Is kung fu hard to learn?

Question

if its not htat hard how long would it take a average 15 year old to learn the basics of kung fu?

Answer 1

I am 26, so I'm a little older, but I started taking Wing Tsun in April.  It's a type of kung fu.  I have been doing basic sparring the past month and I feel fairly confident I have a good skill set.

Kung fu doesn't use belts but they do have student grades.  I'm currently student grade 2 and I'm enjoying it.  Martial arts isn't a race to see how fast you can learn something.  You have to take the time the learn the basics and get a solid foundation.  I was in the Marines 6 years, so I understand a lot of close combat fundamentals.  I'm very physically fit and I have a good head for how to throw a punch.  I think I am ahead of the power curve and I am learning quicker then the average guy, but you should be able to pick up some skills in half a year.

I also go three times a week, so that's a lot of time spent on it.  It's fun!

Answer 2

it depends on the style of kung fu. and what do you mean by basics? just front kick and punch if thats all you wan then maybe 1 leason if you actually want to learn to use kung fu in a fight i would say at least a year but probs a lot longer.

Answer 3

It would take a while.  If you really want to learn then it wouldnt take along time.  Fundamentals should only take about two years.

Answer 4

If it's taught right it will be very hard to learn, unless you have experience in another martial art. It will be unlike anything you have ever asked your mind or body to do before.

As for how long it takes to get the basics, there are many factors:

1) Any previous training

2) How often do you attend

3) How much do you work at home

4) do you pick it up well

So there is really no hard and set rule, it is up to the individual.

Answer 5

Kung Fu is a very general term for Chinese martial arts (CMA).  There are many different styles and they may be so different from each other like Day vs. Night.  

For example, most Northern CMA have bigger movement, more jumping & kicking techniques.  Southern CMAs in general have more hand techniques, minimal jumping, and more liner movements.

Both styles are good and it depends of the type of body shape and type of execrise you enjoy.  If you have slender and jumpy person, Northern CMA may be better for you.  If you are big and muscular, Southern style may give you more advantage.  

And like many had mentioned here before, having a solid foundation is very important to use CMA technique effectively.  If you work and train hard, btw one to two years will give you enough foundation to practice basic sparring and applications.  

Since you are still young (15yrs old) so you probably at the starting point of searching a martial art that is right for you, both physically and mentally.  Try out different CMA first and evenually you will find one you like, and stick to it untill you have master it.  

It will be hard but it is also very fun and rewarding.  good luck!

Answer 6

if ANY art takes you 15 years to learn, you are bieng ripped off so bad that I got a bridge, a canyon and a space station to sell you.

while you can never truly "master" an art and should always work to expand your knowledge- you should be able to comfortably learn an art that you can effectively use it and have as complete understanding as possible in MUCH less time than that.

again it depends on the art.

with any CMA (chinese martial art- the technical term of what you are referring to as "kung fu") you must learn the same way you would any other art.

just that a lot of unscrupulous teachers make foolish claims to do certain excercises and "magically" over time your power will suddenly show up.  this is usually associated with "chi promoters" and what you really end up with is you, wasting 10 years of your life following either a pipe dream- or a teacher that didn't teach you proper power generation through technique because he didn't know how to convey that knowledge, or didn't know it himself.

you must train in cma like in every other art- with fully resisting opponents and with making modifications to your technique to improve it and it generally happens gradually. while an individual concept might suddenly "click" that doesn't mean an entire system will take 15 years unless perhaps you are either severly autistic or the dumbest person on the earth-

however I doubt that mr. chenney or mr. gore study martial arts.

Answer 7

not that hard.. but u need to have passion ...

Answer 8

Its didfficult to learn any martial art (the right way) but if you have a passion for it, then it should not matter!

when i lived practically next door to a studio i used to practice 4 or 5 hours a day 5 days a week! IT WAS GREAT! I LOVED IT MORE THAN ANYTHING! i would then have to go home and do homework and clean the house and make dinner for my family >.> apparently practicing is the same as watching tv or playing video games to my mother....

ANYWAY! nothing is easy, but if you love it than it does not matter

Answer 9

the basic fundamentals will take about twelve to eighteen month at 3 one hour classes a week and some practice at home in that time you should have past about 6 grades if you get put in for them all and pass you should get put in for a grading about every 10 week but its like anything it might take your mate 4 years at one hour a week and only take you one year at say 4 hours a week like they say you only get out what you put in

Answer 10

no not at all,  but we should have passion to learn it and to respect the ART