Ming Kung Fu Kung Fu

What to expect in the DRAGON CLASS
Compulsory Class

Environment : Calm Relaxed yet formal
Respect : Address senior students with respect, address teachers with titles
Routines : Having to learn long routine
Combat : General Partner work, soft to medium power
Qin Na : locks and holds work, soft to medium power
Weapons : Weapon routines, no Partner work
QiGong : Soft Qi Gong, in the beginning Hard QiGong Much Later
Expectations : Laoshi expects you to practice to improve oneself
Expectations : Uniform is compulsory after 3 months, see class page for details
Class Aim : should you study long enough (years), will cover almost every aspect of Chinese Shadow boxing, starting with slow taiji moving into faster fist forms, and mastering at least two weapons. This is the grading class which means this class is where you study the syllabus for the belts and certificates.

What to expect in the TIGER CLASS
Optional Class
Invitational only
Brave Die Hards only

What to Expect : Sore muscles, Bruises, maybe worse, Landing on floor
Environment : VERY formal, military, very strict
Respect : Address senior students with respect, address teachers with titles
Routines : No routines are taught
Combat : General Partner work, HEAVY power
Qin NA : locks and holds work, HEAVY power
QiGong : Hard Inner QiGong, learning the mental ability to ignore pain.
Expectations : Laoshi expects you to practice to improve oneself, and should you not, you will be beaten with a Chinese Cane, and should you still not you will be asked to leave. Beating, especially with a Chinese Cane, is for late students, lazy students or merely to build resistance to pain. A "once a week" abstinence of something, usually meat is expected from the student. This is to remind us of others that are Less fortunate.
Expectations : Uniform is compulsory after 3 months, see class page for details
Class Aim : aims at teaching self defense combat proficiency, aims at toughening the student, aims at turning the student into a Kung Fu Athlete, this class is going to be painful, may often give you bruises and you will often be beaten with a Chinese Cane, fists and kicked anywhere on your body. You have to take the Dragon class whilst taking Tiger.

What to expect at the SANSHOU Full contact CLASS
Optional Class
Brave ones only

Environment : VERY strict
Respect : address teachers with titles
Content : Fitness & Sparring Only
Combat : General Partner work, MEDIUM to FULL power
Qin NA : locks and holds work, SOFT to FULL power
Weapons : NO
QiGong : Hard QiGong
Expectations : Uniform is Shorts, Gloves and GumGuards
Class Aim : Sport Ring based Fighting (point scoring).

What to expect at the PRIVATE CLASS
Optional Class
One on One Training

Environment : VERY strict
Respect : address teachers with titles
Routines : Yes
Combat : General Partner work, SOFT to FULL power
Qin NA : locks and holds work, SOFT to FULL power
Weapons : Weapon routines, no Partner work
QiGong : Hard / Soft QiGong
Expectations : Uniform is not compulsory
Class Aim : aims at improving whatever area the student wants to work on.

What to expect from the
Teacher (Lao3 Shi1) /Student (Xue2 Tu) Relationship

The students are, UNLIKE OTHER SCHOOLS, not expected to keep up with the other students in the class. Some students want to take the slow and relaxed road, others want to push themselves to the maximum.

In our school, each and every student is assessed all the time and the progress of that student is matched against him/herself. The teacher student relationship works on a basis of: the harder the student works the more the teacher will drive you. Should you think the teacher is not working you hard enough then you ARE TOTALLY EXPECTED to tell the Laoshi this. Likewise should you believe you are being pushed too hard you ARE TOTALLY EXPECTED to tell the Laoshi this.

What to expect for the Disciples (Tu2 Di4) or Todai
As in traditional Chinese arts, the Laoshi is always looking for Disciples "indoor students", should they satisfy the "hard work" requirements, to train separately with Laoshi and be pushed to the ultimate maximum, mentally & physically.

To become a disciple, one would need to convey this wish to the Laoshi, (in absolute private and confidence), even if you only intend on starting the journey of discipleship in months or years to come. Should this be accepted a special stepping through the door ceremony will take place and then TOTAL dedication to the school and it's teachers and students will be expected.

Disciples will then begin studying as much as can be learnt. This process is a humbling and growth process. The disciple will be expected to improve abstinence, physical inner strength, their ability to use Qi and learn the way of the Daoist Martial Artist. The disciple dedicates oneself completely to The KWOON to reach an ultimate level, this person must follow all three paths of Dragon, Tiger & Crane, he/she, will eventually become the best he/she is capable of, will not know limits and must fulfill tasks like Physical & Mental tests (constantly) and may have Teaching responsibilities.

These Disciples will not pay anything for this pupilage as it is an inner growth and journey not just study. The Disciples will be examples to all students and thus Alcohol and Smoking is strictly forbidden for any Disciple and keeping in shape is paramount. A once a week food fast, and a once a week good deed devotion is Compulsory. This does not mean one must stop having fun, actually when one stops drinking and attends parties and gatherings etc., the fun is actually better and such can be savoured, with memory, the days after. The path of a disciple is to experience more not experience less.

Not being able to tell the Laoshi of your wish to become a disciple means you are not ready. Being a teacher and being a disciple is not the same thing. Being a teacher is learning the ability to develop and utilise effective and modern methods of creating kungfu athletes. Being a disciple is a lot more, as it entails a dedication to the Kwoon, almost like being a monk but without the religious aspect. Each disciple is entitled to their own religion. This discipleship is the path to becoming a Gong Fu Monk (Seng1). There is nothing fancy and magnificent, just hard work and skill.

To become a Disciple

these are the steps:

1 Stating your intention to becoming a disciple

2 Studying extra private classes (FREE) with the other disciples (Candidate Disciple)

3 Rite of Passage: (SiDai- Junior Brother)
.....1 Testing on general ability to absorb knowledge
.....2 Testing on practice
.....3 Testing on Mind ability to ignore pain and thus take control
.....4 Minimum of Green Belt or Level 3 is required
.....5 Vows of abstinence

4 Rite Of Passage: (SiHing -Older Brother)
.....1 a 2 Hour theory test on Internal Boxing is required to be passed
.....2 a certain amount of hours in classes and private classes etc.
.....3 a very heavy hard qigong session needs to be passed
.....4 Minimum of Red Dan 1 Belt or Level 5 is required
.....5 Vow of abstinence from alcohol for the rest of your life
.....6 Vow of abstinence from Cigarettes/drugs for the rest of your life
.....7 Vow of non-promiscuity for the rest of your life
.....8 A weekly fast from Meat
.....9 Regular meditation

Being a Disciple needs the following characteristics:

1 Dedication (to extreme hard work)
2 Discipline (on one self, completely)
3 Obedience (without Question)

What to expect from the CRANE CLASS

To be updated soon.