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What is the Difference between Karate and Kungfu?
Karate
and Tae Kwon Do are considered 'hard styles' whereas
Kungfu is considered to be a 'soft style'. In hard
styles, when executing punches they are isolated
to just the upper body and emphasize rigidness of
the shoulders to show power. Northern Shaolin on
the other hand, utilizes the leg stances and twisting
of the waist to express explosive power. With the
twisting, the power of a punch is emphasized through
the legs, waist, torso, shoulder, and finally the
arm. Many of the Shaolin hand movements are not
linear and require more indirect applications. Northern
Shaolin has a very good proportion of upper body
and lower body applications which include punching,
kicking, jumping, crouching, sweeping, throwing,
and qin na, just to name a few. To read more about
the basic Tan Tui routines, click
here.
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How
are Shaolin Kungfu
classes structured?
Students
stretch and do basic kicking drills as a group at
the beginning of the class. After the warm ups,
the students will do drills and routines, both forms and weapons, based on the focus for the month.
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How
do I test and what is the ranking set up?
The
progress of the student is individually based since
when they learn, they learn as an individual and
the train as a group. The Academy follows a standard
school sash system and the student will learn the
required material and test under the discretion
of the instructor. The sash tests are based on forms
and weapon routines. Sparring is not required for
sash testing. Click
to see our Shaolin Kungfu curriculum.
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When
would I learn weapons?
There
are 4 basic weapons of Northern Shaolin: the staff,
broadsword (sabre), straightsword, and spear. The students will get a chance to learn basic routines of each of these weapons, and then progress to the intermediate and advanced level routines afterwards. The instructor will guide the students in terms of which weapons should be learned first. Refer to our
Shaolin Curriculum
to see the comprehensive training guide.
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What
other things do you offer, because I see you teach
Wushu and other weapons.
Northern
Shaolin is our focus and specialty,
and is taught in the group classes. However,
we also teach and train the Modern Wushu
style forms and weapons, and these are taught through private lessons and workshops. Other Traditional and Modern Wushu forms include praying
mantis, double swords, kwan dao, 9-section whip,
monkey staff, dagger fighting set, and many others.
Again, these styles and sets are extra-curricular and are
available for the students to learn through private
instruction and workshops.
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What
is the age requirement or recommendation that you
take in kids?
We
normally recommend kids joining Shaolin Kungfu classes
at 5 or 6 years old, but we do screen kids at the
younger ages and let them participate in a trial
class to see how they do with the other kids and
instructor.
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What
is the age breakup of the classes?
In
the kids classes, the age ranges from 6 to 12. Once
a student in the kids class reaches 13 years old,
we allow them to move into the adult classes to
train. The age range in the adult classes typically
go anywhere from 13 to 45 with the majority of the
students being 14 to 38.
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What
is the Difference between Kungfu and Tai Chi?
Kungfu
is considered an external style and Tai Chi an internal
style. Tai Chi moves at a slow meditative pace and
focuses on the mind and body and inner energy referred
to as 'qi' (chi). Tai Chi is known as the 'ultimate
boxing' and is practiced for several reasons, depending
on the individual. Not only does Tai Chi teach theories,
applications, and body mechanics, it has also been
known to develop coordination, strengthen the body,
improve energy levels, improve eating and sleeping
habits, reduce joint and back pain, and much more
health improvements. When training the Tai Chi forms,
the mind and body is relaxed, the joints are slowly
moving and the vital organs are being massaged with
each movement, improving and balancing the
body and mind for optimal overall health.
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How
are Tai Chi classes structured?
At
the beginning of the class, the students do group
stretching and basic footwork that are relevant
to the Wu (Hao) Tai Chi system. The Tai Chi forms
are performed starting with 13 Step, 24 Step, 32 Step,
then 36 Step. Drills for each form are practiced to help one learn the sequence.
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What
about Tai Chi applications, I heard that Tai Chi
has applications to it other than being trained
for health.
Tai
Chi is initially trained to develop coordination
and awareness of the body and inner energy. The
Tai Chi forms are practiced and eventually lead
you to Tai Chi applications and push hands. Push
hands applies the movements and mechanics in the
forms for offensive and defensive applications.
Push hands requires developing the 'listening skills',
which means that you can detect the opponent's attack
upon the touch of their hands or arms in the drills.
The attack or reaction to the attack uses the opponent's
force in equal amounts against them with the intent
of throwing them off balance or uprooting them.
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Are
there any Tai Chi weapons?
At
the Academy, we teach the Tai Chi Straightsword and Sabre (Broadsword). These are available to the Warrior Scholar Program students and Instructor Program students, and may be learned after completion of the 36 Step
set.
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What
is the age range of the classes?
The
classes range from people in the ages of 25 to 70
and there are occasions when there are younger people
in the class, but there are instances when there
are younger students in the class, but hardly ever
under 15 years old.
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Can
I come in and watch a class or try a class out?
Visitors
are always welcome to visit the classes, talk to
the instructors, and tour the school. We encourage
visitors to let us know when they plan to visit
and whether or not they plan to try out a class.
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If
I wanted to try out, what should I do and what should
I wear?
You
may call the school and let us know that you will
be visiting so we will be prepared to have an instructor
on hand to assist you for the introductory lesson.
You may wear any type of workout pants that are
loose and comfortable, a t-shirt or sweatshirt,
and athletic shoes with rubber soles.
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How
is tuition and payment set up?
Tuition
is collected quarterly (3 months at a time).
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Is
there a contract that I am obligated to?
No,
there are no contracts that bind you to the classes.
The only thing we ask is that tuition is paid 3
months at a time unless the student requests to
pay monthly at the higher rate. We encourage a trial
class
so they can determine their fee & training schedules.
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Do
I start at a certain time or can I come in at anytime?
You can start anytime. If you start in the middle of the month, the
fee will be pro-rated in the second payment period.
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What
could I do about missing classes?
There is no make up, credit or refund for missed classes. So please do not miss your assigned class! If you have to be away for a long period of time (over 1 month), then please let us know so we can make special arrangements for you.
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