Kung Fu

[Shaolin_Dragon]

Ok, I'm a complete newbie with martial arts but I really want to learn one. Almost any kind is fine with me but I have gained a great interest in Shaolin Kung Fu. Sadly enough, there are no dojos close by. I know this may seem stupid or odd but is there any way a person can learn a martial arts from instructional videos??

Also, I have heard that it can't be mastered because it is so large and has many variations. If there is anybody that could help me out I would greatly appreciate it.

[parkerlineage]

I wouldn't reccommend beginning from videos. You can't tell what you're doing wrong, and without an instructor, you'll probably just learn to get yoruself hurt.

[MisterRadley]

I agree with parkerlineage. You can pick up some really bad habits from videos. I'd recommend studying under an instructor instead.

Best of luck in studying a martial art!

Edited August 30, 2006 by MisterRadley

[HG]

Videos are not the way for a beginner to learn. Nothing can replace proper instruction from a Sifu or Sensei. Philly has some Shaolin martial art schools.

[bushido_man96]

Welcome to the forums, Shaolin_Dragon! Glad to have you.

As far as learning from a video, I would not recommend it. As the previous posts mention, it is a good way to get hurt and start bad habits. Do a Google search of your area, or go through the phone book, and see what schools are available to you. You may not find Kung Fu, but you may find a style that does interest you, and then you can get started.

Good luck on your journey!

[Shaolin_Dragon]

Ok, thanks. I don't think are any Kung Fu so I guess I will look for another style to study. Thanks for the tips everyone. I look forward to posting here.

[MizuRyu]

I've learned the hard way that you could see what you think is the greatest style in the world, go to the school, and get a brick of disappointment dropped on your head when you realize that the instructor has NO idea what he's doing.

Instead of looking for a specific style, look for a great teacher. I've seen Tae Kwon Do (which usually has a poor fighting reputation) students that could snap you in half, just because their teacher knows what he's doing.

Then, there's the Cyber Kung Fu thing I remember seeing. Of all the tapes/instructional things I've seen that one is the most in depth, diagrams, videos, multiple angles, and all sorts of stuff. But, it's still a home program. If you wanted to invest just to see if the art is for you or to pick up a handful of useful things (leopard strikes and whatnot), I guess it'd be worth a shot.

Look in your local phone book, write down some addresses, and go dojo-hopping. Watch a couple classes at as many places as possible, weigh it out, and choose. Best strategy I've found.

[koryu]

videos will just teach bad habits and wouldn't do much good. If there are no schools in your area, you may even want to post a thread asking if there is anyone in your area that would be willing to give you some lessons in the style that you seek. There's a lot of people on this site, I'm sure there's someone close by that you could learn from.

[Shaolin_Dragon]

thanks. I have just found a couple places. i may be taking karate sometime soon.

[alsey]

go for it, i'm sure you'll love it.

as others have said, its very difficult to learn things effectively from a video, especially if you don't have anyone else to practice with. videos aren't bad if at some point you can get proper teaching, but on their own they're not really good enough.