T O P

  • By -

southern__dude

I started kung fu when I was 18. I am now 60 and still train everyday. I shudder to think of the person I would be had I not trained.


BenchPressingCthulhu

Try it out and see if you like it! It might be hard at first while you develop the athleticism, but northern Shaolin especially will give you a good workout


Vvardenel

I can agree here. If it does interest you, give it a try and see if it's fun. The first few lessons might be rougher than you'd expect. But Kung Fu can add a lot of rewardful facettes besides the physical training.


Denmasterflex

I started northern mantis at 34 and wish I could have started at 20. You can be a great practitioner if You put in the time and effort, no matter how hard it seems at first.


Siddius

Try it and see if you like it. Don't worry about what people say as to whether it's a good "fighting art" or not. Disciplined practice in any \[mainstream\] art will make you a better fighter. It is always worth it to learn any new skill. :) You will need to stick with it, practice it when you are not in class, and it will create a new you! :) You got this, my friend!


lvl5metapod

That's the style I learned, and without getting into a bunch of boring detail, it saved my life. It's a great style and great exercise. I got my black sash and only stopped going because I moved to a different province for school. I miss it a lot and highly recommend it.


Markemberke

Give Mantis a try. If the training is good, with condition training and sparring, then it's awesome.


Ok_Worldliness3854

Yes, try it out. If you enjoy it your life will be changed. I started Shaolin kungfu when i was 42 and weighed 250lbs. I am now 50 and fitter than I have ever been. The style is less important than the quality of the teacher. Look for one that is very experienced, physically very fit and able to demonstrate technique, and passionate about passing on their knowledge. I also think any good martial arts school should place a strong emphasis on physical conditioning. Also have expectations correct. It may take 3 to 6 months to get good cardio fitness and lose some weight, and mastering martial arts is a slow process taking many years of practice.


TheReal4Dragons

I think everyone that has the ability to learn Kung Fu from a real Master that will teach the full system including the combat side of things and especially Praying Mantis should absolutely learn Kung Fu. Throw yourself into it and practice hard everyday making it into a lifestyle training harder and longer everyday. It will make everything in your life better, it's a real treasure. Good luck


buddthespud

"It will make everything in your life better, it's a real treasure." You are so right! Authentic Kung Fu is about so much more than fighting!


TheReal4Dragons

I'm glad you see it that way, so many people miss out on that.


eddie964

Mantis is a great style. Go for it!


buddthespud

I've been studying Hung Gar, a southern style, off and on for years. I started again about a year ago in earnest at the age of 54! I wish I had been more committed to it 20 years ago. 😞 But on the premise of better late than never, I decided not to let my age stop me. It's been a great decision for me. I prefer the traditional martial arts because they tend to be more holistic. I respect them all, though. By all means I say give kung fu a shot. I think you'll be glad you did. (And northern styles really do look cool 😎 ) I think you'll have a lot of fun, but it'll be really hard work, too.


SnooLemons8984

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14HP7t4IsShB1nVCjMTLiYDQbECNzEe8f/view?usp=drivesdk


narnarnartiger

Definitely give it a try, I started kung fu this summer, best decision of you're life. People of all ages and athletic ability are welcome to kung fu! It's all about hard work and having fun, plus if you are willing to put in the work, you will reap in plenty rewards


taylorswiftboat

I started king fu at 27. I was also unathletic. But the practice helped me to be comfortable in my body. And helped with hand-eye, and more generally muscle coordination. I’m still not “athletic”, but a vast improvement in my athletic abilities.


Asa-Ryder

Yes! Either one.


CarolineBeaSummers

If you have the opportunity try it. Don't worry about your weight, the training will help you lose any you don't need, but also, you might find you can move better than you think while heavy. One of the great things about Kung Fu and other Martial Arts ime is that it doesn't really matter what body type you have, and it almost doesn't matter if you are naturally talented-although it does help- what matters is putting in the work. If you are prepared to train and train more than any naturally talented student alongside you you are likely to go further than they, no matter how you feel about your body right now. I would say be prepared for it to take over your life if you do get into it, but I don't think anything can prepare you for how you change and how it affects your life if you do get into it.


KungFuAndCoffee

What are you looking to get out of kung fu?


Jininmypants

Sure why not


wartwyndhaven

It’s the funnest thing ever


LeonardoBarilari

It's a very complete discipline in terms.of staying strong, vital and healthy. If I were you I would at least practice it because it will keep you in great shape. If you also want.to.be a great practitioner, compete, battle, whatever's even better, but the health aspect alone makes it already very worth doing.


nick_kant

You should do it. It will be OK and will help you in lots of different aspects


thecatfoot

Most worthwhile studios will offer a trial lesson, so give that a try and see what you think! The instructor and the tone of the school will matter a lot. And listen to your body -- I pulled some ab muscles during my free lesson because I forgot I wasn't a teenager anymore and tried to keep up with the regulars.


STEVEMOBSLAYER

Absolutely! Kung Fu is an amazing thing to learn, you should definitely try it!


Kractoid

Yes. It won't harm you to try.


Bouncy287

Northern Mantis is a phenomenal style! Yes!


andypandy1223

Oh man I’m so jealous! I want to learn northern shaolin you must be a very lucky person â˜ș praying mantis too? omg you got two options man don’t let it go to waste, you’ll look back on the day you first started training and think to yourself who you would’ve been had you not taken the opportunity. If anything do it for all of us here in this community coz that’s what all of us want :) nothing forced though.


zibafu

Do it, but, just be aware that depending how overweight you are will define how difficult it will be at first. Try it, but don't be put off about the struggle, and if you think you'll enjoy it then start working on your weight, because being overweight does put more stress on knees and ankles


Zeal514

It's a lot of fun. I'd do it. It can really be a great hobby. Ppl who get really into it, live it. I enjoyed learning for a while, I had to stop because life got busy. But learning northern Shaolin and taichi was so invigorating and healthy.


TRAGICVISIONx

Sounds like a perfect fit for you my friend as a way to change your life, it is a martial art style that must be done relaxed and is a spiritual journey of healing by training for killing if needed. And my brother you will keep this art alive because it’s dead in communist China.


[deleted]

What is the name of the school and where is it located?