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Your Greatest Success
Comes from Reaching
Your Full Potential

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pick a style to study?:

You will need to decide which classes you are coming in for, but you are not locked in to any particular style or class. You are free to come and go as your interests change.

However it is important to remember that sooner or later all systems cover pretty much the same ground, though in different ways. The key is what works for you, and what you enjoy. What we are all hoping for is to match the method with the person. Do what you enjoy, and you will become a success.

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If I am interested, how do I go about signing up?

We recommend anyone interested come in and try out a class for free. There is no better way to get all the information you need.

The most important question to answer is "Are you comfortable?" Martial arts training is not easy, and it takes a lot of time and energy. No matter how knowledgeable the instructor is, you will not have long term success unless you are comfortable with the environment, and enjoy the classes. Trying out a class for free is the easiest way to answer this question.

After you have tried a class, if you like what you see, we recommend a Trial Membership. These are 3 months in length, offer a discount off the standard lesson rates, and include the uniform top. In 3 months of regular classes, you should get enough information to make an intelligent decision regarding your training.

If you enjoy it, welcome to the program. If you don't, well, it was nice to meet you. We don't believe in hard sell tactics. At least you now have more information to use when looking for your next school.

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Which classes are for beginners?

Pretty much all of them. All are open to advanced students as well. Because we teach martial arts for personal development, not for competition, there is no atmosphere of 'beating' anyone. All classes focus on working with, not against your partner. Because of this, a rank beginner can work with an adept and both will gain from the practice.

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With so many different styles, how do I sign up?

All of our training programs are based on the number of classes per week. Which class, or what day/ time is totally up to you. It does not need to stay constant, you may come in anytime you are free, according to the terms of your membership.

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What happens if I miss a class or go on vacation?

Just make up any classes you miss. If you are signed up for 2 classes per week, and miss one, come in for three classes the next week. If you are going out of town, double up before you go, or after you return. Whatever works for you is fine, we work on the honor system.

Enrollment however does mean purchasing a membership. While we will be as flexible as possible to let members make up classes they miss, tuition will be due regardless of actual class attendance.

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Do you require contracts?:

You will need to sign a contract for membership in the school. However we have several options to fit just about any need.

Starting out we have the trial memberships, which give you the oppontunity to try out every class we offer at a reduced cost. Hopefully by the time a person completes the trial membership, they should have a good idea of what sort of membership meets their needs and interests.

The best value is with our yearly memberships for adults and teenagers. Payments are due monthly, but the contract is for 12 months.

We also offer 'month to month' memberships, which continue until cancelled. The prices are higher than the yearly memberships, but the membership may be cancelled at any time given at least 10 days notice before a new calendar month.

We even have a one time single class rate for people who prefer to simply drop in.

Youth and children's memberships are of the 'month to month' variety, cancellable at any time. Again we ask to be given at least 10 days notice prior to the beginning of a new month.

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How do private lessons work?:

Normal classes follow a plan, and a curriculum set by the Instructor. Private lessons allow you to study anything you are interested in, at your own pace. Private lessons can cover in more depth subjects introduced in the standard classes, or delve into areas the Instructor is knowledgeable in, but does not teach to a group class.

Many people will take private lessons before or after a test to brush up on subjects, or reinforce areas which seem weak. We are happy to video tape private lessons so that you have a record of the techniques and theories to keep your practice on track.

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How much time does martial arts training require?

It's really up to you. Everything that draws people to martial arts requires a great deal of practice to achieve. To have lasting success, you need to reserve a corner of your life to training. However it need not be a large corner.

We recommend at least 2 classes per week to start. However there are many students on 1 class per week programs, and they do very well. It all depends on the individual.

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Do you participate in tournaments?

We do not, as a school participate in any competitions. This does not mean that we prevent anyone from competition, or even discourage it. It is up to the individual to use his or her skills in the way they wish.

Much of what we teach is fundamentally unsuited to competition. Our philosophy of self defense is simple: the attacker gets a quick nap, the student gets to go home. Internal martial arts are solely concerned with quality of life, not fame or standing. If ending a threat to your person means a poke in the eye, and run, so be it. Matches where safety or sportsmanship is a concern, are another situation entirely.

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How do you handle tests and ranking?

Traditionally in Chinese martial arts there are no tests, and no ranks. We do use a ranking system, but only as an aide to training.

For us, rank serves two purposes. First it allows the Instructor to organize the class. Secondly, it provides a short term goal, and a progress report on your education.

Because our schedule is so open, it can be difficult to keep track of every student's progress. For us, rank is a personal syllabus or curriculum gauge; each 'rank' corresponds to a portion of each style's curriculum. Rank is shown by the type of sash worn. The more black on a sash, the greater the student's experience.

Testing is an evauation of your understanding and abilities before moving on. We hold a test when an individual has mastered the curriculum for a given level. If the student's understanding is sufficient, it is time to move on to new techniques. If not, then a student needs more time to perfect his or her skills. There is no minimum or maximum time required before testing. We will schedule a test whenever someone is ready. There is never a fee for testing or evaluation.

Students test on all topics they have studied. Test curriculum may vary widely from one individual to another, depending on courses attended. Thus a student may choose to study and test in a single art, the whole curriculum, or anywhere in between.

For more information, see the School Protocol page.

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What is the rank progression in the school?

Students wear sashes both as a training tool, and as an indication of rank. We divide the curriculum and the sash into 7 sections. Every time a student passes a test, 1 section of the sash is dyed black. After 7 tests the sash is all black, and the student has achieved the rank of Adept or 'black belt'.

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What is difference between what you teach and Karate or Tae Kwon Do?

Karate is from Japan, Tae Kwon Do is from Korea. Japanese and Korean martial arts tend to specialize in one area or another. Karate and Tae Kwon Do are primarily focused on striking and kicking. Judo, from Japan is almost entirely based on throwing. Aikido is joint locks and throwing, but no striking or kicking.

Chinese martial arts on the other hand are based around 4 principles:

  • Kicking

  • Striking

  • Throwing

    •
  • Joint Locking


    • To the Chinese, these were the four areas that a complete martial art covered. If you had a good level of skill in these areas, you could defend yourself. All Chinese martial arts cover these four skills, but each goes about teaching, using, and emphasizing them in a different way.

    Don't you offer children's classes?

    At present we are continuing to hold classes for children, but we are not taking on any new students. We will discontinue these classes when our current students graduate to the adult class.

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