How to Begin Kung-Fu

Kung-fu is a blanket term that refers to hundreds of traditional Chinese martial arts. Some styles have their roots in certain geographic regions of the country, others are inspired by animal styles and others are based on revisions by particular masters and then passed down through a family tradition. The one thing that all styles have in common is the physical demands placed on the body of the beginning student. Starting kung-fu for many can be the most difficult part of the journey.

Instructions

    • 1

      Find a qualified teacher. Never attempt to learn kung-fu through self-direction or only using resources such as videos, books and the web. Use these resources to aid learning, but never expect them to replace an experienced teacher.

    • 2

      Choose a teacher that has traceable lineage to the art that he teaches. "New" forms of kung-fu are often developed by people with a smattering of experience in several arts and mastery of none. Look for a teacher with a strong background in the art that he/she teaches, and for an art that goes back at least a few generations.

    • 3

      Begin cardiovascular training even before your first lesson. Run, bike, swim or play any sport that gets the heart rate up and improves stamina. Kung-fu lessons are typically an hour in length, most of which is spent in intense activity. You need to be fit enough to keep up a strong pace for at least that amount of time.

    • 4

      Improve your flexibility before your training begins. Continue to stretch every day once you begin training, even on days when you don't have class. Take yoga classes as a good supplement to the stretching you do in kung-fu class. Flexibility is essential for the low stances and high kicks in many forms of kung-fu.

    • 5

      Practice your techniques even on the days when you don't have class. Progress is very slow for students who only practice technique when at class. Students who practice every day independently however, progress at a much faster rate.

    • 6

      Ask your instructor questions any time you don't understand how a technique is supposed to be performed. Performing a technique improperly can cause you injury. This is especially important once you get into partner drills or sparring. Here, improper technique can injure seriously your partner as well.