fangshi

Even if the english is not there, the words Martial Arts or Kung Fu are pretty universal. They will most likely understand what you are talking about. It might be worse is you start butchering their language. With my experience in China and other asian countries I can say that the martial arts is better known in the general public and are far more widely accepted as a viable health giving practice than it is here, however not everyone practices or has a working knowledge of it. If you have an overwelming need to ask than ask politely .

The water training that i am familiar with is done in a river stream or run off . Generally any body of water with a current and approx. waist high. It is primarily used as stance training although there are other applications. The thought here is that the steady resistance of the current is used to improove strenght endurance and stability in stances.

Hello Recently I stumbled across your forum and was very impressed with the diversity of the membership . I look forward to trading knowledge and opinions with all of you. I have studied MA for 24yrs and have had the great fortune to learn from some great "Masters" (not that they every considered themselves master) and some not so great instructors (which taught me the difference between them). The main styles I have studied are Bagua & Aikido. Have studied others but more as a supplement than a focus. I look forward to racking your brains about all the wonderful styles that exsist within the realm of MA. And add my input as well.