The Mix of Martial Arts

[Bleeding Lion]

I recently started goju ryu, but earlier I was tempted to join a club at my university that tries to teach various styles (Aikido, krav magra, goju ryu, wing chun...). Every lesson they would have 2 or 3 black belts in their respective arts teaching some techniques.

 

What is your take on this? I finally decided on my own that i needed a good base with one unique style before mixing arts, but i would like to know other people's thoughts on this. Do you think it is effective to mix MAs in that fashion, especially if the class is composed of around 75% of beginners like me?

[scottnshelly]

I don't believe in limiting one's self to only one style. With that being said, i agree that one needs a strong understanding of the "basics" before learning a lot of other styles. If each class starts out the same, with learning and practicing blocks, stances, strikes, ect and a workout, it would be beneficial; if they teach you the basic fundamentals of each respective style i think it would be a good thing. You could get the best of both worlds (or multiple worlds). Some styles have strikes, blocks, throws, etc that are superior to others'.

 

If each instructor only teaches you the fancy moves from their style, you would be missing out on a lot.

[MenteReligieuse]

Like I said in a previous post, I have been doing kung-fu for only a few months now, and I love it but i find other styles really interesting too. At first I thought that cross training would only make me progress slower in kung-fu (cause every class I'd take in something else would be one I could of spent on kung-fu) but then, all the styles are based on the human body, so they all got similarities. I think cross training can only make you better in all your martial arts.

 

(finally decided to work out muscle mass in a gym instead of choosing an other style (kick boxing), sadly don't have time to do all I want martial art wise, oh well, I'll just keep that idea in mind and start kick boxing later)

[Jerry]

Personally I would suggest you build a solid foundation in one style before moving on to the next. Yes, never commit to only one style, but be sure that you have mastered one before moving on to the next. That way around you grow more and become a better fighter.

 

In the end it is up to you and if you feel comfortable with cross training, go for it. It's your choice. Just be sure that it is your passion and not another way of whipping butt .....

[Shorinryu Sensei]

II finally decided on my own that i needed a good base with one unique style before mixing arts, but i would like to know other people's thoughts on this. Do you think it is effective to mix MAs in that fashion, especially if the class is composed of around 75% of beginners like me?

 

I think you're on the right track. Get a good, solid base in Goju first..say 2 years or so at least, before you start mixing things up. To try to mix systems as a beginner to the arts will only confuse you, and you'll end up being weak in all of the ssytems instead of strong in one, and adding to it.

[Bleeding Lion]

To try to mix systems as a beginner to the arts will only confuse you, and you'll end up being weak in all of the ssytems instead of strong in one, and adding to it.

 

That's what i was thinking. Thank you very much for your input.

 

Jerry:

 

you're right. I've always been interested in MAs but i just never had the opportunity to really get into it. Now that i did, it's been a blast. I'll focus first on goju ryu then see if i like cross training.

 

Anyway, thanx everybody for your feedbacks.

[thaiboxerken]

I don't see any real problem with crosstraining right from the beginning. I think you'll grow your skills faster that way, as each different teacher and art will help you to understand the others.

[Shane]

Okay so you said you had about 3 different black belts coming together showing you different techniques from each one of their arts.

 

I see where there is a problem with this type of training because you just have to much coming at you from instructors who might not be on the same page of music.

 

Now as for mixed arts training, I think its great but I suggest those wanting to get into it you find a school that has a mixed martial arts program so that you can build the beginning foundation that is so important in your training. Just coming together and having instructors from different arts show you different techniques, just sounds like a cluster to me, unless you have a good amount of training. Now non of the traditional guys take this wrong okay, but I feel mixed martial arts can truley benifit you as a beginner and give you a very well rounded base foundation as long as the mixed arts program is well put together and all of the instructor are on the same sheet of music with the program.

[foreveryoung001]

Now non of the traditional guys take this wrong okay, but I feel mixed martial arts can truley benifit you as a beginner and give you a very well rounded base foundation as long as the mixed arts program is well put together and all of the instructor are on the same sheet of music with the program.

 

As a traditional "guy" I don't take offense to this at all. It all comes down to the same old debate, what style is better? There is no clear cut answer. It comes down to many different things, including a students desire to learn, and an instructors ability to teach. An instructor that has the background, and ability to teach several different styles, but has no eager students, is worse off than an instructor of only one MA, with no ability to teach, but has several eager students who will do whatever it take to learn anything they can.

 

Grappling, striking, boxing, throwing... they are all good and can serve a purpose, but no matter what label you put on the art... Mixed, traditional, super whammy deluxe (my personal favorite), it still comes down to eager students, and good instructors.

 

That's just MHO

[Shane]

foreveryoung001

 

Yes you are right about that