shaolin

[Fighter]

Not to sure, but in the ancient times it had to do with the number of dots on your head.

Hoped this helped. Im sure others have more info.

[nasigoreng]

slipping on rice-paper

Last year I met 3 young people who spent time (over 1 month) at a Shaolin monastery in China. I asked them to give me details. They said:

The training: physically rigorous(running, strength, endurance)-lots of chi gong- there is a general program and the instructors supplement with 'whatever you're interested in'.

The place: the monks aren't as saintly as we've been led to believe.

The skills:
So i ask 'do you think you learned something you can use in a fight?'
the reply: "hmmmmm, I'm sure if you've train with it for 30years or more you could make it work..."

he showed me a running spinning twirling kick .....yawn.......
(maybe you like that wushu demonstration stuff- I don't)

O.K. maybe you're not going to the same place. I get the impression you're interest in martial arts is not focused entirely on fighting- I'll salute you for that.

just out of curiousity, what is the payment plan? Will you pay monthly? I'd be cautious if they demand you pay a lot of money up front.

I hope you have a rewarding learning experience.

[kluten]

the payment is monthly. and very strict. if you don't pay in time you'll be kicked out. I guess they mean "kicked" out.

well i am not shure if i want a style that is hard to use in fights. i have to admit, i am a fighter, i am a norwegian with viking blood. so if it takes 30 years to make kung fu work in a fight i'll think i skip.

thats why i started this tread, to get some insights about the style. thanx for your reply.
muy thai is something i like, but i it is almost tha same as kicboxing. I want more than just kicking and striking. i wanne grapple i wanne learn takedowns and locks. i wanne learn it all.
bjj seems like a style i really couldt get it all, but there is not a academy near me. just my luck.

well i am actually planning to move just to practis bjj. so hopefully i'll get there soon. :-)

[Fighter]

Shaolin

Yes unfortunately Shaolin Kung Fu is not very effective in a real fight.

If you want a style thats got it all, find a place where they teach JKD. Jeet Kune Do was invented by Bruce Lee and can incorperate whatever style you want. The idea behind it is to take what works throw away the rest.

[kluten]

i am not sure if there is any jkd academy in my area, but i'll check it out. maybe i'll give it a shoot.

[redeagle]

based on what information that kung fu is not effective in real world case?
I do not understand how one can make a statement like that if they are ignorant of the training styles. It does not take 30 years to be efficient in kung fu. It did not take Bruce lee that long. It seems that most people here like Bruce Lee.
I guess I just don’t understand your logic. It is like this you are only as good as the amount of work you put into it.

[Fighter]

Cool

Hey kluten,

If you do find one let me know. It will be worth your while, trust me.

[Guest]

redeagle - I don't think Bruce Lee would consider himself a Shaolin style practitioner. He slagged off the traditional styles and training methods more than anyone!

[nasigoreng]

Thailand

I think Asheepish is correct.

YOu can live very comfortably in Thailand for US $200/month (lodging). And maybe US$150/month for your training (all day/everyday).

Everyone of us wants to learn it ALL!! But you have to start somewhere.

[kluten]

do you know any good schools in thailand, some english speaking would be great :-)

ome web sites i could browse.

i foud something that sounds preatty cool.

it on www.tukong:com

[redeagle]

true BUT he change the practice style and combined all the kunk fu forms. example the famious 1" pucnh is a Prayingmantis form it is a very old tech. now wether he practiced it in the traditional style, if he practiced norther or southern who nows. Bruce lee did not care for the traditional styles so he took what he wanted from them shortened them combined them the started a new style. This was great but his fighting styles come from Kung Fu, Wing Chun, and so on.

[Fighter]

Bruce Lee

Bri Thai is 100% correct in saying that Bruce Lee did slag off traditonal fighting etc. Becauce it is very ineffective in a street fight.

But it does one thing. Provide some sweet Kung Fu movies

[MinisterofDeath]

uh kung fu does not take 30 years to be effective. Six months in wing chun and you'll be pretty efective. Why do you say shaolin gung fu is not effective. Have you fought any good hung gar players lately?

[Fighter]

Shaolin

Wing Chun was made to be effective. A lady, (forgot her name) made it so she could beat a man. Wing Chun is one of the most effective Classical MA.

But a lot of Shaolin styles are derived from animals. Eg, Dragon, Snake, Crane, Tiger and Lepord. In fact there is a fighting style thats about Monkeys. But to master that style the main part of it is learning to mimic the animals expressions and behavior.

So you see some are good and some are bad. Those styles based on animals are generally not very effective.

[MinisterofDeath]

actully tiger is pretty effective from what i've seen(not much but i've seen some). Southern praying mantis has alot in common with wing chun as does crane. but i dont thin its too easy too make these styles work in a short period of time