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kulturschok
Barker
Joined: June 12, 2008
Posts: 182
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
Sep 03, 2008 - 11:50 AM |
 
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| Post subject: Kung Fu practitioners? |
I'm looking at the Long Wu school. It has a lot of systems - which one is is preferable? I'm choosing between Xing Yi and Shaolin as Wing Chun is available (although i am sure not quite the same) back home. I'd like to do something unique in China.
Also, what other good schools should I check out besides Long Wu? |
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neverboring
Ranter
Joined: Nov 21, 2007
Posts: 503
Status: Offline
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Sep 04, 2008 - 05:28 PM |
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I only practice kung fu in the bedroom. |
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erniewong415
Squeeker
Joined: July 20, 2007
Posts: 12
Location: Xuhui, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Sep 05, 2008 - 02:05 AM |
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| Post subject: It's hard to pick which style! |
But One thing you want to remember is that Traditional Shaolin has a bit of jumping whereas Wing Chun and Xing yi are more grounded. Shaolin works External at first and Internal work comes later. Wing Chun has Internal work but is not the main focus of the system depending on who teaches it. Xing yi is one of the top 3 internal arts of China but has a lot of similarities to Wing Chun. They usually attack in a straight line. This can be seen in Jet Li's movie"The One". The bad version of Jet Li used Xing yi where the good version used Bagua.
Are you interested in Kung fu for fun or for self defense? If it's self defense Wing Chun or Xing yi would be pretty good. Wing Chun focuses on principles that could be applied to self defense right away but Xing yi might take a bit longer. But Shaolin is usually more difficult to use in the short run. You will have to devote much more time into it and learn that forms don't dictate current real situations. You have to know that forms are there to link different techniques together and that it's easier to imagine someone attacking you, but with all the people doing mixed martial arts, it's difficult to translate more traditional arts like Shaolin into current conditions. Even the monks in Shaolin learn boxing and Sanda for real defense skills. I read that in an article and I went there to see if it was true, unfortunately it is!
The guy at Long Wu teaches Guangzhou Wing Chun. (This is my opinion and I probably shouldn't say it. But it is only through my own observations and admit I could be wrong.) They are less focused on "Facing / Dui Xing" and the centerline. They do have it but concentrate more on getting off a hit versus understanding why. They also teach a lot of techniques which is always fun but you have to be careful about that with Wing Chun. Hong Kong (Yip Man) Wing Chun is more principally based whereas Mainland Guangzhou Wing Chun is more Technique based. The guy is pretty good. He is fast and direct and performs techniques well! That's more than what I can say about myself. I never touched hands with the guy so I'm not sure how good he really is. I have crossed hands with guys in Guangzhou from the same lineage and a few others. I was impressed with their forms and techniques but coming from a lineage without concentrating on techniques, I thought I did quite well. But sometimes I wish I had their repertoire!
Xingyi will benefit you most in the long run with it's internal work and solid combat principles. There is a floweriness to some parts but can probably be more easily translated than some of the Shaolin stuff.
Tan tui from Shaolin should be excellent for your lower body's foundation. Lots of kicks. Gong li quan is long fist and it's good for your spine. It teaches you long range techniques that whip out of your fists so that you learn to use your whole body to release energy and proper alignment of the spine facilitates that. Ying Zhao or Eagle Claw has pressure points and plenty of joint locks. But learning such a large amount of forms and sets is really daunting! Let alone digesting them and making them work together!
Good Luck! |
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manyoo1
Seeker
Joined: Aug 23, 2008
Posts: 50
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Sep 07, 2008 - 09:54 PM |
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I am in the position of looking for a martial art to take up. My situation is different as I am a flabby 33 year old with no real martial arts experience living in Hongqiao. I just want to do it for fitness and self defense. Being in China I thought I would go for the Kung Fu or even Tai chi route but I don't suppose it matters as long as the teacher is good. All this talk of the different styles of Kung Fu baffles me somewhat! My kids (4 &6) are also interested so somewhere with both types of classes would be good.
What/where would you recommend for someone like me? |
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GiveEmOpium
Talker
Joined: June 13, 2008
Posts: 87
Status: Offline
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Sep 08, 2008 - 10:55 AM |
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wow erniewong you sure have done your homework 
As the only indication the Thread starter gave us, is that he wants to do something unique...
the drunken styles or some crazy animal form jump to mind, BUT what experience, bodyshape and felxibility do you have?
Ideally you should chose yor style in harmony with your body.. if you are a big guy.. pick some Nanchuan oder Tigerstyle.. if you are a skinny mofo.. pick some monkeystyle or so...
wingchun.. is more effective... less playful.
give us more info and Im sure erniewong can recommend you the perfect stlye for your need.
unfortunatelly, the more exotic the style.. the better your basics have to be = spending time doing non-exotic training. |
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"The villany you teach me, I will execute... and it shall go hard] |
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manyoo1
Seeker
Joined: Aug 23, 2008
Posts: 50
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Sep 08, 2008 - 11:24 AM |
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Thanks for the reply GiveEmOpium. Its good to know that there is impartial advice out there.
I am 33 (so not young any more), stockyish (178cm and 88kg), and have no experience. I am quite slow on my feet so I would assume anything that involved lots of jumping around would be out of the equation.
It sounds like my lack of basics would rule out any of the more exotic styles though! |
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kulturschok
Barker
Joined: June 12, 2008
Posts: 182
Status: Offline
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Sep 08, 2008 - 01:48 PM |
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Thanks for all the info Ernie, very kind of you to go to the effort of typing all of that out. As per GiveEmOpiums post, a little more info about me, so maybe you can further advice what would suit me best. Also, how is the Long Wu school?
I am interested in Kung Fu for fun, self-defence and fitness, pretty much in equal measure. I hope to find an inspiring and insightful teacher, that is something really important, if only for my motivation.
With regards to my fitness - I need to start gently. i've been a bit of a couch potato and a smoker recently, apart from an occasional run around. so my general fitness and flexibility are poor and i hope to start remedying this...without giving myself a heart attack from the get go. I am very tall and slim.
I trained in Wado-ryu karate for seven years, and that was sometime ago now, but I guess I have a small idea of what to expect.
Thanks or your help folks! |
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GiveEmOpium
Talker
Joined: June 13, 2008
Posts: 87
Status: Offline
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Sep 09, 2008 - 12:11 PM |
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@ manyoo:
you are about my built, so I think I can give you some advice.
I tried a lot of styles and ended up with "Sanda" which is really effective but non kungfu-ish (more like muay thai) I love it, but thats maybe not what you are asking for.
with your built (if you dont start easting healthy and plan to practice every 2nd day, all the animal forms are out of question. they take a lot of strength, flexibility and speed.
Id really suggest you the Nan quan, it looks cool, stays close to the ground and utilizes the power you have with your bodyweight.
BUT, i also strongly recommend you to go through the choosing process yourself. look at the different styles and mabye you decide its worth losing a couple of pounds, getting stretchy and in shape and then just do the style you want to do.
@kulturschock:
tall and skinny huh.. and for fun/fitness and start gently..
then do the whole shaolin kungfu from scratch.. that starts lightly and later you can choose what you want.
starts with with wubu quan (supereasy) over xiaohong quan dahongquan to nanquan to maybe some tanglangquan (praying mantis).
dunno that school, but even the worst chinese kungfu school is still 100 times better than the best european school. |
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"The villany you teach me, I will execute... and it shall go hard] |
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kulturschok
Barker
Joined: June 12, 2008
Posts: 182
Status: Offline
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Sep 09, 2008 - 12:17 PM |
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Thanks very much GiveEmOpium! That's been really helpful.
With regard to schools - can anyone suggest some other English language Fungfu schools so i can make a comparison? |
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manyoo1
Seeker
Joined: Aug 23, 2008
Posts: 50
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Sep 11, 2008 - 02:51 PM |
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I would like to thank you as well GiveEmOpium. I will carry your advice with me into my search.
Thanks |
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erniewong415
Squeeker
Joined: July 20, 2007
Posts: 12
Location: Xuhui, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Sep 12, 2008 - 02:13 AM |
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| Post subject: Hello again! |
http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/shanghai/listings/sports/martial_arts/?
I found this site above to be a good place to start for any kind of martial arts school. If anyone could add school listings to this post, it would be greatly appreciated. I'm sorry I can't give yuo any more info on Long Wu. Getting there is not possible with my schedule. I've been there twice, Wing Chun Day and Wushu Day. I already gave you the info on the Wing Chun I saw there. Wushu is regular sport Wushu. The whole class was full of Expats, but sport Wushu is not my cup of tea. I haven't visited any other school's on that list, so good luck.
I am about 120 kg so I am by far no athlete. I would not suggest anyone who is of a heavier build to get into martial arts of any style hastily. Please make sure that you have no underlying health risks. One risk is for anyone with problems in the joints. People of a larger stature often are at risk for this. Especially the knees and ankles.
Even though I love the acrobatics of some styles, I am not physically capable and don't want to risk it. Examples of acrobatics are most often seen in Northern styles of martial arts. I don't just mean Northern China, I am including all of Asia (like Korea). Even though you could condition yourself to do the acrobatics we all love, joints usually weaken with age. It might not last long.
I agree with GiveEmOpium, you must choose the style yourself. No recommendations are going to sustain your interest and motivate you like truly enjoying something you chose. Sanda offers a great workout and is an alternative to Muay Thai. They have a lot of similarities and offer a bit more. Modern Sanda will have some throws, sweeps and the normal repertoire of Punches and Kicks. Nanquan is also great. But be careful of which you choose. There is the modern Wushu style that incorporates jumps and kicks into their routines (Taolu or forms) and the traditional Nanquan. Traditional Nanquan is a mix of different Southern styles which incorporate low stances and forms that are very powerful. Low stances will kill your legs in the beginning stages. Your legs will strengthen with time. The traditional Si Ping Ma (Four side stance) is a wide stance in which your thighs are basically parallel to the ground, back is straight and fists at your sides. This is a traditional trademark stance seen in Kung fu movies which is found in many martial arts systems regardless of origin.
If you find a traditional Nanquan school, I'd love to get the info. But one disadvantage of low powerful stances are that it could also damage your legs. So please take it slow and if you feel pain in the joints, STOP! Regular burn in the thighs and muscles is normal, but not in the joints. Especially any kind of swelling. Please also be aware of one thing. Low powerful stances will give you stability and power but you will lack mobility! If you train that way, it's OK. But never allow yourself to think that you need to fight that way. There is a time and place for low stances, but being able to move is key. Just because you have an iron stance doesn't mean you stand there and let people hit you, sometimes not being there is the best defense.
I have practiced Wing Chun for about 5 years, but I haven't practiced in a year. It's a long process of self reflection and Wing Chun takes a certain type of personality. There are no flashy techniques.
If I had the time, I would choose Xing yi for the more traditional aspect of it. Also because it's similar in some ways to Wing Chun.
Again. Good Luck! |
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bigwill
Seeker
Joined: Feb 05, 2008
Posts: 40
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Sep 12, 2008 - 11:54 AM |
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hmmm,why you always focus on the MA school?most of great master they don't have schools,because they just wanna train few students,and most of school is opened by some master's students.and sure some sport CMA(I really don't wanna say it's MA,worth than dancing,it's ashame for real chinese MA,).
For real chinese MA include heathy and selfdefense,without that,how you can say It's MA) and for your age,I don't suggest you to do any sanda,or most of external stuff,not good for your heathy.
and sure I agree with ernie,wingchun and tantui is good martial art.but I do xingyi,bagua,taiji.wingchun and tantui is easy to be used for beginner level.but xing yi bagua taiji takes time. especially for xingyi,most of real master won't teach you a lot techniques in the beginning.because they think the foundation is important,if your body's movement like water,techniques are not important anymore,they would like to teach you how to read yourself and your enemy;and also they think most of xingyi techniques are really dangerous to use for beginning level,if you don't know how to control yourself.
but just like ernie said,xingyi's beginning is very boring and difficult,if you wanna learn real kingfu and heathy.but xingyi is not only attack in straight line,Jet lee's movie,he only wanna show the power of xingyi(but not real xingyi:))
but anyway I wish you will enjoy the martial art life here in shanghai.but find a good master and good style first. |
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