Recomended video for learning a form?

Junbo · #1 (**permalink**) May 19th, 2005, 03:48 PM

Hello,
I am new to this forum, and I came here looking for some recomendations from the kung fu community.
I have been doing Tai Chi Chuan for a few years, and have learned a couple forms. I also took a Shaolin style class for a month or so. I know a really short kung fu set that I also do regularly.
At this point I would really love to learn an entire set. I started learning the tiger set in the shaolin class I took. So I am familiar with basic stances and such.
Unfortunatly for me no one in my area teaches kung fu.
Can anyone recommend a good video to learn a set from? I'm not looking to attempt mastery of the martial form and it's applications, at this point I would just like to learn the movements of the form.

I have puchased a few videos in the past that do nothing more that demonstate the form and it's applications. They will show it slow, or at different angles, but never break it down. I would love to learn from a video that breaks down the movements and takes you through the form step by step.

Kinda like if you were in a class.
I really like the crane style, but would be willing to work on something elnse as well. I know that the class I took for a short time went through the forms in a certain order...
Thanks in advance for any helpfull advice!

-Junbo

Fu Jow Chris · #2 (**permalink**) May 19th, 2005, 06:10 PM

“	Originally Posted By: Junbo I have puchased a few videos in the past that do nothing more that demonstate the form and it's applications. They will show it slow, or at different angles, but never break it down.	”

Ah.....you're learning your first lesson already: No one is spoon-fed a martial art. There are some things you'll just have to figure out for yourself. It also helps if you have a good teacher to give you insight to what you're doing.

Where do you reside? I'm sure someone on the DL can point you in the direction of a good sifu in your area.

FJC

HungFamilyFist · #3 (**permalink**) May 19th, 2005, 06:16 PM

Thse videos are good for experienced people who can break down the sets on their own. As a beginner or even a novice, I think its hard to walk away with much from a video. I suggest get into a school, and work you butt off.

Fu Jow chris is right, if you work hard on your own, you will get it. If you liked tiger, and want to learn some crane stuff, look into a Hung Gar school.

Junbo · #4 (**permalink**) May 19th, 2005, 07:13 PM

Hey Chris,

I grew up just up the road from you....in Santa Barbara. I took a few classes from David T. who taught at studio E if you know him.
Now my wife and I live here in San Luis Obispo, about 2 hours from you now.
I have been able to learn some things from demos, due to learning a lot of dance routines and some tai chi and chi gong sets, however it becomes such a strugle. I am trying to find a basic video I could learn a simple form from, something that goes through the movements with you, rather than showing you. I would love to work with someone, but all the studios in my area are Judo or Aikido or something of that nature, and I have always been more interested in learning Kung Fu. Then there is the financial issue.

I really like practicing every morning by myself out on my deck, and I just wanted to add a fun set to my routine. I wouldn't expect to learn anything more than the movements from a video, but that's o.k. with me

I know I have seen so many topics about the difficulties of learning properly from a video, and I understand and am o.k. with that.
If you know of an istructor in the area I would love to know of them

Thanks again for your responses!

-Junbo

Fu Jow Chris · #5 (**permalink**) May 20th, 2005, 10:23 AM

Junbo -

If you're willing to drive down to Ventura on one or two Saturdays a month, we might be able to help you. Let me know exactly what it is you're wanting to learn, and I'll discuss the matter with my sifu to see if there is something we could arrange.

Chris