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View Full Version : What would you do if you had to decide?



xicaju
02-21-2001, 05:49 AM
I am looking for a place to hang my hat for the next decade or so and I am having a little difficulty deciding where to study.
I am considering these two schools:
--A Hop Gar School (similar to Lama Pai)
www.hopgar.com (http://www.hopgar.com)
and
--A Shaolin School
www.tai-chi-association.com (http://www.tai-chi-association.com)

The Hop Gar school's master happens to be a grandmaster. This is good! I saw his classes and I thought there was little structure, lots of talking and a general lack of something...I can't put my finger on it but the style itself is interesting. Its simplicity and effectiveness attracts me.

The Shaolin School is taught "traditionally." The master of the school is a nice man but quiet and stern. His webpage claims he studied in a monastary as well as with the "Famous" Jing Wu wooshoo. I watched the class and they are VERY intense. No talking, iron body approach, etc. Their forms are like nothing I have seen. This style of class attracts me having a background in a Japanese art that is very formal and full of etiquette.

I was hoping that a few of you would take the time and respond or even look at the webpages. I would really like to make a good decision here.web page (http://www.hopgar.com)jing wu (http://www.tai-chi-association.com)

joedoe
02-22-2001, 07:32 AM
Many Chinese martial arts leave discipline up to the student - if you don't train, you don't improve.

So a lack of structure doesn't indicate much about the school. It can mean the school is disorganised, or it can mean that the sifu leaves discipline to the student.

I guess it really depends on the style that appeals to you most. Have you been along to try a class and see what it is like? Do they allow people to do this?

Brad
02-22-2001, 07:51 AM
Since this is a pretty big decision, I would suggest taking your time and researching the backgrounds of the 2 teachers. Find out which monestary the guy trained in and when. Stuff like that.