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WELCOME TO KUNG FU MAGAZINE
Wisdom for Body & Mind
Sun, November 23, 2008
About the Study of Kung Fu...
Which style should I study?
That's a question that only you can answer, maybe with a little help of your physician (in determining whether you should practice martial arts at all).
While some people advocate that "my style fits any individual", it is very debatable if any single individual would adapt to *any* style. It depends heavily on your objectives, but remember, these may change with time. Many people who begin martial arts training strictly to learn self-defense become quite interested in other aspects as their training progresses.
Some points to consider when selecting a style...
What are you looking for?
Are you looking for self-defense, self-cultivation, physical exercise or spiritual enlightenment? Different Kung Fu styles are often best suited for particular pursuits. For instance, if you're looking for street-wise self-defence, an internal art like Taijiquan may not be your first choice. A better option for street-fighting might be a style like Praying Mantis, Wing Chun or Jeet Kun Do. On the other hand, if you are looking for meditation and philosophy then Taijiquan could be ideal.
If you're looking for involvement in a competitive sport, arts such as Shaolin Long Fist or Tian Shan Pai would probably be a secondary choice to arts such as Shuai Chiao. If you are looking for intense body conditioning and muscle development, Xingyi is probably not the style for you. For physical conditioning, a more intense style like Hongjia (Hung Gar) is probably better suited for your study.
Note that these are general guides. In truth any art can be taught in a manner which promotes any of these things. For instance, there are Taiji competitions and rigorous workouts associated with Praying Mantis classes. The way to find out is to look at three things, only one of which is directly linked to the style:
- The basics of the style (what does it teach, what is it used for)
- The skill and the teaching style of the teacher
- The purpose and the logistics of the school
See the "Guide To Choosing A Kung Fu School" section for guidelines regarding the last two points.
How much time can you devote to learning?
The "bigger" and more "complete" arts (the ones with more techniques) naturally require longer periods of time for a practitioner to achieve a given level of proficiency. Some styles are founded on the principles of becoming cobat-ready in a relatively short time. Others may take years to develope usable skill. This is neither good nor bad; there are good points on both sides of the debate. This is simply another facet to account for in your decision.
Don't be afraid to "Shop Around."
Many experienced Martial Artists advise "Read, visit, ask, compare and then decide. Remember that the teacher and the school have as much to do with what you will learn as the style. Check out the styles in your area. Go see some classes of the different styles and see what interests you and what you think you would stick with.
Also, many people change from one style to another. While this is a common practice, accepted as a means of development, it is known that the first style is normally the one that leaves the base, the more profound "marks". Try to choose a style that suits your needs and at the same time offers you a kind of "challenge" to go on learning.
See Also:
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