What Southern style is this school teaching?

[LVorenus]

Hi everybody. I'm new here.

I live in the Philadelphia area, and I'm looking for a traditional kung fu school, preferably in the suburbs. I want to do it primarily for fitness and flexibility, but I am also interested in the historical / traditional martial aspect of it.

Recently, I observed a class at a school called Siu Lum Studio, which was founded by a gentleman named Steve L. Sun. Dr. Sun passed away in 2009, but his students are still teaching at his school.

The school offers three separate curricula: Southern, Northern, and Tai Chi.

I would be interested in Southern style, since they offer it several days per week, but I am having trouble pin-pointing the specific Southern lineage... or even the style that they teach. It says tiger/crane, but I'm not so sure, based on the other info provided.

Here's a link to the page with their curriculum.

Here's an excerpt:

Curriculum
Southern Style (Tiger Crane) Kung Fu
SiuLum Studio's Southern Style Kung Fu offers training in the martial arts of the Fujian province of Southeastern China. Our curriculum is based on the Tiger Crane system which combines the two most famous Fujian styles. These systems stress strong and powerful Kung Fu (Tiger) combined with fluid Kung Fu (Crane); a combination that developed into Karate.

Grandmaster Dr. Steve L. Sun was renowned as a teacher of Fujian Kung Fu. For example, Dr. Sun he was welcomed at the Shaolin Temple to learn qin na (joint locking and pressure points) and was officially registered as a 33rd generation disciple of the Temple.

In addition to the Tiger Crane system and qin na, Siu Lum Studio's curriculum includes other traditional forms, such as Golden Eagle, Cobra Snake, and traditional weapons training.

What do you guys make of it? Have you heard of this specific person and/or his students?

Thanks!

[Snipsky]

you naughty boy!!!!!!

[LVorenus]

Oh no... I broke a rule, didn't I?

For the record, I did search before posting.

[JamesC]

Nah, I think Snipsky is just high.

[Snipsky]

Nah, I think Snipsky is just high.

HEY!.....in no way do i participate in illegal activities.....thank you.

[LVorenus]

HEY!.....in no way do i participate in illegal activities.....thank you.

He could've meant "high on life!"

[Snipsky]

He could've meant "high on life!"

that's true. but i don't know about that JamesC guy.....i have my eye on him.

[kfman5F]

I would wary of any "traditional" styles who have a belt ranking system. That's not traditional. Do they charge for belt testing?

[TenTigers]

I would wary of any "traditional" styles who have a belt ranking system. That's not traditional. Do they charge for belt testing?

whaddya live under a rock?
Many traditional schools have adopted a ranking system.

[Snipsky]

whaddya live under a rock?
Many traditional schools have adopted a ranking system.

many....but not all.

[bawang]

whaddya live under a rock?
Many traditional schools have adopted a ranking system.

nope fgdfgdfgdfg

[ShortBridge]

Someone may know better than me, but when I see "southern" and "Tiger/Crane" together, then I think "Hung Gar".

However when I see someone teaching a broad range of traditional styles, then I suspect that they are not purely anything.

Question 1) Is it important to you that you learn something with a traceable linage?

Question 2) Did you like the school and feel like you would like to train there?

[aussie1981]

Hmm Choy Lay Fut we had a belt System but Yang Mian we don't, nothing wrong with belt system and I think it can be more helpful than not with the Shaolin derived styles. Definately good to have a set curriculum so the style is transparent.

[David Jamieson]

Siu Lum Tiger/Crane = southern shaolin kung fu.
It doesn't belong to a specific lineage and there are many "tiger/crane" schools that teach Hung Kuen.

Sometimes it does belong to a lineage, but there may be a hush hush or embarrassing Tong cum triad connection etc etc.

northern could be anything. Preying mantis, BSL, etc etc.


There is reference to the school founder being a disciple of Su-Xi.
That can be verified or refuted.

[hskwarrior]

Siu Lum Tiger/Crane = southern shaolin kung fu.
It doesn't belong to a specific lineage and there are many "tiger/crane" schools that teach Hung Kuen.

I agree with this in regards to it being southern shaolin gung fu. The idea or essence of Tiger/Crane is also found in Hung Sing Choy Lee Fut.

Sometimes it does belong to a lineage, but there may be a hush hush or embarrassing Tong cum triad connection etc etc.

I don't know what that has to do with the embarrassing tong cum triad connection. Still, what would be so embarrassing?