but I do find the fact that they "teach" both Kung Fu and Karate odd
Hmmm, that's funny. To me that seems perfectly normal. I took Ukelele lessons from someone who teaches Ukelele, Guitar, Bass, and other stringed instruments. I teach Drawing, and Architectural Drafting. I know a dance teacher who teaches Ballet and Jazz dance. It seems to me a common pattern in the arts, musical, visual, dance, and martial arts, to study with one school for a long time, then broaden one's horizons and learn from another tradition, then be able to teach either. I took Spanish from a woman who taught Spanish and French, and I know another woman who teaches Thai and Mandarin, so it's not just arts, either.
I think I would be *more* suspicious of a school that only address their was "one true" way to practice Martial Arts, just like I would be of a Visual Arts school that only addressed one style or technique of painting.
I'm with you that th ads you saw in trade mags forlearning Kung Fu were crappy stupid scams, but those exist in every field. I've had people try to sell me "easy classroom guides" to "teaching" art. Just because there are people out there advertising scam-courses doesn't make all teachers suspected crooks.
Re: martial arts
Hmmm, that's funny. To me that seems perfectly normal. I took Ukelele lessons from someone who teaches Ukelele, Guitar, Bass, and other stringed instruments. I teach Drawing, and Architectural Drafting. I know a dance teacher who teaches Ballet and Jazz dance. It seems to me a common pattern in the arts, musical, visual, dance, and martial arts, to study with one school for a long time, then broaden one's horizons and learn from another tradition, then be able to teach either. I took Spanish from a woman who taught Spanish and French, and I know another woman who teaches Thai and Mandarin, so it's not just arts, either.
I think I would be *more* suspicious of a school that only address their was "one true" way to practice Martial Arts, just like I would be of a Visual Arts school that only addressed one style or technique of painting.
I'm with you that th ads you saw in trade mags forlearning Kung Fu were crappy stupid scams, but those exist in every field. I've had people try to sell me "easy classroom guides" to "teaching" art. Just because there are people out there advertising scam-courses doesn't make all teachers suspected crooks.