We are scared of change, and always avoid it for as long as possible. People appreciate regularity, security and comfort. Change is the contrary, it takes you out of your comfort zone, it is unstable at first, scary because unknown. And we have always fear what we ignore.
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Another way of thinking would be to assume that since what we are doing at the moment, and how we do it, is fine, modification is a way to make a mistake. And we all know how we fear to be proven wrong. There is the fear of criticism too! Who wants to be judged and criticized by people of influence and greater knowledge?
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Change and progress are intimately linked to one another, but we mostly fear it. But no-one would contradict that progress in the martial arts is necessary.
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Is it about preserving traditions, preserving our “style”? When we think of why we do things a certain way, there is usually a historical precedent to it. So in a way we are paying homage to those who have gone before us and paved a path for us; our teachers, teacher.
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It does not mean that traditions cannot be changed. In fact the creators of the karate you now follow, changed their teachers karate, learning from others as they accumulated their own “version” of karate to pass on to the next generation.
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People stay connected with their roots and what their forefathers already learned. The lessons already recorded by their ancestors. Otherwise each new generation will have to re-learn or re-discover old truths for themselves, disconnected from those who came before or after.
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Old traditions have stood the test of time; they have been passed down from generation to generation because of their effectivity. For the people who cling to these traditions, they often provide a sense of security, safety, nostalgia, etc.
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However, we have to generate new thoughts, new choices. Some people look upon the unknown as an opportunity. Others, as something to be avoided.
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Change never seems natural. We naturally repel it and often want to retreat back into our comfort zone. But it is essential to growing as an individual and to becoming a better martial artist. Perhaps it’s time for you to change and create new traditions…… Accept change. Grow, advance, learn something new…… “Change the way you see things and the things you see will change”. – Wayne Dyer 
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“Carry the tradition into the future.” – Akihito Yagi 8th dan Meibukan Goju-Ryu (beokinawa.jp)
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 Photo Credit: Great journey of Karate – Kuro Obi World