Question??

[SeekerOfWisdom]

This is my first time posting on this Forum. So far for what I have read you all are very helpful and kind. So Sorry in advance for any spelling errors or If I say the wrong thing and offend some one.
Ok I am 23 years old and am not a very big guy I am about 5'9" and 130lbs. I have taken about a years worth of Jeet Kune Do and I know some Shotokan Karate....My uncle used to do the Joint locks and Pressure Points on me when I asked to see Martial Arts. I am still kinda of ignorant of The Art. I liked some of the concepts of JKD but the Wing Chun that was incorperated with I didn't. The blocks of WC I like but the stance bugged me. I talked to my friends who have taken some Martial Arts and they say I should take Muya Thai because of the way I tend to kick. The thing is I don't really like the way MT looks. I have been out of martial arts for a couple of years now and I am missing the feeling I got when I was practicing. I was wondering If anyone knows of a style that teachs empty hand techniques as well as Traditional weapons and had a spiritual side to it? Or do I need to Cross Train? If so what would be the best ones to Cross train in? I avoid grappling like the plague. I don't mind some ground work because it is useful if you happen to get knocked down plus learning how to fall and roll with a Kick or punch is nice to know. If I need to clear anything up please ask and I will try to answer it the best I can. In advance I Thank you for your time and Help.

[hongkongfuey]

SeekerOfWisdom,

Sorry in advance for any spelling errors or If I say the wrong thing and offend some one.


Don't worry - no matter what you have heard, we don't bite in here. (Well, apart from Yoda, that is!). Welcome to the site.

In response to your question, how about a more traditional form of Kung Fu? It should be possible to find one incorporating empty hands, weapons and spiritial training.

Check out Yellow pages clubs (http://search.worldpages.com/bin/cgidir.dll?MEM=288&CID=242&T=Graham&S=WA&QV=02F95A87D4CF6A3F91303203O01F95B87D4CF6A3F933032 03O07F95887D4CF6A3F9C303203O03F92F3DD4CF6A3FA33032 03&FUNC=INPROG&C=Martial+Arts&LATITUDE=470328&LONGITUDE=-1222970&TTL=Distance&ACTION=Standard) for a list of clubs. Perhaps worth checking out the Shaolin Kung Fu acadamy, and the Wushu clubs for a start. Any decent club should offer a free first session to see if you like it, and not charge an extortionate 'joining fee'. This lets you go and visit a few clubs until you find one that suits.

Don't know if that helps, but its my 'starter for 10'.

HKF.

[Kof_Andy]

Maybe karate, if you can find a decent instructor in your area. Karate's direct translation is empty hand:cool: , and there are a lot of weapon in karate such as sai's and tanfa.

[Sweeet]

I don't mind some ground work because it is useful if you happen to get knocked down plus learning how to fall and roll with a Kick or punch is nice to know.

Wow, sounds exactly like Ninjutsu. In my art, we attempt to avoid going to the ground in a situation like the plague, and do alot of work on rolling, breakfalling, ect - and getting up quickly. We do some work on the ground and on grappling, but really not that much.

The kicking/punching and joint locks are there, I'm not so sure about the spiritual side - I think that would depend upon your instructor.

Good luck.

[SeekerOfWisdom]

Thanks for the Advice. I looked up some of the styles you guys suggested but I don't think there is any Ninjutsu dojos around where I live. Some of the Styles of Kung Fu I was able to find looked interesting. Karate i like the weapons of but isn't the form rigid for empty hand? anyone got any opinions on which Style of Kung fu I should take for my body size? I have seen a couple of katas on the Drunken Fist and the Monkey. Those look interesting but could someone Tell me about the Others or a Link to a webpage would be nice. Are the stances of other Kung Fu styles at all simular to the Stance I learned in JKD Wing Chun? Where you have to have your knees bent in and your feet at shoulder width? That stance left me feeling that I had little to no Mobility if I needed to move. I hope you all don't get tried of my questions. Thanks again

[Kof_Andy]

My dad use to teach Wing Chun back in China. The Wing Chun stance you mention in that your not quiet comfortable to move with is because your not suppose to move much at all:D . Is simply a training stance to condition your leg, like horse stance and such. There not quiet an ideal fighting stance if your actually going to fight with Wing Chun. Yeah I agree drunken fist, and monkey are fun and quiet entertaining to watch. I got some Wushu background and competed in tournament with my drunken fist before, but is basically a kata itself. Not the style. Only time you see drunken fist use in fights are classic kung fu movies. So many masters out there claim to be drunken master, but they have only master the form itself. Dont mean to say names, but Philip Wong is a very good example. I really cant suggest which style would fit you most, since I dont know you personally. Just shop around and look for a decent instructor. Any style is good, as long as it is taugh by someone knowledgeable. Just pay close attention to how things are run in the school. If money, and his achivement is all they talk about, then start waving.

[Hakko-Ryu]

Kungfu would be a good choice if you're looking into traditional and weapons...A wide arrange of choice, very broad The only thing is to find a good instructor...Don't go for the Mcdojo kung-fu schools, or any MA school for that matter. Baji quan has a good traditional base, it is somewhat internal, and stance demanding (low). And it has a no nonsense weapon focus (depending on the teacher)...the spear is mostly the focus in Baji quan for it complements the training in the empty hand forms of it. well good luck and i hope that helped.

[KungFuGrrrl]

Try SanSoo Kung FU

[hafer34]

Take an art that you enjoy or thats close to you and make it fit your body type. Work on the things that you like and kinda of push aside things you dont. There are so many books and videos that are very easy to self-teach yourself and to compliment the art you choose to take. Good luck!