Catch up on stories from the past week (and beyond) at the Slashdot story archive

 


Forgot your password?
Close
typodupeerror
User Journal

Journal eugene ts wong's Journal: I took my 1st kung-fu lesson. 36

Journal by eugene ts wong

Summary: the 1 hour lesson had lots of theory & practical practise. I passed out. I think that teacher is good even though he is white. Shop around if you want to sign up for lessons.

I was kind of nervous when I signed up for this, but I'm glad that I did. I thought that the guy would have lots of pride, but I think that it isn't any different than if I hired a physics or calculus tutor to teach me the respective subject. In other words, he doesn't seem to have any arrogance or pride that I can detect.

1 thing that I had to get over was wondering if a white guy could do as good as a yellow 1. Obviously, he could, but the thing is, how would I know any different until it is too late? Well, I think that he is good, because he treats it like a business, as opposed to a religion. There is some respect to pay to the people have blazed this kung-fu trail before us, but fortunately, it isn't religious. It's just doing a quick bow before entering the room [to show respect to those who are learning right now], & before & after the lesson, kneeling & saying something like, "To the masters!". I notice that this fellow teaches theory behind each action which helps to give a better idea of what we are striving for, whereas lots of yellow people seem to focus on doing the action precisely before telling you what you are doing. As a result you don't know how to improve what you are doing. With them, you just repeat your actions until you're told to change it, whereas with him, you are reminded of what you are aiming for. You'd probably know what I'm talking about if you saw the comparison. So, in short, his whiteness actually turned out to be beneficial, in that he took a westernized approach to things.

If you decide to take lessons, try to find a place that looks clean enough for your purposes, & where they actually make you work out. The other place that I saw made you do things in a way that spent a lot of time stretching & standing around. Something else to consider is the kind of floor they have. This particular place has an aerobics floor which is wood on rubber, & thus is more forgiving compared to wood & cement.

After about 35 minutes into the lesson, I passed out. I was surprised @ how intense the activity was. It wasn't as if I was breathing heavily. I was quite calm as well. He said that this happens quite often. People don't understand what kind of intensity is involved in this kind of a workout. Marathon runners & soccer players still have difficulty with this, he said. 1 guy was taken to the hospital. Most people who pass out are people who missed 1 or more meals before coming to the lesson. I guess that I'll be packing some beef jerky along with me. I intend to get a month transit pass as well, so that I won't have to walk. I actually spent about 1 hour walking before I arrived.

This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

I took my 1st kung-fu lesson. More

I took my 1st kung-fu lesson.

Comments Filter:
  • So, in short, his whiteness actually turned out to be beneficial, in that he took a westernized approach to things.

    I had the same concerns when shopping for a school almost a year ago. My prior Sensei was a little walnut of a man from Okinowa. I thought that was how it was supposed to be. I had grave doubts that a white guy could capture a certain something as an instructor.

    After watching a couple of full classes, I decided that his (very) westernized approach was a real bonus. A year later, I still feel

    • For everybody:

      Martial Arts can be a religion, and a "Good" school will teach it as part of it. Kung Fu isn't a martial arts system, but a way of life. It is a method of existence. Buddhism is very complimentary to this life, and any good instructor will not teach it as a class, but as a group training after you accept "The Life(tm)." I've trained under two very well-known, respected grandmasters, and both you "apply" to the school. They were both non-whiteys. The next school I go to is taught in the
      • I'm curious what a westernized approach is?

        I'll skip the rest of your post[1], as I'm not interested in a flame war just for a flame war's sake. A Westernized approach is one that does NOT try to be a religion. One that doesn't require you to 'accept "The Life(tm)."' One that doesn't focus on tradition for tradition's sake. One that attempts to teach in a practical and straightforward manner. I've done both. I know which I prefer. YMMV.

        [1]Except to briefly note that 1) Discipline is a key, though disciplin

        • 2)Yes, the only answer you should get to "how long?" is "depends on your effort." However, it is reasonable for an instructor to give you some idea of the trends they have seen.

          Any traditional master would never say anything based on trends. What happens if you take martial arts from someone who is not qualified is the Bruce Lee syndrome. He did so many techniques wrong, even though they looked right. He was only famous because he was good in the movies.
          • Any traditional master

            Again, that "traditional" word. The point here is that some people prefer the non-traditional... I believe that any competent craftsman/artist/professional should be able to at least make a SWAG as to how long something that they have done repeatedly will take.

            Also, why assume that "non-traditional" == "not qualified"? Some like the traditional stuff, some don't. I prefer a style which focuses of sparring. Some people like kata. Both are important. Differnt people like different bala

            • The point here is that some people prefer the non-traditional... I believe that any competent craftsman/artist/professional should be able to at least make a SWAG as to how long something that they have done repeatedly will take.

              Some people prefer light beer. All that I am saying is that you do not get the same experience in a Westernized/non-traditional academy. Even the word Academy is wrong for the western schools. If you want to learn how to fight, it doesn't matter, but that isn't what Kung Fu is
      • It's not the number of years you've trained. It's the number of hours.

        From the instructors side, the "How long does it take to get a black belt/sash" question is a bad one. While it may be an incorrect impression, my impression of people who ask that question is always slightly negative. A student is a student, and it is a business. I just identify better with students who have the same motivations I do, getting good reguardless of sash color. I've read the "How to find a good school" docs on the net,
        • From the instructors side, the "How long does it take to get a black belt/sash" question is a bad one.

          Exactly! A good instructor will tell you it doesn't matter how long. If you are serious about the art, you don't care what color your sash is... that's always been my sentiment.

          I much prefer Eastern style, because it leaves me to push myself harder and learn more.

          What style do you study?
          • I train Wing Chun Kung Fu. [wingchuncalifornia.com] It's a lot of fun :).

            My Master likes to say "You don't wear your sash on the sidewalk, so don't worry what color it is."

            I think that the western style of teaching treats students better and serves them better. I prefer teaching that way, where I get to interact with students and have fun teaching. I'd feel like I was ripping people off if I just walked around all class looking tough and saying nothing. People pay money to learn Kung Fu, and I'm going to do my best to make su
            • My Master likes to say "You don't wear your sash on the sidewalk, so don't worry what color it is."

              I like that quote.

              Unfortunately the only decent Wing Chun school up here is a 45 minute drive without any traffic. It could quickly turn into a 2 hour drive, so I'm going to have to stick with the Shaolin academy that is near.

              I'd feel like I was ripping people off if I just walked around all class looking tough and saying nothing.

              Showing people is valuable, and you should have your advanced students he

              • Showing people is valuable, and you should have your advanced students helping the ones below them. The "best" way (my humble opinion) is you only directly "teach" the senior students, and in normal excercise time the higher ranked help teach the lower ranked. That way the higher ranked gets the ability down more than they think they need (which I still don't think is ever enough) and the lower ranked people get more interaction. You can always beat the higher ranked student if they do something wrong.

                I agr

              • Xerithane with a humble opinion? Huh? :).

                We might be talking about similar things, using different words to make sure I'm confused.

                Here's how the knowledge gets around in our schools. Master Joe shows the technique on an opponent as it is meant to be used. He shows it several more times at slower speeds, explaining why it works, and what common mistakes to watch out for. He'll then jump in the mirror and do the move in the air 10 or so times a side, with the class following along so you can try and ma
                • There is one master, and you get your knowledge from him, in the most perfect form. You can get less perfect forms from the assistants, and even less from senior students. But why, when the master is available and willing?

                  This is exactly what I was talking about. It is different when training under grandmasters, though. One was just very sadistic and would work you till you wanted to die. The other was more of a reclusive teacher, and the masters would just teach unless he really felt like showing so
              • I got a little long winded in the other reply, so I'm replying to the internal/external comment here.

                I agree Kung Fu as a way of life is both internal and external. And Kung Fu as a way of life used to be the only way you could do kung fu and get good at it. Now, in a western society, kung fu doesn't have to be a way of life. It can be kung fu for physical motions sake. Getting in shape, getting good at self-defense. Getting good at fighting (which is different than self-defense).

                In my opinion, the i
                • It can be kung fu for physical motions sake. Getting in shape, getting good at self-defense. Getting good at fighting (which is different than self-defense).

                  I don't really call that kung fu. It's not any known system, and I think that any master who would only teach that aspect of it isn't a master at all.

                  In my opinion, the internal hasn't dissapeared, but it's no longer forced. It's ok to train 2-3 times a week, get good over a few years, and feel good. You can still do Kung Fu as a way of life, I do.
            • Kinda sorta like Sr. Aviators and instructors in flight school would tell us:

              They don't stamp your class standing on your wings.

              Meaning, you are here to learn the basics, don't shoot yourself in the head because you had a bad checkride, the real learning begins after you graduate.
  • Were the kicks as fast as lightning?

    Sounds like it was a little bit freightning.

    Was everybody king-fu fighting?

    BTW, I just don't get the apprehension about skill related to race.
    • I don't know if you are quoting a song or what, but just in case, I'm going to answer. :^)

      Were the kicks as fast as lightning?

      Actually, I never paid much attention.

      Sounds like it was a little bit freightning.

      As long as nobody is actually causing any physical pain, then everything should alright. He kept reassuring me that the any sparring was just for practise, & nobody was out to hurt others. He must have remembered when I 1st visited long ago. I mentioned that I didn't really want to spar. He almost l

  • Does that kwoon teach Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) as well? If so, I highly recommend taking both classes. I actually started out at my school with Taiji while recovering from a shoulder injury. About a year and a half after that, I started Kung Fu at the same school. I find the two arts really complement each other in a way that's not always obvious. The Kung Fu classes teach me more forms, techniques, stances, flow drills, etc than Taiji. These are great for transistioning your body from one position to anot

    • Does that kwoon teach Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) as well?

      I don't know. I'll look into it, @ your suggestion.

      My dad keeps talking about Taiji, & I've kind of shrugged it off. It's always good to learn the breathing, but I've never understood why people emphasize it so much. I would have figured that Taiji would be a lower priority on the selfdefense scale.

      What style of Kung Fu do you learn?

      it really is an activity for everyone.

      That's a good point. Thanks for mentioning it.

      • I practice Sil Lum (Shaolin) Five Animals System Kung Fu and Yang Style Taiji. During the taiji classes, we have started working in more of the Emperor's Long Fist system. I forgot to mention it in my previous message, but here's the link to my school: http://kungfuarnis.com/ [kungfuarnis.com]

        It's a little hard to navigate in some areas....but I hear it's going through a re-work. One thing that needs work is a lineage page. The graphic is unreadable on the page since it has been resized, so I'll offer the link directly to

        • there's much more to external arts than punching and kicking, but I'm making a point. :)

          Yeah, I got your point. You make good points. I'm not sure that I have the patience for taiji, though. Maybe I'll focus on this 1st, then move on to taiji.

          I hope that answers some of your questions. Please let me know if you have any more. I may not be able to answer....but I'd like to think I have a web link for almost anything. :)

          Yeah, it does answer them. I don't have any more right now, but I'll be sure to respond he

  • Which style of Kung Fu? And if you know, what's the lineage of the instructor?

    Your description of western vs. eastern style teaching is right on. I've only learned under a western instructor, but my master said that once that he made the same mistake for four years because his master never fixed it. Seems he didn't listen carefully enough one class and he got taught "the lesson."

    S.V.

    • Which style of Kung Fu? And if you know, what's the lineage of the instructor?

      He teaches us the Moh style. According to the web site "Moh style is an exclusive blend of Honan and Fukien Shaolin methods practiced and studied by Master Terlecki under his Grand Masters guidance.". I'm not too sure about the lineage. According the web site, he seems to have picked up a bunch of stuff from all over.

      I go to the Shaolin Kung-Fu Academy [kungfubc.com]. I think that the web site does a good job of describing what you would get if

      • Secrecy was a big reason they trained and taught the way they did. Only proven loyal students got taught the real kung fu, everyone else usually got crap. This is a generalization, but a pretty pervasive one.

        It's odd that he doesn't mention his Master's name on the site. He just trained "under a leading Canadian Grand Master of Moh." There are valid reasons for breaking away from a master, or not mentioning it, but it is a little red flag.

        This is why they trained old school style. The student couldn'
        • What kinds of things should I keep an eye out for, now that there is a red flag?
          • It's not a real big bad thing. It's just that there is no way he accidently forgets to mention his masters name on his website. So he intentionally left it off. He may have had a falling out with his master, and just doesn't want to bring it up. Or he may be lying and trying to over inflate his history. Give him the benefit of the doubt until he proves otherwise.

            A school is a family, so listen and watch other members of the family while you are there. Do the students talk bad about each other in the
          • My teacher's teacher's teacher wrote a good article about what to look for in an instructor here: http://www.dokungfu.com/index_page0007.htm [dokungfu.com]
            Hopefully it'll help.
    • In the other reply, I forgot that you seemed to be teaching Kung Fu, as opposed to learning it. What are you teaching, & are you still taking lessons every so often? Do you have a web site?
      • I learn and teach. Well, I learn how to teach :). I train Wing Chun Kung Fu. My master has 2 schools [wingchuncalifornia.com] and I'm one of his assitant instructors. We have classes almost every day at each school so I'm usually at one and he's at the other. But that's just the evenings. For helping him out, he pays me in lessons in the mornings, not cash. Makes for a poor living but rich Kung Fu. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

        S.V.

        • For helping him out, he pays me in lessons in the mornings, not cash. Makes for a poor living but rich Kung Fu. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

          Interesting. My dad says that it would be worth while teaching Kung Fu. I couldn't understand what he was talking about because it can be hard to make a living @ it, plus it seemed to take up best hours of the day. You have a good point, though. If you can make it fit into your schedule, then it's definitely worth it.

          As I type this, I think that there should be a be

          • Actually you can make a lot of money teaching Kung Fu. Even doing it the right way when you don't rip people off. If you want to turn evil, you can really bank money for a few years before you destroy your rep. The poor living comment was about my current situation. I could work if I wanted to, to make things easier. I just choose to train full time and try and survive at a bare minimum. One day I'll have my own schools, and I'll be doing fine then.

            At least in the L.A. area, an average M.A. school wi

Slashdot Top Deals

A university faculty is 500 egotists with a common parking problem.

Close