Kung Fu Training

Your kung fu training should be consistent and practical.

A saying goes that it is not the system that makes the art it is the fighter.

That means it requires vigilant practice.

Depending on which kung fu style you practice the fighting fundamentals are the same. Note your range, have a strategy for attack and play to your strengths while exploiting your opponent’s weakness.

Your style should have specific techniques for this.  The animal styles can have their origins traced back to the Shaolin temple and where formed by the monks observations of how animals moved and behaved. From the monkey..feisty dynamic and quick sharp moves, to the snake slithering and smooth sideways moves.  There is also the drunken style which you may have seen in many a kung fu movie..not sure what was being observed there.

Many of these styles have become more symbolic in today’s terms. Where fighting needs to be more direct and explosive.  A lot of the forms that the traditional styles teach are quite elegant and the practitioners very talented in their execution.  However in practice may not be very effective.  As they overemphasise some movements and are too focussed on elegance rather than a direct conflict.

Also they can be quite complicated to learn .. My preference is wing chun training as it emphasises a direct line of attack to your opponents and is strictly a fighting style in its philosophy.  The forms are rather dull to look at, however when put into practice:  meaning quite brutal..—Eye strikes, throat chops and broken limbs.. are the usual wing chun targets.

The biggest advantage is that it is relatively easy to learn, the concepts are basic and very practical.. Once you understand the form and theory of the system you can put it into practice and feel comfortable with it in a relatively short time. 

However don’t expect to be Bruce Lee overnight.  It takes time and diligence as mentioned earlier.  Also remember it is not the art that makes the fighter, it is the fighters use of the art that makes the real martial artist.  So next time someone says this kung fu is better than that think twice about listening to what they have to say.  Sure some styles are more effective. But a half assed martial artist with the best system will always loose to a determined focused opponent who has never studied martial arts.

Some food for thought.

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Tai Chi is an ancient martial art, one that was practiced for centuries in China as an exercise, a martial art, and a way to improve the internal flow of energy in the body.  It emphasis correct form and feeling with each and every movement, which is why it is always taught to be practiced in a slow and gentle fashion. It is known as a soft kung fu training style.

By involving the entire body with little to no impact, Tai Chi promotes strength, flexibility, and stamina.  With the entire body being taught to move as a whole, Tai Chi cultivates the link among the mind and the body, helping to enhance ones coordination and balance.  It can also help with the joints as well, especially if an individual is very stiff in the joints.

Although it was developed to be a martial art, it involves very little striking, offensive, or even defence techniques.  Tai Chi is a movement and breathing art that works all of the major muscles and joints in the body, helping to circulate internal energy, or chi.  The Chinese believe that internal energy, or chi is what prevents or stops diseases.

When practicing the art, the body will remain very soft and relaxed, just like it was suspended from the top of the head with the joints being similar to that of a puppet.  The mind of the student is focused on each movement, focusing on the flow of energy.  By being relaxed and focused, you allow the energy to flow through your entire body.

Even though you are soft and relaxed, you are still constantly moving.  The energy that flows through your body never stops, it keeps you moving.  When you move in reality, it takes little to no energy to make a movement.  By using your chi, everything you do seems as if it is weightless.

In combat, the Tai Chi student uses his opponents energy against him.  The stylist is very relaxed, believing that the energy of the opponent can be used against him.  There is little to no strength involved.  When the opponent becomes weak and tires himself out – the stylist attacks.  This way, there is very little energy left for defence or even attacking.

Tai Chi is one of the oldest styles of martial arts, and one of the hardest to find these days.  Just like other martial arts, such as Tiger Claw and Ninjutsu, it can be very hard to find a dojo that teaches the art.  If you can find a dojo that teaches the art of Tai Chi, you really shouldn’t pass it up.  It can teach you a lot about internal energy and your spiritual well being – learning more about yourself than you ever thought possible in the process.