[QUOTE=bakxierboxer;899182]That’s pretty much what I thought…
Since the term “kungfu” is a Cantonese colloquialism, trying to understand or categorize it with any “literal translation” can be “misleading”.[/QUOTE]
i knew that’s where you were going…
nope. As I said before, it is not so much a colloquialism as a conceptual term that encompasses a much broader scope. But it is widely used by Chinese Martial Artists and Martial Scholars. Hardly slang. Sure, directly translated it does not mean Martial Arts, and there are other terms,Mo-Sut, Mo-Sik, Wu-Shu, Wu-Gong, etc But Kung-Fu, Gung-Fu,Gong-Fu, etc is not only acceptable, it is the norm.
It is not just used by Cantonese, but in mainland China, Malaysia,Taiwan, etc.
[QUOTE=Oso;899185]i knew that’s where you were going…:)[/QUOTE]
DANGNABBIT! :eek:
Am I getting THAT predictable? 
[QUOTE=TenTigers;899204]nope. As I said before, it is not so much a colloquialism as a conceptual term that encompasses a much broader scope. But it is widely used by Chinese Martial Artists and Martial Scholars. Hardly slang. Sure, directly translated it does not mean Martial Arts, and there are other terms,Mo-Sut, Mo-Sik, Wu-Shu, Wu-Gong, etc But Kung-Fu, Gung-Fu,Gong-Fu, etc is not only acceptable, it is the norm.
It is not just used by Cantonese, but in mainland China, Malaysia,Taiwan, etc.[/QUOTE]
I was referring to its (Cantonese) origin.
Apparently, I have “more regard” for origins than some.
Calling someone’s skill “kungfu” generally happens when they “admire” that skill.
One Amer-English phrase that is commonly used to express such “admiration” might be:
“HOT Sh1T!”
A literal translation of that phrase would also be “misleading”. :rolleyes:
Most important question: What do you want to get out of your training?
Seems simple enough, but its where most people go wrong… right from the start.
Do you want to learn to truly be able to protect yourself and loved ones realistically? Do you want to connect more to asian culture and the dress and forms and weaponry? Two different things.
If you are serious about the first one, I suggest you start with Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu for several reasons. First, it has a high standard and is pretty available. Finding good instruction shouldn’t be hard. Also, the training will get you in shape fast and make your body dense, from the inside. Again, just a result of the training. You’ll also get more flexible and used to body contact and flow… all without having to deal with getting punched. This is a great, healthy martial art.
At a place like that you’ll also probably find people dialed into your martial art community who then can guide you to stand up training that suits you.
If you’re going the other direction, I suggest you buy some Chinese history books and save your money and time and just join a gym. The number of folks at “kwoons” is large. The percent of those folks that I would consider martial artists based on their offense and defensive abilities is very small. That’s why I ask, what do you want?
[QUOTE=bakxierboxer;899207]I was referring to its (Cantonese) origin.
Apparently, I have “more regard” for origins than some.
Calling someone’s skill “kungfu” generally happens when they “admire” that skill.
One Amer-English phrase that is commonly used to express such “admiration” might be:
“HOT Sh1T!”
A literal translation of that phrase would also be “misleading”. :rolleyes:[/QUOTE]
you’re pulling nose hairs on this one.
many people blanket term all chinese martial arts as kungfu.
most people who have practiced chinese martial arts for a while know that kungfu is a term that doesn’t mean martial arts.
The term is widely used outside of Southern China as well and is more or less global now. Anyway, that’s not the point at hand.
To the original poster, check out the ezine here and there is an article on the front page called “what is kungfu” and there are also other articles on what to look for in a school. These are general and good advice and pretty much what you’ll get here so long as we all don’t get caught in the weeds and muck.
[QUOTE=Ray Pina;899235]
Do you want to learn to truly be able to protect yourself and loved ones realistically? Do you want to connect more to asian culture and the dress and forms and weaponry? Two different things. [/QUOTE]
I don’t post much, so I don’t know Mr. Pina, but I am just in awe at this statement. Either you have been burned by a school/instructor, have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, or are some kid that thinks he’s being funny.
I didn’t quote the rest of your comments but they’re also about as outlandish as it gets… protecting yourself and your loved ones… suggesting brazilian jiu-jitsu. While I have respect for all arts, I can’t even fathom why you would make that a first suggestion.
Are you suggesting that if some idiot walks up and puts a gun to my child’s head, I should be thankful that I’ve had some brazilian jiu-jitsu training and now I know how to protect my family?
Don’t read this wrong people… I have plenty of respect for bjj and all other solid arts… I however, have no respect for Mr. Pina’s post.
we all love ray, but i want to point out he is biased, him saying practice brazilian jiu jitsu and not kung fu, is like george bush saying he recommends you join the republican party and not the democratic,
yeah, I like Ray.
..but then again, I like amoebic dysentery
eomonroe00 eomonroe00 is offline
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ny
Posts: 43
with me its more the sifu than the style
at this point in my journey, i know most styles have something, but i would rather work with an amazing sifu in a style i never heard of than work with a mediocre sifu in a style i love
This post on another thread really made a lot of sense to me. I share this fellow users POV. I think I have been partial to one style and it has really influenced the way I have been looking at things and also has possibly guided me in the wrong direction in the past as well. My first sifu was not only a great teacher, but I great friend as well. It is probably hard or unusual to find that combination. I may be wrong because I do not have that much experience. I have only studied with two sifus. My next sifu was a nice enough guy, but looking back, he was not a very good instructor compared to my first teacher and many teachers I considered studying with at the time. He did not have the experience my first teacher had and I believe that he lost his desire to teach if he ever even had it. I believe you should have a great working relationship with your sifu, but the bottom line is the quality of training.
kinda sounds like you might be overly picky.
a teacher (or coach) is only a guide…you have to do the work…you have to have the insight to apply what you are learning to yourself the way you want to end up utilizing the skills learned…be it manipulating your body through some elaborate forms or succesfully shooting, mounting and submitting (or my preference: making oatmeal of their face 
)
i think the first thing you mebbe need to figure out is what it is YOU want out of it all…doesn’t really sound like you know.
just my thoughts
[QUOTE=fawlung;899312]
I didn’t quote the rest of your comments but they’re also about as outlandish as it gets… protecting yourself and your loved ones… suggesting brazilian jiu-jitsu. While I have respect for all arts, I can’t even fathom why you would make that a first suggestion.
Are you suggesting that if some idiot walks up and puts a gun to my child’s head, I should be thankful that I’ve had some brazilian jiu-jitsu training and now I know how to protect my family?
Don’t read this wrong people… I have plenty of respect for bjj and all other solid arts… I however, have no respect for Mr. Pina’s post.[/QUOTE]
I recommended BJJ as a start for someone’s REAL training. In three to four months their condition will improve dramatically. They will also get used to contact and flow. THEN, if they want, they could or should expand into some striking game.
As for me and where I base these comments from… I trained Issin-Ryu from age 4 to 12. Then again from 18 to 22. Moved to NY. Trained Wing Chun, Hung Gar and S. Mantis for 4 or 5 years. Then studied internal with Master David Bond Chan for, I don’t even know. 5. Maybe 7 years.
I have not lost one of my 10 challenge/Throwdown matches. These were against more traditional karate, TKD, and amatuer MMA stylists. I’ve lost 3 kick boxing matches and 2 amatuer MMA matches. I have a vale tudo match here next month.
I’m not great. I’m not bad. I have more real experience than most. I have some great footage of me kicking all types of ass in real fights but am bored posting it. It doesn’t get my any better. And the only fight that matters is the next one.
As for protecting your family. It starts with making it so no one can get in. And if they do you dispose of them quickly and as neatly as possible with your weapon of choice.
My parting advice would be not to underestimate your typical BJJ player. I come from a long line of striking styles, but punching isn’t brain surgery. Most of these guys, by the time they’re purple belts, can pick you up, slam you on your head and walk away. Boots to the cranium come naturally. As do head buts and elbows.
Peace to you and a great weekend.
Thanks for replying Mr. Pina.
I would agree that a typical BJJ player shouldn’t be underestimated and I do agree with your assessment of how a student should be after training a while in BJJ. I guess it struck a chord when you mentioned defending a person’s family.
Just for my own claritive purposes, when I think about the need to protect my family, I don’t think of an unarmed threat.
Getting back to what Peace & Love is looking for. I think there have been some great posts and I really liked one of Ten Tigers posts.
For peace & love to actually be seeking advice and trying to find the best place for him, I think that puts him above the norm and it’s great that you’re trying to find a good home to train at. Good Luck and you’re always to come work out with us if you want.