Kung Fu Classes

The Institute offers a comprehensive, well-structured program of instruction in classical Chinese martial arts. Classes include stretching and conditioning exercises, traditional Kung Fu forms (prearranged routines) and self-defense applications. Using a combination of modern and traditional teaching methods, certified instructors carefully guide students through a progressive series of skill levels. Each level is specifically designed to serve as building blocks for advancement to the next, allowing students to acquire, refine and apply new skills at their own pace and according to their own capabilities. A typical Training Session includes some or all of the following:

• Warm-Ups, Stretching and Physical Conditioning
• Hand and Leg Technique Drills & Stance Training
• Forms Training
• Sparring & Self Defense Applications

For continuous progress, students are urged to participate in at least two training sessions per week, and to practice consistently outside their regular classes. To ensure that all participants enjoy the benefits of proper training, during each class session instructor(s) will pay special attention to a selected number of trainees. This will be done on rotational basis so that the progress of every individual is constantly reviewed and critiqued.

At the Novice Level (white sash), students literally start from the ground up building a solid foundation of strong stances, stable footwork, and accurate punches and kicks. They practice stances (horse, bow, cat, cross and crouch) and footwork (advancing, retreating, jumping, sweeping, turning, and side stepping) with the Jow Ga Stepping Form. At the same time, students practice Mizong-style Tan Tui, which efficiently reinforces their stances, footwork, kicks, punches, blocks and parries into a series of ten short Northern Shaolin routines. The White Sash students next learn upper and lower body coordination with the Jow Ga Punching Form. This form shows how to transmit relaxed power from the legs through the torso to the arms and fists using wheel punches. At the completion of the level, the students may be inducted officially as Beginner Level Kung Fu students by receiving their Gold Sash. Each level from Beginner through Advanced will have at least one weapons form and usually a 2-man fighting set designed to teach the student how to apply the techniques. For example, at the Beginner Level students learn forms containing a variety of signature techniques and movements that make each style unique. They also learn how to use basic weapons as an extension of their bodies. First they do Jow Ga Sei Ping Chuen and/or Mizong Cao, forms that contains many fundamental yet practical fighting techniques. Next they do Double Headed Staff and/or Mizong Bian (hard whip or baton), followed by Jow Ga Flower Fist and/or Mizong Lian Shou Quan, and finally Jow Ga Tiger Tail Broadsword and/or Mizong Yanqing Jia. The beginners also will learn fighting sets such as Jow Ga Small Tiger 2-man set and/or Mizong Locking Palms 2-man set.

Students who progress to the Intermediate Level (Red Sash) have the chance to add five classic Jow Ga forms to their repertoire: Small Hung Fist, Plum Blossom Spear, Subduing Small Tiger, the Straight Sword, and Staff vs. Staff set. Those Intermediate students studying Shaolin Mizong will learn Whirlwind Staff, Cha Fist, Four Gates Broadsword, Before the Cart Posture, and Staff vs. Spear Set. These forms contain a wealth of offensive and defensive techniques that, when executed well, are extremely graceful and highly effective.

Once students reach the Advanced Level, they are prepared to learn more complex Jow Ga and/or Shaolin Mizong empty hand, weapons forms, and fighting sets as well as those from other traditional Chinese styles. Moreover, they will have developed the ability not only to demonstrate the forms with a high degree of proficiency, but also be able to help guide more junior students. At the completion of Advanced Level, students will have learned the key empty hand, weapons in Jow Ga and/or Shaolin Mizong. Advanced students are encouraged to round out their skills by learning forms appropriate to their ability and individual interests within the optional program. There are empty hand and weapons forms from Jow Ga, Shaolin Mizong and the Cha Systems. Cha is a major Northern Shaolin style and is well known for its weapons forms. It was developed by the Hui of Northern China, a minority group of Muslim origin highly respected for their fighting prowess. By the time they reach Instructor level training, students will have developed the skills, knowledge, and experience to teach independently or open their own schools.

Throughout the program, from Beginner through Advanced to Instructor levels, students learn not only Kung Fu theory and technique, but also how they should be applied. This includes self-defense exercises, partner training, two-person bare hand and weapon sets, and sparring. Techniques are drilled repeatedly one at a time and in combination until they become habit.