Do you combine styles?
In other words, you call your system of fighting eclectic, mixed, or
progressive?
Or ...
Do you practice a single, classical style?
Even if yours is the most classical of systems, it was originally a
combination of other systems. It`s the result of someone analyzing
martial movement.
This inventor of the style, tweaked and changed components until he
(and in a several cases she) had something effective for the place,
context, and times.
These folks invented styles that worked for them.
Would you be surprised to learn that Funakoshi, the founder of modern
karate never wanted his style to stop growing? He frowned on
stagnation.
Note: I wonder what Funakoshi would say if he saw the rigidity of his
style, now. He definitely wanted his system to continue to progress
and refine.

So did Bruce Lee.
Those of us who want an effective way to deal with `the nasties` in
the world, constantly seek to improve.
Whether you are studying solo in your garage or belong to a giant,
formal martial arts association, the fact that you are reading this
article means you are pursuing knowledge outside of your style. You
look beyond the knowledge base that is immediately available to you.
You acknowledge the need to continue growing....

http://groups.msn.com/martialartsqen