Style vs. Instructor

Date: Weds, 9 Feb 2005

The first question a lot of people ask me when they call my school for information is what style I teach.  

That's a good enough starting point, but unfortunately, many of them are under the impression that this or that martial art style is better than others, or this or that style of Kung Fu is better than others, for whatever reason.  

They’ll often base their opinion on a chain of reasoning that goes something like this: a friend told them that southern styles of Kung Fu are good for fighting in small spaces because the cities of southern China were crowded back in the day (still are) and so the fighting styles that developed there are more “practical” because most of us live in cities and if we get in a fight we’ll need to be able to fight in cramped quarters.

Or, most fights “go to the ground” so grappling styles are more “practical.”

Or Krav Maga kicks ass because the Israelies won the six day war in, well, six days.

Or whatever.

All those styles – Southern Kung Fu, Grappling, Krav Maga – are excellent . . . if you find an excellent teacher and a well-run school.

And keep in mind, the grappling instructor you choose may have some boxing experience and include boxing drills in his warm up.  Or the Southern Stylist was a college wrestler and has a special grappling class on Saturday mornings.  Those are things people won’t usually find out with a phone call.

I think the best way to choose a school is by visiting it, and participating in a class.  And I do mean participate, because watching and doing are two very different things.

The world’s greatest copywriter Gary Halbert, has wisely pointed out that there’s a difference between “knowing about” something, and “knowing” something.  The former you can get from watching.  The latter only comes by doing.

As for what’s practical, it really depends on what your goals are.  The philosophy of my school is to get something out of your training that you can use in your life every day.  We don’t get in fights everyday so having that as your primary focus actually seems to me a little impractical.  Also, if your main focus is on fights, you’re probably gonna get in a few.  I’m not saying you want to short change yourself in the self-defense department, just keep in mind that more of us will die of stress related illness, than of violent crime.

Whatever school you choose, you can and should personalize your private workouts, regardless of the style you’re learning, just as any decent instructor will customize his school’s curriculum based on his strengths and preferences, style notwithstanding.

Ultimately, and I’m sure you’ve heard this before, There’s no true path, there’s only your path.

A style won’t necessarily teach you what it is, but a good instructor can help you find it.

Take care, train like you mean it,

Rob LaPointe