These are some of the more frequent question we get asked

Question: How do you integrate new students into a class that’s already been training for a while?

Answer: At the Las Vegas Kung Fu Academy, this is one question that the majority of beginners ask. The answer is that we have beginner through advanced classes. There are some intermediate and advanced skill level students in these beginner classes but they understand that the curriculum will be catered toward beginners. Actually, kung fu does not have advanced techniques but rather simple techniques mastered and performed with conditioning and agility.

Question: What is the difference between kung fu and karate?

Answer: The simplest answer would be that kung fu and karate are both martial arts but kung fu comes from China while karate would come from Japan. They are both similar in that they involve blocking striking and kicking. All styles will have different methods of training and philosophies. Some martial arts have the goal of teaching violence as a tool to survive, while other martial arts focus on competitions. Some martial arts focus on defending against modern weapons like guns and knives. In addition to styles being different, many martial art teachers are very different in nature, patience level and ability to progress students. The average person should look around carefully and decide what kind of experience they want to recieve before sighning up at any school.

Question: As an older adult, is kung fu really for me?

Answer: At the Las Vegas Kung Fu Academy, the only requirement for training is a a strong intrest and desire to learn kung fu. You always work at your own pace. Our adult martial arts program will give you the opportunity to train with people at your own level. There will never be any instructor yelling at you. We have students as old as 64 and people who had never worked out before. The adult class consists of all types of students from all walks of life. We have both women and men, young and old as students. The training curriculum has been designed so that you will progress and receive the benefits of martial arts at the most efficient pace possible regardless of background, age or athletic ability. Whether your interests involve getting in shape, self defense or developing your mind to a high level, our school may be able meet your needs.

Question: Can kung fu be used in a real life fight?

Answer: First, kung fu should only be used as a last resort. Kung fu was originally developed as a system of self defense. Things combative in nature such as strikes to the eyes, throat and groin are still a part of kung fu. In ancient times “self defense” meant a life and death situation! In today's uncertain world, self defense still involves having to use potetially injurous techniques in order to preserve one's own life. It is only through the magic of Hollywood cinema that kung fu has gained a reputation for being “flashy”.

Second, learning kung fu is so much more about self development than it is about fighting. Kung fu is a way of life and a way of thinking.

Question: Are the animal styles like the crane, tiger, leopard and the snake real kung fu?

Answer: Animal styles are real. At the Las Vegas Kung Fu Academy, we teach a style of kung fu that is not derived from the imitation of animals but there are certain hand strikes that resemble animal strikes such as the tigers claw,“fu jow” in Chinese or the cranes beak (Bok Hok). But having a purely animal style takes away from actual effective technique.

Question: What is the difference between Escrima, Kali and Arnis?

Answer: Escrima, Kali and Arnis are 3 different words for the same art. It really depends on the person teaching the style and what they refer to it as. In different regions and time periods of the Philippines, they had different names for martial arts. At one time or another many of the masters of the Filipino martial arts trained and sparred with one another and traded techniques. The training methods used to develop skill sets are extremely similar across most of the different variations of the Filipino martial arts. Every Guru or master teaching escrima will teach a little differently. Which is just like saying that every boxing coach has their own way of developing boxers.

Question: Can martial arts help me feel less fearful when faced with a possible physical confrontation?

Answer: Fear in confrontations is the same as fear in any other aspect of life. Fear comes from the unknown. Fear comes from not knowing what to expect. In a fight it could be fear from not knowing how dangerous an possible opponent is. Or it could be from not knowing what to do if suddenly attacked with violence. Fear can come from the psychological tactics of someone trying to intimidate or threaten you. The only way to conquer fear is to understand what is now unknown to you. Training in the martial arts can help with understanding. Awareness of your own mental state and confidence in your own abilities is just one part of the overall situation. But those are the only things you can control.

Question: How much will I get out of training with you?

Answer: The answer is - You get out of it what you put into it.

Nothing is free in this world. Improving your physical abilities such as agility, speed, balance, coordination, fluidity, stability, and mobility takes work. Improving your mental abilities such as concentration, harmony, patience, self control, and self discipline takes work. The only way you are ever going to know whether this will help you gain the benefits that you want to gain, is to come in and experience it for yourself.