Age Range
Adult Class – 13+ years old
Schedule
Monday and Wednesday
Morning class 11:15 AM to 12:45 PM
Evening class 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Saturday
1:30 to 3:00 PM
Location
Directions to School
What Is Kung Fu?
One of the world’s most dynamic martial arts, Kung Fu is a lifelong journey. Kung Fu develops the student both physically and mentally with forms and training techniques that have been handed down from teacher to student for thousands of years. Over 1500 years ago, The Shaolin Monks found that Kung Fu training was much more than a fighting system for self-defense. Instead, this mind-body training could even be developed to a spiritual level, and had far reaching physical and mental benefits.
Chinese Characters for “Shaolin”
Kung Fu means Hard Work
To be quite accurate, “Kung Fu” doesn’t mean one particular martial art or fighting style. The easiest translation of Kung Fu into English is “hard work”, or “attaining skill with hard work over time.” So Kung Fu is really the way a person achieves goals via dedication and discipline.
Kung Fu is an External Martial Art
As a martial art, Kung Fu is differentiated from Tai Chi in that Kung Fu is considered “external”. External or “hard” styles like Kung Fu focus on building muscle, strength and developing endurance through the use of forms (routines passed down from teacher to teacher over the course of centuries). Our founder Master Lin used to say, “if Martial Arts were a tree, Chi Kung would be the roots, Tai Chi the trunk and Kung Fu the leaves and branches”.
How Our Training Works
We offer students a comprehensive program that deals with all aspects of Kung Fu. Beginning with strength and flexibility training, the student deals with all the basics of martial arts, from proper breathing to the correct execution of kicks and blocks, which helps build a good foundation of fundamental skills.
Classes always begin with a full set of warm-up exercises to avoid injuries and prepare the body for a full workout. Monday’s class focuses on self-defense techniques and sparring, while Wednesday is devoted to learning forms. At the end of each class, students demonstrate the forms that they are currently learning in front of the teacher and the class. Saturdays are always different, led by various senior students who create challenging and fun workouts that deepen your training.
We don’t use a “belt” ranking system at the Chinese Culture Center. Each student receives a formal “report card” and requests to be tested on his or her current form when ready. Students move from one subject to another after successful testing. Subjects become increasingly more difficult as greater ability is acquired in the areas of speed, endurance and self-confidence.
Anatomy of the Classes
Monday and Wednesday classes have a set sequence. Saturday Classes are at the discretion of the particular instructor.
Monday and Wednesday Sequence
- Stretching and strengthening
- Mondays – Jumping and Agility
- Wednesday – Bag work and Tumbling
- Aerobic Techniques
- Arm striking and block strengthening
- Monday – Techniques and Sparring
- Wednesday – Form training
- Demonstrating Forms
Sparring
Sparring is an important part of Kung Fu training because it gives the student opportunity to test the knowledge acquired, as well as improve reflexes and build confidence. Lin’s Martial Arts Academy uses a “non-contact” method of sparring that does not require the student to purchase protective equipment.
We feel that while it is important to build power, one must also possess control. Light contact is allowed under supervised conditions, however, the student is responsible for the safety of the opponent. We don’t tolerate aggressive behavior. Instead we favor a supportive environment, where students can safely learn how to interact with an opponent. All punching and kicking is “pulled”, as if the opponent is expected to miss the block, to avoid any physical injury whatsoever.
Weapons and Ring Training
As student’s progress, the school teaches a variety of traditional Kung Fu weapons. For some empty-hand forms, students wear sets of 500 gram “iron” rings. This traditional ring training hardens the student’s arms while training power, balance, and stamina.
- Knife
- Short and Long Staff
- Single and Double Saber
- Butterfly Swords
- Single and Double Sword
- Pu Dao (or Podao)
- Sai
- Spear
- Kuan Dao (or Guandao)
A Long Tradition
When you pass through the moon gate at the studio into the training hall, it is almost like stepping back in time. Ancient weapons line the walls, Lions watch the room, Dragons hang on the wall, there’s a giant Gong in the corner and the iron man stands at attention. The familiar scents of liniment, incense and perspiration are reminders that you’re following in the footsteps of martial artists throughout history with ancient training techniques and forms that have been used for centuries, not to mention over 40 years and thousands of students who have trained at this very school.
“…But You Must Pass Through the Doorway Yourself.”
Kung Fu fosters a strong body, sharp mind, self-discipline, personal integrity and self-confidence. To assume the life of a Martial Artist is to make a commitment to oneself, finding satisfaction in pushing your personal limits and stretching yourself past all existing boundaries to become more than you ever thought you could be. The benefits and rewards far outweigh the investment of time and effort. There is an old saying, “the Master holds the key, but you must pass through the doorway yourself”. Any martial art requires great diligence and patience to achieve great success, but the good news is anyone can have those things.
Many Other Opportunities
Being a student at the school opens up opportunities to join our performance teams. Students can participate in traditional Chinese performances while improving their skills and increasing their confidence.
- Ribbon Dance
- Kung Fu demonstration team
- Lion Dance
- Chinese Dragon
Frequently Asked Questions
After getting your uniform and learning the bow, new students join the rest of the class. Teachers are on-hand throughout to guide you through the class and answer questions. This format allows students to immediately get started while also working directly alongside the other experienced students in class.
Students should wear non-marking athletic shoes (preferably black). The kung fu uniform consists of black loose-fitting pants, a black student t-shirt, and a traditional black sash. The uniform can be purchased on the first day of class.
Kung Fu students receive a “report card” that lists all the Kung Fu forms they learn. Once they have practiced a form sufficiently to pass their test on it, the Sifu will sign the report card for that form. Because Kung Fu is a life-long endeavor where the student is constantly challenged to exceed their limits, there are no belts or ranks. Students simply line up in order of their seniority at the school.
Generally, a person of any age can do Kung Fu and we have multiple students who have continued their Kung Fu studies into their 60s and 70s. At our school, students learn at their own pace and exercises can be modified to match ability. If you are interested in trying Kung Fu but are concerned, we invite you to come watch a class and discuss your concerns.
Like any physical activity, the possibility for minor injuries is present. However, at Lin’s Martial Arts, respect for your fellow students is emphasized, all sparring is light/non-contact with no pads required, and aggressive behavior is not tolerated. In addition, the class incorporates a wide range of stretching and strengthening exercises to help you prepare your body for Kung Fu. Our experience is that significant injuries are very rare in these classes.
Students start with the basics of Kung Fu, empty hand forms and defense techniques including kicks, punches, sweeps, throws, blocks, and dodges. Ring training typically begins with the third form in the progression of learning: “12 spring legs”. Weapons forms are introduced once you have progressed through a number of empty-hand forms first. Generally, Kung Fu training teaches overall body awareness both in movement and in the understanding of how to train strength and stamina.
No. Classes are paid on a monthly basis. Classes are only $96.86 per month and additional discounts are available.
Kung Fu students at Lin’s Martial Arts progress at their own pace. Without practice outside of class, your progress will be slowed. Although a significant number of class hours are included with your tuition (4.5 hrs per week), individual practice outside of class helps develop good habits and personal discipline.
If you have a physician, ask that person first. Minor issues can be brought up with an instructor. We also ask that if you have a contagious condition, to please stay away until you are better.