What are some recommendations?

[RUFNTUFGIRL]

I have not posted in this forum before. After posting in kung fu training and health about the possibilty of learning, AndrewS pointed out that I need to do some homework...

How do I learn basic info on different styles of kung fu? I am not really sure what it is that I want to learn. Is there a book out there for beginners like IDIOTS GUIDE TO KUNG FU:p Just kidding! Any help would be appreciated.

[TenTigers]

There is a book I believe its called The Guide to Kung-Fu Styles or something like that by Jane Hallender, but it doesn't really do any particular style justice. I think if you check out various schools' websites, you may have an idea. But honestly, the best thing to do is call up the school, watch or partake in a class, and talk to the Sifu. If he is a salesman, no matter what you are looking for, he will tell you that his school is the place for it. But if he is sincere, if he does not offer what you are looking for, he will refer you to a Sifu that does.
So, what exactly are you looking for?
Are you looking for sparring/fighting?
are you looking for dazzling, dynamic forms?
are you looking for quick, practical self-defense?
are you looking for a bit of each?
Is location an issue? Where in Queens are you located? How far are you willing to travel? By car, or subway?
if you give me some info, I can perhaps steer you in the right direction. Living in Queens, you are centrally located, and have access to schools in Western Nassau, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and of course Staten Island and da Bronx.

[Ray Pina]

What do you want to study? What do you want to achieve?... where you're located everything is available.

[GreenCloudCLF]

I was gonna tell ya about the book TT reccommended...

http://www.geocities.com/Andural69@sbcglobal.net/

This is a link to somedude who had too much free time and put up a little blurb on a bunch of different MA styles (organized by country of origin).

Hope ya find what ya looking for.

[RUFNTUFGIRL]

I know I like the art of the motion and sequences. I like the combinations of kicks, hands, and elbows. I do not know much besides when it is done correctly it looks so smooth but it is intense and powerful. I am not interested in contact or self defense.

I realize there are many styles with their own approaches. I went to the site u suggested and this person did have a bit of free time... I will look for the book you both suggested. Thanks for the advice.

[Anthony]

There are two shaolin monks that teach around your area that I know of, one in Manhattan (Shi Yan Ming) and one in Flushing, Queens.

From what I know they don't do much physical contact or self-defense, instead they focus mainly on forms (at least I know the Manhattan monk does). These schools sound alot like what you're looking for and I think you should check them out. The training is physically demanding, which is good of course, and the forms are physically beautiful to watch....literally "poetry in motion." I don't know the styles taught but they closely resemble Contemporary Wusu with regards to training and movement.

MA books are, in my opinion, more or less a waste of time and so is an exhaustive list of styles. They won't tell you much about a particular school in your area. I would simply visit as many schools as is possible and find one that suits you. The actual system is not the most important thing. It's what the school offers and how it's offered.

As someone mentioned above, beware of schools that seem too business-like, they'll tell you what you want to hear. Remember, you are just a number to those schools. Look for a school in YOUR best interest. Be careful of contracts. It's just Martial Arts so enjoy it and do it as long as YOU want to. Don't let an instructor decide what 's good for you. Anyway, just trying to let you know that there are some con-artist business men out there since you are new to this.

Good Luck.

[David Jamieson]

chow and spanglers book "Kung Fu: History, Philosophy and Technique" is actually one of the better primers and overviews of chinese martial arts in a general sense.

Hallanders book isn't bad either, I just find it trying to dig into the weeds too often and not producing much as a result.

[Shaolinlueb]

sounds like you should do tae kwan do.....


jk.
check out modern wushu. it sounds sorta what your looking for. there is no contact for this is no fighting in modern wushu. san da is a seperate thing. and its fluid and such.

[RUFNTUFGIRL]

OK, so I was not sure about it, but I have tried Jun Fan Gung Fu/Jeet Kune Do and some Filipino martial arts. After getting the owner of the Hapkido studio telling me Hapkido and Steven Seagal similarities... I don't know if I was expecting something else. Then I started to talking to someone in the field of exercise programs and he said he would be very shocked if there was any real Kung Fu out there to try. No, he wasn't trying to sell me a bridge! Now I am wondering if this is just the truth. Has Kung Fu become so Americanized that it is not taught as it originated? And maybe this what everyone really wants, a watered down hobby? So now I am questioning my intentions as well?:rolleyes:

[PangQuan]

depends on where you are at.

there are real schools out there, you just have to get lucky and be in the right place.

it just depends on how hard core you want your training.

[neilhytholt]

If you are in Queens, there are TONS of schools in Manhattan and the surrounding area you can attend.

Just depends on what you want out of it, and what their emphasis is. If you want self defense or wushu or what? Do you want pretty forms + fighting.

Plus, some schools are boring and stiff with a lot of older people, and some schools are more dynamic and have a lot of young people.

Like one New York school that I visited with a ton of young people was Fut Gar, I think, which would have everything you want (sorry, but I can't remember the whole name of the school), but there are plenty of others.

[The Willow Sword]

Find a place(any place) that teaches you how to truely defend yourself. Im not speaking of some stylized kung fu kwoon that will give you a false sense of security and just take your $$, or a club oriented tournament style dojo that will also take your$$ and give you a false sense of security.

I wonder what "Women's" Self defense teachers there are where you are located? Here's one I googled, dont know much about it, im sure the guys here who check this site out will sneer at it, oh well, so what?

Brooklyn Women's Martial Arts. 421 5th Ave Brooklyn, NY 11215 Park Slope
Phone: (718) 788-1775 http://www.cae-bklyn.org/

As Always,TWS

[neilhytholt]

I wonder what "Women's" Self defense teachers there are where you are located? Here's one I googled, dont know much about it, im sure the guys here who check this site out will sneer at it, oh well, so what?

Brooklyn Women's Martial Arts. 421 5th Ave Brooklyn, NY 11215 Park Slope
Phone: (718) 788-1775 http://www.cae-bklyn.org/

As Always,TWS

I wouldn't recommend a woman's martial arts group, because if you're working out with mostly (or all) women, it could give you a false sense of security.

Okay, I'm going to be non-politically correct here for a moment, but given most women's lack of muscle mass, their chances of fending off a male attacker are much worse than the average male.

So working out with only women, you just won't have any concept of the strength and aggressiveness of men. If you actually have to deal with one, it will probably shock the heck out of you.

[The Willow Sword]

see i told ya what i posted would get sneered at. If Neil wants to be ignorant then that is his deal.
Anyway, ive said my thing,,,,,As always,,TWS

[neilhytholt]

see i told ya what i posted would get sneered at. If Neil wants to be ignorant then that is his deal.
Anyway, ive said my thing,,,,,As always,,TWS

Ignorant? What is ignorant about it? If you've trained with women you know what I'm talking about.

Edit:

Anyways whenever I recommend women learn some simple weapons like needles (you can use some chopsticks in the hair) or something that they can actually use against an attacker that's 2x their weight and 3x-4x their strength, I always get sneered at. Perhaps it's because most MA folks don't want women to have any advantage.

[RiceWine]

You're in New York right?

Websites are good. Checking out schools are good.

I would also keep my ears to the ground. Some of the best Masters don't have a school and teach out of their apartment or at the park.

These people who don't have a place shouldn't charge that much money since rent is not an issue. Many of them teach purely for the love of the art.

Additionally, while meeting the people who are going to train you. To make sure it is legit, make sure they can take hard blows to the neck and the balls with no problem. Don't ask them to do it, just ask them if they can.

[RUFNTUFGIRL]

Thanks RiceWine, I will keep an ear out. It is not that easy to trust people who teach in their homes without knowing them. If I hear of someone , maybe, but being female I don't think it is a wise idea. These days, I try to get as much info as I can before acting on something.

Also, how does one ask a Master or Sifu if he can take a hit to the balls??? :eek:

[GeneChing]

I never have to ask. They always ask me. (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=640) It's my fate. :o

[PangQuan]

http://www.shaolinkungfutrainingcenter.com/

[PangQuan]

http://www.usashaolintemple.com/index.php?option=com_contact&Itemid=3

[SPJ]

as pointed out, books info, website info, actually partake in a few classes, visiting the schools and talking to the teachers etc.

Pick something that is available nearby?

We would not know what it is really like untill we are actually learning it.

A good relationship with the teacher is most vital.

He or she may find out what is best for you after some practices with you.

The teachers would know if it is good for you or they may refer you to other schools that may suit you better.

However, it is totally up to you to decide what you "want" to do.

:D

[RUFNTUFGIRL]

Thanks for that article. The web addresses were great PQ, thank you. At least I have some options to look into. I have tried some classes at two places, and it takes time on a limited schedule to do this. I think, I have made somewhat of a choice for now. I will, however look into the two NYC locations in time, PanQuan because they look so genuine. For now I have found a gym that has several trained instructors in martial arts that offer a change to my normal cardio routines. This week I took a class with someone that teaches in LI, NY in a martial arts studio and he was terrific, challenging, and fun. I am also going to focus on Yoga practice to deepen my mind/body connection. I appreciate all the advice and suggestions.