I just started Toas Nabard Kung Fu (Just had my second class today) and we do forms, but we also hit the bags and spar as well.
As it says in the book “The Making of a Butterfly” on page 49, “The striking post was one of Chen’s favorite training devices.” (makiwara) “You can practice techniques all day long but you will never know if your sword (weapons, hands, ect) is really strong or sharp until you hit something. You will not know if you are making mistakes, either. This post will whisper the truth in your ears.”
As well, he goes on to state: “You must practice this (hitting the bag) every day. Winter, summer, rain, snow…every day. In two years you will have very strong weapons.”
I have heard on this forum a lot of stories from people who say that all they do are forms all day long. How long have they been training? Two weeks? Six months? I don’t know, but the Kung Fu place that I go too starts you on bags and sparing pretty quickly. In fact, Master Soffakhu has even developed his own specialized training equipment for hiting and kicking things.
Obviously you have to learn the basics first though I guess. I mean if you don’t even know how to punch correctly should your sifu let you spar? Won’t you only screw up your training by learning bad habits through sparing before you know what you’re supposed to be doing? As well, if you don’t know the defensives moves right then letting you spar too quickly could just get you needlessly hurt perhaps? I don’t know, but I would imagine that these are valid concerns.
I think that you should talk to your sifu about your concerns and find out what he or she says about sparing and things like the Makiwara and punching bags. As well, just know that other places, like the Toas Nabard Kung Fu that I am now taking start you off on weapons and things like Iron Body training right from the get go. So, please don’t think that all Kung Fu places only do forms for 5 years and never any actual contact with anything.
Have a good one.
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