Where to start?

[jason_lakewhitney]

I am new and yes this is my first post.

When I was a child I took Karate for a short time. When I got older just into high school, I was able to take Moo Duk Kwan also for a short time.
I never really got to proceed far because of money issues. Now with that short history out of the way lets move on.

I have always enjoyed all forms of martial arts from Capoeira to Hapkido. Where I live there are limited number of options for any sort of MA, mainly there is TKD.
Anyways moving forward, I am now 31 and over the last couple of years have really applied myself to being physical fit ie: weight training and cardio. We have recently put my son into TKD and he is doing great! I made him ask for a couple months before I said yes. I wanted to know if he really wanted it. With him being in classes it has really rekindled that ago old desire in my for MA training. I have decided that there is no better time than the present to start training but there is a catch. I want to study Chinese Martial Arts and there are no schools in this area. Although, on the upside I might be finding out tomorrow if I landed another job that I have been after for several months. If I get it, I will be moving to an area that does have Chinese MA schools.

So here's the question, with some many different aspects and styles in Chinese MA where or what do I start to study first?
I am not going to ask any more than that. I am trying to ask a very broad question in hope of some good details.
Also, can I start with DVDs and Books?

Thanks,
Jason

[Wind]

Commercial schools are one thing, but you might want to check out private teachers/small groups who may be lesser known. There are teacher directories on other forums like rumsoakedfist.org (also has a Request a Teacher section) and the website hsing-i.com. You may be able to find a really good teacher, someone old school who can show you what you are looking for.

[jason_lakewhitney]

@Wind, Thanks for the advice.

How does one go about choosing which style of Kung-Fu to start with?
Is Kung-Fu even the correct term/name to use for Chinese MA?

How do things like Pa Kua Chang fit into all of this?

It seems a little confusing to me because of the many different areas/aspects of Chinese MA.

Thanks,
Jason

[tkdmaster]

Why wait? If you don't move then you will have wasted month's that you could of been training in TKD with your son. I am a 5th Dan in TKD and have also studied,Shorin Ryu, Kenpo and Hung Gar. 36 years of training! I can tell you one thing for sure.....a punch is a punch and a front kick or side kick or round house kick is just that. Call it Kung Fu or Karate or TKD. How they approach it may be different based on cultural national pride but it is still just a punch and a kick. Get busy with your son and don't expect a huge difference in the MA. Your journey is a lifetime, not a destination. learn something from all of them and make the art manifest itself through you as the medium.

[Wind]

I would look into and read up on what style or style are most appealing to you and what you are looking to learn. Plenty of books and much more on the internet. It all depends on what your goals are. There might be some trial and error to find a good teacher but it will be worth the work you put into finding what you are looking for.

[jason_lakewhitney]

I found out I will not be moving, oh well.

On the bright side, I did some more hunting around and was able to finally find a Kung Fu school in my area. I visited the school last nigh and they seem to be there to to teach and learn Kung Fu and not just sell MA. I am excited and will start my first class on Thursday.

Thanks,
Jason

[raipizo]

Good luck, and if that doesn't seem to your liking try and try again. Something will stick eventually.