levels of ability, for special instruction. Time in class is usually well structured. This sort of school is very suitable for people who have limited time and energy to commit to their workouts, who simply want to get some exercise and training, and who like the structure (and greater anonymity) of the group sessions.
Assessing Schools
Once you know your motives and understand the spectrum of school styles— from traditional to modern—the next step is to see what is available in your area. To find schools, you may ask your friends for recommendations or look for advertisements in the phone book, on the Internet, in recreation centers, and so on.
Then visit schools that seem promising. The best approach is to call in advance, find out when you might come watch a class, and then make an appointment. When visiting, you should be assessing the school itself, the teacher, and the students, as well as what is being taught. All will give you clues as to whether this is the place for you.
First, assess the school itself. Is it clean, spacious, well equipped? You may see modern weight-training equipment as well as racks of weapons and trophies. Wall mirrors are very useful for correcting movements and learning new postures. If it is a traditional school, some area of the practice room will likely be set aside to commemorate past masters and/or to show devotion to the art. In the old days, there would have been an altar with incense, fruit, and a statue or painting of Guan Gong, legendary general and patron saint of justice and the martial arts; today, one may find photographs of past grand masters and calligraphy. These are meant to inspire students and remind them of their responsibilities, their goals, and the cultural heritage of kungfu; they are not religious symbols.
As for the teacher, find out his or her background. Whom did he learn from? How long has she been studying? How many styles does he know/teach? Do you think she is qualified? Do you like his forms, her style? Does he personally instruct, or do senior students do most of the teaching? Can she explain theory as well as applications of the techniques being taught? Assessing the teacher is admittedly difficult, especially for a beginner. Not all teachers from China are necessarily good; not all Westerners are necessarily second-rate. Knowing more than one style is almost necessary to truly understand the techniques, but no one can be a “master” of any style (much less more than one style) unless one devotes one’s life exclusively to practice. The more a person studies kungfu, the more humble he or she should become—as well as more skillful. The longer people teach, the better they should be. But, even so, all great teachers start somewhere as beginners too. Follow your “gut instincts.” Rather than analyzing a teacher’s background too critically, perhaps simply try to determine whether you could get along with this teacher and whether you feel you could learn effectively from him or her.
Watch a class. First, see if the teaching style suits you. In some schools, classes are quite formal, and students practice together in ranks. In other schools, students learn and practice individually with the teacher circulating among the students correcting them as necessary. Some people prefer the discipline of a class; others enjoy the freedom of self-study. Second, see if you like the look of what students are learning. Does this style of kungfu appeal to you? Is this what you would like to do yourself? If some of the students are doing spectacular aerial acrobatics that you think are totally beyond your abilities, do not be put off. First, such techniques are not essential—they are not fundamental aspects of kungfu, nor are they necessary to learn. Second, you really don’t know what you can do until you train, have instruction, and then try!
Next, after class is over talk to students. How long have they been studying? How often do they come to class? Are they dedicated? If they’ve been studying a long time at the same school and come regularly, then it is likely that they are satisfied both with the quality of the teaching and their progress.
Do you like the students? Are they the kind of people you would like to become? Kungfu is more than mere physical exercise; it is also a journey in self-development. If you like how these students are developing, then this is likely to be a path you too will benefit from. Furthermore, once you join, the older students will become your teachers, so you should be prepared to give them respect.
Finally, you must consider cost in terms of both time and money. Can you afford it now? In the long run? Is the school convenient to your home or work? Will you be able to arrive at class on time, regularly? These are practical questions that need to be considered as well.
The Single Most Important Factor
Certainly, many factors should be considered in choosing a kungfu school, and we have tried to describe the more important ones above. But if you talk to seasoned students, they will emphatically and unflinchingly insist that the single most critical factor in choosing a kungfu school is, and should be, the teacher (or the sifu, as a teacher is traditionally called in Cantonese). Do you like him? Does he accept you as his student? If the answer is yes, then everything else will fall into place. If you like the sifu, like his style, appreciate his teaching—then you will come to class, you will learn, you will progress, and you will find the commitment to weather the inevitable periods of discouragement and disappointment. If you like the sifu, then you will probably like the style of the school, you will probably like the other students who are studying there—and they will probably like you.
Studying kungfu should be a lifelong commitment to personal development of body and mind. The techniques come from a particular cultural tradition, but the qualities and the virtues inherent in the study are universal. In choosing your school, go for the one that can help you be your best.
Do You Need a School At All?
A final question that may have occurred to you, as you contemplate studying kungfu, is whether you need a school at all. Couldn’t you just learn from this, or some other, book together with videos? These resources are widely available, especially from martial arts supply stores and Web sites. The short answer is that you may not need a school, but you definitely need a teacher.
The long answer is more complex and partly dependent on your nature. At the beginning levels, you may be able to learn the basic stances from pictures and descriptions. You can begin to train muscles, open joints, and stretch. This mostly requires time and effort. As you advance, however, your needs will become more complex, just as the moves themselves become more complex. You will need demonstrations, personal guidance, and feedback on what you are doing. There is a rhythm to learning the forms; there are subtleties of technique that you must see in action in person and that you probably will not see until you are trained. Furthermore, there is great value in group work; you can learn much from fellow students, including the feeling of combat in sparring.
If you live in an area where there really are no schools, or if it is just not financially possible for you to enroll in a school, but you are determined to study, then by all means begin. Use this book, and any others you can find, to begin training and developing muscle, coordination, balance, and flexibility. Meanwhile, look for your chance to find a teacher or to attend a seminar—to somehow learn in person.
Finding a Good Student
Kungfu is a living art that can only be transmitted from person to person. This is partly why the personal relationship between teacher and student is so critical. It also means that, just as you are looking for a good teacher, so every teacher is looking for a good student. And for the teacher, finding a good student is absolutely essential for the survival of the art. So if you are a good student, with sincere respect and dedication, then you will be welcome in any kungfu school, regardless of your physical ability.
