I've been stressing the necessity of travel to the country of origin in the art you study for the expressed purpose of learning from the local cultural masters. I have a strong belief that:
1) You will understand more of how to practice.
2) You will meet individuals that began around 3 years old.
3) Many have centered theri spiritual aspect and create unusual talents, of hitting with out hitting.
4) Control over the physical and meta-physical self.
5) The understanding of the "why?" practice necessity.
And the many more creative developments of their internal energy with complete control. I met one old gentleman so flexible he could bend his fingers backward and touch his right forearm with the fingernail with his right fingers, as well as the left. Can you come up with some.