From: fnord@panix.com (Cliff Heller)
Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts
Subject: Re: Query: Gung fu in New York City
Keywords: -=-=-< my recomendations >-=-=-
Date: 9 Sep 92 18:48:39 GMT
Organization: Right Bleedin' Church of Libertine Obfuscatology

In <1992Sep09.150309.15693@eng.umd.edu> doug@eng.umd.edu (Douglas N. Cohen) writes:

>	i, on the other hand, would suggest several other schools over the
>fu-jow pai of wai hong.  
>	1st, it is good kung fu, but i know of several styles *i* think are 
>much much better, and the schools are much friendlier, classes smaller, kung
>fu much more effective and the teacher is supurb.


I wonder when the last time was that you saw a class at this school.  They
are very small, and very friendly.  Sifu Wai Hong retired several years
ago, and classes are now taught by Sifu Tak Wah Eng.


and they are much against the politics and 'in-
>fighting' that is so much a part of the new york kung fu scene, and is so
>prevalent in the fu jow pai influences.  Sifu Ken Lo refuses to get involved
>in it, and it makes a difference in the flavour of the school.  they are 
>friendly and competent.  i highly recomend this school.

You should realize that to be against such politics is to be a part of them
as well.  I have encountered very little of such politics, and I am not
interested in it.  I'm interested in learning Kung Fu, and that is what I
am doing.  The politics are not part of the classes, although it seems
like, in your school, they are.  

>	i would reccomend Sifu Chan Tai-San's kung fu school.  it is a 
>difficult and arduous style, with lots of Ch'i Kung, and long, difficult, but
>highly effective forms.  you would have to learn cantonese just to understand 
>him, but that is part of the training.  he taught and trained the army special
>forces unit of canton, and was the former coach of the Fat Son County Canton
>Wu Shu Team.  he is known for his incredible had Ch'i Kung and breaking
>ability, and his internal abilities, as well as his external kung fu.  he is
>also one who stands outside the political games, 

Again, to "stand outside the political games" is a political stance in and
of itself.  I know nothing about it, but Sifu Tak Wah Eng, doesn't concern
himself with such matters, or if he does he does not teach/preach it to his
students. 


>i do *NOT* recomend fu jow pai.  there is nothing wrong with their style.  it
>is good, and moderately effective, but it is an empire and fraught with 
>politics.  and there are so many better styles {*IN*MY*OPINION*!*}.  give
>them a try.  at least look them over and check out the quality of the
schools!

I do not feel like I am part of an "empire"
I feel like I am learning Kung Fu from a man of high character, and inner
strength in a traditional way.  You are quite hypocritical to not recommend
a style that you find nothing wrong with, when you are clearly doing so for
political reasons.  You then claim that you are against such political
infighting among schools.

I recommended my school because I know it is a good school.  I know nothing
of other schools and I never claimed to.  You are the one guilty of
bringing politics into it.

My advice to anyone, is go to a few schools, watch classes, and see if you
want to learn from them.  


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