort of “snarl “in everybody’s post in response to watching the video. I was actually quite impressed with the girl and thought she showed great skill. Yes, I understand she settled for single strikes but she clearly understood that she was up against somebody much stronger, and somebody who in my opinion appeared as though he would fight dirty at the drop of a hat has he wrote to me this way in the video. I did not re-watch the whole thing just now because as I said I have seen it multiple times before but this was what I took away from it. The girl was doing that cookie cutter karate types barring that I’m not in love with however, I think she did quite well and I was more impressed than my forum counterparts that posted previously. I also by the way, do agree that the guy did not appear to have a very solid skill set, that’s just my opinion as a teacher who is trained to look at somebody’s level of abilities.

Great feedback and input my friend. I have to say I don’t know that any applications o do are what “the founders” had in mind. For the most part I was always taught that we do t exactly know what was on their mind. To go even further with that, over time things change a great deal even if it’s a little at a time. A small example. Not to be negative about a former instructor I taught next to BUT he used to teach things all the time that were from his previous style in kata. Meaning when it came to using a knife and block or something of that nature he would teach the chamber and hand movements with similar angles to his previous style and not accurate to our style. Are used to ponder what his students will look like compared to mine as I carry-on the more accurate tradition of our style. If we each thought 1000 students in our lifetime they would essentially become a different version of the style like you see in many situations today. Because the techniques are used differently in the students he teaches the application will change whether it be slightly or more than that because the movement is not the same so the angle is not the same and therefore the leverage or way the force is applied changes. I study primarily Tang Soo Do, in fact although I study if you different styles when it comes to teaching really only teach Tamg Soo Do forms as it’s always been the foundation of what I teach. As for the forms original meanings as I said I’m afraid it’s pretty common to see bunkai, and only presumptions about what the founders intended. So, on that level I cannot speak about. I have never met a teacher that said “this is what the founder applications are”! It’s always been “this is my interpretation”! Interesting points here for sure. As for the library reference, I also study kung fu and in kung fu the forms are even more important in my opinion. They often rely on the forms for their techniques even more. There were no one steps and things of that nature, only applications from the form and I once heard a very wise instructor refer to forms as a library of the style So I can’t take credit for the reference I’m afraid! It made a great deal of sense to me and i have used it ever since. Thanks for the great input here.

I chose to place this in the karate part of the forum because karate uses applications to their kata more than any style I have ever seen personally. If somebody finds it is deemed more appropriate in the general arena I’m perfectly fine with that. This sure has the ability to spin off into an in-depth conversation amongst intermediate and advanced practitioners, however it is designed more for the beginner who is trying to figure these things out. All too often I see students trying to figure out what the techniques are. In most cases they are confused as to why they spend hours upon hours practicing these techniques only do not understand them completely and even when I do get talked the applications, often they are confused as to why they look so different then the kata. In my opinion the form serves many purposes. #1. The form is a key marker of any style. Think about how you can watch a form and tell right away what style it is, but if you watch self-defense or sparring you may or may not know because it is more difficult to tell. #2. It is a form of exercise and evening meditation. Practicing forms is excellent for your health in general, it is healthy for your cardiovascular system as well as your skeletal system. Kata is a way to be healthy. Think about the old man who practices forms for many years and when he becomes 90 if he is lucky enough, chances are he does not need to walk with a cane or compared to others his age has stronger hips and so on. He may also have better focus and coordination. #3. Kata is an excellent way for practitioners to practice on their own. It is a way that the practitioner can practice in a traditional manner meaning being able to practice kicks and punches as well as self-defense techniques on their own without a partner or a heavy bag or a target. #4. It is a beautiful form of art, the artistic components which are often utilized for competition are undeniable. Practitioners are able to display a beautiful art form for others to see. In this way they do not have to simply throw out a bunch of freestyle techniques. This is an excellent way to pay homage to those that came before you in your system! The most important thing however of all in my opinion is that kata be viewed as a library for the style. This is a very tricky one because if you wish to practice applications from these katas that are effective then you will have to remove some of the pinpoint robotic movements. Many of the techniques will not look the same as the form and that’s because to use it on a live person is very different than doing it alone. Imagine when you watch a person doing a jab and across as part of their training. In a fight while your opponent is moving you will aim for the target which could be anywhere. Your target assuming it’s the opponents head might be done down or it might be off to the side and you may use a jam or across in a manner that you are not really used to because most people perform their job and their cross street in front of them similarly to how we execute forms, to an imaginary target. This is exactly why shadowboxing for the boxer is not enough, they must hit a real target, and to take it to another level they must hit a real target that tries to fight back. Kata is no different. We must allow these techniques to be free in order to work on a person. It is in this way that I do not always see kata as practicing the technique per se, but I see kata as a library of movements, an example or concept most often. I see it like a library that a deaf person can be told without words. If you went into the library and read a self-defense book you certainly would not be ready to defend yourself based on this alone and you would need to practice what you learn, this is the concept I try to lay down for any of my students. So to wrap up this thought. The point I’m trying to make is that unfortunately many times when instructors or even great masters in our time attempt to teach applications to the forms, on many occasions they are bound by the idea that the technique must look similar in order for it to work. This notion comes from the idea that we practice these forms thousands of times and if we do not have direct applications for them then we are practicing for little value. In the end trying to make your application resemble forms too much can seriously downgrade the effectiveness of the applications. Allow them to be free, use the kata as a way to spark the idea in your mind as to how it “can” be used. If you see a red shoe and think of cherry soda, although they have nothing to do with one another rather than the basic color, this is OK because we are thinking freely. The cherry soda does not need to be drunk from a shoe. I think they have great value because of many of the things I named Bob and we all know there are more benefits to performing kata, but only some movements are going to be practical done exactly like kata, and many will need to be modified a great deal which is why I say I don’t see them as The exact techniques you’re going to use on many occasions because I see them as a reference, or as stated... a library!

The basis? Fair enough!! The MA, and all that it represents, can do without all of the pageantry that exists nowadays. Somewhere, in all of that pageantry, teaching has to rear up its nervous head, and make itself accountable. Until the teaching element finally does make itself accountable, the pageantry, in the hopes that it can cleverly disguise itself, will take center stage. On that center stage, teaching has taken the backseat, in which the necessary is lost in the unnecessary. The summation of "why" is to the summation of "because"!! But, the way you say it makes it sound as if all those who practice traditional aspects are hiding behind them and using them because of a negative intent rather then some believing they are practicing icing ways of not only being respectful, but also maintaining a particular structure. I do understand for some this is true but surly not all!