which kung fu style do you recommend i pick up?

I've been doing taekwondo for a bit, but I'm looking for something that's more practical for self defense in the streets. I'm really interested in kung fu, but I see that there are countless different styles. Which style deals with a good balance between kicks, punches, and weapons? I'm from New York and there are plenty of cowards who like to attack when they outnumber the person. I wanna be prepared to destroy a group of 4-5 haha. Thanks in advance!

Wing Chun - No nonsense, streamlined, close quarters fighting style.
Northern Praying mantis - Takes a while to get good at it, but once you do, you will be one bad dude.
Shuai Jiao - actually Chinese wrestling. Has some devestating throws.

Kung Fu For Self Defense

Kung Fu For Self Defense

Is Shaolin Kung Fu an effective form of Self Defense/Combat?

Many people are saying that the only practical styles of Kung Fu are arts like Wing Chun or Sanda and that the forms of Shaolin Kung Fu like the Animal styles are flowery and useless. And I know that there are quite a few people that only practice Shaolin Kung Fu for the health benefits so I am unsure.
Please tell me what you think and why you think that way.

Shaolin Kung Fu was made for combat/self defense against invaders, and all the arts have a lineage traced to the Shaolin temple, so to say it's ineffective is to say your Great grandfather is useless.

That being said, unless you're going to China, it depends on the Sifu you train under. America tends to be very watered down and unoriginal when it comes to most martial arts, especially Shaolin. That's why people dislike it. But when you see the average Shaolin Monk from China, you see how hard he conditions his mind, body soul? These people train for hours and commit their life to Kung Fu, of course it's something effective. These people train to put spears in their throat and then lay on it. Even balls conditioning.

So that's the real Shaolin for you. In America, it's really different, but it can still be effective depending on the person you train under and how much effort you put into what you do.

Kung Fu For Self Defense
Taoist Kung Fu Self-defense Tai Chi

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