FAQ’s
Why don’t beginners spar?
This is for a number of reasons:
1. Safety; since for the most part we do not wear gloves and padding and you must have already demonstrated enough self-control and dexterity to prove that you will not injure your partner or yourself. Furthermore, a number of our techniques are designed to kill or disable an attacker and have not been sanitised for this kind of competition.
2. Proficiency; you must practise your forms and applications until they are like second nature to you first, or else you will not be able to put them into practise in the ring or on the street anyway. The majority of kung fu tournaments look like kickboxing tournaments because the players do not know their kungfu well enough to execute any complicated techniques and stick to basic punches, round houses and leg grabs. The fear of losing and pressure to win means that the players don’t take risks and play it safe. The result is that they don’t improve their kung fu, and will always stay at the same level because they only trust the basics for real use. This is why the emphasis is on forms practise, so that the most complicated technique is as ingrained into your muscle memory as a punch. Spar too early, and the fear of losing will prevent you from ever attaining your optimum.
3. Spirituality: The last and best reason for not beginners not sparring is that it can form a barrier to our spiritual development. In the world we live in, with its emphasis on winning and losing, it is not positive to channel our energy into defeating another person to prop up our own ego. This presence of the ego in training is what causes injury, cliques, bullying and hampers the physical and spiritual progress of everyone in the class. Kung fu in the classical sense is about humility and putting yourself last; actually being prepared to die if your country or lord, or family honour so required. You can’t do this is if you love yourself above others. Sparring feeds the Ego. At what ever level we practise, it is tempting to view our progress in terms of how we compare to others, and not in terms of how far we have to go versus how far we have come. In sparring we pit ourselves against each other and this can subvert any progress we may have achieved in realising that we are not different from each other, much less each other’s enemy. Thoughts like “one day I’m going to beat him” are not appropriate in an environment where we learn deadly violence. Moreover, what happens to your opinion of yourself if you cannot achieve that goal, or where is your motivation to progress further once you have achieved it? The truth is that your real opponent is your own ego, and not the other guy. The presence of the other guy is the only reason your ego has any power over you, so why feed it? Instead we cultivate an atmosphere of brotherly love and peacefulness towards each other.
What is your policy on Bullying?
Our students are taught “Xue Ren, Xue Yi, Xue Gong Fu.” Learn Humanity, Learn Brotherly Love, Learn Kung Fu.
See Anti bullying policy
What sort of shoes/uniform will I need?
For the first month, flat-soled trainers or plimsolls are fine, and loose fitting clothes such as a T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms.
After 1 month it is expected that students will buy a club T-shirt from the Academy for training, and a pair of kung fu trousers. For competitions a full club kung fu suit should also be purchased. Ask your Shifu for details or contact us through the website to arrange.
The best value kung fu shoes are known as Fei Yue. these can be bought online but beware... There are a lot of fakes out there on Amazon and Ebay which fall apart in 5 mins, and don’t buy the French mega expensive fashion versions either! Try www.taichifinder.co.uk or www.wushudirect.com for the genuine article. You need the ones with the low cut heel and not the ankle boot variant which restricts your movement for kicks and low stances.
How long will it be before I will be taught weapons?
There is a syllabus and weapons forms are not introduced until a basic comprehension of the open hand forms has been demonstrated by the student. The more you practise, the more quickly you will progress through the syllabus. This will also depend on your natural ability to pick things up.
What will I learn at Shaolin Mizong Quan Class?
You will be taught traditional techniques in the traditional manner and modern self-defence applications for them. The class syllabus is designed to improve your overall fitness levels and to teach you self-respect and respect for others. (See Class Structure).
What will I learn at Taiji Quan Class?
You will learn Yang family Taiji Quan over 85 Movements (often known as the long form). You will be taught the movements in the context of their original martial arts applications so that you are accurate in your practise. That said, Taiji is these days primarily practised for its health benefits, and so the emphasis is placed on that aspect in class.
As students progress they will complement their practise with pushing hands, Taiji weapons and two man forms.
Taiji improves balance coordination, strength and stamina. It is also proven to reduce stress and hypertension.
Is Shaolin Mizong Quan useful for self-defence?
Yes, the techniques you learn in Mizong eveolved at a time in history when you had to be able to fight to stay alive, so it works! This also includes self-defence against weapons. It takes time and practise to get the techniques right, and they won’t work if you don’t practise them.
What is special about Shaolin Mizong Quan?
The unusual thing about Mizong Quan is that it is a blend of two different and normally separate branches of traditional Chinese martial arts. It teaches the softness and suppleness of the so called “internal Taoist” traditions and adds the tough physical training and explosive power of the so called “external Buddhist” traditions.
This is good because we can learn lessons and gain insights from both traditions; since we can keep an open mind. It does mean however that there is more to learn!
Why learn Traditional Kung Fu in the 21st Century?
Learning a traditional martial art teaches confidence, humility, courage and self-control. It also helps you to improve coordination, cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and endurance and can improve your emotional and mental health.
It is also a good way to socialise and teaches us principles of respectful interaction with others. In this modern world with our broken families and the rise of gang culture, a sense of belonging to a high achieving group of peers with strong positive role models makes kung fu probably more relevant than it has ever been, especially for young people.
Will I need Insurance?
If a student wishes to get the most out of their training and participate fully in contact training such as sparing and weapons training then you will need to get insurance which we get from the Martial arts development council and the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts.
We also strongly advise Taiji Quan students to take out the same policy, especially if they are learning weapons, two man or pushing hands, where the risk of accident or injury is increased.
Instructors are covered under an indemnity policy
Why don’t beginners spar?
This is for a number of reasons:
1. Safety; since for the most part we do not wear gloves and padding and you must have already demonstrated enough self-control and dexterity to prove that you will not injure your partner or yourself. Furthermore, a number of our techniques are designed to kill or disable an attacker and have not been sanitised for this kind of competition.
2. Proficiency; you must practise your forms and applications until they are like second nature to you first, or else you will not be able to put them into practise in the ring or on the street anyway. The majority of kung fu tournaments look like kickboxing tournaments because the players do not know their kungfu well enough to execute any complicated techniques and stick to basic punches, round houses and leg grabs. The fear of losing and pressure to win means that the players don’t take risks and play it safe. The result is that they don’t improve their kung fu, and will always stay at the same level because they only trust the basics for real use. This is why the emphasis is on forms practise, so that the most complicated technique is as ingrained into your muscle memory as a punch. Spar too early, and the fear of losing will prevent you from ever attaining your optimum.
3. Spirituality: The last and best reason for not beginners not sparring is that it can form a barrier to our spiritual development. In the world we live in, with its emphasis on winning and losing, it is not positive to channel our energy into defeating another person to prop up our own ego. This presence of the ego in training is what causes injury, cliques, bullying and hampers the physical and spiritual progress of everyone in the class. Kung fu in the classical sense is about humility and putting yourself last; actually being prepared to die if your country or lord, or family honour so required. You can’t do this is if you love yourself above others. Sparring feeds the Ego. At what ever level we practise, it is tempting to view our progress in terms of how we compare to others, and not in terms of how far we have to go versus how far we have come. In sparring we pit ourselves against each other and this can subvert any progress we may have achieved in realising that we are not different from each other, much less each other’s enemy. Thoughts like “one day I’m going to beat him” are not appropriate in an environment where we learn deadly violence. Moreover, what happens to your opinion of yourself if you cannot achieve that goal, or where is your motivation to progress further once you have achieved it? The truth is that your real opponent is your own ego, and not the other guy. The presence of the other guy is the only reason your ego has any power over you, so why feed it? Instead we cultivate an atmosphere of brotherly love and peacefulness towards each other.
What is your policy on Bullying?
Our students are taught “Xue Ren, Xue Yi, Xue Gong Fu.” Learn Humanity, Learn Brotherly Love, Learn Kung Fu.
See Anti bullying policy
What sort of shoes/uniform will I need?
For the first month, flat-soled trainers or plimsolls are fine, and loose fitting clothes such as a T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms.
After 1 month it is expected that students will buy a club T-shirt from the Academy for training, and a pair of kung fu trousers. For competitions a full club kung fu suit should also be purchased. Ask your Shifu for details or contact us through the website to arrange.
The best value kung fu shoes are known as Fei Yue. these can be bought online but beware... There are a lot of fakes out there on Amazon and Ebay which fall apart in 5 mins, and don’t buy the French mega expensive fashion versions either! Try www.taichifinder.co.uk or www.wushudirect.com for the genuine article. You need the ones with the low cut heel and not the ankle boot variant which restricts your movement for kicks and low stances.
How long will it be before I will be taught weapons?
There is a syllabus and weapons forms are not introduced until a basic comprehension of the open hand forms has been demonstrated by the student. The more you practise, the more quickly you will progress through the syllabus. This will also depend on your natural ability to pick things up.
What will I learn at Shaolin Mizong Quan Class?
You will be taught traditional techniques in the traditional manner and modern self-defence applications for them. The class syllabus is designed to improve your overall fitness levels and to teach you self-respect and respect for others. (See Class Structure).
What will I learn at Taiji Quan Class?
You will learn Yang family Taiji Quan over 85 Movements (often known as the long form). You will be taught the movements in the context of their original martial arts applications so that you are accurate in your practise. That said, Taiji is these days primarily practised for its health benefits, and so the emphasis is placed on that aspect in class.
As students progress they will complement their practise with pushing hands, Taiji weapons and two man forms.
Taiji improves balance coordination, strength and stamina. It is also proven to reduce stress and hypertension.
Is Shaolin Mizong Quan useful for self-defence?
Yes, the techniques you learn in Mizong eveolved at a time in history when you had to be able to fight to stay alive, so it works! This also includes self-defence against weapons. It takes time and practise to get the techniques right, and they won’t work if you don’t practise them.
What is special about Shaolin Mizong Quan?
The unusual thing about Mizong Quan is that it is a blend of two different and normally separate branches of traditional Chinese martial arts. It teaches the softness and suppleness of the so called “internal Taoist” traditions and adds the tough physical training and explosive power of the so called “external Buddhist” traditions.
This is good because we can learn lessons and gain insights from both traditions; since we can keep an open mind. It does mean however that there is more to learn!
Why learn Traditional Kung Fu in the 21st Century?
Learning a traditional martial art teaches confidence, humility, courage and self-control. It also helps you to improve coordination, cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and endurance and can improve your emotional and mental health.
It is also a good way to socialise and teaches us principles of respectful interaction with others. In this modern world with our broken families and the rise of gang culture, a sense of belonging to a high achieving group of peers with strong positive role models makes kung fu probably more relevant than it has ever been, especially for young people.
Will I need Insurance?
If a student wishes to get the most out of their training and participate fully in contact training such as sparing and weapons training then you will need to get insurance which we get from the Martial arts development council and the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts.
We also strongly advise Taiji Quan students to take out the same policy, especially if they are learning weapons, two man or pushing hands, where the risk of accident or injury is increased.
Instructors are covered under an indemnity policy