jmd161

MantisWarrior, If you have KaZaA or Grokster you can download sparring and fighting clips. If you want to see some clips of kung fu forms? My favorite site is http://fuhok.com It's a Hung Gar site with plenty of nice long video clips.If you want Praying Mantis clips i forgot the url ,but look under Ortiz Praying Mantis on the web they have some Mantis clips. Hope this helps you out a little? jmdhttp://www.geocities.com/jmd161/img0007a.gif

Well i'll try and help you out a little. Kfcharlie, The animal styles are not just body types.The idea is also to take on the spirit of the animal.The Tiger is powerful and ferciousThe Crane is graceful and evasive,The Snake is fast and does'nt waste movement.That's just a brief description of some animals. People try to match body types to animals ,and say what's best for you.The only person that knows what's best for you is........... Let me see now ......... Who is the best person to know what fits you??? " Ohhh that's right it's you " http://www.dragonslist.com/discussion/images/smilies/deal.gif I was told i was too big for my animal style ,but now i've become 1 of 2 ppl chosen by my sifu/teacher to pass on the style.If you want some info on my style? Here's the link to a post i made here about my style. http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=5429 jmdhttp://www.geocities.com/jmd161/img0007a.gif

I try not to tell people what style they should do.Because what i or you think might not work for them.I was told my style was for smaller very quick people.In the 2yrs i've been in Black Tiger i've become 1 of 2 people chosen by my sifu to pass on the style.I've been in martial arts 21yrs ,but Black Tiger is unlike anything i've ever seen. If your friend is looking for a style tell him to look at some styles that interest him ,and then make a choice from there.That is the only way to choose what feels right to you. jmdhttp://www.geocities.com/jmd161/img0007a.gif

Try this link they have everything and even make custom uniforms. http://superiormartialarts.com jmdhttp://www.geocities.com/jmd161/img0007a.gif

phanthomspectre, How did you come to that conclusion? http://www.dragonslist.com/discussion/images/smilies/headscratch.gif I don't think Bak Sil Lum is like Tai Chi,Pa Qua, or hsing-i. Nor do i think other Northern styles like Praying Mantis or Eagle Claw are like either of those styles. My style of Black Tiger is Southern and external ,but we also have a very strong internal side also. Could you explain how these styles favor internal to you? jmd http://www.geocities.com/jmd161/img0007a.gif

Hey everyone, I'm new here and thought i'd take the time and this thread to give some info on my style. There are many schools of Black Tiger both of Chinese and Non-Chinese origin.The style of Black Tiger i study is not " Fu Jow Pai " or " Shangtung " but is a CMA. I'm going to post a thread from another forum written by my Sihing in Texas that should explain alot. The original founder of this particular style (there is more than one Black Tiger style) was Wong Cheung, aka Kut Shuin, from Pun Yu county, Kwangtung province, China. At age 8, he was learning "Sam Chin", the Iron Wire Form, from his grandfather. (This form is intended to harden the body making it more resistant to nerve and pressure strikes, as well as all kinds of other punishment. I used to practice it in order to do the "nail bed" trick.) At the age of 10, Wong contracted small pox and was sent to Dr. Leung Shu Cha. After he recovered, he stayed with Dr. Cha for some time and learned the "108 plum-blossom dummy" and the "9-armed grinder dummy." (The latter form is still extant and contains 72 techniques and 108 movements.) At the age of 14, Wong went to Canton where he secretly watched Dr. Fu Man (brother of Fu Cheng Sung of Iron Palm) practice Dragon Pa Kwa. After being found out, Fu agreed to teach Wong this style. At the age of 19, Wong arrived in Hong Kong. A co-worker saw Wong practicing with his staff and, borrowing it and imitating Wong's technique, broke it in 2. It turned out that this co-worker, Fung Wing-Pai, was a monk who had returned to "worldly life." Fung had studied under a disciple of the founder of Black Tiger Kung Fu, and he taught this style to Wong for 3 years. Wong also studied under Kwong Ken Chen, a disciple of Wong Fei Hung. He studied Chi Kung under Cheung Loy and Lee Kow. He studied weapons under Pun Fei San, learning to use the 18 standard weapons and a number of others. In 1928, he set up a school in Hong Kong and, after the war, moved across the harbor to Kowloon. Sifu Wong died a few years ago at the age of 95 (or so I was told). I don't know if a school is still open. So Black Tiger is really a family of different styles. Black Tiger itself doesn't put a high priority on "clawing techniques," like some of the other Tiger styles. Rather, Black Tiger is more of a philosophy. In Chinese mythology, the black tiger is cunning and treacherous, as opposed to the white tiger, which is honest and forthright. Wong was less than 5' tall, so he emphasized sneaky techniques and body hardening to a high degree. Most of the kicks are low and gouging, clawing, and raking to vulnerable areas are preferred to hitting in a real fight. Among the many forms are elements of most animal and family styles, as well as chin na and drunken boxing, neither of which is actually a style in itself. As with the original traditional Chinese arts, there were no belts. Seniority was established by when a person enters into the system. So even a person who is no longer active is considered "senior" to someone who started later. Seniority has nothing to do with who is a better fighter. This is established in the frequent sparring and everybody recognizes where they stand with respect to everyone else. It promotes "brotherliness" and eliminates a lot of the pettiness and nonsense of arbitrary belt awards based on a particular "standard" or "fighting ability." (Not that the standards of all arts are always substandard, mind you. It just seems that belts are often awarded nowadays as an incentive to continue paying dues, rather than true mastery of technique or philosophy. Another thing I personally dislike is putting famous "masters" on the board or awarding them honorary "belts" just so they can appear on a club's directory. Both the club and the "master" are guilty of self-promotion, if you ask me). In the Wong Cheung Gymnasium, there was only 1 sifu, whom we would also call a grandmaster, and that was Wong Cheung. In the old days, a sifu was an older person, probably past his prime physically, who was a fountain of knowledge and yet still very competent. Thirty and 40 year old "sifu's" were unknown. Fat or obviously incompetent sifus were also rare. You can cloud the whole thing over with semantics all you want, but young sifus were virtually non-existent. Simply the fact of being a skilled fighter, perhaps capable of beating every opponent, was not grounds for the title, "sifu." My own teacher, although extremely gifted and intelligent, always insisted on being called "teacher" and nothing more. Grandmaster Wong Cheung was the 5th Grandmaster of Black Tiger Style.My Sifu Fred Woo was the Chairman of The Black Tiger Assocation in Hong Kong under Grandmaster Wong Cheung his Sifu. If you guys have any questions ask away i'll be glad to answer any questions.I hope this clears up some of the mist about Black Tiger. Note: This is in no way a show of Disrespect towards Fu Jow Pai or Shantung Black Tiger.This is just to explain this school of Black Tiger. jmd161

Devil_In_Disguise, Ok i see what you're looking for. I'm not sure how it works in england ,but here in the states you can go try a free lesson at the school to see if it's something you would like.Usually Choy Lay F'ut schools wear one sash.Usually it's either red or gold.There are some schools that go through the white - black sash stuff ,but not too many that i know of.If it's a real traditional school they only wear the sash to support your back.At my school we all wear Black Sashes ,but it's just for support it does'nt mean anything.CLF is a blitzkreig type of system you're going to have to do alot of body conditioning.If you want a very effective system of defense and are willing to work for it? Then CLF is a good way to go. jmd

Ok i thought that's what you wanted ,but i wanted to be sure. What would you like to know about Choy Lay F'ut? It's an awesome style it's a Southern Fist style ,but it looks more like a Northern China Style because it has longrange techniques within it.CLF is one of my favorite styles.Are there some schools near you? Are you looking for info because you're thinking about learning CLF? If that is the case CLF is a style i recommend to anyone that has the chance to learn it.The only problem i have with it is make sure you find a good teacher/sifu. I'll be glad to help you with any info you need. jmd

I don't know about that one.I'd love to be 18yrs old again.I'd do so many things differently. jmd

How ever long it takes for the person to grasp the understanding that level carries.I come from very traditional teachers.I think that a person should earn each level not have it given to them just because they've been on that level over a yr.In the longrun you hurt the student and maybe the school.My sifu tells me i need to just teach the dedicated students behind closed doors.That's true ,but i want ppl to see real kung fu not the stuff going around using the name kung fu. jmd

Close but no cigar. I'm 36 yrs old but some days i feel alot older. jmd

i agree Same here can't really say anything about that except i disagree ,but he's intitled to his opinion. jmd

Devil_In_Disguise, I'm not sure what style you're talking about since it seems to have been cut off what you were typing. Were you asking about Choy Lay Faht? I assume you were because when i typed it the common way it was also cut off. jmd

Not only did we have women at my last kung fu school ,but some were sifu (teachers).I don't know why anyone would laugh at anyone much less Bruce Lee learning Wing Chun.In ancient china women were the fiercest fighters around.Women tend to have better technique than men do. jmd

No problem just making my way around the forum. Trying to help anyone if i can? jmd

Here's a site that has all types of uniforms plus all the shaolin monk style robes and uniforms. http://superiormartialarts.com jmd

blood talon, I don't know anything about canada.What i do know if you're looking to learn kung fu and want a good teacher.If your area has a chinatown start your search there.It's tough to just go and speak to ppl about learning kung fu ,but if you're serious they'll know and someone might except you as a student.It sounds crazy ,but my sifu was'nt teaching when i found him.Now i'm a disciple of a very rare style of kung fu and 1 of 2 ppl chosen by him to pass on the style. jmd

spinninggumby, If you're still interested? I've studied Bak Sil Lum (N.Shaolin) What would you like to know? jmd

Where in canada are you? The Grandmaster of Tai Shing Pek Kwar (Monkey Style) moved to canada.Monkey style is a system that is also within other styles.Monkey is not something you're going to learn right off. It takes a good foundation in kung fu before you learn monkey style.Tiger is a awesome style also your best bet is to look around and see what you like.It might seem like something you like ,but you'll never know until you start it. jmd

That depends on you. Are you a quick learner? Do you understand the basics of kung fu or any martial art? You're kinda speaking out of both sides of your mouth.You want an art that's effective ,but you wanna learn it quickly.How effective do you expect to be if you're rushing through training?If you master the basics of any style of kung fu you could be a good fighter and very effective in a few months.The problem is so many ppl rush through training and just blow off the basics trying to learn pretty forms.If you work hard on the basics you'll be fine when you need to defend yourself. jmd

kickmaster, I don't knock any style because all are effective if used the way they were intended.Just as you feel that shaolin is worthless some feel JKD is worthless and so on.Because JKD worked for you does'nt mean it fits everyone.That's why there are so many different styles because no one style can fit everyone. Now the one good thing you said was. " To me this is the best system out there " It fits you that's good shaolin fits others Black Tiger fits me none are worthless! jmd

It's funny how i go to forums all over the net and see ppl saying shaolin or kung fu is worthless.It makes me wonder who were their teachers or did they really train hard while at the school? So many ppl just go and walk through the motions ,and then wonder why their kung fu don't work.If you train half a$$ then you're gonna have half a$$ kung fu.Why are ppl surprised with what they get when they put in no effort? jmd

Just to add .02 more cents Many ppl train forms the wrong way.Forms are a guide not something you try to fight with. That'll get you killed You fit the techniques of the form into your style of fighting not try and fit your style to the form.also if you learn a form on the right hand side you need to train just as hard if not more on the left hand side.Too many ppl train a form the way it was showed to them.Everyone you fight is not gonna attack you from the same side and angle.You need to master the techniques in a form so you can apply them from different angles with the same effect.Most masters only mastered two forms.They knew the entire style ,but mastered just a couple of forms.Two forms is enough to last you a lifetime. jmd

Well it depends on what you mean by fancy? There are fancy techniques that are very effective.Most snake style techniques can be looked at as fancy,but only a fool would argue about their effects.Monkey style and Eight Drunken Immortals are everyone's favorites at tournaments ,but if you know them both are very hard to defeat. i'll admit there are some techniques that i would not use ,but that does'nt mean they're not effective. jmd

SubmissionFighter, That is great advice you gave to Shaolin Fighter. Shaolin Fighter, It's all up to you what you like.i've been in martial arts 21yrs and just found the style that fits me 2yrs ago.My problem was i listened to everyone else and that does'nt work.What works for me might not work for you or vice versa.I've studied Northern Shaolin and Hung Gar.If those are the two you're talking about? They are worlds apart from each other. Northern Shaolin (Bak Sil Lum) is a longrange system with alot of high flashy kicks and pretty flowing techniques. Hung Gar is a southern style meaning there is more hand techniques and a solid foundation. The two are nothing alike.When i started N.Shaolin i thought Hung Gar was boring because N.Shaolin used alot of flashy techniques. But....When i started Hung Gar i thought N.Shaolin had a lot of wasted moves and techniques.It depends on what you're looking for they're both awesome styles.The style i study now Black Tiger is a sister art to Hung Gar ,but has longrange techniques like N.Shaolin.So i guess i got the best of both worlds. jmd