But the question is, as opposed to enhancing, is the cross training essentially replacing traditional martial arts? Is there really a fusion of new and old practices or is this actually a slow elimination of Kung Fu? Is the compliment of other styles helping to reconnect with ways of old or is this simply a way of slowly eradicating an outdated art that lost touch? Does adding in other movement training supplement Kung Fu basics or supplant it? Does using Kung Fu terminology and theory change the fact that we are whole heartedly using other practices? Or are we simply trying to “Kung-Fuize” other arts in attempt to keep Kung Fu nostalgia alive? For those that did not come from a combat-oriented school, these questions can be very challenging, if not impossible to answer.
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Thus, in theory, crossing with other modern styles should be the perfect enhancement that help Kung Fu return to its roots. And as I have highlighted in many of my past posts, countless techniques found in MMA, sport fighting and athletics are clearly intrinsic to Chinese Martial Arts. Cross training is a natural process for any competitive martial artist or athlete. Practices like Yoga, Cross fit and Pilates, in many cases, have become a more dominant influence in Chinese Martial Arts than traditional basic training. For similar reasons, many have greatly supplemented Kung Fu fundamentals with modern exercise modalities as well. However, this trend goes beyond just pure combative training. Understandably, many practitioners have chosen to cross train with other modern combat sports (such as Boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing, wrestling, BJJ, etc.) to gain practical application to bring back to their respective martial schools. Unfortunately, as many Kung Fu practices deviated so far from its traditional roots, the combat Chinese Martial Arts was famous for, has become little more than an afterthought. The consistent failure of traditional practitioners to produce martial artist that could stand up to the modern MMA combatant greatly challenged this seemingly archaic training method. Jiao Li Kung Fu - Is Kung Fu about to be extinct? Since the explosion of MMA in the west, Traditional martial arts have been on a steady decline.