looking for help in chicago [Archive] - Kung Fu Magazine Forums

creole

11-24-2003, 01:39 PM

Hello,

I am new to the ma world and looking to begin classes. I am about to complete my mba and I am now looking to fill the void study ma.

Does anyone have any info on some of the better schools and instructors in Chicago? (I live in Bucktown, work in the Loop, anywhere in the city is cool.) There are way too many to investigate individually and I thought this might be a good way to narrow my search. I am not sure which style I will eventually settle on, but here is what interests me at this point:
a. moderate sparring
b. practical application
c. not soley defensive
d. not heavily focused on weapons
e. not interested in competitions
f. displays a spiritual aspect
g. light ground work

Any assistance would be appreciated.

:)

Uwe

11-24-2003, 02:35 PM

Check out the Fred Degerberg School. They offer a number of styles. Its one of the better ones.

here is the URL:

http://www.degerberg.com

CaptinPickAxe

11-24-2003, 02:37 PM

There are a couple of Chicago Shuai Chiao players here on the forum. You should talk to them.

SevenStar

11-24-2003, 02:42 PM

Send a PM to WaterDragon.

Also, you can check out Choi's school - www.liuhopafa.com

What specifically are you looking for?

CrippledAvenger

11-24-2003, 02:44 PM

Hey creole! I'm not sure I can really answer your question as I'm more into the rough-and-tumble stuff in the city, but I'll give you some people you might be interested in so you can at least get out and start looking.

Us Shuai Chiao peeps work out of the Southside/Indianna, but we tend to go a bit harder than what it sounds like you're looking for (with that whole getting thrown into the ground at high velocity part).

Degerberg isn't exactly my cup of tea, but you might find him interesting. If you're into ground work, go see Dino at Iron Fist. He knows his stuff cold.

If you really want top-notch, CMA instruction though, go check out Wai Lun Choi on Irving Park, (right by the brownline stop). He teaches Lama Pai, Water Boxing, Xing Yi, Taiji, Bagua, as well as Qi Gong. Quite a nice gentleman, to boot.

Oh, if you're into Taiji, ask Fa_jing or Water Dragon for some other good teachers in the city. There's a couple of William CC Chen guys who are also spoken of very highly in my circles here as well, (if I'm remembering right).

There's also some good Southern Mantis in the city, but they're pretty secretive and hard to find. Tough guys, though, and generally good fighters.

creole

11-24-2003, 03:05 PM

Seven Star,

thanks for the response. Firstly, I am not sure what I am looking for b/c I have no experience. Instead, narrowing to good schools/ instructors that fit the above criteria should help me find what I am looking for.

Also, I did check out Choi's school (based on the many reccomendations of previous posts) but got the feeling that there would be no sparring. One student who I spoke to said as much and I watched a Hsing I class as well. Does anyone know if that is true?

CrippledAvenger,

Anyway that I can come check out what you guys do? It may help me figure out if it is something I definitely want to avoid.

CrippledAvenger

11-24-2003, 03:15 PM

Sure, it'd be totally cool to come down and check us out. Water Dragon and I might be moving indoors to a new practice facility in the near future, so you'd be best off talking to him about scheduling. Right now, we pretty much work out intensely on Saturdays with the occasional class on Wednesdays.

I'm sure he'll pop into this thread in the near future anyway. ;)

Water Dragon

11-24-2003, 03:26 PM

From what you've posted, I think you might be very happy working with Dino Costeas. Dino is a BJJ purple under Rickson Gracie. He teaches at Iron Fist Kung Fu right off of LSD and Irving Park Road. Dinos is the head bouncer at Club Circus, and a good Muay Thai guy to boot. He doesn't teach stand up, but if you are interested, I guarantee you will run into someone there who is both talented and willing to show you the ropes.

If you're willing to get a little more contact in, Windy City is a GREAT boxing gym. Also check out Tohken Judo on the North Side. If you're willing to travel to Naperville, Brian Eble has an excellant full contact Long Fist program. ****her South, you can come out to Indiana for either Shuai Chiao with me and the Crip, or Muay Thai under Miguel Torres (My Muay Thai coach)

Wai Lun Choi is always an excellant choice. I'm not sure how many fighters he currently has though. If you want, ask him if he can train you to fight either San Shou or MMA. He'll tell you if he's currently training fighters or not.

Good Luck! If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask.

Water Dragon

11-24-2003, 03:41 PM

Crip is correct as well. Come on down, see what we're doing. I can take you to a Muay Thai class if you want to see what that's about. I can also take you by Dino's one of these days on a Saturday. I haven't rolled in a long time, and I really do need to get up there and see Dino's guys again. They're really good people.

creole

01-07-2004, 02:56 PM

WD wrote -
"Crip is correct as well. Come on down, see what we're doing. I can take you to a Muay Thai class if you want to see what that's about. I can also take you by Dino's one of these days on a Saturday. I haven't rolled in a long time, and I really do need to get up there and see Dino's guys again. They're really good people."

Water Dragon & Crip,

I wanted to see if your offer still stood w/ regards to showing me around. I finally got my **** together and have some time to check things out with you guys. Let me know if you are interested in setting up something. I am open to whatever you guys prefer i.e. Muay Thai, Dino's, or whatever.

Water Dragon

01-07-2004, 03:02 PM

Hey! Just let me know what you want and when you want to go.

We'll be doing Muay Thai Thurs from 8-10 and Sat from 3-5

We wont be doing SC again until next week, most likely Mon/Wed from 7:30 - 9:30

If you are interested in what Dino's doing, let me know and I'll schedule a Saturday where we can go check him out. My understanding is that he does not teach at IronFist anymore, so I'll have to get info on his new location.

Also, if you ever want to do lunch, I also work in the Loop. My building is right across the river from the Sears Tower, on top of Union Station.

CrippledAvenger

01-07-2004, 03:06 PM

My Shuai Chiao brother has spoken correctly.

Where you located at, Creole? I might be able to give you a ride out if you want to check out Muay Thai or SC with us.

creole

01-07-2004, 03:16 PM

I think I would like to check out the Muay Thai on Sat. I had already committed to going to Song's KF on Thursday.

WD, I work about 2 blks from you. I am at Monroe & Clinton. Lunch sounds good. Does friday work? Here is my bus. tele 821.2610.
May be we could iron out the details for Sat.

Crip, are you in the loop as well. My place is in Bucktown.

I will be here for another hour if one of you want to chat.

CrippledAvenger

01-07-2004, 03:24 PM

I work all over as a salesman, but I'm trying to get a job here in Hyde Park/Kenwood or Bronzeville. We'll see.

As for Saturday I can probably give you a ride, as I'm down with Bucktown. One of the guys I edit a poetry journal with lives there. Fun neighborhood, always something to do. Plus, it's really easy for me to get to, off of 90-94.

Anyhow, keep me posted on what's going on for the weekend.

Water Dragon

01-07-2004, 03:28 PM

I'll call you tomorrow. I have to take my lunch from 12:00- 1:00. Do you like Alontis?

Chang Style Novice

01-07-2004, 03:35 PM

Crippled Avenger edits a poetry journal! HAHAHA!

What a pu$$y!

Hey, what are you doing to my...

OOOOOOWWW!

CrippledAvenger

01-08-2004, 01:23 AM

I subscribe to the Hemingway school of editing.

If I don't like what you write, I get sauced and beat you up like Wallace Stevens.;)

Water Dragon

01-08-2004, 07:03 AM

Crip and Creole,
FYI Espy is making Posole Saturday afternoon. The both of yous are invited to come over and eat after class. I'll provide the food, you two can provide the beer :D

creole

01-08-2004, 07:14 AM

Sounds good to me although I had to look up what posole was. :)

crumble

01-08-2004, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by creole
Also, I did check out Choi's school (based on the many reccomendations of previous posts) but got the feeling that there would be no sparring. One student who I spoke to said as much and I watched a Hsing I class as well. Does anyone know if that is true?

I think it's fair to say that there is no sparring early on. Mostly what we new students do are two man drills, which becomes close to sparring with a limited number of techniques as both sides get more proficient. He doesn't open things up to free sparring until he feels you have the basics down. And he expects students to use the drills to: 1) test your core skills and find what needs work, and 2) go home and work on those core skills. It is a pretty good approach for beginners.

I can tell you are thinking long term, so I should emphasize that it's absolutly wrong to say that "there would be no sparring." If anything, he really enourages people to step out of their present skill level and take up the next level of intensity - wherever they are at ability wise.

His teaching approach is really detailed and very carefully thought out. I'm amazed at how his shorter drills combine into a very technical fighting strategy. I wish all the time I've spent learning martial arts could have been at M. Choi's.

Hope this helps.

crumble

01-08-2004, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by CrippledAvenger
I subscribe to the Hemingway school of editing.

If I don't like what you write, I get sauced and beat you up like Wallace Stevens.;)

Hey C-A,

If you can find the book "That Summer in Paris" by Callaghan Morley, it's a great read written by Hemingway's sparring partner in Paris. The guy was an amature boxer in highschool/college? and kind out of shape, but he kept Hemingway honest. Very funny insights into Papa's mentality. I don't want to say more.

Enjoy!

creole

01-08-2004, 09:18 AM

Thanks, Crumble

Thats the kind of insight I was looking for. I am still checking out schools but it is good to know so I don't write off Choi's for the wrong reason. I hope to figure things out in the next 2 wks and pick a school so I can get things going.

Shaolindynasty

01-08-2004, 10:03 AM

Bah, most of these reponses are foolish!!!!

Hasn't anybody told about these guys?

www.ngfamilymartialarts.com

Seriously they have top notch Choy lay Fut and wing chun. They also have san shou training available. Their guy Keith won his divison at the Taiji legacy(twice I think) he also won wing chun grand champion.

I trained there for a while I took allot of time off from there because of my work schedule. I'm going back this sunday. I train CLF there. The prices are also considerable cheaper than Choi's to. They are located in Chinatown so they aren't to hard to get to.

They get my highest reccomendation

CrippledAvenger

01-08-2004, 10:46 AM

Originally posted by Water Dragon
Crip and Creole,
FYI Espy is making Posole Saturday afternoon. The both of yous are invited to come over and eat after class. I'll provide the food, you two can provide the beer :D

Sounds awesome. What's yer poison? Lemme know and I'll grab a case on the way up.

Water Dragon

01-08-2004, 10:53 AM

Dos Equis Lager goes great with posole. Mebbe we'll even have flan for desert. Not for ST00 though, he's being a bad Cuban again.

CrippledAvenger

01-08-2004, 11:03 AM

Yay! Dos Equis.

Nothing like beer and flan after beating people up all day.

creole

01-08-2004, 12:55 PM

Shaolindynasty,

I actually checked out Ng last saturday. I observed a class and spoke with someone, I think his name was Rick?. The sifu wasn't there and the senior student (Rick?) taught the class and there was only 3 people present (including him). I was not sure if I saw a representative showing of what the class was normally like or not. As a result, I did not come away with an awesome feeling expereince.

Does the sifu normally teach and is Keith normally there?

creole

01-08-2004, 12:57 PM

Crip, I will pick up the beer since I am the newbee and you are doing the driving.

WD, are we on for lunch tomorrow at Alontis at 12:00PM? If so let me know where it is located and I will meet you there.

Water Dragon

01-08-2004, 01:01 PM

Ya know what creole? You got me thinking about Venice now. Do you just want to meet up at the cafe at noon tomorrow? If so, how about we meet at the pick up counter. I'm about 6 foot with reddish brown hair and I'll be wearing a matrix style overcoat (not because I'm cool, because I have to walk a mile each way in this $hit they call weather in Chicago)