Kuma-Ryu is an evolving system; it will never be "complete" because one can never know all there is to know. It derives from several (primarily Okinawan) systems; its core is primarily Motobu-Ryu Seidokan, with influences from Ryukyu Kempo, Koei-kan, and aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The art offers little to nothing in the way of sport competition, but is focused on real-world applications of techniques and concepts derived from classical kata. Sparring is minimal; joint locks, control techniques and pressure-point applications predominate. Again, the art is constantly growing and evolving; when it stops growing, it starts dying.

Kuma-Ryu emerged as a distinct system from about 1988 - 1992.
Robert Sterling, its chief instructor, began training in 1968 in Shotokan, and has been involved with a number of arts - Aikido, t'ang Soo Do, Koei-Kan, and finally settling on Okinawan systems for their real-world effectiveness. He holds the ranks of Yondan in Motobu-Ryu Seidokan (with the title of Renshi) and in Ryushinkan. Since 1988, when he began his independent research, he has been gradually incorporating classical Okinawan techniques and TCM concepts into the art.

Information and picture from Robert Sterling.