Today, I got an email from a close friend, in regards to "cross training" in martial arts. She asked my experience in cross training, and whether or not it would help or hinder one's own progress. She in turn, has a friend who was interested in doing some cross training, but was afraid of mixing up two styles and not getting benefit from either one.

Here is my response...

Hi ****,

While it is true that "stuff that is similar but not same can be hard to differentiate", I feel that as long as someone gains a true understanding of at least *one* art, differentiating between systems will not be all that hard.  I do understand, though, that exposure and long practice in ONE art, can cement certain theory and practice into one's own muscle memory.....my newest student is a black belt in Karate, and he is struggling with the different "flavor" and flow of Wushu. But, I told him "Keep the sharpness of your Karate in at the end of every strike or kick, but now you'll need to learn how to relax during the execution then sharp at the end....., to gain more speed and to get the "look" of Wushu...."

 

"Purity of schools of thought" are necessary, to some degree. Without this sense of 'purity of thought", there would really be no established "methods" of martial arts.   However, I believe that "purity of Principle and concept" is more important than a method's rote, handed down exact technique.

 

Granted, some people have no problem differentiating between systems when they cross train....some will have problems on the other hand.  Let's see, I've studied Karate, Kajukenbo, Wushu, Taiji, Xing Yi, Bagua, Qigong, traditional Kung fu, Eskrima, Pangamot. While some of the arts compliment each other (Taiji, Xing Yi, Bagua, for example), others like my Karate, were far different. However, when I'm asked where my foundation comes from, I always say "Karate".  The Karate taught me the importance of strong foundations (stance), mental committment (I would've broken my hand on all the boards and bricks I've broken without the mental commitment), sense of urgency in self defense maneuvers, speed, the concept of Zen, and a bajiliion other things that I've brought into the training in my other arts. Has Karate complimented my other arts? yes it has....however the hard part was figuring out what aspects to "leave out" and what elements to "keep" when studying another art.  From something as simple as "not yelling when I punch" in a Wushu form (as I do in Karate form), to "relaxing fully and rounding out" in Taiji instead of having a rigid base as Karate. 

 

I tell my own students, that if you put people of all martial systems in the same clothing, and put them in a huge stadium, an audience of skilled practitioners walking about the stadium will see NOT the differences, but the similarities.  At one point or another, an audience will see the same movement in all the systems.  If you ask the audience to guess what art they all collectively study, the skilled audience won't exactly know.  Why? Not because they're not knowledgeable....far from it! Its because they're looking at things deeper than outward movement.  However, if you have relatively unskilled or newbie practitioners walk about the stadium watching all the people, they will actively look for and pick out movements of their own chosen style.  

 

 I see it all the time at tournaments.....

 

As an Instructor, its my job to show my students how to appreciate all the arts, not just their "theirs".  This is why I research or actively study other arts, so I can eventually glean the "cake" of the art, not just the "icing" of the cake......Doesn't matter that one cake has nuts and fuit in it, while another is plain chocolate.....all cakes have flour, eggs, and water in them, right??? :-)  

 

Is this merely a "jack of all trades, master of none" situation? No, absolutely not,....I've chosen my arts specifically to gain expertise in them, not to just say "I've dabbled in it" then claim to be a teacher.   I've been careful to earn my instructor's rank in each art I teach.  It does take a lot of time, sweat, effort, and frustration to gain that kind of experience, but its not impossible.

Now, for those that take a weekend martial arts seminar in an art that is new to them, then claim to be a teacher.....be careful of what you claim.  One weekend, or even 5 or 10 weekends, is not enough time to gain mastery of an arts fundamentals, much less the core principles and concepts.

Study hard, engage in the struggles along the way. Get to know your art a bit before delving into another. In the long run, cross training should not hamper your training, but rather, enhance it.  But you have to have the correct mindset for it.