Have/would you ever use(d) influence from another art.?

Question

a question to my martial arts friends.

I train both aikido and Capoeira which are of course two totally different arts. And both have taught me a few very interesting Ideas, furthermore i regularly cross train with a few friends on Sundays all of which have different backgrounds, and again different views. I am lucky enough to have non restrictive creative styles and teacher that allow me to bring in new Ideas from other sources. Believe me that karate and muay thai have taught a few good things about kicks, while I taught them some interesting things on balance. i believe that it's made me a better martial artist all round.

Do you consider it a good Idea to do this or do you prefer to stick strictly to the style(s) you train in.

what's your view.

Answer 1

Definitely, the main asset I feel helps from cross training is footwork and cardio.  I think its a good idea to cross train as long as your not overloading yourself physically or mentally, so you can retain information and not just water down your style.

Answer 2

Yes I do and consider it a great idea providing that you are already proficient in a base style first like yourself ( Aikido )

Which as you know I'm very keen to learn apart from Wing Chun.

I tried wing chun but because of the block booking system so many styles are employing theses days instead of pay as you attend I'm finding it impossible financially,but have been practising Yoshikan aikido from dvds but sadly have no one to practise with and the same with wing chun sadly, but maybe one day I'll get my chance.

Best wishes Peter  :)***

Answer 3

My core art is Aikido

I have trained 5 years in Judo / Ju Jutsu to strengthen my ground work

I cross train in Karate to deal with strikes kicks

I would suggest choosing one art which best fits your body type, mind set, personality, ect... and training to Balck Belt.  

After that analyze your weaknesses and cross train to strengthen them

Answer 4

This can be a very good thing. As long as you stay within what is acceptable when training under one of your instructors there will be advantages.  If you introduce ideas/techniques where the instructor strictly follows a set routine of training, then there will be friction.

Personally, I must say that although I can separate and teach the individual arts I've studied, I tend to teach those without regard as to where my class/techniques may lead.  I always make it a point to inform the students as to what style and instructor a concept or technique came from.    

I see it this way.  No one has all the answers. In teaching I use this analagy:  In math we learned that A=B. Then we learned that B=C. We were then to draw the conclusion that A must be = to C.

Looking back on my training I can see where different instructor had concepts like A=B or B=C. Yet having learned both from different sources, I was able to see that A=C.  While revisiting some of my early instructors (from the 60's and 70's) , it is clear that some of them have not yet made the same conclusion.

Answer 5

I have picked up techniques I thought were useful and complimanted my fighting style, and I think it can be very valuble.  

I do not advocate a student learning another style or begining another style until they have at least acheived a Brown Belt though. Until this time they still do not know the basics of one style well enough.

It is different if they are training at a MMA school from the start, because that is what it is about, but if they are in a traditional set style, they need to get a grasp on that before branching out, otherwise they will probably suffer at both.

Answer 6

I assist in coaching wrestling at a local high school and I study Tae Kwon Do.  When it comes to self-defense, I've been able ahead of the curve because of my wrestling background.  My instructor has trouble with doing some gymnastics drills like shoulder rolls so I get to help in teaching them.  But with self-defense I have a different way of doing some joint locks that force students to change their approach and make them think more on their feet.

Answer 7

its martial ART..in that aspect you can make it your own what ever works for you works for you...if you can take karate ad some kung fu and make your kicks cut air its a great thing just dont let the concepts contradict eachother....

Answer 8

I think that jijitsu is a helpful addition to karate. It fills in the gaps. We always included it in our general training, also included was a little aikido, very helpful.

These other two styles complimented what was otherwise pure traditional Shotokan perfectly.

Shotokan has gaps in it, which they fill nicely.

Answer 9

That's an excellent question and for testing and promotion I teach my students what is in my art first.  Sometimes though a different martial art will take a different approach to some aspect and I do teach that as well and tell them it is also required but it is not a Shito-ryu or Japanese Ju-jitsu technique.  Those other aspects can be helpful and beneficial and give them a better, more rounded understanding and approach to things if they understand the first skill or concept I think.  Also some techniques are better and an example of this is the Judo method of falling as opposed to the Ju-jitsu method of falling.  

A lot has to do with rank in regards to this and even at the lower belt levels I teach some things especially for self-defense.  Some students also have physical limitations and /or abilities so sometimes a technique from another style or art is better suited for them to use.  No one style is all encompassing.  I know that it has made me better and my students as well if they have those basic skills and concepts of their own art down first and then something else that might also enhance their skill, ability, and understanding of something.