Frequently Asked Questions

1. I have previous experience in another system. Can I progress through the training faster than others? Are there any shortcuts?

In short, no. We have an extremely extensive system based on progression and depth of understanding which takes a lifetime to uncover. We encourage our students to focus on the underlying principles of movement and generation of power that can be found at each level of the training rather than on achieving gradings and moving through the system quickly. When you are in a real self defence situation, it will not matter what colour your t-shirt or belt is, or how many forms you have learnt. All that will matter is what you can apply. If you have entered into training in order to achieve titles and certificates, you are cheating yourself and will not be able to appreciate the real value of martial arts.

2. Will we do sparring in class? Why do we not start sparring right away?

We generally introduce students to sparring after about 6 months of training. While practical application of techniques is always our main focus, it is very important that students develop a strong grounding in correct movement and technique. It is very difficult to correct bad habits which develop if sparring is started too early. It is also important for the safety of everyone involved that students develop a high level of physical and mental control before beginning sparring. Sparring is initially very light with no contact allowed for strikes. Contact is gradually increased as students progress in their level of skill and control.

3. Does the school take part in competitions?

While the school or members of the school do occasionally take part in competitions, we are not a competition based school. We are strongly focused on the real life application of martial arts. A competition, even one with very few rules, is very different to real life, and success in a competition is not an accurate indication of someone's ability to defend themselves in a real life situation.

4. Does Kung Fu require great physical strength and stamina?

I will first interpret the question as pertaining to our particular system. There are many systems in the world and by far the great majority of them depend on the strength, speed and toughness of one's muscles to make them effective. For these systems, the answer to this question is a resounding YES. The key aim behind our system, however, is the development of internal power and all mechanisms and controls associated with its expression. So, to answer the question as far as our system is concerned, and at the risk of sounding like a politician, yes and no.

Does it require great strength and stamina to express a high level of internal power? No. The expression of internal power is very nearly effortless when properly accomplished. That said, the student who expresses this internal power must somehow have gained a very in-depth knowledge of their bodies and minds. This kind of knowledge cannot be gained by any intellectual means that I am aware of. Since it is a function of mind and body working in unison, it must be experienced and felt through effective training. The level and duration of training required to accomplish even a basic understanding of this principle is extreme (at least in the context of the "instant gratification"-based culture in which we live.) It is a very subtle process which must be understood through diligent "listening" to and habitually correcting the body's weaknesses and instability. There is also an aspect of "searching" for static and dynamic efficiency and power. You may read this and think that this sounds like a lot of hard work and a long time. Indeed it is. In fact, it is so much hard work that you need to have a deep understanding of the relevance of what you are searching for in order to persevere in your efforts. If I have never tried to throw a stable target back with a punch or push, I will not see the relevance of finding a better, less draining way to do so. If I have never fallen over trying to kick multiple targets at once, I will not see the relevance of achieving better stability. If I have never attempted to do a thousand push-ups, I will not see the relevance of connecting the movement with my centre to make it more efficient and easier. If I have never tried to do something hard, I will not see the relevance of finding an easier way to accomplish the task. If I only ever do things that I can do easily, why in the world would I need to spend so much time and effort finding a better way?

Tai Chi and other softer systems promote the longer, easier path to achieving internal power. Kung Fu and other harder systems promote the shorter, harder path to achieving the same internal power. But for both approaches, the student must somehow gain a vision of the relevance of the elusive "internal power" that they are striving for.

The benefit of the harder system of Kung Fu is that the student can develop a self-defence response earlier which may rely heavily on the muscular power that is developed (at least in the beginning). As the Kung Fu student progresses, muscular strength becomes less of a crutch and more of a compliment to the synergistic internal forces that are harnessed.

There was an old Kung Fu proverb pinned onto the wall in my old school in Cape Town which I will restate since I cannot remember its exact wording. It went something like this "Train the body well when you are young so that when you are old, you will be more effective". We start off training really hard physically and eventually, through diligent perseverance, what was once hard becomes effortless.

Hence my answer to the question. The highest levels of expression of Kung Fu do not require great strength and stamina, but the climb to those levels requires the student to exert their maximum strength and stamina in training.

5. How long will it take to learn to defend myself?

Firstly, every self defence situation is different and there is no simple answer to this question. Defending oneself can range from presenting an argument in a workplace to facing a large group of attackers with firearms. Success in a self defence situation depends largely on your state of mind, awareness, and ability to apply what you have learnt. Your training will provide you with the tools needed to defend yourself, but it is up to you to wield them.