I’m very new to the Kung Fu world, but am planning on commiting a great deal of time to learning the art. I live in Austin, TX, are there any good places here to learn?
Plenty.
Shuai Chiao:
www.combatshuaichiao.com
Taijiquan and Elephant Kung Fu:
www.taichiherb.com
and tons and tons of BJJ.
Just look.
It looks like there are three that I have found so far:
Shaolin-Do, which appears to be a little questionable
Central Texas Kung-Fu, taught by Sifu Jeff Hughes. He teaches the 7* Praying Mantis system
East Wind Training Hall, specializine in the Northern Tiger system (Ling family Tiger system)
A lot of people here feel that the lineage of Shaolin-Do is dubious. If you want to stick up for your art and endure the battery of most on this board, go for it! There was a white belt BJJ guy who was beaten by Joe Schaffer’s 5th Degree black belt from bullshido, but he also beat a 3rd Degree. (Don’t ask about Belts in Kung Fu…thats a whole nother can of worms)
I’ve met some of the Mantis cats at some parties up there, and they seem to know their stuff.
I know nothing about the Tiger school…
As is the truth with all martial arts, check it out before passing judgment.
Thanks
This is good stuff. That’s what bugs me about Shaolin-Do–if you have a good art, why bother with the questionable history? It just seems a little too far-fetched for me.
No problem. let us know how it goes. I’m from San Antonio so just drop me a line if you wanna spar with me and a few of the Shuai Chiao players.
Will do
I’ll let you know how it’s going–thanks again for the help. I think I’ll wait a while to take you up on the sparring, I’m pretty out of shape.
LOL. I’ve been outta practice for the last two months but I stay up on my Bag work and try to stay in shape best as possible. MeatShake and a few of his “Throwing Dummies” are in pretty good fighting condition…its alright though. I’ve already killed MS with the “7 points of delayed death that doesn’t seem like death” attack.
That’s what bugs me about Shaolin Do too. 
But CPA, they were both 2nd degree blacks FWIW.
Reggie good luck on finding a good school down there. From what you’ve said I wouldn’t recommend SD to you, and I’m one of the ones that can endure the battery from most on this board. I will say that in my experience SD is wonderful to get you into shape and it can train you to fight as well as any TMA school, but there’s a lot of riff-raff to weed through in the process.
Thanks Judge
I might try out SD for a while to get the hang of things first, being that I’m relatively new to the martial arts world. I just don’t want to spend a lifetime training on something that’s not all it’s cracked up to be.
My advice to you is to not worry about learning any specialty forms. Some of the larger SD schools, like Austin, offer all kinds of specilaty classes and forms. Ignore them. Stick with the basics and drill, drill, drill. Master the basic materials and force yourself to use them sparring. The short forms are the key and the sparring techniques are only standarized “suggestions” to teach you how to apply your short forms in your sparring.
The animal forms are pretty good, but keep in mind that not everyone understands the nuiances of the different animals. Because of that they can run together at times.
Try it through 3rd brown and keep forcing yourself to pay attention to the basics and you will get a good foundation if you wanted to then go to a less controversial MA.
Master John Wang and Sifu Paul Gerald have a school over off of manchaca I believe. If you want to learn how to fight, go there. I believe he teaches Wing Chun, or maybe tsun, I dont know and dont care… Also teaches 7* praying mantis, savate, and shuai chiao. Master Wang also knows a little baji from what I understand…
If you want to learn how to fight well in a short amount of time, go there.
If your goals are more oriented towards health, go somewhere else. They fight pretty full contact, but the material is fantastic. Tons of really aggressive throws.
I cant really say I know too much about the 7* or tiger schools up there, but I know they exist. Make sure they actually fight if thats what your goals are… There is also a pretty good eagle claw school from what I understand…
Good stuff
I’m interested in a good mix of both. I’m doing it for my health, but I also want to learn how to fight and a system I can stick with for a lifetime. So basically, I want the best of all worlds.
Central Texas mantis has hot chicks. We compete against them in most of the tournaments every year.
The South Austin SD has some pretty good ones, too. I took a class there a while back and the scenery sure was nice.
Meat, are you an SD person?
Meat used to be SD, but now does Shuai Chiao.
I’ve met a couple of the Texas SD women and was impressed by their, um, level of conditioning.
Yes… I’m sure that’s what impressed you… 
Judge Pen, as a former SD’er (years and years ago), I really appreciated your advice about sticking with the basics. That’s the key to really appreciate the advanced stuff later on down the line!!
Jeff Hughes at Central Texas Kung Fu is an excellent teacher. I believe he also teaches Hung Gar. His mantis sifu has also studied under my old mantis sifu, so I have met him through various tournaments and gatherings, in a 7 * mantis setting. He is very passionate and if you are looking for something more in the traditional vein, please check him out.
Thanks quantum2. Where do you train now? Send me a PM is you want.