How am I supposed to know which form of Kung Fu to do?

Question

How am I supposed to know which form of Kung Fu to do?

Answer 1

you can choose

dragon style (Hakka Version)

tiger claw --fu jow pai

hsing yi chuan

Ba gua

Snake style (She xing quan)

eagle claw...these are all very good systems of Kung Fu

Answer 2

Best to find the most experienced, knowledgeable instructor in your area. The decision of what style of martial arts is not one of what style, but who is the best instructor you can learn from. Styles are not as important as finding the right instructor. Trust me when I tell you that after 40+ years of studying the martial arts (teaching it since 1973), there are not many good instructors out there.

Answer 3

Honestly its a bit of a soul search.  Find what is available in your area, then find everything out about those styles.  Then figure out which best fits your personality.

If it sounds fun, looks fun, and looks like something you will enjoy, then that is the most important thing.   Do some searches around here to find out things to look for in a quality school and questions to ask.

Good Luck.

Answer 4

this is very hard for me to chose too just look them up

thanks

~Cherokee74

Answer 5

Most people are limited to what type of Kung Fu is taught in their area.  

Only in large metropolis areas will you find a variety of quality kung fu instruction.

These are your constraints:

1.) What is available in my area?

2.) What is my goal in taking Kung Fu classes?

For me, I prefer the "Northern" styles of Kung Fu.  The involve more kicking and are generally more dynamic than "Southern" styles of Kung Ful.  I also like the way the forms look.

Good luck.

James

Answer 6

Good question, your answer depends on what is offered in your area and what fits your body type and temperament.  Try a few styles on, watch the students in the school and see what fits you.  That will be the best style for you.

Answer 7

Well let me give you a brief overview:

Shaolin Wushu Methods

A. Hard or External Styles

Stresses training and strengthening of the joints, bones, and muscles

Requires rigorous body conditioning

Consists of positioning and movement of the limbs and body, correct technique, muscular strength, speed, etc.

Northern

Northern Shaolin

Chang Chuan (Long Fist)

Praying Mantis

Eagle Claw

Monkey

Drunken-style

Drunken Eight Fairies

Ba-ji

et al

Southern

Southern Shaolin (Ermei Shaolin, Wudang Shaolin)

Hung Gar

Choy Li Fut

Wing Chun

Five Animal System (Dragon, Snake, Tiger, Leopard, Crane)

White Eyebrow

White Crane

Lo Han

et al

B. Soft or Internal Styles

Stresses development of internal organs where "Chi" is produced

Allows one to develop mental capability to call upon this "Chi"

Concerned with breathing, poise, and tone of the core body structures

Taijiquan

Baguazhang

Xingyiquan

Yiquan

C. Long or Northern Styles

Stresses Flexibility, quickness, agility, and balance similar to the attributes of a trained and well-conditioned gymnast

Uses many kicks along with hand techniques

Legs specialize in long-range tactics

Northern Shaolin

Chang Chuan (Long Fist)

Fanzi quan

Nanquan

D. Short or Southern

Stresses close-range tactics, power, and stability

Uses mostly hand techniques

Southern Shaolin (Ermei Shaolin, Wudang Shaolin)

Hung Gar

Choy Li Fut

Wing Chun

Taijiquan

Baguazhang

Xingyiquan

Yiquan

Kung Fu almost always seems to incorporate forms and routines. (The only ones I know of that don't are Yiquan and Wing Chun). They emphasize solo practice as well as group practice. (They even have forms for two or more people). They train in multiple types of weapons. There is also a great emphasis on sparring (Sanshou) in the harder styles, and sensitivity training in the soft styles (Pushing Hands). Some such as Yiquan may include both.

But as was said it very much depends on what is available in your area. do some research. Find the nearest Kung Fu centres in your area using the Yellow pages, or Yell.com and go to everyone asking the instructors as many questions as you can.