Varying Styles

[Gyakuto98]

@Zenythmon, have a go at your initial plan and see how it pans out. It’ll be an interesting, fun experiment and who knows, you might be that one successful person. I wouldn’t want you to think we’re being overly negative at your plan. We take our arts very (too) seriously and sometimes lose sight of the fact that participation is supposed to be a fun exploration.

Go for it!

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf98]

While i agree with skribs, overplanning isnt necessarily a bad thing. Just be aware that those plans may change, and not sticking to them is perfectly fine. The more important thing is just to start.

And i find something very funny about someone who hasnt started training karate yet, explaining how isshin ryu connects to other arts to an (i believe) 9th or 10th degree black belt in isshin ryu.

 

[skribs96]

And i find something very funny about someone who hasnt started training karate yet, explaining how isshin ryu connects to other arts to an (i believe) 9th or 10th degree black belt in isshin ryu.

One of my best friends at my BJJ gym started at the same time as his kids, who were in the toddler's class. There was another guy who had a daughter in the class. The two Dads got to know each other pretty good while they watched their kids train. My friend, who was still a no-stripe or 1-stripe white belt, was always telling this other guy (who didn't train with us) about what he's learning and how his game is developing. This guy was always very polite and asked questions and listened.

One day, the other guy asked if we had open mats at our gym. My friend said, "yeah, Saturdays at 11." All week the guy kept asking if there was still open mat at 11 this Saturday.

On Saturday he comes into open mat and puts on his 3-stripe brown belt.

My Professor didn't even know he trained.

My friend was like, "I hope I haven't said anything stupid."

 

[isshinryuronin]

And i find something very funny about someone who hasnt started training karate yet, explaining how isshin ryu connects to other arts to an (i believe) 9th or 10th degree black belt in isshin ryu.

Thanks for the promotion! My sensei is 8th degree and senior student of Okinawa Prefecture's recognized Master of Isshinryu, Uechi Tsuyoshi. He is the heir of Founder Shimabuku's son-in-law, Uezu Angi. After Shimabuku's death, many Isshinryu higher belts here started their own organizations resulting in a plethora of 9th and 10th degrees, a sad state of affairs IMO.

The "ronin" in my name reflects several decades practicing without a sensei and formal promotions, thus not holding as high a rank as my years, experience and knowledge suggest.

 

[Gyakuto98]

The "ronin" in my name reflects several decades practicing without a sensei and formal promotions, thus not holding as high a rank as my years, experience and knowledge suggest.

I always wondered why a knowledgable, refined person like your dear self had the suffix ‘rōnin’ in his nickname. I thought it might simply be due to you being ‘American’

 

[isshinryuronin]

I always wondered why a knowledgable, refined person like your dear self had the suffix ‘rōnin’ in his nickname. I thought it might simply be due to you being ‘American’

I was advanced enough when I spent those years training on my own that my body was able to teach itself, internalizing much of my past training. So, at 65 I had improved my overall body movement in several subtle ways (more "refined") from where I was at when I was 35.

I also (moderately but consistently) maintained my physical conditioning.

As an uchi deshi from age 67-71 with my 8th dan sensei who is the senior personal student of Master Uechi, I learned "original" style Okinawan karate.

The above three things have allowed me to reach (what I consider) my total TMA peak now at 75.

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf98]

Thanks for the promotion! My sensei is 8th degree and senior student of Okinawa Prefecture's recognized Master of Isshinryu, Uechi Tsuyoshi. He is the heir of Founder Shimabuku's son-in-law, Uezu Angi. After Shimabuku's death, many Isshinryu higher belts here started their own organizations resulting in a plethora of 9th and 10th degrees, a sad state of affairs IMO.

The "ronin" in my name reflects several decades practicing without a sensei and formal promotions, thus not holding as high a rank as my years, experience and knowledge suggest.

My mistake. I've known some of those - an isshinryu instructor I used to know made the joke that if you go into any isshin dojo in new jersey, you can throw a punch out randomly and it'll end up hitting a 10th degree. And the punch would probably land too.

Completely forgot about him until your post, he was a cool guy.

 

[Zenythmon1]

I would like to apologize for my behavior in here. It was not my intention to upset and anger anyone within the thread.

 

[skribs96]

I would like to apologize for my behavior in here. It was not my intention to upset and anger anyone within the thread.

I don't think you did. We all know you're new to this. New comes with a lot of things. Curiosity. Excitement. You're trying to put a lot of pieces together and you're very passionate about it. That's great. Just don't forget that you're still new at this.

 

[Gyakuto98]

I would like to apologize for my behavior in here. It was not my intention to upset and anger anyone within the thread.

Not at all! This is an interesting conversation where those with less experience are raised by those with a little bit more.

Do you have any further ideas of how you’re going to proceed?

 

[drop bear98]

Side note. I think the argument you cant cross train different styles because you somehow trip yourself up is bogus.

Dancers multi discipline and style bleed is probably a bigger issue for them and they manage.

 

[skribs96]

Side note. I think the argument you cant cross train different styles because you somehow trip yourself up is bogus.

Dancers multi discipline and style bleed is probably a bigger issue for them and they manage.

I think some of it depends on what those styles are. I wouldn't cross-train in curriculum-heavy styles because they often have precise requirements that may conflict with each other.

 

[skribs96]

I think some of it depends on what those styles are. I wouldn't cross-train in curriculum-heavy styles because they often have precise requirements that may conflict with each other.

Sorry, meant to add: at least as a beginner.

 

[Gyakuto98]

Side note. I think the argument you cant cross train different styles because you somehow trip yourself up is bogus.

Dancers multi discipline and style bleed is probably a bigger issue for them and they manage.

Are you comparing combat sports with dancing? It’s a good comparison.

I don’t know if you ballroom dance…I suspect you do () but you can recognise a ballroom dancer because their form has a foundation that makes their performances look like the bast*rd offspring of the same dance regardless of the dance they are actually performing. They’re almost a pastiche of one style of dancing with slight variations here and there. Specialist dancers, on the other hand, (I have a friend who specializes in Argentinian tango and people come from all over Europe to dance with her) don’t have this ‘bleed over’.

I think the principle is similar in combat sports. I can spot an Aikidoka who is doing Iaido for example, because they can’t get ‘swordsmanship foot work’ and introduce a bit of ‘angled out’ rear foot into their performance. Wado Ryu Karateka doing Shotokan tend to be be more snappy and fluid rather than powerful and ‘stiff’.

 

[Zenythmon1]

I imagine that when there is conflict between two styles, one should drop the parts that do conflict but keep the part where the styles complement each other.

 

[Xue Sheng91]

I imagine that when there is conflict between two styles, one should drop the parts that do conflict but keep the part where the styles complement each other.

It would depend on the conflict, how much dropping it would change the styles, and if you were training the simultaneously

 

[skribs96]

It would also depend on your ability to tell the difference between what's right and wrong, and what's different in each context. Usually that requires a firm foundation in one or the other.

 

[Gyakuto98]

I imagine that when there is conflict between two styles, one should drop the parts that do conflict but keep the part where the styles complement each other.

It’s unlikely you’d have the insight and skill to do that.

Take Shotokan and Wado Ryu styles. Shotokan practitioners develop their power by maintaining their muscular tension for longer during and at the end of a punch a bit like a powerful ‘push’. Wado Ryu uses faster punches/kicks to develop power (KE=1/2 mv^2). Shukokai takes this even further. How could you ‘drop’ that fundamental difference?

 

[Dragonfly31]

New to martial arts myself. Aiming to get fitter beyond fifty. Started with Shotokan. The club is on a small summer break now. Since then I've done some FMA private sessions and JKD. I'm going to an Aikido club later this week. Some guys in the Shotokan club also train different styles. I asked our sensei about training elsewhere as a beginner and was told it is okay to combine and study whatever you choose - time will tell if this is a wise decision or not.

 

[Holmejr3]

I think your current mindset will hinder you more than help you. Choose a discipline, understand the history and philosophy as well as the physical art. Become well versed and proficient, creating a foundation that you can build upon.