[BLACK PANTA]

After speaking with Evil Scott, he gave me this idea to answer any question you all may have about Shaolin Kung Fu, or Kung Fu in general.
I am in no way an expert, but I do have some knowledge and if I cannot answer your questions, I make a commitment to all of you not to answer with BS (make us an answer). I will consult my Sifu and get back to you all with the answers. I look at this as also an oppourtunity to clarify all the mis-conceptions about Kung Fu aswell.

i look foward to all of your questions.

[Umy]

Yet another Q&A thread, I honestly think we should have one for every art, everyone would benefit greatly

Anyway.....

How long do you think it takes your average joe with little experience to get into pretty good fighting shape in shaolin kung fu? (I understand this is a very broad question and will depend on several factors and the individual but a general time, for example 6 months of boxing will get most into fighting shape) If you cant really put a time on it how long did it take you to get into 'fighting shape'.

Also what would a basic class session consist of? (routine wise)

And finally, do you still emphisise a lot on the horse riding stance? I was just wondering as I find it a great way of conditioning my legs for long hard workouts.

Thanks bro,

Umy

[EvilScott]

I heard Kung Fu users can fly - IS THIS TRUE?!?!?!?

Seriously though, tell us a little bit about the different animals you use, and the ideas behind them. Give an example about how they can be used together, and how other arts use the same ideas with different execution.

[BLACK PANTA]

Originally Posted by 0o~KiNg*UmY~o0

How long do you think it takes your average joe with little experience to get into pretty good fighting shape in shaolin kung fu? (I understand this is a very broad question and will depend on several factors and the individual but a general time, for example 6 months of boxing will get most into fighting shape) If you cant really put a time on it how long did it take you to get into 'fighting shape'.

In my personal case it took me about 3 months to get into decent shape and conditioning. As you said it depends on the person's will, drive and natural ability. In my case I had little to no flexibility. Within 3 months I increased my kicking height conciderably. The conditioning and training in Kung Fu is ever progressive. They go hand in hand. No one can say they are fully conditioned or have trained and learned it all. You can spend a lifetime in Kung Fu and still only scratched the tip of the Ice Berg. But to be in a "fighting" shape I would say within the first 3-9 months the average person will see a very noticalbe progression in their conditioning. Like all arts it take hard work and dedication to progress. There is alot of focus on condiontioning throughout your training. You are always getting better physically and skillfully. The feeling is very rewarding.

Also what would a basic class session consist of? (routine wise)

A basic class is learning the basics of kung fu really. You learn the basic stances i.e. traditional bow (left and right), horse, crane and cat.
the basic of the basics however are the bow stances and horse. These two stances are trained low to develope leg strength and balance. My legs personally have become a lot more powerful by training these stances. You also learn basic punching and kicking. Kicks: sicde, front and back. You must first learn front and side kick properly to learn a proper back kick. We train kicks and punches a lot more in beginners classes (although you still train the basic kick VERY much throughout your training) Alot of the beginners classes is also conditioning (as well as throughout your trianing). In the beginning, it is made sure you know one basic form, basic punches and kicks and stances.

And finally, do you still emphisise a lot on the horse riding stance? I was just wondering as I find it a great way of conditioning my legs for long hard workouts.

The horse stance is very important to train, not only for the conditioning but is a very sturdy stance. It is a fantastic way to develope leg strength. I remember in Basket ball we trained a similar stance (no where near as painful though) to condition our legs. The horse stance is a great stance to train low, but in a combat situation you would not likely go that low (unless you fight using a long art technique like Hung Gar). From the horse stance you have "access" to alot of your kicks. From a horse stance aswell you give your opponent less targets to attack. You show the person the side of you body in this stance, you do not show him the front because obvioulsy your goin, midsection and face are very open.

Thanks bro,

No problem but I apologize for being so brief. I am at work and I did this during a short break. I could go into way more detail, but that would take a lot of time to type and read lol. Hopefully when more question arise I will be forced to come back to these original questions and that will clarify some more. I hope you are however satisfied with my answers, and if you are not please dont hesistate to let me know. I will try to elaborate further, time permitting today that is. lol

[Umy]

Its cool bro, you've basically covered what I wanted to know.


Great thread bro keep it coming

[BLACK PANTA]

Originally Posted by EvilScott

I heard Kung Fu users can fly - IS THIS TRUE?!?!?!?

LOL. But it is said that in the old days, some folks has such great control of their chi that they would use it like stilts. They would not fly but actually walk on their chi, (shot down from under their feet). I know it wasn't a serious question, but this is one explaination pertaining to the legends.

Seriously though, tell us a little bit about the different animals you use, and the ideas behind them. Give an example about how they can be used together, and how other arts use the same ideas with different execution.

there are 5 animals. I remember you explained them and I know I will not be able to explain it as eloquently as you did my friend.

The five animals are Dragon, Crane, Snake, Panther and Tiger. Each having their own philosophy in the art.

Crane: is graceful, emphasizes flexibility.
Snake: emphasizes, wisdom, precision, avoidance and speed
Panther: is agility, dexterity, stamina and strategy. Look at as the centre of the animals.
Tiger: is power, speed, direct attacks. It is a hard style. (eg. Shotokan Karate utilizies a lot of Tiger in the art)
Dragon: is also graceful, harmonic and fluid

I would say that Aikido focuses alot more on the Crane and Dragon philosophy. Aikido is very fluent, graceful and harmonic. There is also a great deal of Snake in the art, there is Snake in almost every art however. Every art has it's own wisdom behind their techniques. But Aikido IMO uses snake very effectively aswell. Tiger like I said is used alot in Shotokan, Muay Thai, Boxing. Panther would been seen used alot in TKD (i wanted to say tiger but I see more panter-istic tendancies in the art) There is alot of Panther philosophy used in JKD (although all the animals are still used in that art), aslo I would say that JJ (BJJ, JJJ, GJJ) uses A LOT of Panther philosophies.

Now in almost all Kung Fu styles, they utilize all 5 animals, however some styles tend to focus more on developing and concentrating on one animal's philosophy in paticular. Like Tai Chi uses more of the Dragon in it's style, WC uses more Crane (and panther), Black Dragon, White Tiger, White Crane, all these styles are self explanitory. There are other arts that have animal names but still fall under the 5 animals. Like Eagle Claw Kung Fu, is pretty much the same as Dragon, Mantis is pretty much Crane. etc.

This is just a very general explaination of the 5 animals. It is just to give you all an idea. I am still exploring the 5 animals myself, so I learn more and more all the time about them. In the Shaolin system we use all 5 animals in our training.

I hope this atleast answered your question tho bro. Thanks for the oppourtunity.

[bamboo]

Does shaolin have its own chi exercises or they incorporate from other arts like chi kung?

-bamboo

[BLACK PANTA]

Originally Posted by bamboo

Does shaolin have its own chi exercises or they incorporate from other arts like chi kung?

In Shaolin we develope our chi thoroug focused breathing exercises, meditation, sound focus and yes Chi Gong. Chi Gong to my knowledge derived from Shaolin. Chi is developed in Kung Fu the same as you would develope your muscles and skill while taking the art. Some of our breathing techniques are very Yogistic aswell. My control of Chi is at a very beginners level right now. You will find that Aikido and Kung Fu have very similar chi "cultivation" exercises.

[bamboo]

What would you say is the most common misconception about shaolin kungfu?

-bamboo

[EvilScott]

You mention Black Dragon and White Crane occasionally. Is there any difference between Black Dragon and normal Dragon, etc.? Or are these just extra descriptive statements?

Also - the way Leopard (is that what you mean by Panther?) was explained to me was power through momentum. Does that conflict with what you are taught?

Ps. WC uses LOTS of tiger - we only use it when we strike, not when we block.