This is sort of a part 2 thread, from another that I started in this area on training philosophies. Usually people will say that looking outside the box, will take away from their base art, that there is more than enough in one art to last a lifetime.
So, what does everyone think about that? Does it really take a lifetime to master an art? Will looking at anything else, take away from that study, take away from the concepts and principles in the base art? Is anything and everything that you will ever need, contained in your base art, but it will take you a lifetime to dig and search for it?
Some will say that those who don't spend that lifetime are looking for quick fixes, instead of taking the time to really understand what is in your art.
Myself, I'm split on this. Anytime someone asks whats after black belt, I usually say thats the time to start over and really start looking at your techniques, katas, etc., and fine tuning them to better understand whats contained in them. I do this to a point, but I find myself looking at the other arts out there as well. I'm still loyal to my base art, but as I said, instead of really looking at how many grappling applications I can pull from my stand up techniques or from my kata, I turn to a grappling art. Does this mean that I'm looking for that quick fix? I suppose I am, to a point. Many times, I like to reference other arts, usually ones that specialize in a particular area, to see how they address a certain area, take those ideas, compare them to what I'm already doing and see how I can blend the two, while still staying with my base art concepts.
My view on the lifetime in the arts, is not necessarily working just one thing, but instead dedicating myself to training and learning from anything and anyone that I can, for as long as I can.
So, what does everyone think about that? Does it really take a lifetime to master an art? Will looking at anything else, take away from that study, take away from the concepts and principles in the base art? Is anything and everything that you will ever need, contained in your base art, but it will take you a lifetime to dig and search for it?
Some will say that those who don't spend that lifetime are looking for quick fixes, instead of taking the time to really understand what is in your art.
Myself, I'm split on this. Anytime someone asks whats after black belt, I usually say thats the time to start over and really start looking at your techniques, katas, etc., and fine tuning them to better understand whats contained in them. I do this to a point, but I find myself looking at the other arts out there as well. I'm still loyal to my base art, but as I said, instead of really looking at how many grappling applications I can pull from my stand up techniques or from my kata, I turn to a grappling art. Does this mean that I'm looking for that quick fix? I suppose I am, to a point. Many times, I like to reference other arts, usually ones that specialize in a particular area, to see how they address a certain area, take those ideas, compare them to what I'm already doing and see how I can blend the two, while still staying with my base art concepts.
My view on the lifetime in the arts, is not necessarily working just one thing, but instead dedicating myself to training and learning from anything and anyone that I can, for as long as I can.