Having a clear understanding of your style’s and instructor’s roots is vital to understanding who you are as a martial artist.  For example, having a deep understanding of a form’s history and creator can help you understand its purpose and characteristics.  The same applies for your art in general.  The history and tradition behind your martial art can not only give you a sense of pride, but also help you get to the heart of the art.

As an example, my martial arts lineage is as follows:

• Hwang Kee (Founder of Soo Bahk Do)
• Jae Chul Shin
• Chuck Norris
• Victor Martinov
• Jeff Moonitz
• Oliver Whitcomb

I attribute my lineage to Oliver Whitcomb, who issued me my Cho Dan in Soo Bahk Do.  Prior to training with Master Oliver Whitcomb, I had received my Cho Dan in Tang Soo Do under Earlene Burk while I lived in Challis, Idaho.  Del Low, who was her instructor was the one who issued me the rank.  As far as Del Low’s instructor, I’m not sure.  If anyone has information on this, that would be awesome!