HandsOfStone
White Belt
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2005
- Messages
- 6
- Reaction score
- 1
Hi, I have a background in western boxing, but have been interested in martial arts (Chinese styles in particular) for many years. Until recently, I never had the opportunity to train at a CMA school. Now I am in a new city with quite a few choices, and I am hoping someone here can help guide me.
I guess I should first list what I hope to get out of studying Kung Fu? So here goes, in order of importance to me.
First, I would like to study art that has some history (nothing very new like JKD or such). Not that there's anything wrong with JKD but I would prefer an older style, as I enjoy doing research and want a style that I can "grow" into.
Second, I also enjoy reading and studying Buddhism and Taoism (although still have much to learn), so if the style incorporates this (either directly or philosophically) then all the better.
And finally, of course I'd like to get some very good self defense benefit from it. Although this is not my first priority, as I stated that I used to be a boxer, but I would still want to gain a "total body" method of self defense that I could apply in all ranges of combat if necessary.
With that being said, I have found some very interesting schools in my area. One is a Wing Chun school (actually there are several Wing Chun schools in my area, but I have heard many good things about one Sifu who studied under Master Augustine Fong). Aside from Wing Chun, there is also a school teaching Hung Ga, Lung Ying, Bak Mei and Yang Style Tai Chi.
Can someone tell me which of those schools might fit more closely to what I'm looking for? Also, is Bak Mei the same as White Eyebrow? If it will help any, I would like to post the training resume of the Hung Ga/Lung Ying/Bak Mei/Tai Chi instructor. Perhaps someone can read it and let me know if this guy sounds ok. I know that it's ultimately up to me to decide, but given the choice of styles listed above, what would you personally choose? Would you choose the Wing Chun school or one of the others I listed?
Ok, here is the training resume of the instructor that teaches the multiple styles:
Sifu Peter Pena:
- Began his study of the MA in 1984 under Master Paul Vizzio of the Fu Jow Pai (Tiger Claw System) style.
- 1987 began training under Master Yee Chi Wai of the Tang Fung Hung Ga Kung Fu and Lion Dance Academy. Achieved Black Belt status in 1990. Through diligent service his school he was awarded the position as Disciple of the system in 1992, thus receiving the adoptive title name of Yee Bei Tak.
- 1992 began training Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan under Master Chan Wai Gung
- 1993 continued his development in the Lam Family Hung Ga style under Master Y. C. Wong in San Francisco, CA.
- 1994 began his studies of the Bak Mei style under Master Kwong Man Fong. In 1996 he was accepted as a formal disciple of the system.
- 1997 began his studies of the Toisan Style Bak Hok style under Master Chu Hui (Zhu Hu Ren) In Phoenix, AZ.
1998 began his studies of the Lung Ying (Dragon Shape) and Mok Ga styles under Master Steve Martin in San Diego, CA.
In 2004 was accepted as a formal disciple of two systems.
- In his many years of training Sifu Pena has been a successful competitor in the Open Circuit and Chinese Style Specific Martial Arts Tournaments. He has won many trophies, medals and titles at these events.
- Sifu Pena is also a well sought after Tournament Judge, having held numerous positions throughout the United States.
- He is also a Physical Therapist Assistant and with this brings a unique knowledge of human physiology plus extended knowledge into Oriental Medicine theory and philosophy.
- At present time Sifu Pena offers private and semi-private instruction in:
. Hung Ga (Hung Family)
. Lung Ying (Dragon Shape)
. Bak Mei (White Eyebrow)
. Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan (Yang Family system)
- Sifu Pena is also the head Lion Dance Coach of the TWCSA.
:yinyang:
I guess I should first list what I hope to get out of studying Kung Fu? So here goes, in order of importance to me.
First, I would like to study art that has some history (nothing very new like JKD or such). Not that there's anything wrong with JKD but I would prefer an older style, as I enjoy doing research and want a style that I can "grow" into.
Second, I also enjoy reading and studying Buddhism and Taoism (although still have much to learn), so if the style incorporates this (either directly or philosophically) then all the better.
And finally, of course I'd like to get some very good self defense benefit from it. Although this is not my first priority, as I stated that I used to be a boxer, but I would still want to gain a "total body" method of self defense that I could apply in all ranges of combat if necessary.
With that being said, I have found some very interesting schools in my area. One is a Wing Chun school (actually there are several Wing Chun schools in my area, but I have heard many good things about one Sifu who studied under Master Augustine Fong). Aside from Wing Chun, there is also a school teaching Hung Ga, Lung Ying, Bak Mei and Yang Style Tai Chi.
Can someone tell me which of those schools might fit more closely to what I'm looking for? Also, is Bak Mei the same as White Eyebrow? If it will help any, I would like to post the training resume of the Hung Ga/Lung Ying/Bak Mei/Tai Chi instructor. Perhaps someone can read it and let me know if this guy sounds ok. I know that it's ultimately up to me to decide, but given the choice of styles listed above, what would you personally choose? Would you choose the Wing Chun school or one of the others I listed?
Ok, here is the training resume of the instructor that teaches the multiple styles:
Sifu Peter Pena:
- Began his study of the MA in 1984 under Master Paul Vizzio of the Fu Jow Pai (Tiger Claw System) style.
- 1987 began training under Master Yee Chi Wai of the Tang Fung Hung Ga Kung Fu and Lion Dance Academy. Achieved Black Belt status in 1990. Through diligent service his school he was awarded the position as Disciple of the system in 1992, thus receiving the adoptive title name of Yee Bei Tak.
- 1992 began training Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan under Master Chan Wai Gung
- 1993 continued his development in the Lam Family Hung Ga style under Master Y. C. Wong in San Francisco, CA.
- 1994 began his studies of the Bak Mei style under Master Kwong Man Fong. In 1996 he was accepted as a formal disciple of the system.
- 1997 began his studies of the Toisan Style Bak Hok style under Master Chu Hui (Zhu Hu Ren) In Phoenix, AZ.
1998 began his studies of the Lung Ying (Dragon Shape) and Mok Ga styles under Master Steve Martin in San Diego, CA.
In 2004 was accepted as a formal disciple of two systems.
- In his many years of training Sifu Pena has been a successful competitor in the Open Circuit and Chinese Style Specific Martial Arts Tournaments. He has won many trophies, medals and titles at these events.
- Sifu Pena is also a well sought after Tournament Judge, having held numerous positions throughout the United States.
- He is also a Physical Therapist Assistant and with this brings a unique knowledge of human physiology plus extended knowledge into Oriental Medicine theory and philosophy.
- At present time Sifu Pena offers private and semi-private instruction in:
. Hung Ga (Hung Family)
. Lung Ying (Dragon Shape)
. Bak Mei (White Eyebrow)
. Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan (Yang Family system)
- Sifu Pena is also the head Lion Dance Coach of the TWCSA.
:yinyang:
