sparing different styles

[Xue Sheng]

I was just thinking about back when I use to do a lot of sparing against people that trained in styles other than what I was training in. If you have done this was there one person of a particular style that you thought was the best? I am not asking which is the best style just what style did that person train in. I also feel that this is a great addition to any MA training.

I will start off by giving you the top 2 from way back in those days when I trained Tai Chi, Xingyi and a bit of Bagua.

The best by far was a guy that had trained Southern Mantis for 6 years before joining the marines. He spent 4 or 6 years in the Marines where he continued to train Southern mantis and of course whatever he was trained in by the marines.

For number 2 there is a tie; American Kenpo and a guy that I would call MMA due to all of the styles he trained, but he always referred to himself as a Tai Chi practitioner and has for the greater than 10 years that I have known him.

[Beowulf]

Right now I'm interested in an art that lacks intense sparring.
I'm planning on visiting schools & joining in about a week (after finals).
Their's an reputable school here in SD called Jing Institute that I'm looking forward to visiting.
They teach a lot of the kung fu arts and win a lot of competitions in China and the US I hear.
They also house a Bujinkan class.
Now I'm interested in Bujinkan because the joint locks in Taijutsu seem like they would later mesh well with some cross-training at a Gracie Jiu- Jitsu that is also taught nearby.
So here is the dilema, Bujinkan doesn't do intense sparring, competitive randori (though the old masters used to), but I want to at least after learning the basics.
The jing institute does have some competitive sparring in kung fu styles, and I'm going to see if I can do intense sparring w/ my bujinkan w/ those guys.
Does this sound like a good plan?

[Xue Sheng]

Right now I'm interested in an art that lacks intense sparring.
I'm planning on visiting schools & joining in about a week (after finals).
Their's an reputable school here in SD called Jing Institute that I'm looking forward to visiting.
They teach a lot of the kung fu arts and win a lot of competitions in China and the US I hear.
They also house a Bujinkan class.
Now I'm interested in Bujinkan because the joint locks in Taijutsu seem like they would later mesh well with some cross-training at a Gracie Jiu- Jitsu that is also taught nearby.
So here is the dilema, Bujinkan doesn't do intense sparring, competitive randori (though the old masters used to), but I want to at least after learning the basics.
The jing institute does have some competitive sparring in kung fu styles, and I'm going to see if I can do intense sparring w/ my bujinkan w/ those guys.
Does this sound like a good plan?

I am not qualified to answer the Bujinkan class questions. and this is not what the post is about, but

Jing Institute
http://www.sdtaichi.com/

I would look into what they are winning in China. They are a Wushu group generally with the exception of Wing Chun. Generally Wushu comitition in China is forms based. Fighting based compititions on China are Sanshou.

[Beowulf]

No problem about the Bujinkan questions
My real question is that if I'm in a particular MA school that never spars, will sparring against other MA's improve me.

[Xue Sheng]

No problem about the Bujinkan questions
My real question is that if I'm in a particular MA school that never spars, will sparring against other MA's improve me.

It helped me back way back when I did it.

The school I was at back then did not do much sparing mostly forms. I had a Jujitsu TDK background prior to getting there. While there I started Tai Chi, Xingyi and Bagua.

There were a lot of people there from other schools and styles and the Sifu was nice enough to give us Saturday afternoons to spar with each other. Frankly I thought it helped me considerably and I am happy to have had the chance to do it. But ultimately it all depends on what you want.