More recently, Bruce Lee gained fame for encouraging martial artists to explore other styles and "absorb what is useful" from them, and many Gracie jujitsu fighters (including some members of the Gracie family) augment their formidable grappling and groundfighting skills by training in such striking arts as boxing and Muay Thai. Indeed, the rise in popularity of no holds barred (NHB) and mixed martial arts (MMA) full-contact competitions, largely revitalized in the 20th century by the Gracies, has made cross training an increasingly common strategy.
Here are some things to consider when considering whether or not to start training in another style and how to go about doing so.
Are you justifiably dissatisfied with your current style?
Maybe you're seeking additional training because you've become frustrated and disillusioned with your current style and want to dump it for something new. Perhaps wing chun isn't as cool as you thought it would be, or maybe training in shotokan karate hasn't made you the ultimate fighter that you thought it would. While your concerns might be valid, you should consider whether you've given your style enough of a chance. For all but the most gifted, it takes at least three years of regular, faithful training to learn most or all of the techniques of any style, acquire the ability to perform them fluidly and beautifully, and develop the presence and reflexes needed to apply them in a real fight. It will take even longer to learn the techniques well enough to confidently take on a seasoned streetfighter or a well-trained martial artist from another style. Hey, nobody ever said learning this would be easy. (If someone did tell you this, he was lying.)
So if you've only been taking classes for half a year or even a year or two, you owe it to yourself to consider whether or not you've really given your first art a chance. And even if you've been around for a few years, can you truly say you've given your training the commitment it deserves? I'm talking about at least two to three classes a week on average, plus regular practice at home. I'm also talking about whether you've really been concentrating in class, or whether you've just been putting in face time or socializing. If not, maybe the fault lies in you, and not in the art or your teacher or the school.
