So, I got talking to a guy I was introduced to at a party because, like me, he trains in martial arts. As the conversation progressed, and we spoke about styles, he said that he now teaches his own style.

Interesting I said, tell me more!

Basically, after about ten years of training in a number of styles including kung fu, karate, kick boxing and aikido, he took the best parts, made up some forms/katas and now teaches what he feels his students need.

He is quite successful, with a compliment of about 80 students, has a governing body in the UK under him and grades all the students him self.

Any one have a particular view on this?

Personally, I do not know what his standard is and have not trained or seen his students so it is difficult to judge exactly what he is doing. But I guess that as long as he is a good teacher and can apply what he is doing its OK. I am interetsed in his forms work to see what slant they take as well.

Hopefully we are going to train in the New Year, so should be interesting. I’ll keep you posted if I have any interest.