How can I learn Chinese Kung Fu?

I know "Chinese Kung Fu" is a broad subject, because several ( or hundreds? ) of different martial arts are considered kung fu. I would like a good start though, what do you recommend? What should I watch? What should I read? How healthy/in shape should I be? What style(s) should I study first





Thanks In Advance|||"kung fu" just means the amount of skill you have acquired from your training in anything - not necessarily martial arts.





Books are good for learning ABOUT martial arts but it's best to find an instructor to study under.





Google Maps is a great way to find a place near you.





Type your zipcode along with the term "martial arts" or "kung fu" and you will get a mapped out result with all in your area.|||Research the topics of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, Southern Shaolin Kung Fu, the societal and legal precepts of those times, and the various animal forms of kung fu (5 classic being crane, tiger, leopard, snake, and dragon). Material can be found on google, though I don't verify their authenticity.





For actually learning the techniques, you need to find a school or instructor that will teach you. It doesn't particularly matter which style you learn first, as they are all based upon some fundamental principles that are the same for all styles. Just the application and techniques differ from one to another. Different specializations.





You won't know from just the name of the school where their lineage came from originally, so simply engage in conversation with one of the head instructors on the matter. Ask them what they trace their lineage back to. If they don't answer clearly and confidently, there might be a problem with that school's authenticity.





http://hubpages.com/hub/Shaolin-Five-Ani鈥?/a>





Read that for a general description of the animal forms. Just to get an idea into your head of what's the point of naming them after animals.|||Watch Kung-Fu panda, read Men's Fitness. And you don't need to be in shape, watch Beverly Hills Ninja. and study Kama Sutra|||look online for a dojo near you, a good teacher is better than any other material you could watch or read.