FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED:

How do I know which Martial Art System is best for me? The first question you should ask yourself is "Why do I want to train in the Martial Arts?" People have various reasons that often include health, self-defense, or just enjoyment. One must be realistic with their goals and understand that studying any Martial Art will not make you into anything that you are not and will ever be. Many traditional systems require large commitments of time to attain certain levels of competency. Others require certain levels of fitness, flexibility, and toughness. Do your homework on the various Martial Arts and select one that is most suitable to meet your needs. All Martial Arts require a level of commitment to achieve the results you are looking for.
How do I decide which is the best place to begin my training? If you do not have a reference from someone who is already training, and after you have selected a martial art, visit people and places. Have questions in mind and see if the instructor has reasonable responses to your questions. Evaluate the instructor to see if they are sincere and knowledgeable to your satisfaction. Do you feel comfortable learning from this person and their students? Do you feel you can be free to express ideas and make contributions to the growth of the school? Martial Arts training is not magic. What you put into it is what you get out of it. One is most fortunate to find quality instruction "right in their own backyard". So if you are serious, be prepared for the possibility of having to travel some distance to train. If this is the case, think about making a plan to set aside blocks of time to commit to the long distance travel, possibly having a friend join with you to help you train when you are back home.
What questions should I ask when I go to visit a school? As many pertinent intelligent questions as possible. Ask the Instructor to describe the system. Ask the instructor about themselves and who did they learn from and how long has the instructor been training? How many current active students are there? What other activities go on inside and outside the school? Are free lessons available?
What should I notice when I visit a school? The attitude of the instructor and the students. The relationship displayed between the instructor and the students as well as amongst the students themselves. The training environment and the equipment.
What should I watch out for? Be wary of someone who does not wish to discuss any information relative to who they learned from. They can show you pictures taken with famous martial artists and celebrities while avoiding discussing where they learned. Often times their background is only attending seminars, reading books, and collecting videos. Although there may be a good enough reason, watch out for those who claim to "have differences of opinion with their teacher or organization." Maybe they are "natural fighters". Remember to you, not knowing anything, what they demonstrate may seem like Bruce Lee.
Can I learn Kung Fu from a book? Most forms of Kung Fu require touch and physical engagement with a live human being to truly gain understanding of the principles and ideas of the system. A book, like a video or a seminar, is really a supplemental tool for training. Also, because photographs are static in nature, they often leave large gaps in understanding how the instructor got from point A to B to C. Depending on what your goals are, learning from a book alone would be considered quite limiting.
What's the difference between Wing Chun, Ving Tsun, and Wing Tsun? Many families, which include Moy Yat, Tsu Shon Tin, Victor Kan, and Wong Shon Long, continue to use the traditional VT spelling, while others use the WC spelling. Grandmaster Leung Ting purposely respelled his system to Wing Tsun to specifically identify his style. There are other spellings as well.
What is a reasonable amount I should expect to pay per month? Most Kung Fu schools are anywhere from $40 per month to $120 per month and up. Most times the lower cost is associated with limited hours while the places that have higher costs offer more available training days and hours and often other courses.
What about contracts? At any level, part time or full time, teaching Martial Arts for money is a business. This requires rent and other various bills for the school to survive above and beyond the Instructor getting paid. Most full time school owners cannot rely on "your word" that you will be back next month. They are committing their time and efforts so they plan for the future of the school. Just be smart about what you are committing to and judge whether the requirements set forth in any contracts are reasonable and be clear about your options.
What about me? As mentioned above, Martial Arts is not magic. One should be honest with their goals and what they can handle in terms of time, effort, and money. If you think your tuition is all that is required of you, then you will receive exactly that in return. Many start the path, but few continue the journey.