Personal Style VS. Transmitting the Original

[Dana Sheets]

In another thread ATH mentioned how it's really hard to say what is "traditional" Uechi.

Many of you may have read some of the personal things I do in my Uechi that may not be "traditional". For example, sometimes I do that turn and double middle area block in Seichin as a one-armed shoulder throw. But when I teach new students - my goal is not to transmit to them "my" karate. My goal is to transmit the style and then help them to discover what little changes will work best for them.
So new students get taught - double middle area block first -- and then we go exploring together.

I mean, if we all started just teaching the only parts that worked well for us, what would Uechi look like in 2 or 3 generations? Probably nothing like Uechi.
I think a style can evolve without losing the root forms.

So when you teach are you paying attention to if you're transmitting your style or are you just teaching what works well for you?

Dana

[Tony-San]

Dana,

The thing to do, is seperate your kata from your bankai. When I teach a kata, as a rule of thumb, I NEVER reference and application, only other katas and ALWAYS Sanchin.

Good topic.

Great forum.

Excellent work.

Tony