Shou Shu; any redeeming factors?

**goodlun** · Posted On: 7/27/2012 12:47am

A neat part of the FAQ

Why don't I hear about Shou' shu' in the popular martial arts histories?

Actually there are a couple of reasons for this. One reason is because the art was underground
for so long. When the martial arts were outlawed in China, Shou' Shu' went underground. It
actually fell into the hands of the triads. The triads preserved it, but because they

**goodlun** · Posted On: 7/27/2012 12:49am

and the golden answer out of the FAQs

Do you Spar?
Not really. We have drills which are sparring like and designed to develop certain aspects of the
art. Unlike most schools which are focused around sparring, you will not find this at Sheng Chi
Kung Fu. We are a self defense art, not a sport. There are beneficial aspects of sparring and we
do have special classes outside of the regular curriculum which take advantage of these
benefits. These classes are invitation only and we only invite a student in when they are ready.

***jnp*** · Posted On: 7/27/2012 12:51am

Shou Shu; any redeeming factors?

Right now, Shou Shu's most verifiable factor seems to be the persistence of it's most fervent apologist, Beginners Mind. I can laud you for your ability to remain civil, although you're also occasionally extremely condescending.

Please go watch a Judo tournament in the near future.

If you take the time to learn the rules and are willing to join the parent Judo org that sponsors it (this mostly boils down to paying a rather low joining fee that includes a limited amount of health insurance for you if you get hurt), I think it would be a good litmus test for you.

**cualltaigh** · Posted On: 7/27/2012 1:09am

I particularly like this line:

Teachers are free to pass on arts regardless of their effectiveness. If they can convince their students that attaining such and such belt will render them invincible in the street, then that art will spread and that teacher's pockets will be filled.

In the context of this:

Originally Posted by W. Rabbit

Some of the abilities that come with the belt levels are simply amazing.

What is the level of each belt?

Orange Belt: Upon reaching this level you will have learned some of the basic moves. You will be familiar with the 12 Self-Defense techniques. As you continue to practice them, you will become exceptionally effective in defending yourself.

Purple Belt: The minimum level you should attain is the high purple belt, which takes approximately 8 months. This is when the art starts to become a reaction.

Blue Belt: When you reach the high blue belt level, you will be moving 3-5 times faster than you can now. You will be able to defend yourself against 2-3 people at the same time.

Green Belt:When you reach the green belt level, the training will never leave you. (It’s like riding a bike or swimming.)

Brown Belt: The brown belt is the first level of expert (this takes from 1 1/2 to 3 years).

Black Belt: When you reach the black belt level it will be as if the opponent is in slow motion. You will be able to react without hesitation or uncertainty.

I particularly like that by black belt level everything is in bullet time. Bravo.

**mike321** · Posted On: 7/27/2012 1:38am

Does any of the CMA guys know if this is in any way kung fu? Wearing the belt to the side during lessons and the techniques are a lot like kenpo. The OPs description of self defense techniques sound a lot like kenpo. The founder also studied kenpo.

**goodlun** · Posted On: 7/27/2012 1:46am

Originally Posted by mike321

Does any of the CMA guys know if this is in any way kung fu? Wearing the belt to the side during lessons and the techniques are a lot like kenpo. The OPs description of self defense techniques sound a lot like kenpo. The founder also studied kenpo.

Oh Oh let me answer this by turning to my handy dandy manual

I've heard it called Shou' Shu' Karate, is it Karate?
No, it's Kung Fu. However, in the 70's the teaching methodologies of Kempo Karate were
incorporated to teach Shou' Shu'. The system of teaching through techniques was borrowed
from Kempo karate. Even a lot of Kempo techniques were used. When they were taught, the
animal motions of Shou' Shu' were applied to them. They were only used as a vehicle to teach
Shou' Shu'. Shou' Shu' is not these techniques, it is a set of principles which teach a highly
efficient system. However, take the animal principles out and you basically have kempo karate.
© Sheng Chi Kung Fu 2010 16

Is Shou' Shu' similiar to other forms of Kung Fu?
No.

Are there other systems similar to Shou' Shu' Kung Fu?
Probably, but we haven't found them yet. When looking at other arts we'll sometimes recognize
pieces but we've never encountered an art that has anything more than a few of the pieces.

**mike321** · Posted On: 7/27/2012 2:07am

But wait, there is animal forms and principals in many styles of kenpo.

So even if you don't strip away these principals it would be....ke?po!

**ashkelon** · Posted On: 7/27/2012 4:12am

Originally Posted by Beginners Mind

I have used some of our stuff on the street and in competition, and have not felt under-equipped or under-prepared.

record?

***battlefields*** · Posted On: 7/27/2012 7:33am

Originally Posted by ashkelon

record?

You're a pushy ************, aren't you! Fucking hell, just believe the prick. What is this, a fucking witch hunt? Why is it so unfeasible to realize that someone who has repeatedly proven themselves to be completely oblivious to actual training would be able to work the bullshit they have learnt in an unnamed competition and in the deadly streets? Are you going to be a cynic all your life? Gosh!

**Chili Pepper** · Posted On: 7/27/2012 8:13am

Originally Posted by Beginners Mind

I cannot make the claim that our blue belts can beat up your upper ranks.

But ... but ... but ...

Blue Belt: When you reach the high blue belt level, you will be moving 3-5 times faster than you can now. You will be able to defend yourself against 2-3 people at the same time.

So a blue belt can successfully take on 2-3 opponents, but wouldn't be able to demolish a single opponent?