Beginner wanting to know which style to join

[Sekmet7]

I've recently decided to switch my Martial Arts discipline from TKD to Kung-Fu. I'm currently looking at Fang Shen Do and Shaolin. I was hoping you veterans could point out the differences and maybe suggest one? Thanks!

[Jackie Li]

I've been taking Kung Fu for about 4 years and i highly recomend taking Wing Chun or Shaolin. It is not easy but the longer you stay in the more fun you'll have and the more naturall it will come to you.

[Sekmet7]

Thanks Jackie Li. I dont suppose you know anything about Fang Shen Do do you?

[Jackie Li]

Sorry, i don't much about that type.

[Saz]

We've had some posts on it before

http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3269

Personal choice of the art is down to you. I'd be concerned about how the art only seems to be available in Canada, and isn't wide spread yet.

[Jackie Li]

Thanxs to Kgirl i do no more abou it now.It sounds pretty good to me, but i still think Wing Chun has a lot to offer. I think there similar styles so im sure its also a good type to.

[Kof_Andy]

Hi Sekmet, if you can tell us what your aims are, and what your look in a art then maybe we can help you better. Is the school your look at in fangshendo.com?

[Sekmet7]

Well, I currently have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, but I'm looking to switch to something a little more challenging. I want something that needs a lot of conditioning, and isn't flowery. I'm looking for something that needs grace, but also has a lot of technique too..... I'm not sure I'm doing a good job of explaining what I want.... someting different from TKD. how about that? lol.

[CKava]

Off course Im a bit biased given its the style I practice but I think from your description Id have to agree with Jackie Li and recommend Wing Chun. It has a lot of conditioning in it (especially if you want it to), it's very direct and unflowery (though you could make it flowery if you really tried). And the grace and range of techniques can be seen pretty evidently when you see people who are good 'Chi Sau' (sticky hands) or do the forms for that matter. And finally its very different from TKD because its primary focus is not kicking; its more of a close range art. That shameless promotion aside Id also maybe suggest Aikido which (like Wing Chun) is a style that doesnt rely purely on strength but on using the opponents strength against him. It also seems pretty graceful and to have a rather large amount of techniques... oh and its different from TKD...

[David]

http://www.mantiskungfu.com/
http://www.globalserve.net/~nelumbo/sanshou.htm

I tried to find Southern mantis kungfu in Canada but I can't locate the link. The two links above might be interesting though.

Rgds,
David

[Kuen]

I'd also point you in the direction of Wing Chun.

[SliqueRICK]

i recomend wing chun or a xingyi teacher who stresses conditioning

[Sekmet7]

Is the school your look at in fangshendo.com?
Yes Kof_Andy, it is. It's in my area so I that was the one I was looking at.


Many thanks to all of you for your help! I'll definitely take a look at Wing Chun, since it seems to be the favorite.

I've never heard of Xingyi, but I'll take a look at this one too! :)

I'm thinking that I will probably try a few to feel them out and see which one I really like. Thanks again!

[SliqueRICK]

www.emptyflower.com/xingyiquan has alot of info xingyi has five element forms and 12 animal forms its not a fancy style it has qigong exercises and simple combat applications

[lamegrappler]

I do Shuai Jiao and some shaolin and would reccomend both.

[blackenedwings]

Yet another Wing Chunner here... conditioning and lots of technique (not techniques!) are definitely parts of WC. I recommend checking it out if there is any WC school near you. It is not a flowery art at all, relying almost exclusively on straightforward effecient movements. The main reason I would recommend it however is that WC doesn't have hundreds of techniques to practice against specific situations... it has underlying principles that work automatically in a real combat situation. You learn to protect your vital target areas, use simultaneous attacking/defending, and use your opponents force against them.

[TM77]

I want something that needs a lot of conditioning, and isn't flowery. I'm looking for something that needs grace, but also has a lot of technique too...

You may want to check out the following Kung fu systems
Wing Chun
Southern Mantis
7 Star Preying Mantis
Southern White Crane - (very graceful movements)

[sebas]

I recommend wing chun, moy yat ving tsun specifically.

also definitely look at uechi-ryu karate. It has lots of conditioning, is both traditional in practice, but is updated for the modern world (atleast that is how good schools teach it... )

www.uechi-ryu.com

www.forums.uechi-ryu.com

its a lot like wing chun, (both styles come from southern breeds of kung fu, uechi comes from pan gai noon, also called "tiger boxing" but uechi really combines tiger, dragon and crane aspects. ) but "different."

[BuddhaOTofu]

Sekmet7,

I have experience with both Fangshendo and Traditional Wing Chun.

FangShenDo is a much more agressive and intense style than wingchun. You most definitely get more work in the areas of physical conditiong and flexibility than traditional wing chun... I wouldn't consider wing chun if your main goal is to get in shape... its not that kind of art.

Fangshendo evolved from wing chun so you see a lot of similarities, especially in hand techniques (trapping hands, chi sao).

Traditional wing chun does not really address grappling, whereas fangshendo has incorporated takedowns and ground techniques into the system.

Both Fangshendo and wing chun are effective arts... try them both and make your decision.. thats the great thing about free trial classes!

[PunkInDrublic]

i suggest you join fang shen do its a great style, amazing system, you'll learn everything u need to know all in one style, wepons, grappling, punching, kicking and psycology of a fight... not to mention that its a mondern style of wing chung but id consider it a form of stree fighting... i wudnt really take advice from the rest of the ppl hear they seem to think flash makes a good fighter... dont bother for the traditonal styles unless u already have a few black belts... take something that will give u a stong foundation fang shen do will definality do that for you...

[Unforgiven]

i suggest you join fang shen do its a great style, amazing system, you'll learn everything u need to know all in one style, wepons, grappling, punching, kicking and psycology of a fight... not to mention that its a mondern style of wing chung but id consider it a form of stree fighting... i wudnt really take advice from the rest of the ppl hear they seem to think flash makes a good fighter... dont bother for the traditonal styles unless u already have a few black belts... take something that will give u a stong foundation fang shen do will definality do that for you...

k simon, you know i like you and respect you, but you really are an ******* to the ppl on this board, maybe you should stop posting, or think before you speak... (this is regarding all ur posts)

[hedgehogey]

I'd reccomend brazilian jiujitsu and judo. As unflowery as it gets, conditioning based, technique is king and with a good record in "no rules" tournaments.

[Andy Murray]

I've recently decided to switch my Martial Arts discipline from TKD to Kung-Fu. I'm currently looking at Fang Shen Do and Shaolin. I was hoping you veterans could point out the differences and maybe suggest one? Thanks!

From what I've gathered.......

Fang Shen Do is derived from Wing Chun anyway.

Have you tried a search in your area?

[bcullen]

Well, I currently have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, but I'm looking to switch to something a little more challenging. I want something that needs a lot of conditioning, and isn't flowery. I'm looking for something that needs grace, but also has a lot of technique too..... I'm not sure I'm doing a good job of explaining what I want.... someting different from TKD. how about that? lol.

Different from TKD...well that would be most styles of Kung Fu :D

Check out Hung Gar