Shaolin Kung Fu

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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.