Looking for traditional Chinese sword art training in St. Louis
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Flying Crane
Sr. Grandmaster
I would be very very surprised if you found such instruction. Sword tends to be taught as part of a larger system and a Sifu will not likely teach you sword without you first becoming his student and learning the larger system. And sword is definitely not the first weapon taught.
If you simply walk into a school and ask to be taught sword straight away, the answer will likely be no.
If you simply walk into a school and ask to be taught sword straight away, the answer will likely be no.
I have a friend that teaches high level filipino martial arts in St. Louis, if I could train with him regularly I would. If you're not familiar with FMA it's worth checking out. You'll start from day one with a weapon and with a quality instructor youll be moving well in no time. I find FMA is a good medium area between traditional martial arts and more modern reality based systems. A lot of the stick training carries directly over to blade and empty hand fighting. If you're interested let me know.
Flying Crane
Sr. Grandmaster
Well it's not so much that solid Kung fu would be a plus. It's that it is the only thing, and sword may be a part of that. Then what you really should focus on is simply finding a good kung fu school. If sword is part of what is taught there, then you may learn it. But be prepared to make a serious commitment of time and energy in training the full system, before you ever pick up a sword.
Thank you for both of your responses.
Flying Crane, I desire to study Chinese straight sword and would like to study Kung Fu. I understand how they are usually a package deal. Finding good Kung Fu in St. Louis would be fantastic. My main goal would be to find a respected Kung Fu school that has solid straight sword curriculum.
Mephisto, I have looked into Filipino martial arts before and have always been interested in them. I appreciate the offer of connecting me with a school in the area. However, I would like to search for a Chinese martial arts school first before I travel that path. I will reach out to you if that search ends in failure.
Flying Crane, I desire to study Chinese straight sword and would like to study Kung Fu. I understand how they are usually a package deal. Finding good Kung Fu in St. Louis would be fantastic. My main goal would be to find a respected Kung Fu school that has solid straight sword curriculum.
Mephisto, I have looked into Filipino martial arts before and have always been interested in them. I appreciate the offer of connecting me with a school in the area. However, I would like to search for a Chinese martial arts school first before I travel that path. I will reach out to you if that search ends in failure.
Flying Crane
Sr. Grandmaster
I'm glad you are recognizing the issue for what it is. That is the best way to deal with it.
I do not know the St. Louis area and cannot make a recommendation. If you can find some websites and link them here, a few of us might be able to give you our thoughts. Keep in mind: often the more traditional minded Sifu may not run a public school and may not advertise and may not have a web site. They may train and teach in the back yard or garage. In my opinion, these are usually the best ones, butn they can be difficult to find if you don't have the right connections. So keep looking, ask around, make connections. Let us know what you find and we'll give some thoughts.
AleahParcon
White Belt
Maybe this site could help what you are looking for Home Garimot Arnis Training - Saint Louis 
greytowhite
Green Belt
I don't know if they've gotten to sword work but there is a student of Li Baohua's teaching Ma Gui (Yin Fu lineage) baguazhang. I'll PM you.
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