I was reading about some CHoy Li Fut and in that style you learn how to fight with a horse bench. I understand that it could also be modified into a regular chair or something so I think this is really useful and good training. Especially since you could carry a horse bench aorund with you without getting in toruble (unlike a sword). What do you guys think?

Furniture is great for self-defense (as long as it isn't getting in your way; but it could turn an otherwise non-lethal technique into a lethal one). Use tools/furniture that you have around you (unless my trade called for me to carry a bench around with me, I'd not carry one around -- just call me silly... & lazy).

Yes, I think it was trained as a weopon. My teacher just mentioned this the other day, as we have similar benches around the school.

He said those benches were everywhere - very convenient. Not so convenient these days.

And of course you see them used all the time in the old Kung Fu movies.

Well if you lived in a farm or farming community somwhere I think they would be convienent, plus you could carry one around with you and when you wanted to sit just sit on it in that kind of community.

Damien,

Knock yourself out. If you want to explore fighting with a bench, or any thing for that matter, then go for it (just be wary of any possibly negative circumstances & of course, try to use your head).

Note: In dee farmin' communities I've been 'round people would point at ya thinkin' yer mighty peculiar iffin you was to go 'round carrin' a bench wif ya all o' da time.

Have you ever seen "Young Master" with Jackie Chan? Nuff said.

I understand that Jackie never leaves home without a bench to protect himself with. That's also why his stunts have been considered benchmarks by many.

To go off topic...
What are the characteristics of Choy Li Fut?
Idiosynratic/recognisable techniques or aspects? ould you reccomend learning Wing Chun first before C L F? Cheers.

I would recommend Choy Li Fut first, and that is coming from a Wing Chun man(primarily WC).

I say this for one reason only. Wing Chun is a very powerful style etc. And what I am about to say... most WC people would disagree with 100%.

Anyways, Choy lay fut is a more powerful system because it has huge windmill uppercuts etc. low stances, and all the animals, and animal stances(unicorn stance) and these stances build tremendous power.

The advantage to WC is it fills in the gaps to CLF very nicely, and it is simple to learn, but hard to master. But how many of us are really going to be masters, outside of our own minds that is.

WHAT!!! I USE FOLDABLE CHAIRS FREQUENTLY IN THE RING, OH YEAH!!!!!1

Wing chun is based on white crane. In the animal heirarchy there are evolutions of animals. At the top of the birdy list is the phoenix. With snake ultimately evolving into a dragon. Dragon and phoenix as opposed to snake and crane. Choi li fut is composed of more elements and animals in this regard. Both arts are outstanding and it certainly is better to know more (and even more important be able to apply it when needed).
I am with macho man on this one!

Forgot to mention furniture:
everything you need is laying around your house! Many aspects of CLF and WC can be practiced using a door. Push the door to your right and practice getting to the right side of the door and pivoting your body to left before the door reaches you(causing your right punch to collide with awesome power-the blender effect), push it to the left and continue. Its not as easy as it sounds when you begin to speed it up.Foot work can be preformed by stepping around corners of the inside of your home. Practice using the inside and outside of your feet. Its a great way to practice inner and outer t lever leg leverages. Walls can be used to gauge distance (turning around and striking etc). As well many of the body blasting techniques can be applied to a wall to check for proper coverages etc...and hence the saying about many people who have CLF practitioners: It was like hitting a wall! For WC you can use a stool or a corner of a wall (or door) and hit with your forearm and let your wrist go loose for grabs. Go outside and practice plucking leaves from trees and grabbing and twisting branches. To practice grabs on an opponent sit down in a chair and practice from this perspective. You can then move from the chair and pull them down into it, stuffing their head in a foldable chair is great!
Hope this helps.