Over the years, I have talked to a many seasoned martial artists concerning cross training
and some are positive, while others respond, “I have all I need.” When I began my cross
training in 1977 under the tutelage of Professor Moses Powell and Professor Visitacion,
others in my martial arts field viewed me as a traitor. I did not see it that way. For me,
this represented another avenue to search out more knowledge for development of my
skills and fill in the gaps of an art, which could be carried to another unique level in me.
The Karate 5 is considered a pioneer in this area for opening its doors to allow cross
training and it is an honor. I am aware now that there were others who believed as I did
then and now that cross training could only bring an expansion of knowledge and skill to
our art but during that time they were venturing into this new area but remaining in the
closet and not letting anyone else in on the fact they had stepped out of the box of their
art. They dab in other martial arts but did not share the information with others or
announced the cross training was created solely for purposes of their training.
Always willing to explore new ways to improve an already remarkable form of martial
arts, I chose a more stand-up approach about cross training and am proud that I did for
the benefit of the Karate 5 and how it has enhanced my martial arts skills. Some of you
are unaware when your name has been nominated sensei of sensei in the IHOF (Isshinryu
Hall of Fame), as one of the requirements is a willingness to learn from other arts and
become a more well rounded sensei with the ability to teach your students in depth about
your art as well as appreciate what other forms of art through cross training can bring to
your skills in a unique way.
Some of the working masters like Grand Masters Msarsa, Shaffer, Little, Master Butch
Hill and Clyde Stanley, James Ogle and William Mason, just to name a few, have taken
this stand for some time for the good of Isshinryu, Shorin-Ryu or any art that you are
studying and that is why they are who they are and recognized in the martial arts
community because they were not afraid to improve and expand their knowledge of what
it is today.
Grand Master Burris has often commented that as long as you keep your primary art first,
he does not care and if you want to explore cross training and he sees no harm in your
cross training. I think with Grand Master Burris’ opened minded approach that students
know they will not be punished or looked upon as a traitor because they do not want to
limit their martial arts growth through further development of their skills in cross
training. For students in our art, cross training has not hurt Isshinryu but I believe it has
only served to strengthen it and brought more attention to the fact that we have a great
system and leaders who are not so rigid that they are willing to improve what we already
have without betraying its original concept and strengths.
For three years, I have studied and trained in Modern Arnis under Grand Master Jeff
Delaney, the successor to Professor Presas and with Professor Lisa McManus. The
system is more than just Filipino sticks and dagger approach. Prof. Presas was a master
in judo and karate, which helped him develop Modern Arnis. Grand Master Delaney has
a black belt in kung fu; Professor Lisa McManus has studied along with her son Kevin in
boxing, Shorin- ryu, and Goju- ryu. . The Karate 5 studies Arnis under the Sanuces Ryu
and Vee- Jitsu system, but not as in depth as Modern Arnis. Because other arts are
interweaved in Modern Arnis, the result is a better all around approach. But the masters
in this art are still studying other forms of the martial arts to better themselves or further
develop the systems they have.
So, do you know that even Isshinryu comes from two other arts with a twist of Grand
Master Shimabuku? What I’m simply trying to say is there are more great leaders and
creators of systems of their own as a result of not being afraid to cross train. Even the
great and well-known Bruce Lee’s system had other arts weaved into his own system. He
even studied with the infamous Wally Jay and he even commented, “If I study your
system I will beat you because every system has some weakness.”
Again, do you know if you cross train, it is then you will see where you really are as a
martial artist? No one will ever have to tell you because your martial art instincts will let
you know.
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