So I just started kung fu school and the master teaches basically whatever you want to learn, he asked me what I want to specialize in after I clenched the fundamentals, I have no idea,but I do want something that has good practical usage (versus regular fighters such as people around school), perhaps good against TKD (I'd like to spar with a friend of mine who's a blackbelt in TKD), and utilizes all of the body (not necessary really,but if there were a choice I'd like something that would jhelp me for cross-style performance)

fredg

HI,
My grandson is a Red belt, at 8 yrs old, has a little way to go yet for his First Degree Black Belt.
My suggestion is to continue with the TKD, learning all you can. Later, branch out if you wish. Learning how to handle and being good at just one to start, is much better than trying to learn different diciplines at once; or trying to learn more "extravagant" disciplines at first.
Your Master should be able to give you some guidance in what to choose.

Fr_Chuck

I would say just starting school is not the time to decide what form you are going to specialize in. It will be months and months to get the basics.
During that time it will allow you time to investigate what is offered and how they interact.

Style

it's kinda funny that you say that because on my first day he asked me what style I wanted to learn forms from. and I don't take TKD,I want to take on someone who does take TKD. anyway,I do think it's a bit soon myself though,I just told him to put me through whatever forms he wanted and I'd do my best to learn them but if there were any styles you knew of then that'd be appreciated.

Fr_Chuck

Of course after some thought I guess your teacher may after just alittle training start you on some early level learning of a specific style.

I don't do kung fu, and it is not taught at the school that we work with.
It may be possible that style teaches differently

Style

Personally I think he starts us off on whatever we want to learn early so that we can build an early foundation (and keep us interested in the classes lol),but he's been teaching for 20 years and is Shir Fu rank,so I'm sure he knows what he's doing.

Fr_Chuck

Will you be studing just the physical moves or will you also be doing study in the Kung Fu healing and other written teachigns also.

Style

We study everything,philosophy,standing meditation,sitting meditation,history,forms, even the cool stuff like marrow washing and iron bone.

eawoodall

ask to learn crane stretches wings, crane reaches toward sky, tiger shakes its mane, and also learn atleast some techniques from each type of style your school teaches (tiger,crane,monkey,leopard,praying mantis,snake,etc).

the eighteen classical movement are best to learn, and good to grasp more than just the basics (yet are the basics in many views of kung fu). many times by doing you learn more than by given advice, so go and do. learn.