Master a system first

[sanjuro_ronin]

It has been often suggested that one "Master" on system or style before going on to another one.
I don't doubt that anyone agrees that a solid foundation is needed in one system before one can experiment with others, but Master?
Well, it can take a LIFETIME to "master" a system.
Funakoshi, on his death bead, performed an inside block and turned to the people there and said, " I think I finally got this right".

I don't agree that one must "master" anything before they decided to experiment with something else, eight by design or necessity.
Yes, I do believe that a solid foundation in a system is needed.
How solid or what is "solid"?
You can use it in a fight and use it well, not only in class but in full contact sparring VS others of the same system.

But mastery?
Nope.

Now, that said, I think I should make clear what was todl to me by a very high ranking TCMA, who shall remain nameless :D :
Now way you will ever "master" your chosen system until you experience what others have to offer.
Experience is your finest teacher.

[Dragonzbane76]

The path is to broad to carry a straight course.

[Drake]

Paul, I think it really depends on what you want to accomplish. Some folks simply want to taste all of the arts and see how they operate. Sure, they know they'll never be a master, and likely never even be proficient. But that isn't their goal. So, what should we do before switching styles? That's up to the person, and we can't judge them for their choices.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Paul, I think it really depends on what you want to accomplish. Some folks simply want to taste all of the arts and see how they operate. Sure, they know they'll never be a master, and likely never even be proficient. But that isn't their goal. So, what should we do before switching styles? That's up to the person, and we can't judge them for their choices.

Absolutely, I agree.
But further to that, my point was that, in reality, one can't wait till they have mastered as system because one never does.
Even as we age, our system changes within us as we change.
Mastery of a system is an illusion.
And as I quote above, I would argue that unless one goes out of his system to experiment and test it, he/she will never truly master it anyways.

[goju]

I think I should make clear what was todl to me by a very high ranking TCMA, who shall remain nameless :D :
Now way you will ever "master" your chosen system until you experience what others have to offer.
Experience is your finest teacher.

you got that from a fortune cookie liar!:D:p

[sanjuro_ronin]

you got that from a fortune cookie liar!:D:p

LMAO !!
You read it too ?
:D

[kfson]

Maybe a better though not perfect description is "competent with a good understanding of the basics".

[sanjuro_ronin]

Maybe a better though not perfect description is "competent with a good understanding of the basics".

How do you judge that though?

[kfson]

How do you judge that though?

Good question. For me it would be a feeling that I'm ready.

[Drake]

Did you ever see the Kendo/Aiado requirements just to be proficient? It's IN-SANE!

[sanjuro_ronin]

Good question. For me it would be a feeling that I'm ready.

For me it would be being able to apply it effectively vs people well trained in the system.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Did you ever see the Kendo/Aiado requirements just to be proficient? It's IN-SANE!

Indeed, a good point.

[kfson]

For me it would be being able to apply it effectively vs people well trained in the system.

yep.

_____

[m1k3]

What about if you try something and you just don't like it, or the instructor or maybe it just sucks?


** cough yellow bamboo cough **_

[SPJ]

as pointed out

it depends on the individual.

all styles may have arbitrary basic foundation skill sets or practice.

it is always better to have good basic or some understanding of a style before moving on.

--

:)

[uki]

master yourself...

[David Jamieson]

Master of the house, doling out the charm
Ready with a handshake and an open palm
Tells a saucy tale, makes a little stir
Customers appreciate a bon-viveur
Glad to do a friend a favor
Doesn't cost me to be nice
But nothing gets you nothing
Everything has got a little price!


:D

[pazman]

Now, that said, I think I should make clear what was todl to me by a very high ranking TCMA, who shall remain nameless :D :


That is too bad. He is perpetuating some very bad ideas.:(

Bad masters say these sorts of things for a number of reasons.

First, money you are spending some place else to train means you are not spending your money on HIS training.

Second, the idea of MASTERY is so ambiguous that is implies that you could be training forever with that teacher, thus providing him with his rice bowl forever.

Third, this prevents the student from ever seeing if what he is learning is any good.

Sanjuro, what do YOU think your "high ranking TMCA" meant or implied by his statement?

Of course, there is the very valid concern against "style collectors". This year being my 7th year living in Asia, I've run into a lot of people who come for full-time training. Most of them just want an interesting international experience, like me, but I've met a few who actually think that 3 months in Japan, 3 months in China, and 3 months in Thailand doing full-time training will qualify them to make their own "mix" and open a school back home.:confused:

[Yum Cha]

That is too bad. He is perpetuating some very bad ideas.:(

Bad masters say these sorts of things for a number of reasons.

First, money you are spending some place else to train means you are not spending your money on HIS training.

Second, the idea of MASTERY is so ambiguous that is implies that you could be training forever with that teacher, thus providing him with his rice bowl forever.

Third, this prevents the student from ever seeing if what he is learning is any good.

Sanjuro, what do YOU think your "high ranking TMCA" meant or implied by his statement?

Of course, there is the very valid concern against "style collectors". This year being my 7th year living in Asia, I've run into a lot of people who come for full-time training. Most of them just want an interesting international experience, like me, but I've met a few who actually think that 3 months in Japan, 3 months in China, and 3 months in Thailand doing full-time training will qualify them to make their own "mix" and open a school back home.:confused:

Don't you hate it when people just don't read a post... :p

[Scott R. Brown]

My biggest complaint with those who claim one should learn one system fairly well before they learn another one due to the creation of confusion on the part of the student is:

What do you think a person is learning in any one system to begin with?

A bunch of new skills they are unfamiliar with!

Then there is the claim they won't be able to keep the two skill sets separate.

What do gymnasts do? They learn 5 different skill sets at once.

What do dancers do? When they are learning they will take 3-5 or more different types of dance classes. I took Ballet, Jazz and Modern Dance all at once in different classes plus Martial arts classes, and weight training and running and yoga. I would have added Tap on top of that if it had been offered. All of these are different skill sets! I had no trouble what-so-ever keeping these skill sets separate, oh yeah and I also taught myself tumbling at the same time!

What do youngsters do when they decide to play Football during Football season, Basketball during Basketball season, and Baseball during Baseball season? They are learning many different skill sets at once!

What do many musicians do? They learn multiple musical instruments at once!

The implication here is that Martial Artists are the only ones too stupid, uncoordinated and inept to learn multiple skill sets at once, while everyone else, those who weren't sold a load of crap, learn whatever they want, whenever they want!

To me this is just another archaic and foolish mindset that limits fools who cannot think for themselves and perpetuated by teachers who blindly follow what they were told by their teachers without actually questioning the teaching or learning to think for themselves!

If a person thinks they themselves are too stupid to learn multiple skill sets at one time, then it is fine for them to choose one thing at a time to learn, but stop trying to sell such crap to everyone else!!

Addendum: The more skill sets you learn the easier it is to learn further ones!

[Lokhopkuen]

If one can rise to the demands of a particular system of martial cultivation owning it's movements you can not help but own yourself.


It has been often suggested that one "Master" on system or style before going on to another one.
I don't doubt that anyone agrees that a solid foundation is needed in one system before one can experiment with others, but Master?
Well, it can take a LIFETIME to "master" a system.
Funakoshi, on his death bead, performed an inside block and turned to the people there and said, " I think I finally got this right".

I don't agree that one must "master" anything before they decided to experiment with something else, eight by design or necessity.
Yes, I do believe that a solid foundation in a system is needed.
How solid or what is "solid"?
You can use it in a fight and use it well, not only in class but in full contact sparring VS others of the same system.

But mastery?
Nope.

Now, that said, I think I should make clear what was todl to me by a very high ranking TCMA, who shall remain nameless :D :
Now way you will ever "master" your chosen system until you experience what others have to offer.
Experience is your finest teacher.

[pazman]

Don't you hate it when people just don't read a post... :p

:eek:I wish I smoked pot...it would give me a good excuse for that utter lack of parsing skills there.

Sanjuro, I apologize.

Summary of what I meant:
Teachers expecting students to stay with only them are a$$hats and egoists.
The idea of mastery is ambiguous and misused by said teachers.:cool:

[David Jamieson]

:eek:I wish I smoked pot...it would give me a good excuse for that utter lack of parsing skills there.

Sanjuro, I apologize.

Summary of what I meant:
Teachers expecting students to stay with only them are a$$hats and egoists.
The idea of mastery is ambiguous and misused by said teachers.:cool:

wait a minute, you don't smoke pot and you messed that up?

I suggest that if you start smoking pot, your attention skills will grow.

Your short term memory will have some hurdles, but long term is all good!

So, you can forget you learned something and yet, still know it later!

mindblowing. :D

[KC Elbows]

My biggest complaint with those who claim one should learn one system fairly well before they learn another one due to the creation of confusion on the part of the student is:

What do you think a person is learning in any one system to begin with?

A bunch of new skills they are unfamiliar with!

Then there is the claim they won't be able to keep the two skill sets separate.

What do gymnasts do? They learn 5 different skill sets at once.

What do dancers do? When they are learning they will take 3-5 or more different types of dance classes. I took Ballet, Jazz and Modern Dance all at once in different classes plus Martial arts classes, and weight training and running and yoga. I would have added Tap on top of that if it had been offered. All of these are different skill sets! I had no trouble what-so-ever keeping these skill sets separate, oh yeah and I also taught myself tumbling at the same time!

What do youngsters do when they decide to play Football during Football season, Basketball during Basketball season, and Baseball during Baseball season? They are learning many different skill sets at once!

What do many musicians do? They learn multiple musical instruments at once!

The implication here is that Martial Artists are the only ones too stupid, uncoordinated and inept to learn multiple skill sets at once, while everyone else, those who weren't sold a load of crap, learn whatever they want, whenever they want!

To me this is just another archaic and foolish mindset that limits fools who cannot think for themselves and perpetuated by teachers who blindly follow what they were told by their teachers without actually questioning the teaching or learning to think for themselves!

If a person thinks they themselves are too stupid to learn multiple skill sets at one time, then it is fine for them to choose one thing at a time to learn, but stop trying to sell such crap to everyone else!!

Addendum: The more skill sets you learn the easier it is to learn further ones!

Worth repeating, but didn't wnt to type it all.:D

[pazman]

wait a minute, you don't smoke pot and you messed that up?

I suggest that if you start smoking pot, your attention skills will grow.

Your short term memory will have some hurdles, but long term is all good!

So, you can forget you learned something and yet, still know it later!

mindblowing. :D

Hot, you've convinced me. :)

[sanjuro_ronin]

Don't you hate it when people just don't read a post... :p

Yes, indeed.

[sanjuro_ronin]

The implication here is that Martial Artists are the only ones too stupid, uncoordinated and inept to learn multiple skill sets at once, while everyone else, those who weren't sold a load of crap, learn whatever they want, whenever they want!

Crazy talk and common sense !!

[sanjuro_ronin]

:eek:I wish I smoked pot...it would give me a good excuse for that utter lack of parsing skills there.

Sanjuro, I apologize.

Summary of what I meant:
Teachers expecting students to stay with only them are a$$hats and egoists.
The idea of mastery is ambiguous and misused by said teachers.:cool:

LOL, no problem dude, I figured ot was a case of brain ****ing, :D

[Ultimatewingchun]

Mastery? No...You don't need to attain such a very high level before looking into other arts. Agreed, Paul.

But you had better be very good at using the system in all out sparring before checking out something else...which is something you also said on your first post, Paul. Agreed again.

Nothing worse than a martial arts jack-of-all-trades who's just so-so at everything...and not very good at anything.

Because if you believe in the need for crosstraining (and I do)...then you want to know your first system well enough to know exactly how it can mesh with the second (or third) system you study.

So your overall fight game becomes seamless without having to think about it.

[uki]

So your overall fight game becomes seamless without having to think about it.the simplicity of it all is just mindblowing today. :)

[sanjuro_ronin]

Mastery? No...You don't need to attain such a very high level before looking into other arts. Agreed, Paul.

But you had better be very good at using the system in all out sparring before checking out something else...which is something you also said on your first post, Paul. Agreed again.

Nothing worse than a martial arts jack-of-all-trades who's just so-so at everything...and not very good at anything.

Because if you believe in the need for crosstraining (and I do)...then you want to know your first system well enough to know exactly how it can mesh with the second (or third) system you study.

So your overall fight game becomes seamless without having to think about it.

Agreed on all points Vic.
I will add just this:
Jack-of -all trades is something that shoots manypeople in the foot, not because they haven't mastered A system, but they haven't found what they are good at.
I have always advocated being a specialist of A with well rounded experience in B.C.D etc,
But that has nothing to do with systems or styles per say, but "specification", in other words:
I am a striking specialist ( not a system specialist= not a specialist in Kyokushin or WC or HK or whatever) with a general knowledge and experience in grappling ( Not BJJ, Judo or wrestling)
See the difference?

[MightyB]

I say- if you like a style, give it a good 3 year commitment before mixing. If you can't master the basics in 3 years... well, make your own inferences but the term "stringing along" comes to mind. Anyway- 3 years in one, then mix the heck out of it with complimentary styles.

IMO... masters that want to isolate you from other styles have something to hide... and it's not a good super secret mystical superfuntastichappyfunhour chi blast from heck- they most likely just suck.

[sanjuro_ronin]

I say- if you like a style, give it a good 3 year commitment before mixing. If you can't master the basics in 3 years... well, make your own inferences but the term "stringing along" comes to mind. Anyway- 3 years in one, then mix the heck out of it with complimentary styles.

IMO... masters that want to isolate you from other styles have something to hide... and it's not a good super secret mystical superfuntastichappyfunhour chi blast from heck- they most likely just suck.

A very good guideline.

[Scott R. Brown]

I don't have a problem with the three year rule, although it depends upon the student too. I would go as low as two years for some students, but eliminate it all together for a select few gifted students too and allow/recommend/not object to them training simultaneously in two different styles if they so chose.

It is very individualized however. It depends upon the student. For ones that are not particularly skilled or adept, even mentally not very quick they may benefit waiting even as long as 5 years.

After your second of third style however, for the average person not the exceptionally skilled, the sky is the limit.

I have been around doing so much for so long, I wouldn't think twice about doing 4 or 5 different ones at once, assuming I had the time......which I don't!!! <sniff, sniff>

[Lokhopkuen]

wait a minute, you don't smoke pot and you messed that up?

I suggest that if you start smoking pot, your attention skills will grow.

Your short term memory will have some hurdles, but long term is all good!

So, you can forget you learned something and yet, still know it later!

mindblowing. :D

Said by a true Canadian ((((Canadians grow the best sh!t))))):D

[Lokhopkuen]

I say- if you like a style, give it a good 3 year commitment before mixing. If you can't master the basics in 3 years... well, make your own inferences but the term "stringing along" comes to mind. Anyway- 3 years in one, then mix the heck out of it with complimentary styles.

IMO... masters that want to isolate you from other styles have something to hide... and it's not a good super secret mystical superfuntastichappyfunhour chi blast from heck- they most likely just suck.

I've been dedicated to the same system, same teacher since 1980 and never thought of looking elsewhere. I think if people found a complete system they might not feel the need to mix?

[Lucas]

Said by a true Canadian ((((Canadians grow the best sh!t))))):D

as an oregonian, i beg to differ... :D :p

[sanjuro_ronin]

I've been dedicated to the same system, same teacher since 1980 and never thought of looking elsewhere. I think if people found a complete system they might not feel the need to mix?

I don't think that is it.
Speaking fro myself, I moves around A LOT, one teacher was not an option.
I have had teachers in Canada, Portugal, Spain, Macao and trained in those countries and add to them Holland, China, Japan and Brasil.

That said, the least time I have ever spent in ONE system is about 3 years ( in terms of formal training).
The most I have spent with a single teacher is ( one and off) 10 years.
I know that the "jumping around" has taught me this:
NO one system has it all.
AN example:
A system MAY have some grappling but it is "nothing" compared to one that specializes in grappling.

[Drake]

It's a pretty lazy assessment to say that all arts can fall under a 3-year period. Different styles take substantially different periods of time to become proficient.

[sanjuro_ronin]

It's a pretty lazy assessment to say that all arts can fall under a 3-year period. Different styles take substantially different periods of time to become proficient.

I think he meant that, in 3 years of constant training one ShOULD have a grasp of the basics.

[Drake]

I think he meant that, in 3 years of constant training one ShOULD have a grasp of the basics.

Not in every art. Again...some of those Japanese arts will have you at ten years before you even understand what the hell is going on.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Not in every art. Again...some of those Japanese arts will have you at ten years before you even understand what the hell is going on.

Such as?
I don't know of any that takes 10 years to understand the basics of the system...

[Drake]

Such as?
I don't know of any that takes 10 years to understand the basics of the system...

Kendo? Unless, of course, you have the time to chop away all day... every day...

Then you may get it in 5.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Kendo? Unless, of course, you have the time to chop away all day... every day...

Then you may get it in 5.

Where did you get that idea?
If Kendo takes you 5 then iaijutsu well take you 10 and don't even go there with Kenjutsu !

[Drake]

Such as?
I don't know of any that takes 10 years to understand the basics of the system...

Apparently things have changed. Last I checked (in 1997-ish), it took a good half a decade just to get anywhere. Apparently popular consensus is now saying two or three.

I retract my statement, since I haven't touched the stuff in over ten years.

[Drake]

Where did you get that idea?
If Kendo takes you 5 then iaijutsu well take you 10 and don't even go there with Kenjutsu !

Local opinion back when I had a stable life. And literature I owned.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Apparently things have changed. Last I checked (in 1997-ish), it took a good half a decade just to get anywhere. Apparently popular consensus is now saying two or three.

I retract my statement, since I haven't touched the stuff in over ten years.

I spent about 5 years doing Kendo, the last 2 more focused on the yagyu-shinkage system of Kenjutsu, at the Japanese Cultural Center here in Toronto.
I saw a few guys come and go at the time and most got the basics of Kendo in the first couple years.
The guys that had the hardest time were guys that had actual Blade work experience.

[MightyB]

and I'm not saying there's anything wrong with dedicating to just one style. What I'm saying is that you should give a system at least 3 years before you start jumping around. I don't like the chase the flavor of the month attitude that young MAists sometimes carry.

The "I'll do 6 months Tae Kwon Do for kicking, then I'll switch to 6 months of Judo for throwing, and then I'll do a seminar in Jiu Jitsu... and man- I'll have it. I'll start my own system 'cuz I'll have all the ranges down man. Heck- I'll even do a 6 week class on Yoga so I'll have the internal. I'll call it Rex Kwon Do... or Spetz Nas".

3 years should be sufficient to gain enough proficiency to be able to start making good choices on how you should compliment your base style.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Would anyone argue that 3 years is enough to get a "handle" on Boxing or MT?

[MightyB]

Would anyone argue that 3 years is enough to get a "handle" on Boxing or MT?

Good one Sanjuro. That is a great barometer. Seriously- why shouldn't a TMA stylist have the same expectations from their system?

[Water Dragon]

Would anyone argue that 3 years is enough to get a "handle" on Boxing or MT?

Yeah, I would agree with that.

For me, to get to the point where I could 'use' the art was about a year for Tai Chi, a year for BJJ, 2-3 for boxing/Muay Thai, and about 5 for things like Judo and Shuai Chiao.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Good one Sanjuro. That is a great barometer. Seriously- why shouldn't a TMA stylist have the same expectations from their system?

If they don't then what is wrong with THEM?

[Drake]

But this DOES beg the question... if a style takes more than 3 years to get the basics down...is it worth the investment?

[sanjuro_ronin]

But this DOES beg the question... if a style takes more than 3 years to get the basics down...is it worth the investment?

As with all things, it depends on WHY you are doing it.

NO system takes that long really, I mean, MA systems were made to train people to fight and NO ONE waited 3 years to be able to NOT get killed !

[Drake]

As with all things, it depends on WHY you are doing it.

NO system takes that long really, I mean, MA systems were made to train people to fight and NO ONE waited 3 years to be able to NOT get killed !


'After 16 years, I am still learning kata. The okuiai set, consisting, in our practice, of 18 forms (kata), is constructed in such a way as to make any weaknesses in my previous practice readily apparent. As a beginning student, I used to admire my teachers gliding though these forms, thinking they didn't look so hard. I was anxious to get through the basics and learn the cool stuff. Well, without the basics, I can't even approach the cool stuff. One lesson learned.

Another, more powerful lesson is that iaido takes so long to learn, by the time you get to the okuiai forms, you are starting to feel the toll of life on muscles and joints. Maybe my fingers ache a little, maybe my arms, due to carpal tunnel syndrome unrelated to iai practice, begin to hurt after a few hours. ****, just when I thought I was getting somewhere."

http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=207

It's on Iaido

[sanjuro_ronin]

'After 16 years, I am still learning kata. The okuiai set, consisting, in our practice, of 18 forms (kata), is constructed in such a way as to make any weaknesses in my previous practice readily apparent. As a beginning student, I used to admire my teachers gliding though these forms, thinking they didn't look so hard. I was anxious to get through the basics and learn the cool stuff. Well, without the basics, I can't even approach the cool stuff. One lesson learned.

Another, more powerful lesson is that iaido takes so long to learn, by the time you get to the okuiai forms, you are starting to feel the toll of life on muscles and joints. Maybe my fingers ache a little, maybe my arms, due to carpal tunnel syndrome unrelated to iai practice, begin to hurt after a few hours. ****, just when I thought I was getting somewhere."

http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=207

It's on Iaido

Iaido is an art, it is not a fighting system as such it is designed to focus on "unattainable perfection".

Battojutsu was learnable in months and could be effective in less than a year.
Samurai didn't have the luxury to wait longer...

[TAO YIN]

It shouldn't take three years to learn how to use a style, especially if the person has the proper time to train.

[Drake]

Iaido is an art, it is not a fighting system as such it is designed to focus on "unattainable perfection".

Battojutsu was learnable in months and could be effective in less than a year.
Samurai didn't have the luxury to wait longer...

Topic was about "systems". You didn't say nothin' 'bout fightin' ;)

[sanjuro_ronin]

It shouldn't take three years to learn how to use a style, especially if the person has the proper time to train.

Agreed, but I think it is a good guidline as arbitrary number go.


Topic was about "systems". You didn't say nothin' 'bout fightin'
And Paul takes one in the left nut !!

[MightyB]

Topic was about "systems". You didn't say nothin' 'bout fightin' ;)

Using THAT as a guide - then there is no end because no system can truly be mastered.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Using THAT as a guide - then there is no end because no system can truly be mastered.

Wow, we just came full circle !
:D

[MightyB]

Wow, we just came full circle !
:D

Just like in "The Circle of Iron".

[MightyB]

Just like in "The Circle of Iron".

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078975/
:D

[sanjuro_ronin]

Or the circles of silver
http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/5699604/silversilver3-main_Full.jpg

[Lokhopkuen]

as an oregonian, i beg to differ... :D :p

Kick a kung fu forum and a pothead will fall out of the bushes LOL!

[Lokhopkuen]

It's a pretty lazy assessment to say that all arts can fall under a 3-year period. Different styles take substantially different periods of time to become proficient.

My understanding is 20.
10 years of learning and practice one knows self.
10 years of teaching and competition one knows others.
"Know your enemy, know yourself, in 1,000 battles never be defeated."
:D

[Lokhopkuen]

Or the circles of silver


<Sigh/>:rolleyes:

[Scott R. Brown]

We must keep in mind that any time limit is an arbitrary guess and is really different for each person.

The wider the variety of skills you know the easier it is to learn new ones, so the first style one learns with take longer than subsequent styles.

Other variables are:

1) The individual's inherent ability, talent and intelliegence. As an example, I am not naturally flexible. I had to work hard to get every bit of flexibility I have, while others are naturally flexible. Some people may have a natural agility, I have natural agility, while others do not.

2) the style you are studying, some styles are easier to learn than others.

3) the quality of instruction, we all know it is necessary to have a good instructor,

4) the time that can be devoted to training. This goes without saying, the more time to train, the quicker the improvement.

So any time limit is just a best guess estimate!:)

[Yum Cha]

I have an issue with breadth vs depth.

I came from a mixed background into a single style with great depth.

In any confrontation, there are many options, many choices. To strike, to take down, where to strike, what to grab, avoid or barge, it goes on forever.

There are many options, but you only need one. One that works. A perfect moment.

By committing to a style of fighting, those choices are made for you, you follow the style, lets admit, for good or ill.

Its the old 10,000 argument.

But that's just the fight side. Training a high level style for your lifetime is a lot more than the fight side, so if you're not interested, fair enough.

[Scott R. Brown]

I think what is most important is what the individual's personal goals are.

There certainly is a benefit to spending years learning one style, but there are also detriments.

One can get a fixed mind set of how they think something is SUPPOSED to be.

This would be a detriment that learning another style could help to rectify.

No one system, that I know of, trains all possible skill sets or strategies and tactics.

Broadened horizons can only benefit a person if they are in it for the long haul!

If not, then a handful of simple and effective skills will take care of most circumstance in which one is likely to find themselves, something like krav maga, or 45. cal/9mm Fu!:)

[Yum Cha]

Yea, it is painfully obvious that while we may all share martial arts, or an interest in them, there are a lot of different kinds of martial artists.

Lots of different motivations, lots of different capabilities, lots of different theories.

They say all roads lead to the same place, still trying to figure out that one.:D

[Scott R. Brown]

Yea, it is painfully obvious that while we may all share martial arts, or an interest in them, there are a lot of different kinds of martial artists.

Lots of different motivations, lots of different capabilities, lots of different theories.

They say all roads lead to the same place, still trying to figure out that one.:D

I like to say, "Some people like vanilla ice cream, some like chocolate ice cream, some like peppermint ice cream, but it is all still ice cream!"

Variety is one of the defining characteristics of Tao. If we all thought the same we would have nothing to do or say. Life would stagnate. It is our differences that inspire us to change and grow.:)

[bawang]

I like to say, "Some people like vanilla ice cream, some like chocolate ice cream, some like peppermint ice cream, but it is all still ice cream!"


some people like diarrhea flavor ice cream

[Scott R. Brown]

some people like diarrhea flavor ice cream

EEEEEWWWWWWW!!!!!!!

Would that be YOU?????:eek:

[taai gihk yahn]

EEEEEWWWWWWW!!!!!!!

Would that be YOU?????:eek:

no, he's just the Northeast distributer for the brand...:D:D:D

[Kansuke]

some people like diarrhea flavor ice cream


It's great, but it tends to run out so quickly!

[Scott R. Brown]

So......it's a new Ben & Jerry's brand?

[taai gihk yahn]

So......it's a new Ben & Jerry's brand?

That would be Psychadelic Diahrrhea

[David Jamieson]

That would be Psychadelic Diahrrhea

...with raisins!