1. What
style of Kung-fu do you teach?
We teach Shaolin Kung-fu 5 animals system (dragon, snake, leopard,
tiger, and crane). Praying mantis system and monkey system are also
trained along with the 5 animal system. Our kung-fu system's fighting
and training techniques goes through whole spectrum of training from
empty hand, striking and kicking, to weapons, chin-na (seize and control)
joint locking, grappling, throwing arts, and pressure point fighting.
We move into the internal arts and the healing arts as you progress
in the system for a well rounded martial arts approach.
2. What
style of Tai Chi do you teach?
We currently teach Emperor's Long Fist Style Short form in our public Tai Chi class.
We also get train the Emperor's Long Fist System which involves many
other facets of Chinese Martial Arts. We do training push hands and combat applications
for Tai chi. Remember Tai Chi is a Martial art not just a form of exercise.
3. What
is Modern Arnis?
http://www.kungfuarnis.com/modernarnis.html
4. What
ages can children train?
Children ages 4 to 12 are allowed to train only in the Children's
Kung-fu Class.
Schedule: http://www.kungfuarnis.com/classschedule.html
Children ages 13 and above train in the adult's class and can take
any of the programs (with paid extra fee).
5. Do you
compete in Tournaments?
No, we are not a tournament school. We do allow students the opportunity
to attend tournaments on their own, but on their own accord and not
as a representative of our school. Tournaments are not our focus,
but rather training the martial arts for arts sake, and developing
good self defense skill and mindset.
6. Do you
spar?
We do spar and have different levels of sparring depending on the students
level.
-Still Sparring (no gear)- Tai Chi style slow movement to develop
sensitivity, coordination and control. For beginners and higher.
-Light Touch Sparring (no gear)- Very light touch sparring similar
to Still Sparring but using a little more speed and timing to develop
entering, trapping, and grappling concepts. Contact is very minimal
as strikes are concerned, very light contact touches, but moves into
take downs, joint locking, and light grappling for beginners and higher.
-Free Sparring (full sparring gear)- Light to Medium sparring
with light contact strikes movement, angling, speed and power development.
Use of take downs, joint locking, and light grappling and throws for
the intermediate to advanced student.
-Weapons Sparring (Staff or Escrima Stick)- (no gear) or (full
gear)- when performed without gear it is no contact weapons pattern
sparring developing accuracy, angling, and counter for counter movement.
With full gear, light contact sparring with weapons develops the reality
of proper movement for attack and defense with respect for the weapon.
We don't believe in full contact sparring.
-Chin Na
Sparring- is the Chinese grappling sparring. Ground fighting
is an important component which is implemented in the other sparring
formats as well as the grappling sparring by itself.
-Full contact in our terminology means we are trying to hurt
the opponent and in our class that is not acceptable. We do spar hard
at times but safety is our main concern at all times.
7. I have
previous martial arts training and have rank. Do I have to start at
white belt?
Yes. As with many school, especially kung-fu, there are many differences
in training curriculum which must be learned from the beginning. We
have many students that have different training experience and from
beginners to students who currently teach and run their own schools.
They start from the beginning. Of course you will learn quicker in
some instances with previous experience.
8. How
long does it take to get to Black Belt and how long between tests?
Our promotions and testing are done based on student performance and
training dedication. If you know the material at the level of proficiency
required then you are ready to test. We have no set time for testing
due to this reason. Not all students learn at the same pace. The average
time to reach white to black belt is around 4 to 5 years.
9. Are there
higher levels of Black Belt?
Yes. Follows the standard Dan or Duan Ranking of 1st to 10th Degree
Black Belt.
(note: Our Black Belt higher levels are much more difficult to attain
compared to certain other systems ex. 2nd degree in our system would
be equivalent to 4th degree in other systems. Average time between degrees
of Black Belt are average of 3 to 4 years per degree with regular training.
Training material is very difficult and covers higher level of theory,
forms, and technique.)