Jade Dragon School of Kung Fu and Qigong

Etiquette and Training Points

Jade Dragon kung fu is a very high level, comprehensive martial arts system. The purpose of the system is to learn more about yourself through your study of the exercises, techniques and movements and how to use these skills to interact with another person’s skills. You learn to adapt very quickly to changing circumstances as you can never fully predict how another person will think or move. The study of this system eventually enables the practitioner to live their life free of fear and stress with the knowledge that they possess rare skills that put them above the common man. However, with this high level of skill comes an equally high level of responsibility not to misuse these skills to intimidate or hurt another person unless there were no other options. Remember that the wise master walks humbly never showing off his skill and thus not attracting attention to himself.

The students starts by learning basic skills, developing stances, positional strength, coordination of legs and arms and how to manoeuvre using a staff to aid coordination, speed and strength. The learning of 2 forms, 1 hand form and 1 staff form enable the practitioner to demonstrate their development and skill to date. All the while they are also learning techniques that are simple to use but highly effective when practiced properly. The movements are practiced as a group then against a partner so you can see and feel how the movement works.

When the practitioner is able to demonstrate these 2 forms to a reasonable level and the instructor also believes that the student demonstrates sufficient commitment, respect and self discipline then the student will be invited to join the senior class where they will learn a much higher level of practice. This higher level of training would not be possible for a beginner as they would not be physically or mentally capable of it until they had gone through the preliminary training regimen.

Etiquette and Training Points
The following points should always be followed when in the training hall. These ensure that your training remains safe and instils the correct sense of respect for the system, the teacher/s and your fellow students.

At the beginning and end of the lesson the teacher (sifu) and students bow to each other as a form of mutual respect. The bow is performed with the right fist enclosed in the left palm. This bow is also done on entering and leaving the kung fu hall and to your partner when engaging in partner work.
The students should refer to the instructor as teacher or sifu. If more than one teacher is present then use sifu followed by their forename.
Lessons start at 8pm and students should aim to arrive around 10 minutes before that to begin warming up and stretching. If you are late to a lesson bow to the sifu and wait for him to acknowledge you with a bow before entering the training hall.
Treat your sifu and all other students with respect particularly senior students who have proved their commitment and skill and thus proved worthy of your respect.
No smoking, eating or horseplay are permitted in the training hall.
When training with a partner always stick to the techniques you were told to practice. Practice slowly at first with full awareness of your body position and that of your opponent. Never try to speed up, use full strength, engage in mock sparring or other techniques unless given permission to do so. To attempt to do this without permission means you are not learning the lesson, you are displaying contempt for the teacher and potentially putting yourself and your partner at risk. Remember that all techniques you are taught work well, often better than you realise and often require much less effort or strength than you may think. Getting any movement right requires repetition after repetition after repetition so only practice what you were told to practice..

Training points to remember

Your skill is your sword. It should be taken out frequently and polished (ie practiced) so that it becomes sharp and becomes one with you. When in public it should remain sheathed at all times. The blade must not be shown off to anyone unless there is no alternative to actual combat. In which case it would be used with due respect to yourself, your opponent and to the school.
Always maintain an awareness of your environment/surroundings and know who is nearby and what they are doing. Obviously this is particularly important when training with weapons.
Remember that everyone is different physically, mentally and emotionally. Therefore only go at your own pace and don’t attempt to push yourself or your partner beyond their or your current abilities even if you believe that others are progressing faster than you. Remember that although they may appear more advanced in some areas you may well be more advanced in others.
Remember at all times that you are working WITH your partner and not against them. As students progress in skill and seniority it can become virtually impossible for a beginner to perform a basic technique on a senior student effectively without them easily countering it. Try to act as if you have no prior skill and go with the technique so your partner can experience how a normal person would react.
Do not try to practice everything every day. It isn’t possible. However when practicing do so mindfully and not while engaged in other pursuits such as watching the television. Where the mind goes so the qi flows. Also do not practice while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, while in an angry or otherwise negative mood or when physically or mentally exhausted. All of these things would be detrimental to the energy flow, to the quality of your practice and so to your health and wellbeing.
Try to attend classes regularly as all knowledge is precious. Also regular attendance shows commitment and discipline which are essential if you want to achieve your life’s goals. Get as much from each lesson as you can.

Seniority
There are no formal grades in this system, in the school although there are several levels of training, so seniority is measured by how many training sessions you attend. This can be very different from how long you have been training as you may have been coming for a year but only once a month whereas another student may have been training twice a week for only 4 months but would have seniority as they have displayed more commitment and their skills would be superior.

The most senior members of the school are, in order of seniority:

Sifu Paul Chapman
Michael Rueker
Martin Pemberton
Owen Goode
Ian Fisher
Andy Feak
James Craven
Nigel Kelsall
Wayne Sampson

Enjoy your classes. Smile away the pain and occasional boredom and if you have any problems or questions about any aspect of your training your Sifu will be happy to help.

Finally remember that self discipline, patience, loyalty and tenacity are the keywords to attainment and self mastery.

Kung fu = attainment through practice and perseverance