Kung Fu In Combat

[Traditional-Fist]

Back then, rebels and soldiers learned Kung Fu to save their own lives. Every form, every move, every skill was learned to make sure he or she could have the upper hand in battle. If one argues that Wushu seems like a "dancing role", then I could see why. But Kung Fu was studied and used in life and death situations. The soldiers and the rebels don't have time to learn an ineffective art.

Well put TigerCrane. And there are kung fu schools/sifus nowadays that train their students with the warrior aspects of kung fu in mind, that means they prepare them for effective and no nonsense battle. Unfortunately (at least for the impatient students) battle readiness can take rather longer than some of the more modern martial arts, but hey, no art is perfect I suppose, not even kung fu,

[TigerCrane]

I agree. A Sifu and his/her way of teaching can make a big difference. You may think that you took enough Kung Fu styles to judge Chinese Martial Arts... but did you really learn the practical meaning behind the art(s)?

A lot of you might be upset to hear this. But a lot of Sifus only really *teach* a selected few out of all his students.

[bushido_man96]

A lot of you might be upset to hear this. But a lot of Sifus only really *teach* a selected few out of all his students.

It doesn't seem very fair to the rest of the students. Why would they do this??

[HG]

A lot of you might be upset to hear this. But a lot of Sifus only really *teach* a selected few out of all his students.

It doesn't seem very fair to the rest of the students. Why would they do this??

It's not and some CMA schools still operate like this. You need to take a look at the learning enviroment these older Sifu came from to understand why. Once accepted by the school Sifu your primary teachers were your older training brothers. As you progressed in skill, put in the time and demonstrated loyalty to the school. The Sifu would begin to comment on your technique. Eventually (over a couple of years) you would become a inner room disciple, now the Sifu would take a vested interest in your training.

[TigerCrane]

Well said, HG. It is a Chinese tradition to do so.

[bushido_man96]

Well said, HG. It is a Chinese tradition to do so.

Tradition can be one of the major downfalls of TMAs. Just because it is tradition, doesn't mean it is right.

[elbows_and_knees]

I agree. A Sifu and his/her way of teaching can make a big difference. You may think that you took enough Kung Fu styles to judge Chinese Martial Arts... but did you really learn the practical meaning behind the art(s)?

That's part of the problem as well. Considering that the practical meaning is open to interpretation, you don't necessarily know. But you know when you've seen enough of a style to base some sort of judgement. you don't have to train for a lifetime to figure it out. Also, nobody is judging cma as a whole (at least I'm not) I judge mainly the training methods, which in some cases are questionable, and the whole thought process behind it.

A lot of you might be upset to hear this. But a lot of Sifus only really *teach* a selected few out of all his students.

quite naturally, this is the very reason there is so much crap being taught now.

[elbows_and_knees]

Well said, HG. It is a Chinese tradition to do so.

Tradition can be one of the major downfalls of TMAs. Just because it is tradition, doesn't mean it is right.

exactly. it also doesn't mean that it's the best way. for the love of tradition, you carry shuriken and a katana as weapons. I carry a desert eagle. Who's method is better in today's society?

[HG]

Well said, HG. It is a Chinese tradition to do so.

Tradition can be one of the major downfalls of TMAs. Just because it is tradition, doesn't mean it is right.

Agreed, not all schools follow this particular traditional aspect. I was just explaining the reasons why for those that still do.

Tradition is an integral part of most CMAs, the good schools look for ways to keep time honored traditions/principles and current enviromental demands in balance.

[TigerCrane]

I simply stated that it is a tradition. I never said that tradition makes things right. I personally disagree with the tradition of teaching only the selected individuals... skills will become lost if this continues.

It is unfortunate that there are still Sifus out there who follow the old tradition. That's why it could be difficult to find a good gwoon, and that's also why it could be really hard for someone to learn the good stuff from a TMA.