Can 2 Martial Arts Blend?

This is a controversial subject within martial arts. I believe all martial arts have come about thru some form of blending and mixing of techniques. Early martial arts were based on experiences from huntning and the different combat instincts within the tribes, that developped into systems and from the systems, new systems developped as techniques were tweaked or combined with techniques from other existing systems.

However, as with anything else, the blending of martial arts should be approached with a critical mind.

When practising tradition, you are standing on the shoulders of giants. That doesn’t mean you don’t have to think critically about the practicality of techniques and concepts, but it’s even more important when you are blending things and trying out new stuff as it hasn’t been tested before.

In kung-fu it makes sense to wrap the broadsword close to the body, as only one side is sharp, but that same technique will be very dangerous when using a straightsword which is double edged.

When combining techniques from one system to another, or using a pattern from one system in a new way within another system of martial arts, you must think about it rationally and then test it out. It’s also a good idea to get the perspective of martial artists from each system, or even better the perspective of someone who has trained both system.

But if the person you ask is a purist, they may purely on principle disregard the idea of blending 2 systems.

If your focus is practicality rather than tradition, then critical thinking and testing it out in sparring is the way to go. If your point is simply to have fun and be creative with your martial arts, then no need to read any further, go have some fun!

In this video a kenpo instructor who’s done a little bit of kali (or eskrima or arnis, whichever you prefer) teaches 2 combinations from Filipino martial arts, as well as one blending kempo with eskrima, enjoy.