Very interesting thread. :asian:
My first form, as some other people's, kind of just evolved. For about 3 1/2 years I trained simultaneously in Shaolin Kempo and Kung Fu San Soo. This made the differences glaring, as one day I'd go to one studio, and the next day the other. These are very different arts, both in practice and philosophy (which I won't drag you through here
). Let's just say one had more finesse and the other more body movement to generate power.
Seeing strengths and not-so strengths in both, I began to wonder if they could ever be blended. My first original
fighting form (did a purely self defense form a couple of years before) grew out of this question. The form used the KFSS 8 basic foot movements, with blocks and strikes from both arts built on top of this. Each stance combined with one block flowing into a natural counter strike is Short Form 1; taken to three counter strikes, some hidden, some counter traps or throws or grabs, it becomes Long Form 1. I use it with students to reinforce basics from beginning to intermediate level, while also offering a fairly complete fighting package that's easily practiced.
We're now experimenting with bunkai as
The Way of Kata suggests, and also in the Iain Abernethy mold. It's a blast! And the best part: I get to learn the most. Have always bought into Seneca's aphorism:
A man, as long as he teaches, learns. (I know it's sexist, but please consider the times). Anyway, sure true for me. :ultracool
