Im a 7th kyu ho SDC whos done a bit of Shotokan, is doing bits of zen bu kan. ive recently moved and was thinking of taking up cho chiao kung fu but i wasn't sure if it would interfere with my other training or not. ive heard that the styles are sufficiently different for me not to worry but id like you guys opinions.

it is possible to be OK at both styles
maybe even be good at both of them

but if you want to be the best you can be at either style stick to one or the other.

yes they are significally different styles and you wont get confused (mind wise at least) but due to the difference in body mechanics and ideals behind the two martial arts it is very possible your body will become confused.

to go from a very straight forward style where your hips and shoulders move together in one plain to a style that encourages and requires your body to move in 'abnormal' ways, twisting and flowing your body and then back to straight forward again you will begin to notice some real problems coming through

it can be done, but it is very HARD...
definately do not begin another style so early on in your journey of another. at least wait until you have more understanding of one style before mixing them....

Have to agree...unless the style is completely different (say BJJ etc) I would also say wait till you have studied one for a period of time and can more easily differentiate.

Yes, there is also the chance of being lured into the opinion that style A is better than style B and so then you switch over. And then you might decide to go along and try something else (style C) before you have a good grounding in style B. And after a few years you've become one of those people who have years of experience in MA but only a few months experience in any single MA.

On the other hand there is something to be said about knowing lots about nothing, but I'm not sure that it applies here.


Mick

Then again.....you could just do one style and have a fairly sheltered view of martial arts

I think im gonna give it a try any way. It will only be once a week on a casual basis and at the moment im training in GKR four times a week so i don't think its going to impact that much. i want to do the second style mainly for the fitness and weapons anyway.