thats likely to be the most helpfull answer you will ever get in this "forum" why not go ask /b/?

Why not dothe press ups on fingers to build bone strength and do gripping exercises and wrist curls to strengthen the forearm muscles

1 more question.

What's more beneficial: Sitting wrist curls, or standing?

~Riku

for the finger strengthening, you might want to look into uichi ryu *sp?* i dont know how to spell it but it's pronounced "wichi ryu*. anyway, that style deals with full body hardening. so thats one way to go

-ET

I think what i'm looking for is Yin Style Baguazhang. Snake Style.

~Riku

Well some advice I can give you on not to jam your fingers when striking is...

have your fingers slightly bent. That way if you strike your fingers wont curl back and instead just go into a fist if it goes wrong (which wouldnt be bad).

Also you can strengthen your strikes so they dont hurt as much by...

Using some sort of material to just strike. A lot of people say to practice on the beach and hit into the sand. As you get more advanced in it they sell pads to strike.

Thanks, that works pretty well =]

~Riku

See if you can find someone to teach you open palm. You mostly use palm strikes and your fingers to hit. If you're female, then you'll probably have an easy time of it as well.

I've been lucky enough to find a good teacher, and so far I love it. He's also teaching me some judo and grappling alongside everything, so I'm not sure if open palm employs these throws or if he's just showing me other stuff, too.

Good luck finding something.

There are palm striking techniques taught in some Chinese martial arts that you would need a teacher to guide you. (Its not just converting fists to palms.) A different type of percussion can be generated with the mechanics of an open hand and proper training of delivery.

The same is true for finger tip attacks. Find a qualified teacher in Chinese martial arts. There are specific finger strengthening drills, targeting and striking techniques that require a knowledgeable instructor.

IMO,When it comes to Chinese martial arts, seek out instructors instead of styles. There are countless styles (family styles, regional/town styles, monastery styles, etc…), but there is also a lot of cross-training and overlap. Once you find a skilled teacher that is willing to work with you, specialize in the areas of interest to you. Make the art your own – if you are really into finger-tip attacks, make that the lions share of your home practice and experiment with integrating these attacks with new technique you learn in class. A skilled teacher will be able to guide you in this.

Don’t make the mistake of self-training. Reading books, watching instructional videos and getting advice on-line are all great ways to get ideas but it does not replace a teacher. Also, learning strikes without learning the proper delivery and context is like learning vocabulary in a foreign language without learning grammar. You may be able to express yourself on a basic level but will be clumsy and ineffective.