What is a teaching method vs. martial arts style? by Sabeomnim Jerry Glover

What is a teaching method vs. martial arts style? by Sabeomnim Jerry Glover

During my visit to Kim Soo Karate of Baytown, I was asked this very question by a parent of the dojang. What is a teaching method vs. martial arts style?

I explained to the parent that teaching methods such as Grandmaster Kim Soo’s Chayon-Ryu “The Natural Way”, Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do "the art of expressing the human body", and Chuck Norris's Chun Kuk Do, "The Universal Way” are designed to teach classical martial arts more safe and effective for all students.

Instead of just learning one martial art such as Karate or Taekwondo, teaching methods are defined as hybrid martial art systems because they include many arts. The idea is to use different "tools" for different situations.

I explained to the students that Chayon-Ryu uses natural human body movements and emphasizes the "Basic Principles" rather than thousands of techniques.

 I explained how a student of Taekwondo may perform a form (Hyung) which looks like one taught in Chayon-Ryu. The differences will be the way the basic movements are taught.

I was talking to the parent about self-defense. 

Sabeomnim Glover teaching a student at Conroe Chayon-Ryu.

I explained that in the style of Judo, students are taught to throw students over the back and shoulder. I explained that in Chayon-Ryu, we never throw students that way.

I explained that some techniques may start with a judo like movement, then we will combine a hapkido technique which is more safe and effective to bring the attacker down.

Remember it is better to have all your tools to be ready for every situation than to only have one. It is always important to also be true to your teacher’s method and never quit. Practice every day and never give up your training.