I guess I am coming to a conclusion along the lines of that there ARE no different systems, just lots of people trying to fit themselves into a collection of methods that may not all be suitable for them as an individual.[/qoute]
I've kinda come to the opposite conclusion, but then again I love getting into the differences between them, understanding why they exist and so on. What I have found, though, is that many people who feel that all martial arts are really the same are actually just looking at each new art they experience through the filter of their original art, and using it to recognise the aspects that the new arts give. In other words, they recognise their previous experience in the new system, but that is not the same as the arts being the same when it comes down to it.
Realistically, what each system is trying to do is to to instill it's own methods of moving and behaving by repeating those behaviours, instilling on the unconscious mind that those actions are powerful, strong, useful etc. By training in two different systems (which has a different method of moving, although similarities can and often do exist) you are telling your unconscious that both are powerful, even though they are contradictory. That results in the unconscious not knowing which to believe as being powerful (and no, it won't pick both, it'll always pick what it feels is the best of any two options... which means that if one is demonstrated to be "stronger", whether through experience in class, in a real situation [the least likely, honestly], or just because it "matches" what has been experienced in movies), which means neither are going in in the way they are designed, resulting in usable skill being harder to gain, and under adrenaline-induced stress, leading to a "freeze" response. Alternately, if one system iss seen by your unconscious as powerful, then by elimination the second system will be seen as fairly redundant, meaning your training in it will largely be wasted time.
It can be related to painting in block colours. Let's represent the two systems (A and B) as colours, blue and red. Training in each system can be seen as painting in the colour each represents, so by training in one, you are painting in the one colour. However, if you try painting with both, you get a mixture, a purple mess. If you pick just one, though, you get the right colour pure on the canvas, as intended. If you use one for a while, and get it on accurately, then you can add some of the second one, and if you're good, you can create deliberate patches of purple, or just have red dots on the blue primary background. That is, of course, when you have trained in one art for a while (as you had), then branch out, rather than try both at once.
I'm not suggesting that JKD and BBT fit together like a 2 piece jigsaw puzzle, but that there are people out there who are capable of drawing sufficient material from each art into a bespoke personal system for their own requirements without devaluing or cheapening each individual source art. I believe Brian VanCise is one of these people, and even within JKD and the Takamatsuden arts there are specialists in certain areas which is not really all that different.
Yeah, there are those that can do both and gain benefits from the experiences that each offer, my point is really just that there needs to be dedication to only one to begin with. My own student above is a demonstration of why I feel that. With Brian, it's the same thing, first one, then the other. It provides a basis for the practitioner to view the new system, and can increase the learning curve of the second system if approached that way. But again, not from the very beginning. That is actually rather counter-productive.
Some beginners may have more of a problem with this than others, depending upon what they absorb. The modern approach to martial arts is to take what you need from each, you probably won't find an MMAist studying the Muay Thai kata-like routines, and if goshinjutsu is your focus as a taijutsu practitioner one may feel less inclined towards spending too much time on areas best suited to fighting in armour with swords and spears on a muddy battlefield. Some time obviously, but not lots.
And the "modern" approach you describe here is not what I would consider actually studying a martial art, it's a feel-good approach by people who don't understand the way the arts work, why they are designed the way they are, or have the patience and discipline to go through an art itself.
I can't deny that as a nidan in taijutsu and a lowly red belt in JKD that BBT is my primary art and always will be because I will always be moving forwards with it so that my JKD will never catch up (and I'm not getting any younger at 41), and yes the drilling methods, sparring and approach are helping to bring my taijutsu to life, but I am also learning lots that is new and that I truly believe does not exist in the taijutsu currulum vitae. Escrima bears very little resemblance to hanbojutsu when you lay both sets of skills out for scrutiny for example.
Very true that there are things found in JKD that aren't found in Taijutsu, and vice versa really. Again there are a number of reasons for that. Really, no art has absolutely everything, and I find that a good thing myself.
I would love to tell the originator of this thread to just go for taijutsu, but the quality control and likelihood of him becoming a capable and aware functional martial artist with real kickass skills and no delusions of what real fights are like, is just not there any more in this art.
Ha, I wish I could argue with you there... unfortunately you are 100% correct! The unfortunate thing is that both JKD and Budo Taijutsu are some of the most up-in-the-air systems when it comes to teachings standards. In both cases I'd suggest visiting the schools in question.... of course, in this particular case, it's not a Bujinkan school we're talking about, it's a Jyukutatsu Dojo school, my organisation, and as I've said, we don't teach Budo Taijutsu. And I like to think that we have a fair amount more quality control in place. Still, I'd suggest visiting each school that the OP is interested in, and seeing what they think of each on it's own merits.
Getting punched in the head is Miso Soup for the soul!
Ha, that is absolutely true! And I may steal it for future use....
