What do you think about Ti Chi and Kung Fu?
469023
Great exercise, great way to relieve stress, improve your fitness and balance. Improves your self-confidence. Provides a way for you to learn avoiding conflict or at least a way to deal with it should it be unavoidable.\n\nI thinks it's great and I think that training with your son is a fantastic way to share his interests and support him and get to know him better.\n\nCongratulations, good move!
1059247
I've got 32 years experience in a southern Chinese style of kung fu - (a five family system of Tsoi-Li-Ho-Fut-Hung ga) and hold a Master's rank.  This is a fighting style, not show or artsy style of kung fu.\n\nAs you said, there are hundreds of Chinese styles and some are mere showiness, with little, if any, actual fighting prowess.  However, there are also many which are devastating fighting arts.  They are brutal, direct, and deadly.  It depends on the style as well as the teacher and the student.  The best fighting art in the world is useless if the teacher can't teach it or the student refuses to do what is necessary to make the art effective -  i.e, train, work correctly, and not namby-pamby about as if the name of the art itself was like some magical talisman which protects against all comers.\n\nI have seen some outstanding Northern Shaolin style fighters! and I do NOT use the term fighter loosely.  These people were world class fighters by anyone's definition, anywhere.  I've also seen some who were so caught up in useless idiocies that all an actual fighter could do was to laugh at their sheer lunacy.\n\nThe sad thing is that many schools, not only Chinese, but Japanese, Korean, Thai, etc., in the country have degenerated into sort of McDojo's - run to get as many people thru as quickly as possible with as little skill as could possibly be imparted.\n\nThere are also some absolutely top FIGHTING schools in almost all of the arts (I'm not one who believes all styles are equally worthwhile - some are simply for show or sport ) but I am one who firmly believes that if someone in a good fighting style doesn't train well, doesn't take it seriously, doesn't fight full out when it's necessary - then that someone will be creamed by someone who's trained in an inferior art, but who took it very seriously.\n\nSo to try to answer you question a bit more directly - I think kung fu (again remembering that we're talking about hundreds of styles when we use this term) can be one of the most effective fighting arts on the planet.  It can also be one of the biggest jokes, depending on which art and which student we're discussing.  \n\nIf you are looking at any particular art for yourself, the best thing to do is to visit the school  Don't make your decision based on one day.  Visit a few times.  See how the people interact with the instructor and with each other.  If they don't even seem like they like each other or are obnoxiously cocky - run, don't walk, to the exit.  Are you required to sign a contract or do they go month to month and want you there because you want to learn?  (Both have their advocates, I'm a definite no-contract kind of guy).  Do they charge you to test? Or is the testing part of what they do because they are supposed to help you learn?  All of these are things you should find out and evaluate for yourself.\n\nIf you want a fighting art for self defense, find out how much time is actually put into that.  How much into form work.  How much into weapons skill.  If you are looking for competition, then find a school which specializes in that - not necessarily stuff that's actually effective on the street - but stuff that wows the judge and the audience.  So, basically, find what you want and go with it.
603282
Kung fu is the most comprehensive.  Karate is more rigid, and will hurt your joints easily.  On the other hand kung fu is more fluid.  As for fighting-well each has his own way.  The best way is to learn alittle from a class then stop classes and do your own research and teach yourself.  Martial arts is best learned when you teach yourself, after all-no one can teach you, only help show you the way
1073252
people see the open broad movments of some of the more "fancy" styles and they don't understand it. like most things people don't understand they pass judgment without trying to understand it. this plus movies and the sholin monks going around preforming for people without actually kicking butt makes people a little sceptical of its possiblities in battle.\n \n one more note that just occured to me. those who may actually know that this style is effective, but never have had the chance to practice due to what ever reason may actually be resntful and say things aganist the style to make them feel like they aren't wasting their time on something that is worse or just as good as what ever else can be out there. it makes them feel more secure in what they are learning.
476933
tai chi is a  slow motion kind of martial rituel.very relaxing,and good exercise.mouvement are slow which means harder = good for toning muscles
277974
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kung_fu\n\n\nHint: If you talk about Chuck Norris, you're bound to get an A!
1014731
yes I agree...\nKarate and TKD forms are self explanitory and you dont need to be a master to understand how to use them.\nKung fu, is designed to be deceptive and are really hard to figure out how to use by just sight alone unless you practice kungfu with masters. Kung fu people usually being more secretive and select and traditional would LOATH at the idea of anything more than basics being put online. Its respectful to the tradtion of the kung fu you are learning to find a teacher that has lineage. \nthat brings everything full circle.\nyou can learn from a book,dvd, online but unless you are already a master and good already, you wont be contributing to the real spirit of wholeness that kung fu is built upon.\nEthic values persay... for lack of words...\n\ndo a "bit-torrent" search for \nkarate, tkd, kung fu.. ect...\nI found lots of whole dvds to pirate. \nthose fools uploaded a map of their defenses to me for free!\n\n\nyes fun fact is right - kung fu means Hard work translated.\nIts an unbrella term used in anything you bust ass at and do it good. You have good kung fu if you work hard and do good. \nIts full circle. the systems have different names,... those martial systems are geared towards self enlightenment or understanding usually. Not always, but usually... and if they dont know kung fu means work hard at anything and never give up, bounce from the ground back up higher than before,.... avoid them... I cant see a chinese system that calls itself kung fu not knowing this...  even wushu players can have good kung fu,... but a good kung fu artist might not be the best wushu player at first... kinda weird... \nyou can pour tea with good kung fu...\nyou can clean and have kung fu that is connected directly with that. Its mental.. its philosophy.. not religion or spirituality... although some view it as such.. but i wouldnt dare tell them that.. \nand you should find out what it means to you... dont take my word that its just philosophy.. I dont wanna give you the wrong idea... so.. remember that...  \nI can help you learn some forms across the internet...\nI have dvd's and stuff...\nbut I wont share them with general public...\n\nNever settle with a half ass teacher...\nnever... its better to have no teacher than one that teaches you wrong... I can say from personal experience... \nif you get hurt from the wrong teachings, it can harm you and ail you for life... something like a knee injury can happen quick.\nThen again, you can hurt yourself by yourself alot quicker...\nso... lesson is...  practice, practice, practice...\nI didnt get to where I can do a 720 cresent by not trying, but I didnt rush and twist my leg horribly..\nTeachers provide a pace, and to see you from the outside... and to make sure you get it right.... \nIve seen people without teachers... They tend to rush themselves in the fact they wont accept they cant do something,... cut a flip, and they just couldnt do it...\nthey got hurt... some landed and did ok...\nSince you will have no qualified instruction, or person to watch and make sure the fine points are correct,... you will have to practice and train twice as many hours... \n\nIm willing to help you if you send some video files on the computer... I wont train you forever... but I'll be willing to get your boat afloat, sails hoisted, chart plotted, and help you find a Master, but, if your really serious,... its a life long practice, and you will travel great distances for a good master. \nYou just cant not practice and still do a 720...\nif I stop for a month... I run risk of not having control... \nJust cause I know how to do it, doesnt mean I can actually do it..\nIf your just looking for fighting techniques alone...  few in any martial art will work... it makes no sense not to be fit and be into martial arts... You just have to be strong to get the technique to work... even jiujitsu... I got a black belt in it.. you cant be lolly gaggin and not have a firm grip on the person.
852183
Hmm... I need to read up a bit more about the teachings of Li. But over 100 million people practice the "mind and body cultivation" doctrines and perform the meditation exercises that go with it.\n\nMust be a different version of Tai Chi exercises...\n\nPeace be with you.
1177264
I'm mostly interested in Wing Chun Kung Fu, a martial  art developed by a chinese nun during the Ching Dynasty which is very practical and became popular in America after it was discovered that it was the original martial art that Bruce Lee studied before he left China. I haven't really seen any documentaries on this art except for being briefly mentioned in a documentary or two. Also,  there isn't really much info that I've seen on filipino martial arts. They are masters of weapons and knife fighting and it is said that if you train in weapons before you train in unarmed combat, you will posess extreme skill in any martial art. Probably because it takes so much more conditioning to avoid a blow from a weapon than from a fist or a foot. They have arts dedicated to weapons fighting such as Escrima, Kali, and Espada y Daga.
1129994
How refreshing to see that some still hold the same belief I do about "traditional" martial arts!\nWould it be a no holds barred match, or include the increasing in numbers rules doled out in UFC matches that limit more "vicious" tactics? I notice those guys like to wear pads on their fists and roll around on the floor with one another...\nI don't hold any disdain against so-called "mixed martial artists", I mean, after all, most traditional systems are mixed in one regard or another, but I dislike the idea that they take bits and pieces of what would otherwise be "whole" systems to become more "well rounded". But I ask how they can take the best of any one system if they have not mastered it?\nTo them, I say they are jacks of all trades, masters of none.\nLittle old Buddha man wins!
906472
I have taught Wing Chun Kung Fu for several years - while you may be able to learn some set movements in this way, there is much about stance, power generation and centre of gravity that can not be learnt by copying from a video.\nFind yourself a good reputable instructor and go for it!
396096
There's always going to be someone better. Probably some 100 year old monk that no one will ever see. In the movie business, I think the person to watch for will be Tony Jaa (he starred in Ong-Bak). He is a phenomenal martial artist. But, is he better than Jet Li? I don't know. They have completely different styles, so it's hard to say.
1064033
Wushu is more acrobatic, traditional kung fu is more for fighting.\nBoth are going to have their share of fanatics, so learn to shut down conversations with these fanatics gently.
1054076
jet li vs. jackie chan\njet li fo sho
931169
No Martial Art is superior to another. They are all basically different paths to the same place. Tai Chi is a martial art that focuses on flowing movement and direction of the Vital energy (Chi). It includes very effective self defense techniques and powerful strikes and counters. Modern Kung Fu ( Acquired Skill) or Wu Shu (Martial Art) is based on the fighting of the Chinese monks. It also uses very effective counters, powerful strikes, locks and manipulations. A skilled martial artist from either discipline will arrive in the same place. In kung fu we start by working at the physical aspects, A strong punch a fast kick. Later on we begin to direct our chi energy to produce more effective techniques banish our fear and improve our health. A Tai chi practitioner will start with a focus on their Chi energy using movements that naturally stimulate it's growth and build your awareness of it's movement. After time these movements will become devastating punches and nearly impenetrable defenses. A great Master I know of is my Sifu. He has studied Kung fu his hole life. He moves as powerfully as a tiger and as nimbly as a monkey (the two main animals in our style). But more impressive is his mastery over chi energy. When one of us has been injured in class he has repaired the damage. He escapes from holds just by breathing.
76467
Hero is absolutely amazing. \n\nKung Fu Hustle is hilarious.\n\nHaven't seen House of Flying Daggers yet.\n\nHit me back.\nkeptcompany@yahoo.com
989239
i hope you can run fast! oh wait you wouldnt be able to get away because i would hold your foot between my legs with thighs of steel & proceed to beat the living crap out of you...\nyour kung fu is pretty good...\nbut not good enough!