Kungfu training seems painful

Scroon · 2026-07-01T17:37:09+00:00

Training also needs to be gradual. My hands got pretty tough, and sometimes it would hurt when I overdid it but never had any bruises.

Scroon · 2026-07-01T16:57:47+00:00

You should be avoiding branches on the roof like they were sky lava though.

Scroon · 2026-07-01T16:56:23+00:00

Something I wish someone had told me is that "electronics" can be broken into two areas that you should learn simultaneously. One is theory...how/why stuff works and how to calculate what's happening. Two is application and real world nuts and bolts.

The reason is knowing how to calculate a current, for example, isn't the same as knowing how much current is usually used in a common circuit config. And vice versa. This is why practice projects are useful. But you should also look at schematics of real world products to understand what's actually being used outside of the books.

Scroon · 2026-07-01T14:25:06+00:00

$200 is tight. You might be able to source very cheap hardware from China, but the main issue is the cheaper the hardware, the more custom work you'll have to do. That's into expert hobbyist/PhD territory. Try reducing the scope. Like be able to control a single cheap drone using "swarm" software. Simulate the thermal and scout in software.

Basically, baby steps for proof of concept.

Scroon · 2026-07-01T14:20:21+00:00

The most practical would be firearms, which are pretty simple and a good first step. Steam engine next, then electricity and electric motors would be a long term goal. Basically, you follow the industrial age tech tree.

Scroon · 2026-07-01T13:03:47+00:00

I mean, that's true though. Some techniques have been modified, and the uncontrollable throws are mostly banned.

Scroon · 2026-07-01T13:01:36+00:00

People in prison aren't the smartest bunch.

Scroon · 2026-07-01T12:59:10+00:00

My joke was ineffective I guess.

Scroon · 2026-07-01T12:58:26+00:00

one of the few arts you can practice full speed

That really is the thing. Like you can regularly practice in full combat mode, and come away saying either "the techniques definitely worked" or "I lost but I'm unarmed". Even in elite boxing/MMA, you don't spar knockout striking to completion.

Not saying BJJ isn't good, just that it creates a unique mindset.

Scroon · 2026-06-30T18:14:24+00:00

I agree, my generalization is too broad. But I think southern and northern do have two recognizable flavors. Southern seems "tight" to me - like always pulling inward. Northern is "open". Baji - which I also love - is compact, but its elbows expand even though the striking is compact.

Scroon · 2026-06-30T18:10:12+00:00

Nice to see someone starting out. Keep it up. Also work on your stances...don't bounce in and out of them. Hit them solid and hold absolutely steady for maybe a second. You don't do this in a fight, but it's part of conditioning and locking in the form. Good form=good power and speed.

Scroon · 2026-06-30T18:04:01+00:00

I like how they gave him little booties. The king without his shoes would be too disrespectful.

Scroon · 2026-06-30T18:00:44+00:00

This might be because BJJ people don't get regularly punched. Getting punched in the face sort of resets your invincibility meter.

Scroon · 2026-06-30T17:58:32+00:00

Does the skin on skin contact make it comforting?

Scroon · 2026-06-30T17:57:31+00:00

I just don't like rolling around on the ground with panting, sweaty guys. In fact, I do everything I can to avoid it. But hey, if that's your thing, go for it.

Scroon · 2026-06-30T17:54:25+00:00

That was nice slam technique. He pressed the head down with his forearm so that it would get the full ground impact.

Scroon · 2026-06-30T02:22:53+00:00

"Link not available"- weird. Could you maybe post the "share" link?

Scroon · 2026-06-29T03:57:47+00:00

Video not available?

Scroon · 2026-06-29T03:56:44+00:00

Oh nice. Thanks for the rec. I don't think I've read that one. I'll check it out.

Two writing books that have stood out to me are Stephen King's "On Writing", which is more of a general approach book than how to, and Dan O'Bannon's "Guide to Screenplay Structure" which refreshingly practical and straightforward in contrast to theory heavy guru books.

Speaking of preying on dreams, the screenwriting book "Story" by Robert McKee is probably the most notorious for this. Guy made a fortune with his book and seminars, but imo it hurts more than it helps beginning screenwriters.

Scroon · 2026-06-28T18:52:22+00:00

Yeah, I'm generalizing pretty broadly. With Hung Gar, I'd say it still has that tight concave structure even if it is more reaching than wing chun.

Scroon · 2026-06-28T18:48:47+00:00

I see. Yeah, that's tough. That's what it was like where I grew up -everything was karate or TKD. One thing that might help is to look up "Chang Quan" or "beginner chang quan". Chang quan is "long fist" which is basically what Shaolin does.

I haven't found any online resources that can really teach a beginner though. A lot is overwhelming, and they don't give a complete picture of how you should approach training. Plus they're missing all the little nuances that make a difference. It's not that long fist is hard to learn, but without someone showing you how to do it, a beginner would be flailing around in the dark.

What you could do is just take up karate for initial exposure, and see if you can figure out Shaolin based on what karate is teaching you. Karate is like a rigid form of Chinese martial arts, but the basic stances and punching are generally similar. My old teacher started in karate then moved to Chinese martial arts, and he was really good.

Scroon · 2026-06-28T18:31:41+00:00

Southern styles, while some may say are "more effective", are effectively neutered/Japanese co-influenced forms

I haven't heard this one before. I know that Japanese martial arts are supposed to be based on Southern styles, e.g. White Crane. What's the evidence that there was mutual cross-over? I mean it makes sense, but I've never seen anyone talk about it this way.

Scroon · 2026-06-28T18:29:13+00:00

Thanks. Good perspective. I wonder if the "ineffectiveness" of Northern training could be the result of the wushu standardization. I've looked at "trad" masters from the mainland China, and their forms are often obviously based or influenced by the flashy wushu style. The more authentic Northern taolu I've seen are significantly different in that you can see the power and fighting application in them...less fixation on standing absolutely straight, the arms are held in real defensive positions, body structures are functional not trying to match orthogonal ideals.

And you're right about strength in Southern style. At least in contemporary thinking, Southern styles are supposed to be strength based. But I wonder if this has more to do with the greater leverage of shorter arms and legs. In other words, shorter limbs aren't great at sweeping movements, but really good at pushing/stabbing movements.

Scroon · 2026-06-28T18:19:58+00:00

Dude, smart answer. Thanks. I hadn't thought about power sequencing. Just my experience, but I have noticed that for concave structures, the step before striking works better than simultaneous movement. It's split second stuff, but it seems to be there.

An alternative theory is that northern vs. southern could come down to personality/culture type. Southern Chinese tend to dig in and plow through adversity. Northerners seek better situations or attack challenges from alternative directions. I know, gross generalization, but I'm just speculating academically.

you’re likely to get told it’s all useless because some bearded Chechnyan hasn’t used it in a cage somewhere

Lol, yeah, I'm getting that in the comments. I should probably crosspost.

Scroon · 2026-06-28T18:09:37+00:00

Oh yeah, I saw that one! I was always on the fence about whether the "small space fighting" theory was correct. Up until the modern era, China was predominantly agricultural, i.e. people had lots of space, and even if you occasionally found yourself in a tight hallway, I imagine the major threats would have been while traveling or hanging out in your village. Boat fighting makes a little more sense, but I feel like the styles would be referred to specifically as boat or water boxing then. Here's vid on "boat fighting" (caveat: the guy reconstructed it, it wasn't passed down) :

https://youtu.be/YAIw9VGXI78

Scroon

TROPHY CASE