Cross training in the martial arts has become very popular in the United States.  The underlying concept of cross training is that your particular style of martial arts is not a complete art unto itself.  If your martial arts style has deficiencies, then you will seek other ways, arts, or methods to train in order to make up for those deficiencies that you perceive exist in your particular style.  However, if your particular style of martial arts is complete, then there is no need for cross training.  In fact, if you study a complete, traditional martial arts system, you would never even consider the idea of cross training for two reasons.   First, practically there would be no need because your art is complete unto itself.  Second, you understand the underlying insult that cross training is to a traditional martial arts teacher.

     Cross training is often considered by beginning students (those with less then ten years of training in one art) because they have not yet been made privy to all of the training methods, concepts, and forms in their style.   A traditional teacher will decide what and when to teach his students.  Many students lack the patience and perseverance to be traditional students.   It is not uncommon for those students who do not understand the concept of martial morality to begin to cross train in another style without even asking their teacher for permission to do so.  This is considered rather insulting by traditional teachers.   Remember, the underlying assumption when cross training is that your particular martial arts style is not complete unto itself.

     Traditional students understand that it is improper to train with another instructor without your teacher’s permission.  A traditional teacher will not even accept you as a student in a workshop or seminar if he knows that you have a teacher who has not given you permission to attend his seminar.  This etiquette may seem strange to the beginning American student.  Not following this basic protocol would not be an option for a traditional student of Chinese martial arts where a students’ loyalty and dedication can be tested for years before the student is taught the inside-the-door methods of the style.

     I am very fortunate to be a part of a martial art system that is complete unto itself.  Grandmaster Pai said that our art contains seven lifetimes of knowledge.  With an art that deep, how could anyone look to cross train in any other art?  Well believe it or not, some people actually do.  Is it because our art is not complete?  No.   Is it because their teacher has not found them deserving of some of the higher teachings of the art?  Maybe.   Is it because, instead of approaching their art with a beginner’s mind everyday, they fall into the human trap of believing that the grass is greener on the lawn of another?  Probably.   Is it because they do not yet understand what it is to be a traditional student?  Definitely.

     If you are training a complete, traditional martial arts system, you have an obligation to learn it properly.   Focus all of your energy, attention, and time into mastering all facets of your chosen style.  Do not look to cross train in any other style of martial arts unless your teacher specifically suggests that you do.

     This traditional approach can seem difficult here in America where the fast food martial arts mentality is very prevalent.  Customers demand what they think they want from a teacher, instead of becoming a student and allowing the art to provide them with what they need.  As such, they erroneously believe if studying one art is good, then learning three or four arts is even better.  These people will forever remain perpetual beginners, chasing their tail like a dog running in circles, and never approach a true understanding of the beauty, depth, and spirituality of the traditional martial arts.