Spread too thin?

[Shorin Ryuu]

For a while, I flirted with taking karate, iaido and jujitsu all at once. However, after a while, I realized that although the techniques were different, most of the principles were the same. I could learn new techniques, but it really wasn't economical for me to continue taking jujitsu in addition to karate. As far as iaido goes, it was just too much extra for me to tack on. The obvious techniques and handling of the sword were different in many ways than some of my other weapons (to varying degrees), but the actual principles themselves were not that different. It was fun to regularly go see how others do things, but I didn't gain much from it skill-wise (and there were some things I had disagreements with in terms of principles).

[SevenStar]

I think taking two completely different arts at the same time is an even greater mistake. You could end up getting all confused and my personal belief is that they will end up having to choose one between the other because they both present a different focus point and any true martial art is a handful can you imagine taking two completely different systems and trying to memorize and master their forms and techniques.

 

not at all. when they are similar and have similar principles, that's when you have to choose - because you will have two different ways of doing all of your techniques. Case in point, a TKD black belt joined our thai boxing class three weeks ago. his kicks and footwork are completely different from ours. having to choose what he watns to use/ re-learn everything is killing him. Most of the guys in the class also train either judo, bjj or both. they don't get confused at all.

[senna_trem]

If a judo dojo opened up in town and trained on saturdays... I'd go. But only under those circumstances.

[Krazy Carol]

I was thinking this exact thing just today. I am not one to learn the moves on the first lesson or even the second. I practice hard and everything I've retained took a lot of effort, as I think it should. Just getting the muscle memory down to be able to tweak the technique and get it better at one style, but to imagine trying to learn a new style with the slight differences or even big differences, It's mind blowing.

[krzychicano]

YOu all make some very valid points. I love being able to debate with reason

[italian_guy]

I'm cross-training two completely different arts:

 

One (karate) is: Okinawan, mostly striking(some grappling), mostly external, the other is (Tai chi chuan) Chinese, mostly grappling (some striking), internal. They are two completely different activity is like playing Soccer and golf, no possibility to get confused. The benefits on physical fitness cumulates. The only problem is the focus, expecially when you are close to belt test... unfortunately both my school have belt test in February and in June so it gets hard to prepare 2 belt tests in the same period.

 

Aside of this I consider cross training in these two arts as beneficial.

[Nick_UKWC]

If I had the chance to take up a ground art now, I would. I certainly wouldn't take on another stand up art at the same time as Wing Chun though.

[SevenStar]

I'm cross-training two completely different arts:

 

One (karate) is: Okinawan, mostly striking(some grappling), mostly external, the other is (Tai chi chuan) Chinese, mostly grappling (some striking), internal. They are two completely different activity is like playing Soccer and golf, no possibility to get confused. The benefits on physical fitness cumulates. The only problem is the focus, expecially when you are close to belt test... unfortunately both my school have belt test in February and in June so it gets hard to prepare 2 belt tests in the same period.

 

Aside of this I consider cross training in these two arts as beneficial.

 

what about the way internal styles generate power vs. the way external styles do it? Is the power generation in taiji the same as it is in your karate class?