What to Bring to Class

Attire:

As a traditional martial arts style, we train barefoot and wear the uniforms of our style.  As in many other martial arts, we also wear belts to identify the student’s grade.  Our belt colors are as follows:

White (beginner)

Yellow – first degree

Yellow – second degree

Green – first degree

Green – second degree

Blue – first degree

Blue – second degree

Brown – first degree

Brown – second degree

Black – multiple degrees

New joiners can start training in loose-fitting clothing (typically a T-shirt and some jogging pants will do). 

Over time, students will be required to purchase a uniform ($40), to be worn particularly at belt gradings. 

Belts should be worn at all times in the training hall.

Fluids and a small towel are very handy!

Make sure you bring plenty of fluids to stay hydrated while you train,  and remember that water is by far the best source of hydration for your body.  Also, a small towel can be extremely useful, especially on a warm day.

Class Etiquette Guide

While we strive to maintain as informal and friendly an atmosphere as possible, students are required to show appropriate respect to the style, instructors, and fellow students.  The points below are a quick guide to the club’s etiquette:

The basics:

• Arrive on time for class.  If you arrive late, please get prepared quietly in a corner of the room, then wait for the instructor to salute you.  Salute back, and you may join the rest of the class.
• Hygiene: students are responsible for an appropriate standard of personal hygiene.  Remember, we train barefoot and we’ll get sweaty, so please make sure you come prepared.  A small can of deodorant and a small towel in your training bag can go a long way!
• Do not engage in disruptive behavior during class.  No swearing, spitting, etc.!

During class:

• Salutation: we begin and end the class with all students lined up and saluting the instructor.  The Hung Kuen salutation involves placing both hands in front of the body at chest height, with the left hand as a raised palm (signifying the scholar) and the right hand as a closed fist (signifying the warrior).  Both hands come together, and we bow slightly to the instructor.
• Partner work:  students should salute their partners at the beginning and end of each partnered exercise.
• If you need to speak to other students or to the instructor, it is also good etiquette to salute at the beginning and end of your conversation.

Aggressive behavior:

• Although Hung Kuen Shaolin Kung Fu is a combat sport, we will not tolerate aggressive behavior between fellow students.  A particularly aggressive student may be reprimanded or asked to leave the class.
• Sparring: one critical aspect of sparring is control.  Each student is ultimately responsible for the well-being of the person they are fighting.  As such, senior students are expected to exercise restraint when sparring junior grades.  Similarly, however, if a junior grade attacks a senior grade with excessive power, the senior grade is entitled to retaliate in kind.