Which style?

[Kingmonkey]

My advice: forget about the style; just find a great teacher.

could an advice be simpler, more direct and more effective?

just great

pat

[hardtail]

Some things in life are worth 520 miles.

The trick is being open to seeing them when they are presented.

Like most people I work paycheck to paycheck with only 2 days off a week. Perhaps I missed the "trick" but a hobby (and while it maybe your reason for living, thats all this is to me) is not worth spending 16 hours driving in two days and half my paycheck in gas pursuing. Especially when there is a school an hour away. Common sense isnt so common anymore is it?

find a great teacher

As I have stated previously, there are no teachers close to me. My ONLY teacher to do this will be from video and books. I may not be the brightest bulb in the box but I do have one skilll and that is the ability to learn things on my own. I built my house from reading books and watching how-to videos by myself. If there was a school close I would most definatly look into it, but there are none so this is the only way I have to do it. If anyone knows of a good online/video/book course I'd be most appreciative, but please no more comments on how I should walk away from my life and go to a school two states away.

[hardtail]

I like this guy, I've learned a lot from watching him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORlHA7VBbZw

[Hellsviking]

http://www.wingtsunusa.com/store/VWT02-DVD.html

I have an old Wing Tsun video. Techniques are fairly easy to learn from it. Not sure if the link is the same. Check it out, good luck.

[AlexBaranosky]

Common sense isnt so common anymore is it?

No it isn't.

[Andrew]

...there is a school an hour away.....


As I have stated previously, there are no teachers close to me.

One hour, for my taste, is not far to get personal instruction --- especially if the teacher is good.

You came here to ask for opinions. Now you have them. It is up to you what you now do with them. Whatever you choose, good luck.

[hardtail]

http://www.wingtsunusa.com/store/VWT02-DVD.html
I have an old Wing Tsun video. Techniques are fairly easy to learn from it. Not sure if the link is the same. Check it out, good luck.

Thanks for the link, I appreciate it.

[hardtail]

One hour, for my taste, is not far to get personal instruction --- especially if the teacher is good.

You came here to ask for opinions. Now you have them. It is up to you what you now do with them. Whatever you choose, good luck.

Please go back and read my first post... I came here for help choosing a style, not a school.

But seeing as how everyone wants to turn my question into "Which school?" here are the two that are closest to me. Both in Lebanon, TN... anyone know anything about these?

[Andrew]

Please go back and read my first post... I came here for help choosing a style, not a school.

Please go back and read the other posts: the teacher is more important than the style.

[Antonius]

Dear Hardtail,

I honestly think that you're on the wrong forum. You don't seem to want our advice. It's almost as if you are trying to get us to give you the advice that you want to hear. That's not going to happen on this forum.

On this forum, you'll find people who think that traveling 500 miles to learn from a good teacher is a short trip; you'll find people who think that Pink Squirrel Style from a good teacher is far better than any style from a bad teacher; you'll find people who think that a "hobby" can also be life transforming; you'll find people who think that videos are great for review, but terrible for learning.

I suggest that you move on and find another forum.

Best of luck to you,

[hardtail]

I think you are correct... this is the wrong forum for me. I asked a simple question and all I got was preached at (with one exception... thank you Hellsviking for the useful and practical answers).

I have already found the right forum, its members are average everday people with an interest in the martial arts as a hobby, not a fanatical religion.


Thanks anyway.

[Hellsviking]

Hardtail

Learning from a teacher (especially when good) makes far more sense than learning from dvds, books, youtube, etc. If you were a street fighter, learning tricks from dvds, etc can be useful. But learning a traditional martial art this way is very tricky. Martial arts are complex. However, there are people who have managed to learn this. Most seek out a teacher eventually.

Had a look on google map. Looks like a 1hr 15 to 2hr drive to these schools. If you are committed enough to travel twice a week for classes, great. If not, perhaps they may hold an intensive weekend training course for you or perhaps a group. Practise on your own for a while, then do another course. Not all schools are geared or skilled in teaching in short bursts.

[Hellsviking]

Antonius

One of my secret techniques is Pink Squirrel Style. I also use Scratching Gerbil and Sneaky Rat. Very unpredicable. Gnawed my way out of some tight situations using those styles.

[AlexBaranosky]

Please go back and read my first post... I came here for help choosing a style, not a school.

In that case I would say I recommend you find a style with these qualities:

• improves happiness, health, vitality, and longevity
• makes you feel spiritually at peace
• enhances your intuition
• develops internal force
• develops love for all
• with good practice can teach you to defend yourself effectively against all types of attacks
• and gives you the sound judgment to know when and when not to use that ability
• focused more on practicing and improving skills than learning more and more techniques you are not capable of using effectively in combat
• has a comprehensive set of techniques that cover any conceivable attack
• that trains you to channel chi with your mind
• that makes your mind very powerful
• that absolutely requires its students to be morally upright

[morgan1234]

Kung Fu

I like Kung Fu styles because they are not only training you to fight, but to have the wisdom and tactics to AVOID fighting. Any opportunity you have to AVOID a stupid fight is a great opportunity indeed. Still, if I had to pick one,I'd find a good Kung Fu School. I love all the styles of Kung Fu and find them all extremely fascinating. my favorite is White Tiger Kung Fu, but I seriously doubt you have that option locally.