jer Posted June 5, 2001 Posted June 5, 2001 I'm looking to try out another martial art now that I'm going to lay off learning more karate soon (I'll be able to get my 2nd degree soon). I've never tried Kung Fu, so I don't know much about it. I'm very interested in learning Monkey, or perhaps Tiger, not sure which.. or if either. The problem with Monkey is that I can't find a club anywhere around, I'm wondering if I should move on and look for something else. Can anyone recommend a style for me? http://www.politicsforums.com/
iamrushman Posted June 6, 2001 Posted June 6, 2001 there are many styles of kung fu or otherwise known as gung fu as you already know that. but the master bruce lee started with wing chun. when water fills a glass it becomes the glass,when water fills a cup it becomes the cup, be like water my friends. (bruce lee) rushman (karate forums sensei)3rd dan wtf/kukkiwon"saying nothing...sometimes says the most"--e. dickerson
Tobias_Reece Posted June 6, 2001 Posted June 6, 2001 In the UK, chinese martial arts are quite hard to find, with the most popular style being Wing Chun (or something similar). From what I've seen, Leopard Kung Fu is quite popular. I was thinking about joining a Kung Fu school, but at a recent competition I saw what it entailed, and to be truthful, it didn't impress me. It looked rather weak, compared to other forms of Korean and Japanese martial arts (in particular Isshin-ryu and Shotokan). Oh well time will tell Tobias "You Are Never Given A Dream Without Also Being Given The Power To Make It True. You May Have To Work For It, However"Principal Kobudo Instructor & OwnerWest Yorkshire Kobudo Academy2nd Kyu (Matayoshi Okinawan Kobudo, IOKA UK)
Pheonix Eye Posted June 8, 2001 Posted June 8, 2001 Tobias, don't be fooled by it's "looks". I've been in Martial Arts for over 15 years and started out in Karate. After 10 years in it, I switched over to various kung-fu styles and the experience has been amazing. Karate's movements are very dynamic, thus looking more powerful. Kung-fu's movements are much more subtle, but contains a tremendous amount of depth within each action. Power is there, it's just delivered in a different way.
Patrick Posted June 8, 2001 Posted June 8, 2001 Welcome to the forum Phoenix. Patrick O'Keefe - KarateForums.com AdministratorHave a suggestion or a bit of feedback relating to KarateForums.com? Please contact me!KarateForums.com Articles - KarateForums.com Awards - Member of the Month - User Guidelines
Tobias_Reece Posted June 8, 2001 Posted June 8, 2001 Thanks for the response Pheonix. I was talking of a basic first impression, but go on, tell me how Kung Fu is powerful (I mean no disrespect). Oh well...time will tell. Tobias "You Are Never Given A Dream Without Also Being Given The Power To Make It True. You May Have To Work For It, However"Principal Kobudo Instructor & OwnerWest Yorkshire Kobudo Academy2nd Kyu (Matayoshi Okinawan Kobudo, IOKA UK)
iamrushman Posted June 8, 2001 Posted June 8, 2001 PHEONIX:very well expressed and i agree with you wholeheartedly. kung fu has been around much to long to be weak. i think that possibly because of the flowing movements and flashy style it can be mistaken that way when seen for the first time. _________________ rushman (taekwondo moderator) 3rd dan wtf/kukkiwon florida [ This Message was edited by: iamrushman on 2001-06-08 11:01 ] rushman (karate forums sensei)3rd dan wtf/kukkiwon"saying nothing...sometimes says the most"--e. dickerson
Pheonix Eye Posted June 8, 2001 Posted June 8, 2001 Since there are so many different kung-fu styles, I really can not speak for all of them. But from the styles I have taken, power is derived from whipping and sinking motions. Where as karate gets much of their power from chambering and the use of the hip, (external) Kung-fu generates it from within the body (internal). *doesn't necessarily mean chi* This is something that is better explained through actual physical demonstration.
Tobias_Reece Posted June 8, 2001 Posted June 8, 2001 Ok guys, thanks for the info "You Are Never Given A Dream Without Also Being Given The Power To Make It True. You May Have To Work For It, However"Principal Kobudo Instructor & OwnerWest Yorkshire Kobudo Academy2nd Kyu (Matayoshi Okinawan Kobudo, IOKA UK)
ts757 Posted June 8, 2001 Posted June 8, 2001 I think we were a bit insulting to Tobias' there. I've done both Karate and Tai Chi, so I have the best of both worlds. I seems to me that you have to experience how the energy works in the different arts to understand the differences. Karate is much more physical strength, and the power source is obvious, where as in Tai Chi, I once witnessed somone punching a master, and then flying accross the room without the master moving a muscle, such is the inner strength of Tai Chi. It's the technique of drawing on these inner reserves and using them to redirect your opponent's energy that's essentially the art, where as in Karate, the art is mastering your bodys movements, feeling where your libs are going, and learning when to apply the power. Though whether it is correct to call Karate hard and Tai Chi soft is a different matter, Karate is soft, until just before the strike hits the target, when it is essential to tense up, or the the strike will be useless. Tai Chi's movements are all 'calibrated' (if thats the right word) so that they use very few direct strikes, and thus remove the need for tension. Both are valid martial arts in their own right, their just incompatable and very different.
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