This school for real or a joke?

Question

Can some experienced MA's take a look at this site claiming to have traditional chinese kung fu? Please tell me if i hould cosider taking this class, because i have searched many schools in search for authentic chinese kung fu

http://www.ckfa-kungfu.com/main.htm
of rofl sry here it is.

Answer 1

I liked (other than a raised eyebrow at the head instructor having trained for only 25 years) what I saw until I read this:

"MODERN WUSHU
Modern wushu is a dynamic performance and competition sport grounded in traditional Chinese martial arts. The cultural and combative tradition of wushu is retained as an integral element while the art and the sport of wushu is expressed physically and mentally. Wushu reigns as the most popular sport in China,"

Then I stopped reading.

Traditional martial arts is not a sport or a performance art. In that one paragraph alone it states that it is not "traditional".

True martial arts is mental, spiritual, and physical discipline. This Daguan states openly that it is BASED on traditional martial arts but is training it as a sport.

Based on that one passage I cited I would not go to that Daguan.

Answer 2

Wushu is the official martial art of communist China. After the government banned all religious organizations they realized that this meant the national treasures of Shaolin and Kung Fu could no longer be taught in the traditional way. So they made an exception for the two main Shaolin temples but they went a step further in establishing Wushu a new martial art for of Kung Fu that would unify all the fractured schools outside Shaolin as one official art. More pretty then fierce it is often used in movies due to the large number of sweeping moves that translate easily to film.

Today the main martial arts of China art Wushu, Shaolin, Hung Gar and Wing Chun. Wushu is only considered traditional because it is the official art of China. Almost all other Chinese arts look down on Wushu. This school would probably teach you more about Chinese culture then most but for a MMA it would be almost useless.

Answer 3

I think the school is worth trying out. There maybe some question of how deep is the masters experience, but i am sure he has at least something to teach. The site seems accurate and fairly informative, and very chinese... The styles mentioned are the popular traditional kung fu styles.

Regarding wushu - i'd like to clear up some misconceptions.

The old chinese term for martial arts training was kungfu wushu - meaning "cultivate skill in martial arts" now that term has been separated in to its two sections and the they have come to mean different things: Kung fu which literally means "getting skillful" is the term generally used for martial arts. Wushu which more literally means martial arts generally refers to a martial arts sport that is popular in china. More often than actual fighting it involves demonstrations of very showy forms. The chinese are really into this kind of competition in all sorts of areas. They do it with music. They have taichi form competitions etc.

If you are looking for kung fu as it was done in ancient china then this is not exactly it, but this is the authentic chinese kung fu tradition as it is practiced in china.

Answer 4

The teaching is real, but as far as if the school is real, why dont you call them and find out.

Modern Wushu is mainly an aestitic view of Martial Arts. Compared to the typical schools of Karate, Teakwondo, Jujitsu, that concentrate on self defense , strength training, and obedience, Wushu is more on the art, beauty and style. As performed by Jet Li in movies, the moves are not practical in combat.

Tai Chi is slower pace of kung fu. Almost everyone will say that this form wont work in combat. This practice is mainly used for health. Anyone can do tai chi at any age.

As far authenticity goes, one cannot really determine it from just a website. I suggest visiting the location and talking to the MAster/Sifu. Observe one or two classes. If they feel unwelcoming or they make you feel obligated to sign-up and register right after the first class or after a tour, then i suggest going to other places.

Figure out what you want to get out of doing martial arts. If you are young or want you r child to learn self defense then i would suggest a school that are similar to Tiger/Dragon Kung Fu school. These schools are specifically for that. They use a system similar to karate and teakwondo and use a belt system for ranks. If you want to learn a form that doesnt involve the need to be used in combat and in more favor for self growth then Wushu might just be for you.

Also remember that even though a chinese guy is selling you chinese food its not neccesarilly good. It may be authentic, but you can never really tell if he knows what he is doing.

Answer 5

I glanced at the website.... I guess the answer to your real question (Does this school teach 'real' kung fu?) is going to depend on what you consider "authentic."

I'd say the goal of this school is to teach students to move like Jet Li whether competitively in the sport aspect or, theoretically, effectively in a self-defense situation. If you're wanting to learn to be a Jet Li, this school might offer you a means to pretend that your are. Who knows, you might actually get something out of it. If nothing else, you'd probably get a good workout. If you're looking to get into the sport of Wushu, this school might be a good fit too.

However, if you're looking at real, down and dirty ability to defend yourself in the street.... Well, I think I'd have to see what they do in person, but I'm willing to bet you wouldn't find that there.

However, the Tai Chi Chuan class might be worth while just for gaining some experience in a method that will serve you well in more than just a fighting way.

Answer 6

I stopepd after seeing the picture they showed... Its a school for children or midgets.... Now i dont mind a class photo of dedicated students....but i think if it was "traditional kung fu". THey should have some sort of traditional picture. The picture itself tells alsot about what was going on through the peoples minds that created the site.....their objectives.

Answer 7

not realy cause a real kung fu teacher would not have a web site like the try the shaolin temple in newyork city for the real deal the sifu name is shi yan ming

Answer 8

you are wrong jjbeard or whatever your name is.wushu is a general term for the martial art of different chinese clans or familys.it in itself is not a martial art at all.
the wong family-there wushu is there particular family style.
the wight family-there wushu is there particular family style.
and two wongs dont make a wight.snicker snort kafunkle.
just a bit of a joke there but you see what i mean?
wushu is a general term it is not a style or a martial art.
anyone who says they have an authentic wushu is lying unless they are living in china and it is there family style,and then it has to have a name,it is not just called wushu.

Answer 9

rikkar..it says modern wushu. not traditional wushu. over the times some martial arts have become more like sports such as olympic taekwondo, wushu performances, and mma competitions. the school looks like it also teaches some nice traditional wushu such as mantis, and southern styles. the teachers also look pretty good. i would very like to go to this school.

Answer 10

Their tai chi chu'an might be ok, but their wushu is crap. You may want to take HOOD's advice on this one.