Shaolin Kung Fu

[Ryoko Ozaki]

Japanese martial arts styles seem to be great along with Chinese. I know a Korean person and their style actually sounds pretty good. I myself train in Kempo and use some of the Akido breaking moves, and also like nunchucks and staffs.

One thing that I highly reccomend is learning about many stretches and doing each about 30 seconds a piece.

 

[DerekZoolander]

I am really looking for a high level style, one that is less adapted from animal behaviors and more on the spiritual or internal; use of ch'i.

I studied Qi for about a year. One of the most interesting, and life-changing experiences I've ever had. You know there is more to existence when you are able to see without eyes and concentrate/move internal energy flow to the outside of the body. I stopped though, due to a near posession (anyone can say what they will, I know what I saw, and I know it was foreign to my entire being)...one of the pivotal points in my coming to Christ.

All I can say is, when focusing on the internal stuff, be extremely careful. Directed energy flow can actually be hazardous to your health if you leave the energy in one place and then just stop. To achieve the balance, you have to "put it back on the shelf" so to speak.

And if you desire to defeat your enemies, you must master the Kamehameha and the Genki Dama...sorry...couldn't help but reference Dragonball..that show is, oddly, what interested me in meditation and all that...

 

[vajradhara]

Namaste,

Tai Chi Chuan is a very internal oriented martial style.. it is very good for development and continued increase in chi.

i studied Northern Long Fist Kung Fu and it is mostly an external practice. naturally, all of them incorporate some ascpects of internal practice, however, some forms emphasize it more than others.

another good internal style is called Empty Hand... though it's harder to find qualified instructors.

 

[Rising_Suns]

All I can say is, when focusing on the internal stuff, be extremely careful. Directed energy flow can actually be hazardous to your health if you leave the energy in one place and then just stop. To achieve the balance, you have to "put it back on the shelf" so to speak.

my friend,
Do you have any reading material regarding this?

Tai Chi Chuan is a very internal oriented martial style.. it is very good for development and continued increase in chi.

i studied Northern Long Fist Kung Fu and it is mostly an external practice. naturally, all of them incorporate some ascpects of internal practice, however, some forms emphasize it more than others.

another good internal style is called Empty Hand... though it's harder to find qualified instructors.

Yes, I am looking into Tai Chi Chuan classes as well, which would be in addition to my other training. There also seems to be alot of Praying Mantis instruction online. I really wish I could learn styles like White Crane, or dragon though but there's not much information about it, let alone classes. I have to start with basic Shaolin Kung Fu anyway, and it's all the same at the entry level.

Anyway, I went and sat in on the eagle claw class yesturday, and quite frankly, i wasn't too impressed with the teacher. He is supposed to be a master, but he didn't seem at peace with himself or with the world that you would epect from a master. He seemed rather focussed on the external, but i guess you can't expect too much from america. Plus I read the first year or so of instruction is mostly external anyway, all the same basic stances, kicks, and punches.

 

[vajradhara]

my friend,
Do you have any reading material regarding this?

Yes, I am looking into Tai Chi Chuan classes as well, which would be in addition to my other training. There also seems to be alot of Praying Mantis instruction online. I really wish I could learn styles like White Crane, or dragon though but there's not much information about it, let alone classes. I have to start with basic Shaolin Kung Fu anyway, and it's all the same at the entry level.

Anyway, I went and sat in on the eagle claw class yesturday, and quite frankly, i wasn't too impressed with the teacher. He is supposed to be a master, but he didn't seem at peace with himself or with the world that you would epect from a master. He seemed rather focussed on the external, but i guess you can't expect too much from america. Plus I read the first year or so of instruction is mostly external anyway, all the same basic stances, kicks, and punches.

\


Yes, it's very much a "don't worry about the mule being blind, just load the darn wagon" type of training. the foundation is, for all intents and purposes, the same for all of the traditions, it really depends on what the teacher chooses to emphasize to his/her students.

i studied with a small asian man, a certain Master Goh, who was as unassuming as a Pez and carried himself with a certain dignity... i'm sure you know what i mean... that transcended our language barrier.. though i still don't know if he was saying "punch" or making a joke about my poor style

 

[SanTiClaus]

Hello. I am asuming that this eagle claw class would be your first MA class? I have been practicing for about 2 years in a couple of different styles. Kuk Sool Won, Jeet Kune Do, and finally I stuck with Xingyiquan. If you are looking for an internal practical art, then try out a XY school. Take a look around at the differnent schools and instructors in the area and evaluate them carefully, I would say. My Shrfu doesn't shove the Taoist philosophy down our throats, he only presents it to help us understand the style.

I've wrestled with thoughts on practicing MA (especially internal MA), and following Christ, and have come up with a few ideas:




First of all, always look to God for guidance. He'll let you know if you listen
Many people think of the MA as a "way of life". i guess in a way it is, but you gotta realize you live for God first and always.

Dont take it too seriously, you are just moving your body in ways according to the rules of physics God has established. MA doesnt have to consume your life.

It is FUN. this is the thing that hooked me. Yeah I try to pratice everyday, but I do it for the satisfaction of accomplishment and health.



Taichi has a lot of the same philosophy as Xingyi, as they are bith Taoist interna; styles (as well as Baguazhang). Maybe you could try out a class, pray about it (often) and make sure you dont bite off more philosophy than you can chew. Just be careful i guess.

God is good and merciful. He;ll show you the way if you listen. All things are permissable, though not all are beneficial (Paul I think?)

E-mail me sometime if you'd like, it would be interesting to chat.

supermalto@yahoo.com

Zian Jian, Justin

 

[Rising_Suns]

Dont take it too seriously, you are just moving your body in ways according to the rules of physics God has established. MA doesnt have to consume your life.

It is FUN. this is the thing that hooked me. Yeah I try to pratice everyday, but I do it for the satisfaction of accomplishment and health

I completely agree. Even Ch'i energy flow is a proven reality of our phsyical bodies. Some tend to think that devloping your Ch'i is on the level of witchcraft, which it's not at all. It's putting your mind and body in better connection, to channel your body's energy in certain ways to whatever application is needed.

Take a look around at the differnent schools and instructors in the area and evaluate them carefully, I would say. My Shrfu doesn't shove the Taoist philosophy down our throats, he only presents it to help us understand the style.

I decided to start with the Shaolin Eagle Claw. Although my sifu is very american, I have been learning and developing quite well in the external aspect. Some of our breathing excersising and static training are heavily internal, which is nice. I have been taking classes for just a couple months now, I am much more flexible all around, stronger (esp in the legs; quads are very cut and lean now), and my stability and mental lucidity have increased noticably. He really drills us and makes sure that our bodies are exerting at maxiumum level, which is needed if we are to really grow and excel. My shirt is always completely satruated in sweat at the end of each 90 min session, and my legs must have beeen sore for about a week or two in the beginning as well..a couple times I felt like I was going to pass out, which is a good sign you are operating at your max capacity. But it's getting much easier now as my body adjusts to the new demands that's being made on it. I really can't wait until we get into sparring. and I really want to learn the staff. It can be used as a walking stick, but can be a strong weapon if needed. Such a skill may be usefull in my future when give up this world and live in poverty as a pilgrim in search of God's purpose. There may be a day when I need to call upon those skills to defend myself; God only knows. Either way though, I can see Kung Fu (or any other MA) as a usefull tool for helping to increase one's physical, mental, and even spiritual health.

 

[Skummer]

I too live in Atlanta and have practiced MA for the past 10 years or so. I've formally studied shaolin kungfu, tai chi, bagua zhang, and today I do judo. I've dabbled in Shuai Chiao(chinese wrestling), boxing, and japanese jujutsu.

The one thing I can say about MA in general that you don't often hear is that the entire industry is absolutely rife with fraud and/or misconceptions. Buyer beware!

Anyway, sometimes I get together with people from other schools/styles to trade knowledge and spar. If you're interested, you could join us.