fallen_milkman

Darn! Someone brought up Alaskan fishing boats before I did! That was my choice. They pay really well though, all things considered. You work for 6 months a year, and are paid somewhere around $40,000 for it (I forget the exact figure). You just have to get around that whole "most dangerous occupation in the world" thing...

My sifu recently let me borrow this book, and I am enjoying it quite a bit. Basically it recounts the author's (Glenn Morris) experiences involved with personal experiementation in meditation and chi gung, and how it can go wrong, as well as a slew of other topics. While I am a bit skeptical of some of his claims, I still think it is quite the interesting book. Has anyone else read this? What are your thoughts?

Yeah, monkey is good for ground fighting. It isn't your normal way of fighting, since it is much more mobile than grappling, but it definitely works.

White sash in Kuntao. Test for yellow in November!

Wow, you gave me a lot to think about for my forms, and for that I thank you. I kept some of that in mind, especially footwork, but a lot I missed. Thinking up multiple applications was one that I didn't think of. That being said, realize I am a white sash. Form creation is a requirement in my style at green sash, two levels away. They are just exercises in seeing what I know, a way to organize my techniques in a more interesting way to practise, and it helps add a bit of the "art" back into martial arts. Nothing more. Besides, these ARE works in progress for me. It not like I'll make a terrible form that just links some techniques, and say "Done!" and make a new one. This form will be revised over time, as I learn and my ability grows. Also, I still learn our traditional forms. So I have the best of both worlds.

Well, I know there was a Fukien (sp?) temple, and a Wudang temple. Other than that, not sure.

Basically I would go to the schools and see which one you like best. That being said... I looked at a Long Tong Pai site, since I'd never heard of it, and it looked pretty good to me. It depends on whether the school you found has all the same stuff as what I looked at though. They have sparring, so you're actually learning to fight instead of demonstrative kung fu. They have chi work in their classes, so you'd be able to follow your interests in that. Heck, if I were in your area, I would check it out myself.

Get more sleep.

Look around for videos of those styles, and look at them to see what you like. Then you can see if anyone in your area teaches those. I personally love monkey for both performance purposes and strange rarely seen fighting tactics.

No. It is silly to get that bent out of shape over a comment like that.

Many over the years. I'll list a few. ToMM - Tom is my real name..the extra M was for style Wayne-Gar - Wayne is my middle name. A friend once claimed, drunkenly, using Wayne as my main name would get me "chicks". It stuck, somehow. Eventually, a Gar was added because my friends claim I remind them of a barbarian. Also, a back story was constructed naming me "Exiled Barbarian King of the North." My friends and I are pretty creative as far as goofy nicknames go. We have a Shook, a Toggles, a Frankm (won my extra M in a bet), a Bear, a Masterhawk, and an X9. Yeah, we're strange.

Well, I am by no means an expert (in fact, I would almost go with "total newb" to describe me), but the power is most likely generated through proper body alignment/rotation and driving your feet. This means making sure your feet are firmly planted and pushing into the ground when you punch. This is how quite a few Chinese styles produce force. Could be wrong, but I am pretty sure that is the deal. Asking your teacher is always an option. Anyone else able to confirm/make me look foolish?

Haha, no. I actually didn't post because I was in class and the teacher seemed annoyed when she saw my screen. I didn't get back to this until you had said it. It is very true though. Chinese styles are FAR too distinctive to compare them all in one big lump. Also, I don't much like calling them kung fu in the first place. I just put up with it because it is the term most are used to. *Edit - Whoohoo! Blue belt gained via this post!*

Interesting you should post this today. Just this morning, I found a rabid raccoon in my yard. It wasn't very hostile, so I just had to keep it away from my cats and my neighbor's cat with a staff I keep near the door (Gently! I didn't whack the freaking thing!). Didn't really use any martial arts. Mostly Boy Scout knowledge to identify it was rabid. Not all rabid animals will attack you. This one was definitely sick/in pain though. Eventually Animal Control showed up, caught it, and hauled it off.

I almost said it, but I knew someone could say it better for me. You never let me down Warlock!

Be safe, Kicks. People get desperate in these situations, and the human will to survive can be both beautiful and ugly, depending on the person.

I didn't say he couldn't do any styles not related to his body type, I said they are easier to do for certain body types. If he has an animal style in mind then he should do it, but he came here asking for advice. I think, at least starting out, it makes sense to choose one you'll have an easier time with and then go from there.

Actually, I think they specifically start out with two sticks to make sure you're using both hands effectively from the start. At least, that is what I have heard. Could be wrong.

Yeah, training isn't what it used to be. My teacher used to have to balance a teacup on his crane stance for around a half hour or so. All of the stance training was a half hour for that matter. Horse for a half hour? *cringes* I don't even wanna think about how long it will be at my rate to be able to hold out that long. 10 minutes is near-death for me at this point! ...And the push ups I have done for losing balance during crane or female stance are almost uncountable.

Animal kung fu styles are very specific, and different body types will excel at certain animals better. Take me, for instance. Stocky, large chest and shoulders, and good upper body strength. Tiger and Ape styles would work very well for me. My friend, however, is smaller and more agile. He has great control and quick reflexes. He is more suited for snake or monkey. If you could tell us a bit about your size and shape, we could help a bit more.

Sounds like a nice kung fu school. Those are a bit rare these days. As for only learning Iron Palm at black sash, I definitely understand why. Weapons, I started learning pretty early (staff at 3 months, dao at 4!), but I stand out in class as a pretty dedicated student. You may find your teacher bending the rules, if you give that impression. I know a few Long Fist forms, with applications, and it is a very interesting artform to me. Some of the combat uses I would NEVER have dreamed up. I enjoy kuntao's straightforward approach, but I plan on taking up some Long Fist one day as well. My aunt lives close to Charlotte, so maybe I'll be able to drop in sometime when I visit her. I certainly hope so, even just for a lesson or two.

Wow! Long fist, chin na, taiji, chi gung, AND iron palm? Sounds like an amazing school. Where is it located? I'd like to stop in some time and look into it, if it is anywhere near me.

We have been sparring every Wednesday. Sometimes points but usually timed, medium contact with gloves. Usually one person takes the middle and spars everyong for 2 minutes, then the next person goes, and the next until everyone has been in the middle.

Yeah, I don't really focus on any particular area either. I've always had a pretty good poker face.

I wish you luck and safety, Kicks.