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SHIN TE RYU I believe in the premise that no style or system or race or nationality can have a monopoly on all that is functional and worthy in the martial arts.
This, for me is the philosophy, which I have come to live by. Every Martial Artist travel's a different path to seek the truth in their path or chosen way. Along that path they pick up material to support that truth. Their truth becomes their way! And in their mind, they come to believe, that their way is the only way. I have researched many arts, and I am certainly not done! Some seekers of the truth say things like; how can anyone master all that material?
It is best to stay with one method only! And master it. I agree to this, at some point. But let me throw this at you! There are many Traditional instructors out there who teach different arts and keep them apart from each other. Such as: Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido and breaking. Separate arts, but both works well together. One other example is Karate-Do with Kenjutsu. All these are Traditional arts that develop attributes that help the student to learn defenses for various situations be it weapons or empty handed.
In the martial arts and in the World around us we see innovation, And many new idea's everyday. It is the American way, the land of the free, and with that, personal expression. If you want to create your own personal style or art of doing something, why not! We are creative breathing human beings, with minds of our own. And that is traditional in America!
I believe in passing on an art through the years from generation to generation and keeping it within the systems. But who is to say what you can or can't take out of that system and use it as your own method or expression? And yes! I believe in Loyalty to an art and having a base system to work from. I have 31 years behind me in various systems and the rest of my life in front of me. It's important for me to have freedom, to use what works for me. It is my life on the line not my art!
I believe in having a base system that is flexible, and lets you express your own way of doing it. And to know where you’re going and what you’re looking for. That's the hard part, there are a lot of people who just cross train with no idea of what to do with the information. And have no goals, which is to become more unpredictable and prepared for any situation.
To be your best, you cannot stay locked in your system, confined.
There is an old Chinese saying that goes like this; "Before the flower there was the root". So I am not talking about the thousands of people, who train for two months here and there. And then creates the "Duck walking Kung fu system" It's very important to have a strong base system to flow from.
I believe that the best way to express the martial arts, in America. Is to be trained in the Arts, with its up to date technology. And the use of Western Boxing, Fencing, Wrestling, Weapons and Hand to hand combat, Hey 9-times of 10, that is what your going to run into, on the street. Now combining that knowledge with the Eastern Arts what ever that maybe. The World is constantly changing so we have to evolve and improve in order to keep up with the new things.
I see the problems begin when a person, puts their brand on something and then forgets, where they came from. And yes, I have created my own personal method of expressing what I teach. But, I keep the systems separate to pass them on.
I will never forget the Instructors, or their contributions to the martial arts World that someday will pass without them. These people "Masters" of the Martial Arts, who have come before me. And have passed on their knowledge on to me. So I have the knowledge to create my own expression. I would be, nowhere without them. I call what I teach, Shin Te Ryu Martial Arts. It is the method in which I teach the systems or styles. I teach various systems and different styles.
"Remember this" what you take out of a system, for your own expression or use and throw away. Might work for someone else!
The bottom line is learn, all you can. But remember where it came from. And give credit, where credit is due! Just try to remember this! Your expression of the systems, and what you use, Is just that. “Your expression". Don't trap anybody else with your own way or just your truth(way of thinking and doing). For everyone is different, Your Way, may not be, My Way. But let's all at least try to be on the same highway!
Yours in the Way
Shihan Jose Maldonado
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