Martial Arts

[puff_not_snuff]

Anyone here practice a martial art? I'm considering taking up kung-fu as a school is by me with a master who is in his 70s and the price is reasonable. Is it normal to have one general class with both the beginner and advanced students? This is how they operate and I am wondering how a beginner can learn under such a system. Is this common?

 

[bluegrassbrian]

In my experience (depending on the size of the class) - the entire class will do warmups etc and then break up in to smaller groups with like ranks to work on individual instruction.

 

[PA Piper Mike]

In my experience (depending on the size of the class) - the entire class will do warmups etc and then break up in to smaller groups with like ranks to work on individual instruction.

This

My son did a few years of Cuong Nhu at the local school before he decided he wanted to stick with sports. But they had all colors of belts in the class and all warmed up together, then split off with their respective belt class. Usually, they had instructors working with each group and if not, they had some of the brown or red belts working with them.

But if you really wanna learn, pull that 70 yr old sensi aside and ask him to train you solo because you need to get revenge on a guy that killed your brother in an unsanctioned tournament. Just be prepared for him ripping your quads and hammies ala van damme style.

 

[Elric]

Anyone here practice a martial art? I'm considering taking up kung-fu as a school is by me with a master who is in his 70s and the price is reasonable. Is it normal to have one general class with both the beginner and advanced students? This is how they operate and I am wondering how a beginner can learn under such a system. Is this common?

That's fairly common with kung-fu. I studied Seven Star Praying Mantis for a couple of years. As previously mentioned, after warm-ups and conditioning, everyone gravitates to their own skill group. Enjoy!

 

[tbradsim1]

Did some Krav Maga in the Navy in the Sixties, never used it, had a brief furlough went back home, Saturday dance hall was full, Marine in dress blues got upset that I danced with his gal, went outside he lunged at me, and fell against a car, I opened the door, shoved him partially and closed the door several times on him, he crumpled to the ground, I thought Oldsmobile martial arts was pretty good!

 

[woodsroad]

While often times dismissed as "crafts", the arts of the Marshall Islands are quite beautiful, heartfelt and soulful.
To me, these are Marshall Arts.

 

[El Capitán]

I used to box and recently was doing professional wrestling (nothing is more cardio intensive in my opinion). We had different levels of students in each discipline. Only way to learn really.

 

[RobNYC]

I took Wing Chun for quite a few years and Southern Praying Mantis for three years and that set-up is about right. In kung fu there are basically two levels, Sifu (Master) and student. If the master is any good, he will address students based on their skill level and will have some of the senior students assist in training. To me, the most important thing to consider is the lineage of the Master.

 

[anotherbob]

Depends on what you're looking for.

 

[JOHN72]

Kung fu wushu?

 

[puff_not_snuff]

I took Wing Chun for quite a few years and Southern Praying Mantis for three years and that set-up is about right. In kung fu there are basically two levels, Sifu (Master) and student. If the master is any good, he will address students based on their skill level and will have some of the senior students assist in training. To me, the most important thing to consider is the lineage of the Master.

You didn't happen to take Wing Chun in Fort Greene, Brooklyn? A lot of helpful replies here- thanks gents. I need to read over them when I get home. Cheers!

 

[bullet08]

Depends on the school and what the instructor feels like doing. Some schools are strictly for profit. Others are for passing on the tradition, and so on. If you are familiar with any martial art, visit and observe their class to see if that's what you are looking for. I love kendo and aikido. But did number of other arts. Don't think of martial art as combative/self defense, but look at it as self cultivation.

 

[RookieGuy80]

My son took like 8 years of karate, right up until they had him enter a tournament.

Anyways, towards the end, they'd have the higher level classmen (or class boys and girls in his case) assist the newer people. So he was pretty much a third grader with whatever was just below brown belt walking through the ranks of kindergartens adjusting stances and quietening down more excitable students. Other times he and a friend would be demonstrating what the sensi was trying to explain.