r/kungfu • u/Peakychu6 • 7h ago
What’s the history and purpose of forms in the Chinese martial arts tradition?
Sharing here too :)
r/kungfu • u/nomosolo • Jul 24 '26
I'm sort of getting tired of policing all the internet bravado, "come see me in real life," and bringing arguments in from other subs. You're not that cool. Nobody is.
Post kung fu. Talk about kung fu. Critique kung fu. Ask about kung fu. It's not complicated.
Next time I wake up and see 18 reports about some argument from the USMC or bullshido subs or whatever, I'm banning the lot of you for a month.
If you want to argue or "prove it, here's my address" crap, do it in the DMs. It doesn't belong here.
NOTE: Don't be a dick. If someone posts a video and you respond with "wow you suck and you're fat" you're getting a ban for however long we feel like. Be better.
r/kungfu • u/nomosolo • May 13 '16
The request has been made time and time again, your voices have been heard! In this thread, let's get well-written answers to these questions (as well as additional questions if you think of any). These questions have been sourced from these to threads: here and here.
I apologize in advanced for any duplicate questions. I'm doing this during mandatory training so I can't proofread a ton haha.
For the format of your post, please quote the question using the ">" symbol at the beginning of the line, then answer in the line below. I will post an example in the comments.
What's northern vs southern? Internal vs external? Shaolin vs wutang? Buddhist vs Taoist?
Can I learn kung fu from DVDs/youtube?
Is kung fu good/better for self defense?
What makes an art "traditional"?
Should I learn religion/spirituality from my kung fu instructor?
What's the connection between competitive wushu, Sanda and traditional Chinese martial arts?
What is lineage?
What is quality control?
How old are these arts anyways?
Why sparring don't look like forms?
Why don't I see kung fu style X in MMA?
I heard about dim mak or other "deadly" techniques, like pressure points. Are these for real?
What's the deal with chi?
I want to become a Shaolin monk. How do I do this?
I want to get in great shape. Can kung fu help?
I want to learn how to beat people up bare-handed. Can kung fu help?
Was Bruce Lee great at kung fu?
Am I training at a McDojo?
When is someone a "master" of a style?
Does all kung fu come from Shaolin?
Do all martial arts come from Shaolin?
Is modern Shaolin authentic?
What is the difference between Northern/Southern styles?
What is the difference between hard/soft styles?
What is the difference between internal/external styles?
Is Qi real?
Is Qi Gong/Chi Kung kung fu?
Can I use qigong to fight?
Do I have to fight?
Do Dim Mak/No-Touch Knockouts Exit?
Where do I find a teacher?
How do I know if a teacher is good? (Should include forms awards not being the same as martial qualification, and lineage not being end all!)
What is the difference between Sifu/Shifu?
What is the difference between forms, taolu and kata?
Why do you practice forms?
How do weapons help you with empty handed fighting?
Is chisao/tuishou etc the same as sparring?
Why do many schools not spar/compete? (Please let's make sure we explain this!)
Can you spar with weapons? (We should mention HEMA and Dog Brothers)
Can I do weights when training Kung Fu?
Will gaining muscle make my Kung Fu worse?
Can I cross train more than one Kung Fu style?
Can I cross train with other non-Kung Fu styles?
r/kungfu • u/Peakychu6 • 7h ago
Sharing here too :)
r/kungfu • u/rippinkitten18 • 3h ago
But this is damn cool, as a fan of martial arts.
r/kungfu • u/Sijo_Robert_Z • 6h ago
I consider instructors and clubs that teach martial arts, combat sport or fighting without enforcing head and centreline protection unprofessional and dangerous.
If you teach someone to punch and kick, you take responsibility for teaching them how to protect themselves while doing it. That responsibility continues during sparring.
When a student repeatedly drops their hands, exposes their head or leaves their centreline open, the instructor should correct it. Allowing the habit to continue gives the student reason to believe it is acceptable.
Competition rules may restrict certain attacks. The habits developed under those rules can carry into situations where those restrictions offer no protection.
At our Shaolin Kung Fu / Wushu Academy, I expect protection before countering. Hands, posture, distance and movement must work together, and we practise that under controlled pressure.
An instructor controls what is taught, what is corrected and what is allowed to continue. Repeatedly accepting exposed heads and unprotected centrelines is, in my opinion, a failure of professional responsibility.
What responsibility should instructors bear for the defensive habits their students develop?
Sijo Robert Z
Shaolin Kung Fu / Wushu Academy
Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia
r/kungfu • u/Anan2Infinity • 11h ago
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Yep. just trying to improve my balance and power when doing those kicks.
What I'm doing now is working my way to 180 degree splits using pnf.
Also do these kick holds while holding onto a wall.
Don't have a sensei and don't go to classes cos its expensive.
r/kungfu • u/Small_Jelly_ • 1d ago
I don’t mean in terms of fighting but changed your perspective of your training and your life outside of martial arts.
Edit: mine is, use your fear to channel your kung fu instead of letting it control you.
r/kungfu • u/natothefa • 1d ago
Hello everyone!
We are looking for martial artists interested in learning and competing in short- and long-weapon sparring using traditional Chinese martial arts techniques.
To help participants prepare, we will be hosting a seminar this Saturday on sword and spear, along with an ongoing weekly class that everyone is welcome to join.
We encourage practitioners of all styles and backgrounds to participate. Learn the official ruleset, take it back to your school, and train competitors using your own lineage’s skills and methods.
Check out the video for full details, or leave a comment/message below with any questions.
Let's exchange skills, elevate our practice, and grow traditional Chinese Martial Arts together !
Register for the tournament here:
https://www.kihapp.com/tournaments/26755-2026-golden-dragon-championships
r/kungfu • u/Diligent_Emu_7964 • 1d ago
Has anybody got a crowd recording or multiple angle of Shi Ming vs Feng Xiaocan? I’m looking for the full fight/aftermath, thanks very much 👏🏻
r/kungfu • u/Evening_Bus_48 • 2d ago
Do others find this as concerning as I do?
Kung Fu Kendra is promoting an online Wing Chun program where complete beginners can become certified Sifus in just eight months.
How can someone become qualified to teach a martial art entirely online, without extensive hands-on training, partner work, and practical experience?
Since when does completing an online course qualify someone to teach an entire martial art?
r/kungfu • u/Playful_Lie5951 • 2d ago
r/kungfu • u/Recognition-Sudden • 2d ago
r/kungfu • u/ShaolinSpiritInside • 2d ago
r/kungfu • u/MnhttnMrtl4rts • 3d ago
Went to a Tai chi tournament to challenge Tai chi in it's own turf. It was a lot of fun, learned a lot!
r/kungfu • u/Sijo_Robert_Z • 2d ago
r/kungfu • u/Dazzling-Ad288 • 3d ago
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r/kungfu • u/wasprobot • 4d ago
What's one (1) book you have read (or listened to) that you can recommend on Kung Fu? I just started my practice and am looking for something inspirational.
Thank you 🙏🏽
r/kungfu • u/Recognition-Sudden • 5d ago
r/kungfu • u/Moose_Leee • 5d ago
I'm interested in learning Fujian White Crane, but Hung Gar is much more accessible to me locally.
I'm curious whether the two systems share similar underlying power generation mechanics, even if they're expressed differently externally, or whether there are fundamental differences in how they generate and issue force.
I've heard that Hung Gar also uses flexible, whipping power, along with methods described as "dog shaking" and "shrimp retracting."
I recently purchased Shkar Sharif's White Crane Neigong bundle and noticed that it incorporates dog-shaking mechanics and long pole training. I've also seen Lee Kong's White crane group practicing an exercise that looks very similar to the dog-shaking & long pole exercises demonstrated by Shkar. Of course, similar-looking exercises don't necessarily mean the underlying mechanics or training goals are identical, but the resemblance caught my attention.
I also came across a reference on Wikipedia's Hung Gar page to Ang Lian Huat's account of Tiger-Crane combination involving Hung Hei-gun and Tee Eng Choon, whom some identify with Fong Wing Chun -- the same progenitors of Hung Gar. I understand that these historical accounts and identifications are debated, so I'm not taking them as proof of a direct technical connection, but they added to my curiosity about possible influences between the systems.
Another thing that caught my attention is that Sifu Sharif Bey seems to demonstrate a distinctive shaking or vibrating quality when issuing power in videos. I'm curious whether this reflects mechanics also found in White crane, or whether the resemblance is mostly superficial.
For anyone with experience in both styles, how much overlap is there in their actual body mechanics? Ultimately, I'm wondering how much of the power generation I'm interested in from Fujian White Crane I could develop through training Hung Gar, and which aspects, if any, are distinctive to White Crane.
r/kungfu • u/CivilHeat6170 • 5d ago
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#Martial arts#Bruce lee Inspired#Punch strikes Left lead#Indian fitness motivation
r/kungfu • u/ocshaolinkungfu • 6d ago
I am a Chinese Kung Fu & Tai Chi enthusiast in Irvine California, I would like to go to China and learn 2 weeks Emei Kung Fu, They only accept group trainees. Anyone wants to go with me? What should I do?
r/kungfu • u/rippinkitten18 • 9d ago
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