Should I Learn Kung Fu in China?

I am 13 a guy and i am in martial arts in america. the traning i am recieving is too easy and my moves are sloppy and weak. i am strong for my age and size and do well in martil arts. after high school i want to go to china and recieve true traning from the real masters. i want to hear any opinions that you have??

 China the best place to learn Kungfu. I would say....probably not. I have met some people good at kungfu in China, mostly it is the their family kungfu. There are only a few kungfu schools in China. Shaolin temple area has many, but they are not shaolin monks. I have met a real Shaolin monk, but not actually in the Shaolin temple (where it is very hard to meet the real Shaolin monks). So I know where to meet a real master (with the real iron head and mystic powers who lives in a cave in a ruined temple giving advice to people...I am not joking). 

Anway, this real Shaolin Monk currently lives in Foshan, the home of Huang Fei Hong (of once upon in time in China and Drunken Master and several other famous kungfu movies....he is so famous he has been played by Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee and Jet Li). 

So I would recommend going to Foshan to learn kungfu, as there are many schools there and you can also go up Xiqiao Mountain to look for the monk and beg to be his student (also he grows his own vegetables which are really delicious). Oh, and he also currenly has a 12 year old apprentice who could probably kick your butt no problem. 

For learning Kungfu, there are many aorund the world. I have met many people who go to Korea as they take their Taekwondo very seriously (during a training run, if you finish last in the group people beat you with sticks) or Japan (which I know less about). 

Hong Kong can also be a good place to study. 

The problem with learning Kungfu in the US or any western country is that most people who study it are doing it for fun and exercise. Most real Chinese masters get annoyed with their students lack of discipline. I would suggest shop around and find someone who can is more disciplined. 

But I would also suggest that you are 13, and at your age you will perhaps be a little sloppy. Don't worry, keep working on it and I think you will get better.

How Hard is Kung Fu to Learn?

i'm 17 and i really really really would like to learn kung-fu, but i would like to know before i start how intense it is, what should i prepare for, how should i prepare for it, how long will it be before i can master any form of it, and what should i look for when trying to find a place to learn it. 
Please Give As Many Details As You Can 

17 is a very prime age to start training in Kung Fu and I highly advise you do. On average, it takes about five to ten years of training to master any style Kung Fu. External styles take less time, whereas internal styles take longer. 

As for intensity, it all depends on the instructor. Nothing really to prepare for either, the instructor will tell you what to do. 

Be aware that Kung Fu is very broad... there are contemporary styles meant for performance, styles meant solely for combat, styles meant for both combat and philosophy and etc. Research different styles and figure out what's for you.

Also be aware of internal Kung Fu such as Tai Chi or Bagua. Chen style Tai Chi master Ren Guang Yi said that he had always wanted to learn Shaolin Kung Fu, but became so impressed by the power of Chen style Tai Chi that he decided to dedicate his life to that instead.

Its only as intense as you and your instructor wants it to be. Some martial arts school students I see hardly gets up into a sweat after every lesson while others come out with big bruises all around their fingers and limp away because their legs are too tired to walk properly. 

However, I would suggest that you don't prepare for it except warm up a little before a lesson and remember to bring a water bottle and a towel to wipe sweat away with! There is no need whatsoever to be so nervous though, buddy! The instructor will know you are a beginner, and you would start off with the basics. It may be a little painful or overwhelming at first (at least it was to me) but you will get through it and enjoy it. 

Learning kung fu can take you a life time (literally) as there is so much to master and perfect and there is always people who can or who has the potential to beat you in a sparring match. If you've got grading at your school though, then a typical black belt (or whatever equivalent to that) will take you around 3-5 years? It depends on your ability though and the timeframe might be shorter or longer. I know some people who got their black belt in two and a half years time. Likewise, I also have a friend who is into her 7th year of taekwondo and is still a red belt (two grades away from black). However, if your future instructor tells you that you can master something under a year, then you may have landed yourself in a macdojo/mcdojang. 

Ask your neighbours/friends/family and see if either of them do kung fu. Its nice to go to a gym and already know someone. If no one does, just walk around the district and search the web. 

Learn shaolin black tiger shantung style kung fu

For many years the Chinese martial arts has been kept secret in the Shaolin Temple and can not be learned from the Chinese public as well as teach strangers from outside China.
I've seen the modern era after the onset of Bruce Lee films in the U.S. and Hong Kong films in the sixties revolution literally on the Chinese traditions that prevent non-Chinese to learn the martial arts of China.
This book truly is one of the jewels and the secrets of Chinese civilization, as it contains the secrets of the killer style of Kung Fu The black tiger style.

Shantung Black Tiger book, a Shaolin Fighting Art of North China
This was a martial arts book that I read in the 1970's. I think it is a good book considering the decade that it was written in but for today's more practical reader's and practitioners of the martial arts I am afraid it would fall short of expectations.
If you are a Chinese martial arts enthusiast you will enjoy this book for the written sections on background, history, and practice of this old style.

A wonderful book actually including contained therein clear images.
Detailed explanations of the Black Tiger style.Good arrangement and scientific images with text below each image shows how to carry out the movements and how to benefit from them.

Begins with an overview of the history as one of the Shaolin and arts of fighting in Northern China, which depends mainly on the legs kicked.

Contains a part teach you how to use the techniques of The black tiger positions in self-defense true situations.
Applications very new way to use the kicking and punching the way the northern tiger kung fu using the graphics are clear and precise as to how to perform the movements and stances.

The book includes teaching you how to use what is listed as applications, in other words, how to exercise applications on the dummy fighting, for example, and how to the exercises yourself without the help of one and how to practicing on the applications of the fighting by using movements and stances The black tiger with a partner to increase your understanding of the techniques and speed application in any position of real fight.

With a strong piece explaining brief and does not contain nonsense unnecessary.
With the book provides a brief explanation, but the book contains details of how to perform
a satisfactory techniques in The black tiger combat situations.
Which offers a very in-depth study to learn the style of black Tiger as of Shaolin without
a teacher at home easily.

This book presents an interesting form from a style not seen much in the U.S. or outside of
China. Donn Draeger learned this standard Shantung Kuntao form from Master Khiong in return
for teaching him Kusarigame Jutsu (chain-and-sickle fighting)when he was researching
material for his book,The Weapons and Fighting Arts of Indonesia.This book is an excellent
reference of the complete techniques of this style.Traditionally the study of Kunato is
banned by the Indonesian Government and few of non-Chinese blood ever get to learn it or
for that matter see it performed,so the fact that a system is presented in such detail in
book form is an achievement in itself.

Disadvantages of :
The only problem lies in the line drawings. While they're generally pretty good, some of
them do NOT make clear how the stance/strike is performed, which makes things confusing
when you get to the photos. The balancing stance drawings, for example, don't show the
hands exactly as they're supposed to be (refer to the first practical application in
chapter five for the actual positions.) .

The book in overall has very strong explanations which will benefit beginners and old practitioners at all.

Learn tiger style kung fu from a book for beginners

Online there are many educational books to teach the old ways in the Chinese martial art of Kung Fu .
Most books and educational films available in the market now does not include Tiger martial arts education only , but there is the so-called education system five animals .
The five animals system is the style was drafted in the Shaolin Temple and includes movements fighting for five animals , including tiger and leopard, crane and snake and dragon too.
It is difficult to find an educational resource for the style of one of the system.
After searching the Internet and found this wonderful work of the teacher of Kung Fu Ke named Paul.

This guy explains how you can rely on the movements of the Tiger in combat fighting and ensure that his explanation of the Tiger style of the other five animals.

Tiger in the Moonlight book by Paul Koh Published by Bo Law Kung Fu Federation in April 2004 under ISBN-10: 0975520105.

Sifu Paul Koh has been training in the art of Chinese Kung Fu for the past twenty-five years, beginning with the instruction he received from Master Tony Lau and culminating with the instruction he received over the past decade from Master Tak Wah Eng, both of whom were superior students of Grandmaster Wai Hong. Under their tutelage, he has learnt a wide variety of Kung Fu styles, including Northern and Southern Shaolin, Five Animal System, and classical weaponry.

Advantages of "Tiger in the Moonlight book ":
Powerful historical background:
Enjoyable historical insight into how the animal forms came to be. Information on the tiger claw system is like discovering a rare gem. More publication on this system would benefit the martial art community. The book beautifully illustrates the esoteric fighting style of this powerful animal. So little information is published about five animal kung fu forms, and this book gives a brief history of the system and the form itself.

Better for beginners:
Sifu Paul Koh provides an introduction to the tiger matching set for martial artists who want to know more about this form. But it also captures the attention of the curious and will certainly encourage them to study kung fu and truly learn the techniques behind "Tiger in the Moonlight." There aren't many martial arts manuals that are so well designed and this book should be in the library of any serious kung fu practitioner.

Excellent photographs of each move in the illustrated form.

Clear, concise instruction provided especially for beginner who want to start learn tiger techniques quickly.

Disadvantages of paul book:
Don't expect to find any ancient forms of tiger kung fu style:
This book based on the not so long illustration guide to the style Fu Jow Pai, and does not contain explanation about traditional shaolin form or the original hung gar form of tiger and crane.

The problem of short demonstrations: 
The form is rather short and no proper explanation is given even though the pictures are clear.

More kung fu books reviews will be added frequently, if you want to review your work just PM me.

How to learn tiger style kung fu techniques at home by videos

Basically Tiger style can refer to several different styles/style sections. There is no one "Tiger style". There are white tiger style and Black tiger style kung fu, show (Hei hu quan and Bok Fu). As mentioned before that early masters recognized that animals were superior fighters and developed fighting styles that mimicked the movements and attitudes of the animal. The dance-like movements appear graceful on the surface, but can be deadly during a confrontation. The animal's elegance and grace is matched only by its efficient ferocity. Animal style practitioners are quick, deceptive and are taught to end a fight almost instantly, usually either maiming or killing the opponent.

The Fire and Water student may pursue Praying Mantis, Tiger, Eagle, Snake, Bear, Monkey, Crane and Dragon. Students will receive practical fighting / sparring experience in both empty hand (controlled) and gloved (full contact) bouts.

In both tiger styles you must start of with the basics (kicking, punching, bow and arrow stance, horse stance, bow and arrow and horse stance combos. And then after that the school will put you to handset training, Handset training is learning the forms and different animal styles.

Tiger style kung fu has a very special method of fighting such as to make our hand like claws and from there was taught very complex techniques to attack the throat, gabbing techniques, as well as scratching.

Actually you don't have to literally imitate a tiger in order to learn tiger style kung fu. The predatory skills which makes a tiger such an effective predator is what a practitioner of the tiger style would want to translate into combat in order for him/her to become a powerful fighter. Attributes of the tiger, such as its ability to instill fear into its prey, its fearless spirit, its tremendous speed when attacking, its aggression not of evasion, emphasizing overwhelming force, simplicity & directness in attacking, its effective camouflage, its surprise attacks on its prey, its powerful strikes, are what a practitioner of the tiger style should emulate, . So, given the attributes of a tiger, a practitioner ought to have a heart of a warrior, his legs should be developed so just like a tiger he/she would be fast when attacking the opponent, would have strong legs for stability in his/her stances and could deliver devastating kicks and sweeps. His/her arms, fists and hands should be developed so that his punching, clawing and grabbing techniques would be powerful and effective. The tiger's camouflage and its ability to catch its prey off guard is to be translated as a fighter's ability not to telegraph his/her attack and the ability to bait the opponent into a trap.
From: Interviews of Mr. Enielo Jubac in Rapid Journal.

I want a school to learn tiger kung fu fighting:

You have to find a school that teaches it. A lot of kung fu styles have tiger forms - hung gar, Shaolin five animal fist, choy li fut...all utilize tiger and that's only 3. There are other styles that focus on tiger and nothing else, like fu jow pai, bak fu pai, and Shandong black tiger.

Most martial art kung fu schools now a days dont specifically train just tiger style. A good kung fu school will have varies animal styles 5 or more.

Most schools won't teach just the Tiger Boxing. They will incorporate it into another style, such as Hung Gar or the Five Animals Style. I'm not saying that there aren't schools out there or that the teacher won't offer to teach you that style only, but it is a challenge to find one.

My advice would be to interview each school that you look up and ask them very specific questions on the subject of learning Tiger Boxing. Styles like White Tiger more than likely won't be found over here. Black Tiger and Tiger Claw are the most prevalent here in the United States.

Tiger style kung fu Programs in united states:
There is a White Tiger school in the US that has been here for many years. It is Doo Wai's White Tiger Kung Fu. He is a highly respected Master here in the US. http://www.whitetigerschools.com/  He has a couple of branches in LA. Contact him and ask the locations. There are a few Shantung Black Tiger schools too. If you like those styles, you might want to look at Bak Mei as it is similar to White Tiger.

Is Cat style kung fu a form of tiger kung fy styles?

Some martial arts fans thought that there is a cat style kung fu or a fighting style is a cat-like kung fu, the Hsing Yi has a "Cat Form" as I mentioned in another topic about xingyiquan kung fu, and jackie chan emulate a cat-like techniques in his old movie about "jackie chan the Snake in the shadow of cat claw".

Video 1 show Tiger stances video.
Videos 2 learn you how to do Tiger style kung fu applications.
Video 3 is a short show of 5 animals system of shaolin kung fu including tiger claw.

10 steps to Learn kung fu online with free lessons for beginners

Train the Kung Fu every day to become stronger day after day
Kung Fu is the best martial arts, at least in my view, as a person exercised a lot of martial arts, the spectrum has helped me to identify the style and the way each combat and fighting strategies in each martial art.
If you decide to learn kung fu I think you are starting to take the right path towards the best way to defend yourself against harassing you on the street, but please do not use kung fu against your friends in school and I warn you also that you use against your sisters or brothers at home or who are younger than you are.
Because kung fu martial arts and all MA styles been invented to go out where all the internal energy stored inside you, which leads to the accumulation negative effects on the way you interacted with people and the way of discharging your duties daily.

Kung Fu practice helps you improve style of interaction with people and helps you to spend your day and you are relieved of the body and clear the mind.

How to learn kung fu at home without paying any cents?
First: you must know that martial arts should be exercised under the supervision of a teacher of martial arts professional and an expert on how the treatment and training of trainees in all ages and knows how to train the bodies of the players, is also know to train their minds and take out the best in them, thus he have achieved the goal of martial arts correctly.

Second: to learn kung fu of free books or other free stuff that are everywhere on the Internet, some of these books distributed illegally, but you can purchase, there are great references to Kung Fu cheap and bear fruit as well and deliver you valuable kung fu lessons.

Third: We must know very well that you should learn the technical basics and strategic kicking using the legs and punching using hands and learn the types of fists in Kung Fu also must take strong idea about the beginnings of kung fu and how to deal with every style in kung fu, because each style needs to be a way specific and consists of various steps and stances for the other method or style in kung, for example styles that originated in northern China relies on kicking legs more than a fist punching and vice versa in styles that originated in southern China, such as Foshan the Chinese city of martial arts.

Fourth: Read firstly well for each style of kung fu and know very well the way that suits your potential physical and mental capabilities, there are those who can not implements some movements, for example, exercise methods in kung fu animal styles that mimic the movements of animals that need to get to a good level of physical resilience to learn kung fu for ways of animals, but if you want to learn an easy way to defend yourself is better for you is Kung fu Sanda or Sando kung fu, which is plain and simple and consists of essential Kung Fu kicking, punching and movements , and if you want to exercise a kung fu style strengthens the Respiratory way and make your breath a long and it helps to relax  your body muscles and nerves; Tai Chi kung fu is the best technique of Kong fu for you to learn and exercised at any time.

Fifth: I advise you to look for some videos published by some of the players and lovers of martial arts and many of them on YouTube, for example, videos on YouTube explaining how the good performance of the movements and the proper steps to implement the martial arts movements.

V.: Train quietly and continuity because few hold exercises will make you stronger, but not to continue every day in the exercise will make kung fu exercises lose its effectiveness every day and look like you start the first time every time you intend to exercise them.

Sixth: You can post one of your friends or neighbors who trust them to learn together so you can both implementing of collective kung fu exercises and make simulation of a real contact fight.

Seventh: Do not lose your patience if you can not perform some movements because this means that you have to rehearse more to get leniency and flexibility necessary for kung fu training, however kung fu is also not an easy art.

Eighth: I forgot to tell you that you have to "Empty your Cup to start Learn", means you must your mind be cleaned of all the combat movies such films: Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee that you interested in and loved them and affected you because it will hinder your mind on the implementation of the movements; the truth, as some films Represent fighting movements with Visual cinematic tricks, so not everything you see in the movies can Perform on the real world.

IX: Do not Practice Kung Fu or start your daily kung fu lessons after eating directly or rehearse on fighting and you are tired or want to sleep because your body is not equipped to perform martial arts, however if you are not in a good mood may get hurt or may lead art movement the wrong way, which could cost you cuts or bruises or fractures to some members of the body, so be warned.

Tenth: Do not forget to set time each day for exercise, even if half an hour because that makes the body awake whenever it is time training.

Finally, I hope that I gave you some tips that will help you learn kung fu martial arts alone at home without a teacher and free.

Please, communicate with me if you can not perform some kung fu combat movements to prevent to hurt yourself .

I wish you luck and to meet with the next lesson.