Obtaining a quality Shaolin kung fu education for free may be difficult. At the least, you will probably have to borrow books and videos, and in order to advance to a deep level of technical understanding a mentor who can interact with you is vital. While it is possible to find such a person willing to work with you for free, you will have to be resourceful in finding them.
Step 1
Look for discount options at schools. Some schools might be willing to accept work in lieu of payment for classes, but such places are the exception rather than the rule. Many schools will offer discounts if you bring in other students, so if you're a good recruiter such a program could be your ticket to minimizing, or eliminating, the cost of a Shaolin education.
Step 2
Get specific with your style and instructor. There are many schools of Shaolin kung fu, and each school is slightly different. Instead of picking up any book or video with "Shaolin kung fu" in the title, focus on a specific style or a specific instructor who has published enough material to provide an in-depth education. It would be a good idea to do your homework before settling into a particular style or instructor so that you don't have to change later on due to a lack of available material.
Step 3
Use multiple media. Photographs, books, demonstrations, and videos are all potential sources of information on a style's techniques. Look for books and videos in libraries and on the internet. Try to diversify your material as much as you can, ensuring as many angles on any one technique as possible. This approach will minimize the amount of time you have to spend interpreting what information you have.
Step 4
Find a practice partner or non-professional instructor. A senior student or former instructor who has moved away from their school may be willing to train with you for free in order to keep himself fresh. Look for these people at colleges, in athletic areas of parks, or on social networking sites. Most schools have prohibitions on their students providing instruction, in order to preserve the quality of their art, so practice partners may be limited in what they are willing to share. Even with such a restriction, most students would be comfortable practicing applications, drills or sparring with you.
Step 5
Take your time. Without an instructor your study will be a matter of trial and error, working on a form and its applications until you think you have it right and then coming at it from a different angle to ensure that you haven't missed anything. Avoid practicing esoteric body-hardening training without supervision as such training can be damaging if not done correctly. Even if you are not in a formal school, it is a good idea to consult a physician before starting your training.
References
- "Authentic Shaolin Heritage: Training Methods Of 72 Arts Of Shaolin";Zhong, Jin Jing and Timofeevich, Andrew; 2008
- "Unlocking Kung Fu: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners"; Knapp, Noah; 2008
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