Own Style

[Diamond Dragon]

Hi, does anyone here have their own kung fu style? If so, how did you come up with it, what are the main strategies, strong and weak points, and how do you train your style?

[Nick]

Anybody who's successful in martial arts has their own "style" or variation on their style, taking the things they're good at and using them.

Later...

[Budokan]

Good point. We all bring something unique to MA whenever we practice it.

[Sho]

It's true that people eventually "modify" their art in some ways, but others make even bigger customizations which might contradict traditional teachings. It is, of course, tolerable to have personal modifications, but they should be kept tightly within oneself. Teaching these variations at a kwoon could bring in trouble and would also be very disrespectful towards the traditional values of the art and past masters.

[awakenwired]

Didn't Haung Kai whatshisname create his own?

[ZIM]

Vast differeence between modifying a style that you learned from another & having it become your own versus 'creating' a new one, whole cloth, often without any experience of the subject.

I think thats how new styles come about anyway [modifying after experience]. That, and synthesis of differing styles. Nothing wrong with exploring different areas tho, even if your base art doesn't address them. So, some might do say, taiji and karate at the same time. The result might be different from each.

too many times, these 'created' ones are based on poorly understood real material, trying to create something novel, like a drunken parakeet style, or whatever. Best to put the time into established ones, then reconsider.

[Chang Style Novice]

Yeah, everybody has their own style, whether they try to or not. The real question is, is it worth codifying/naming your style and trying to teach it to others? The answer depends on a number of things, I'd say, the following three foremost among them.

1. Innovation. Are you doing something really new and interesting?

2. History. Have you been dramatically successful in some field of combat or competition?

3. Transferability. Can what you do that's unique be taught to others?