Lineage ????

[stonecrusher69]

these are all good points about lineage.Myself, I don't believe someone linage provides very much as far as how effectiveness that tecaher is and and able to transmit to the student.exm. if you wanted to learn say Tai chi from a famous and respected master(say sun lu dong)I could say with safety he would be a good teacher,but if i could not learn from him but instead learned from 2generations down from him.Then that is a different story.That sifu skill might be totally useless.Due to a lot of factors.Like not training hard.His sifu not really teaching the art right etc.So if really want to learn something usefull don't look at lineage look at what that person can do because that is what your paying for.you pay your money to learn how to fight not to claim royality to some lineage.

[stonecrusher69]

I just wanted to make one more point about lineage.I havie nothing agaist linage.I think it's great to be part of that long line,but I don't pick a sifu or style just beause their lineage is amazing with great heros in th epast etc.

[stonecrusher69]

I think I'm on a roll here I just thought make a statement not so much about lineage but picking or finding a good teacher.its sort of related beacuse I dont use linage to find a good teacher.I noticed there are two basic kinds of teachers 1. One that does not show much of his skills and does not train with his students and 2. one that does show all his skills and gives himself 100% to his students. Ihave had both kinds of teachers.beware the teacher who hides behind lineage and does not train with his students.I fund this kind of teacher usually has little skill and is not willing to really teach you.Also,they about money all business..

[ZepedaWingChun]

How important is the historical lineage of the art that you participate in to you as the practitioner, and do you think it matters?

It is important to know your lineage, to know who came before you and made the sacrifices to bring forward the knowledge you are receiving. But it is not the end all, be all of your art. Just know it and focus on how you can become the best practitioner so you can someday pass it on with pride in it's entirety.

[KF Dude]

How important is the historical lineage of the art that you participate in to you as the practitioner, and do you think it matters?

Lineage matters to me - it's the conection to the past & shows a clear progression of the style into the present day. Honoring your lineage pays respect for the brilliant contributions of past masters to an evolving art. Reminding you that only through dedicated daily practice can you attain the martial skills the style is recognized for. It helps me stay motivated when I'm lazy & don't feel like training.

[Kajukenbopr]

I train for self defense and the arts of my style. the lineage is not vital for me, but I still from time to time look into it- just to know where everything came from, who changed what, and where are they now

[Menjo]

How important is the historical lineage of the art that you participate in to you as the practitioner, and do you think it matters?

Lineage matters to me - it's the conection to the past & shows a clear progression of the style into the present day. Honoring your lineage pays respect for the brilliant contributions of past masters to an evolving art. Reminding you that only through dedicated daily practice can you attain the martial skills the style is recognized for. It helps me stay motivated when I'm lazy & don't feel like training.

I completely agree, I also sometimes think about why things changed and think about how I could use it.

[shogeri]

It is good to remember the past, so that you know where you are going.

The only problem that comes about, is:

if you are looking back too often, you will either wind up running into something, or you will find yourself away from the main road or path you are on.

Train smart, nor hard!

[ovine king]

what worries me is when people palce too much romantic notions onto a thing such as lineage. In the chinese styles, you could say that it is very quickly turing into their equivilant to belt worship. All too often have I seen random claims of si-fu X being the student of si-fu y who blah blah blah.

while in some cases and indeed most cases, a lineage is a good way to see what/where the thing you are training in comes from, it is especially in these days, no guarantee of the quality. Granted that lineage can and does indeed mean a certain level of quality, it is no guarantee. That's why there is a clear divide between those who see value in it and those who don't.

for every Wong Shun Leung, Yip Chun, Eddie Chong, Ip Chee Keung, Dong Mu Yau there are a tens of other nameless students who can claim the same lineage but don't have the skills.

There is also the point that a good fighter doesn't always make a good teacher.

[SigungWhite]

How important is lineage.

Some of us old timers respect the lineage. Even though you may practice for one reason or another.

Lineage is you history, it is your past, present and future. No one may remember what you studied or taught, but the lineage live forever, as long as one preson takes the responsibility to pass it on, or keep it going. Linage means you existed as an artist. It tells the stories and legends of your martial arts ancestors, It gives life to that which exists to keep us fit, mentally and physically. Therefore, lineage is your life blood of your system. It tells of the those who did or didn't make it ot the family tree. It does not tell who the best of the best are, only that you followed a path that they once tread. I will let this go, for I can go on and on and on.

Hope you see the light.

Sifu White