Hello all, hypothetically, if you trained five hours daily on your own (and a couple of times weekly in an external form of kung fu) with an aim to find a master to train with in five years, maybe in taiwan or china, of any style.....(pause for breath) what would you train? Horse stance and flexibility would be my thoughts......


Chris

Chris. That's pretty much what I'm doing now. My response may be more generic than you are thinking of, but the idea is to develop a solid foundation in all of your basics, what ever you may be doing. Then, when with a master instructor they have something to work with and you get more from them of what they have to offer. Otherwise, you will end up getting only that material that a slightly more senior student could give you.

Rephrased: 1. Don't bother to go to someone who can teach you the 'advanced' stuff if you haven't done the homework and mastered the basics first.
2. You need to decide more specifically what it is that you wish to learn, only then can you start to determine how to prepare for it.

Searching carefully and learning to sort out the BS you can find good teachers here in the States. Better to do it here than to go over overseas and spend much more money to get BS there. Even if you find good instruction there, you may get no more than you could have received here much cheaper.

Which Basics?

Different systems have different prequisits. Sometime "basics" includes general fitness, such as push ups etc. Sometimes, as in baguazhang it is qiqong and circle walking, but even then types of circle walking can be as different as chalk and cheese. If it's xing-yi then its sant-ti and the five fists. Given the diversity that one can find, my advice would be to check out as much local stuff before you go to taiwan or wherever. You don't need a master, just a half competent instructor. Do some wing chun, karate. grappling whatever, also get a few books on different styles, just try to improve your general martial arts knowledge.

A grip of steel is always impressive.

What do you mean by "training on your own"? Are you finding guidance in books, on dvd, or trying to pick technique out of movies, etc?

It has been my experience that many new students know far less about the martial arts than they think they know. They watch movies and UFC and attempt to imitate what they see. Then they appear before an accomplished instructor with a somewhat cocky attitude thinking they are equal to middle level students in that instructor's school. I give these types a month or so of training to see if they realize their error. If not then they go in a sparring match with a student who's been around three or four months. After they take a thumping they either quit or become more humble and stay to train.

Also alienpig is correct. Each MA system/style has a different approach and, therefore, different basic/foundation training.

In Asia the teachers vary in how much they will teach a foreigner. Some will take your money and teach a bunch of BS. Others will take your money and teach only rudimentary technique. A few will take your money and teach everything if you demonstrate the right attitude and ability to handle the most advanced levels of their art.

Before considering a move to China/Taiwan or other nation you might be better served if you seek out a competent instructor at home. Then, if you still feel that you want to go overseas to further your studies, you will be better prepared for what you will encounter.