Difference between revisions of "Learn Kung Fu Fast"
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Kung fu is often described as a lifelong journey. While it does take years, if not decades, to achieve expertise in this martial art as a whole, it is possible to learn the basics in a relatively short period of time. With dedication, patience, and foresight, you can master basic moves fairly quickly. | Kung fu is often described as a lifelong journey. While it does take years, if not decades, to achieve expertise in this martial art as a whole, it is possible to learn the basics in a relatively short period of time. With dedication, patience, and foresight, you can master basic moves fairly quickly. | ||
| − | [[Category:Martial Arts]] | + | [[Category: Martial Arts]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Practicing Basic Moves and Stances=== | ===Practicing Basic Moves and Stances=== | ||
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#*This stance is intended to be difficult to hold. Practice it in 30 second increments at first with 1-2 minutes rest in between, then try to hold the position for longer and longer. | #*This stance is intended to be difficult to hold. Practice it in 30 second increments at first with 1-2 minutes rest in between, then try to hold the position for longer and longer. | ||
#*Practicing your Horse Stance every day will help you quickly strengthen your core and leg muscles and will make you more a powerful and stable martial artist. | #*Practicing your Horse Stance every day will help you quickly strengthen your core and leg muscles and will make you more a powerful and stable martial artist. | ||
| − | #Practice basic strikes from the Horse Stance. To learn kung fu quickly, stick with the simplest moves. When you first attempt a new strike, move in slow-motion. Concentrate on form. As the movement becomes more natural, requiring less thought on your part, gradually speed up the action from rep to rep until you’re striking with full force. As your endurance builds, increase the number of strikes per rep. Start off with the Straight Punch, one of the most basic moves, if not THE most basic move:<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsu4ZBZ_3Wo</ref> | + | #Practice basic strikes from the Horse Stance. To learn kung fu quickly, stick with the simplest moves. When you first attempt a new strike, move in slow-motion. Concentrate on form. As the movement becomes more natural, requiring less thought on your part, gradually speed up the action from rep to rep until you’re striking with full force. As your endurance builds, increase the number of strikes per rep. Start off with the Straight Punch, one of the most basic moves, if not THE most basic move:<ref name="rf1">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsu4ZBZ_3Wo</ref> |
#*With each hand, form a fist with your thumb closed over the outside of your index finger. With your arms close to your sides, draw your fists back alongside your hips with your thumbs facing up. Pull your elbows back and open up your chest. | #*With each hand, form a fist with your thumb closed over the outside of your index finger. With your arms close to your sides, draw your fists back alongside your hips with your thumbs facing up. Pull your elbows back and open up your chest. | ||
#*Strike with one fist. Keep your elbow directly behind it as your arm extends forward. As your elbow straightens out, rotate your fist so its thumb faces down. Leading with that shoulder, draw your other shoulder behind you, twisting from your waist, as you strike. Your shoulders and striking arm should form a straight line aimed at your target upon contact. | #*Strike with one fist. Keep your elbow directly behind it as your arm extends forward. As your elbow straightens out, rotate your fist so its thumb faces down. Leading with that shoulder, draw your other shoulder behind you, twisting from your waist, as you strike. Your shoulders and striking arm should form a straight line aimed at your target upon contact. | ||
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#*Inner blocks start at the outside of your body and move inward. Outer blocks do the opposite. | #*Inner blocks start at the outside of your body and move inward. Outer blocks do the opposite. | ||
#*Practice blocking with both arms. Learning kung fu fast is about getting stronger with your dominant and non-dominant sides. | #*Practice blocking with both arms. Learning kung fu fast is about getting stronger with your dominant and non-dominant sides. | ||
| − | #Practice basic kicks. As with everything else, you'll need to focus first on your body learning the correct form. Kicks may seem intimidating at first but they can be broken down into parts and practiced separately. Learning quickly will depend on how diligent you are about getting your form correct early on and practicing consistently. Begin by practicing these techniques from the fighting stance.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcQwgPmDxkE</ref> | + | #Practice basic kicks. As with everything else, you'll need to focus first on your body learning the correct form. Kicks may seem intimidating at first but they can be broken down into parts and practiced separately. Learning quickly will depend on how diligent you are about getting your form correct early on and practicing consistently. Begin by practicing these techniques from the fighting stance.<ref name="rf2">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcQwgPmDxkE</ref> |
#*The beginning of every kick is to raise your knee to your chest. Bring it as high up towards your shoulder as you can. Practice this movement to become more flexible and practice holding your knee above your hips to gain better balance. At this point, your leg is "ready to strike", very similar to having your elbow bent and your fist protecting your head. | #*The beginning of every kick is to raise your knee to your chest. Bring it as high up towards your shoulder as you can. Practice this movement to become more flexible and practice holding your knee above your hips to gain better balance. At this point, your leg is "ready to strike", very similar to having your elbow bent and your fist protecting your head. | ||
#*For a front kick, the next action is to extend your leg straight forward, pushing from your hip and making sure that the bottom of your foot is striking your intended target and pushing it away from you. | #*For a front kick, the next action is to extend your leg straight forward, pushing from your hip and making sure that the bottom of your foot is striking your intended target and pushing it away from you. | ||
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#*With every kick make sure to bring your knee back to your chest after the strike before lowering it. Dropping your leg after a kick is very bad form and will not help you get better faster. | #*With every kick make sure to bring your knee back to your chest after the strike before lowering it. Dropping your leg after a kick is very bad form and will not help you get better faster. | ||
#*Practice slowly and with good form. Try holding each individual position in the kick (knee up, kick out, reset the knee to your chest) for multiple seconds to imprint the proper movements on your brain. If you practice this way soon it will become second nature to you and your kicks will feel (and appear) as one smooth motion. | #*Practice slowly and with good form. Try holding each individual position in the kick (knee up, kick out, reset the knee to your chest) for multiple seconds to imprint the proper movements on your brain. If you practice this way soon it will become second nature to you and your kicks will feel (and appear) as one smooth motion. | ||
| − | #Practice changing stances. Once you’ve mastered individual moves, practice moving from stance to stance with a strike. Dropping from fighting stance into horse stance can lend extra power to your strikes.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctbdaVRhSTQ</ref> | + | #Practice changing stances. Once you’ve mastered individual moves, practice moving from stance to stance with a strike. Dropping from fighting stance into horse stance can lend extra power to your strikes.<ref name="rf3">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctbdaVRhSTQ</ref> |
#*To adopt Horse Stance quickly, draw your left knee up to a 90º angle, turning your knee out to your left side, with your left foot drawn in and grazing your right knee. Quickly plant your left foot three to four feet away from your right foot and drop into Horse Stance with both feet pointing forward. | #*To adopt Horse Stance quickly, draw your left knee up to a 90º angle, turning your knee out to your left side, with your left foot drawn in and grazing your right knee. Quickly plant your left foot three to four feet away from your right foot and drop into Horse Stance with both feet pointing forward. | ||
#Practice shadowboxing or use a punching bag. Once you've got the basic stances and forms down what you need to get better quickly is lots of practice. Staying light on the balls and move around as you punch, kick and block either the air or the punching bag. To build stamina consider practicing in rounds as if you were competing in a tournament (for instance 3 minute round of intense movement followed by a 3 minute break and then repeat). | #Practice shadowboxing or use a punching bag. Once you've got the basic stances and forms down what you need to get better quickly is lots of practice. Staying light on the balls and move around as you punch, kick and block either the air or the punching bag. To build stamina consider practicing in rounds as if you were competing in a tournament (for instance 3 minute round of intense movement followed by a 3 minute break and then repeat). | ||
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#*With a partner try strengthening your forearms with a common blocking exercise. Stand face to face or in a horse stance if you're comfortable, then extend your right arm with your hand pointed downward in an inner block. Your partner will do the same and your forearms will collide (lightly at first) as a way to practice the block. Next rotate your right arm clockwise 180 degrees. You partner will do the same and your forearms will connect again. Now rotate your right arm 180 degrees counterclockwise again for a third connection. Now try the exact same thing with your left arms and repeat again and again. Make sure you're getting torque from the rotation of your torso. | #*With a partner try strengthening your forearms with a common blocking exercise. Stand face to face or in a horse stance if you're comfortable, then extend your right arm with your hand pointed downward in an inner block. Your partner will do the same and your forearms will collide (lightly at first) as a way to practice the block. Next rotate your right arm clockwise 180 degrees. You partner will do the same and your forearms will connect again. Now rotate your right arm 180 degrees counterclockwise again for a third connection. Now try the exact same thing with your left arms and repeat again and again. Make sure you're getting torque from the rotation of your torso. | ||
#*Fist pushups (or knuckle pushups - even tougher) may be a good way to strengthen your fists. | #*Fist pushups (or knuckle pushups - even tougher) may be a good way to strengthen your fists. | ||
| − | #Strengthen your core. Improve your ability to draw strength from the ground into your strikes. Increase the amount of force that you deliver with your kicks. Focus not only on your abs (which is only one part of your core) but the sides and back of your waist as well. Core-strengthening exercises include:<ref>http://www.shaolintraining.com/strength-and-power-training</ref> | + | #Strengthen your core. Improve your ability to draw strength from the ground into your strikes. Increase the amount of force that you deliver with your kicks. Focus not only on your abs (which is only one part of your core) but the sides and back of your waist as well. Core-strengthening exercises include:<ref name="rf4">http://www.shaolintraining.com/strength-and-power-training</ref> |
#*Planks | #*Planks | ||
#*Traditional and reverse sit-ups | #*Traditional and reverse sit-ups | ||
#*Drawing your knees up to your chest while hanging from a pull-up bar or while in the pushup position (these are sometimes called "mountain climbers") | #*Drawing your knees up to your chest while hanging from a pull-up bar or while in the pushup position (these are sometimes called "mountain climbers") | ||
| − | #Develop your arms. Wear wrist-weights when you practice your kung fu. Exercise your arms with traditional methods on a daily basis. Do push-ups, pull-ups, curls, etc. Give extra attention to your forearms, which will improve your ability to grapple with opponents.<ref | + | #Develop your arms. Wear wrist-weights when you practice your kung fu. Exercise your arms with traditional methods on a daily basis. Do push-ups, pull-ups, curls, etc. Give extra attention to your forearms, which will improve your ability to grapple with opponents.<ref name="rf4" /> |
#*An “easy” way to strengthen your forearms is to simply do fist-clenches with your arms held out straight in front of you. | #*An “easy” way to strengthen your forearms is to simply do fist-clenches with your arms held out straight in front of you. | ||
| − | #Work on your legs. Solid footing and powerful legs are very important in any martial art, so make sure you strengthen your legs. Wear leg-weights when you practice your kung fu moves. Make a daily routine of doing squats, squat jumps, and step-ups.<ref | + | #Work on your legs. Solid footing and powerful legs are very important in any martial art, so make sure you strengthen your legs. Wear leg-weights when you practice your kung fu moves. Make a daily routine of doing squats, squat jumps, and step-ups.<ref name="rf4" /> |
#*Other quality leg exercises include: toe jumps, frog jumps, Cossack jumps, one-legged jumps, duck walks, and sprints. | #*Other quality leg exercises include: toe jumps, frog jumps, Cossack jumps, one-legged jumps, duck walks, and sprints. | ||
===Studying Kung Fu=== | ===Studying Kung Fu=== | ||
| − | #Research different kung fu styles. Compare and contrast the teachings and philosophy of each practice. For long-term goals, consider which one emphasizes areas that you wish to develop both mentally and physically. To learn kung fu quickly, however, choose one that already plays to your strengths.<ref>http://www.blackbeltmag.com/category/kung-fu/</ref> | + | #Research different kung fu styles. Compare and contrast the teachings and philosophy of each practice. For long-term goals, consider which one emphasizes areas that you wish to develop both mentally and physically. To learn kung fu quickly, however, choose one that already plays to your strengths.<ref name="rf5">http://www.blackbeltmag.com/category/kung-fu/</ref> |
#*The two most prominent schools are Wu Dong and Shaolin. In Wu Dong, the emphasis is on the “internal” with the aim of developing your chi (life force). Shaolin focuses on the “external” with exercises that strengthen your body. | #*The two most prominent schools are Wu Dong and Shaolin. In Wu Dong, the emphasis is on the “internal” with the aim of developing your chi (life force). Shaolin focuses on the “external” with exercises that strengthen your body. | ||
#*Kung fu styles are further distinguished by the geography of their origins. Northern styles tend to incorporate a lot of leg work and acrobatics. Southern styles, on the other hand, emphasize solid footing and more arm work. | #*Kung fu styles are further distinguished by the geography of their origins. Northern styles tend to incorporate a lot of leg work and acrobatics. Southern styles, on the other hand, emphasize solid footing and more arm work. | ||
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#Watch online tutorials. See exactly how your body is supposed to move and orient itself to execute moves and stances correctly. Begin with basic moves like kicks and punches. Then watch how these individual moves are incorporated into longer katas (choreographed exercises that combine a variety of movements). | #Watch online tutorials. See exactly how your body is supposed to move and orient itself to execute moves and stances correctly. Begin with basic moves like kicks and punches. Then watch how these individual moves are incorporated into longer katas (choreographed exercises that combine a variety of movements). | ||
#*Watch each clip multiple times. Each time, pay close attention to just one area of the demonstrator’s body. Focus on their feet in one viewing. Then focus on their hips. Then their waist. And so on. This way, when you practice it yourself and, say, strike with your arms, you’ll know exactly how your feet and legs should be reinforcing your body so you can deliver your strike with the most efficiency. | #*Watch each clip multiple times. Each time, pay close attention to just one area of the demonstrator’s body. Focus on their feet in one viewing. Then focus on their hips. Then their waist. And so on. This way, when you practice it yourself and, say, strike with your arms, you’ll know exactly how your feet and legs should be reinforcing your body so you can deliver your strike with the most efficiency. | ||
| − | #*To further expand your understanding of kung fu, also watch clips of other martial arts to see how they differ. Note how kung fu appears more fluid in motion. utilizing more circular techniques than are found in other arts, like karate, where movements are more direct and linear.<ref>http://oakleighmartialarts.com/blog/18683/The-Difference-Between-Karate-and-Kung-Fu</ref> | + | #*To further expand your understanding of kung fu, also watch clips of other martial arts to see how they differ. Note how kung fu appears more fluid in motion. utilizing more circular techniques than are found in other arts, like karate, where movements are more direct and linear.<ref name="rf6">http://oakleighmartialarts.com/blog/18683/The-Difference-Between-Karate-and-Kung-Fu</ref> |
| − | #Adopt the kung fu mindset. Even though you want to learn kung fu quickly, resist the temptation to train too hard too fast. Although kung fu aims to instill discipline in those who practice it, it doesn’t expect it from you right away, so relax. Forget “no pain, no gain.” Build a training schedule sensibly, according to your capabilities and overall fitness, in order to avoid injury or burning yourself out.<ref>http://flowingzen.com/10423/how-kung-fu-masters-build-discipline-you-may-be-surprised/</ref> | + | #Adopt the kung fu mindset. Even though you want to learn kung fu quickly, resist the temptation to train too hard too fast. Although kung fu aims to instill discipline in those who practice it, it doesn’t expect it from you right away, so relax. Forget “no pain, no gain.” Build a training schedule sensibly, according to your capabilities and overall fitness, in order to avoid injury or burning yourself out.<ref name="rf7">http://flowingzen.com/10423/how-kung-fu-masters-build-discipline-you-may-be-surprised/</ref> |
#*For example, instead of practicing 100 kicks right off the bat, start off with reps of 10 kicks spread across the course of the day. Learn how to execute correctly and efficiently without tiring yourself out. Then, once you’ve mastered how to execute a kick, build your endurance by gradually increasing the number of kicks per rep: from 10 to 15; from 15 to 20; from 20 to 30; and so on. | #*For example, instead of practicing 100 kicks right off the bat, start off with reps of 10 kicks spread across the course of the day. Learn how to execute correctly and efficiently without tiring yourself out. Then, once you’ve mastered how to execute a kick, build your endurance by gradually increasing the number of kicks per rep: from 10 to 15; from 15 to 20; from 20 to 30; and so on. | ||
