Attitudes on WC cross-training?
I was talking to a friend, discussing all the "politics" of the WC community and we both marveled at how little tolerance there is for cross-training between established WC organizations. Many organizations would be more tolerant of a student studying a totally different martial art such as BJJ or Escrima than to have them train, even just occaisionally, with another branch of WC. And for instructors, the attitudes are even stricter. A "sifu" is often required to "set a good example" by never being seen to cross bridges with WC adepts from other organizations, except to dominate them and demonstrate the superiority of his own lineage!
I, personally have a hard time with this kind of attitude. And, I don't necessarily mind getting "humbled" by someone better than myself ..."sifu" or not. How the hell else are you supposed to learn and grow in your art? But then again, I'm not trying to make a living from my art. That does change things. Any thoughts?