Styles Spread or Concealed

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Since there is no ultimate truth in this world, there is no perfect style to take on or put on. Styles are born and attached to individuals. As the InFi philosophy says, everybody has a different individual fighting style. Therefore, InFi styles have owners. In short: one person — one style. Ideally, then, there should be as many styles in the world as there are human beings.

But the world doesn’t reflect this. There are major styles (trends) and minor styles. Some are popular, some are stagnant, and some disappear. Classical (traditional) systems are always struggling to gain ground, striving for popularity. Hidden traditional methods may even be in danger of extinction.


traditional and InFi styles

Classical or traditional ways are products—like cars, houses, or fashion trends. People pick them up from outside sources. Classical styles are not people's inborn or self-created ways; therefore, they can be sold. If you pay attention to the martial arts or combat sports world, you can quickly notice new and old trends, popular and outdated styles. All these changes are based on marketing and selling.

For example, Shaolin Kung Fu is a well-established, centuries-old system from China. Yet some progressive fans of the combative trade do not like it. Recently, new trends like tricking or Defence Lab have been overwhelming Shaolin teachings with modern aesthetics, concepts, and strong online marketing strategies. Nobody knows for how long.

Ideally, there should be as many styles as people living. But no one sees this in reality. The very foundation of spreading styles is psychological. Some people influence, and others are influenced. This is the actual game in the world. As we all know, equal power between individuals does not exist. Of course, one may be stronger, and another weaker—focusing only on one subject. This is natural. But it is also natural that every living creature wants to grow and express something. The degree of their success or failure is another topic. So, let’s return to the theme of styles.

Usually, every influential, charismatic person wants to teach their style to others. This normal phenomenon is the origin of all the classical styles we know. Some were established a hundred years ago; others were born in the 21st century. These are people's artificial styles—pursued styles, represented styles—but not the followers’ InFi. We could say the founder’s style, which later becomes a traditional style, was their InFi. But it is not the followers' InFi!

What kind of people are the founders of combative styles? Bruce Lee, Oyama, and Ng Mui were InFi practitioners who created their own combat styles. Founders are InFi creators who shared their techniques with the world. (Certainly, Bruce Lee did not establish a style, but thousands try to copy him and follow JKD.) This is sharing, marketing, selling-buying. But to be honest, InFi—like personality—cannot exist without its owner. It is inseparably attached to the individual who created it. InFi does not want to be shown. It is a personal combat style or ability.

However, these charismatic founders were not necessarily aware of this inseparability. Followers are not creators, and duplication is not creation. When people follow their masters’ path, they become shadows—lacking autonomy.

Why do founders spread their style, knowledge, or wisdom? Because they want to influence others, help others, or gain power over others. It is a business—whether financial or humanitarian. Teachers represent something and want us to accept and follow it without doubt. Very few martial arts teachers truly embrace our uniqueness, and even fewer support the development of our individual styles.

Individuality, in general, is not nurtured by communities. Communities tend to promote uniformity. But our individual fighting styles exist independently—whether we follow the settled path or not. They live on, whether we are aware of them or not. And InFi styles do not reveal themselves easily. Sometimes, they lurk behind our traditional styles, waiting. So, whatever happens in the visible world of martial arts and combat sports, InFi exists—and it is safe.

In the first diagram (above), the black ring represents a traditional style taught by a master, and the orange circle represents a person’s actual individual fighting style. These two areas usually overlap—but they are never the same.

Some new founders base their teachings on their orange circle (InFi). They stop following outsider guidelines and teach from within. In the second image, we see hundreds of kung fu students. They appear identical—but they are not. Each is a different individual, and their ways of fighting differ as well.

In the image, community rules, common will, and external constraints seem to dominate. But behind all of it, the hidden InFi is still present, forever and ever. Don’t believe it? Attack them one by one—and you’ll see individually different reactions.

Classical styles are born, spread, hidden, or terminated. But InFi existed, exists, and will exist—as long as the human race exists. That’s why it’s helpful to be aware of it. Develop your own fighting ability—individually. Unless you’re lucky enough to have an InFi-aware trainer, whether you follow others or not:

SHAPE AND DEVELOP YOUR PERSONAL STYLE!


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