Tuition / Cost and Other Policies

School colours are black and gold.

Students are expected to wear black when training.

Upon completing the first level of training (Aspiring Warrior), students will be presented with a free school T-shirt with the Chinese characters for “Warrior” upon the left, front breast and the school logo on the back. It should be worn in class.

Comfortable black pants should, also, be worn: sweat pants, track pants, or yoga pants are recommended.

Shorts and tank tops are not allowed (This isn’t a beach party).

Light-weight athletic shoes are recommended: for example, running shoes are fine, sneakers are better, and wrestling shoes are best.

On the mats, only wrestling shoes or bare feet are allowed.

Kung Fu slippers, despite looking “cool,” are not recommended as they wear out quickly and usually start flying off the feet during kicks.

Belts and sashes of various colours represent different levels of training. Mostly, they correspond with time spent and effort given. They are awarded following a successful test for that level.

In order, these ranks (for lack of a better name) are white sash, yellow belt, yellow sash, green belt, green sash, blue belt, blue sash, dark blue belt, dark blue sash, dark blue belt w/ black stripe, red sash, black belt, and black sash.

Knots for belts are to be worn in the front. Knots for sashes for all ranks lower than instructors must be worn on the left hand side.

All red sash (first level instructors) must wear their sash knots on the right hand side.

Sifu (full instructors) typically wear their sash knot in the centre; however, Sifu may wear the sashes’ knots where ever they choose or choose not to wear their sashes nor belts at all on any given day, dependent on their current mood or situation. Students should not pry into any Sifu’s daily decision.

Sifu typically wear black on black; however, they are exempt from the colour coding and may choose to wear alternate colours.

Note to Sifu: Despite the colour code exemption, remember that white on white is frowned upon as it represents total enlightenment in Kung Fu culture.

Salutations / Bowing

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Bowing is NOT a religious gesture.

It is a formal salutation that demonstrates respect between members and to the ancestors who created the systems of Kung Fu. It, also, acknowledges the recognition that we are in a special place when training.

Salutations involve bowing from the waist while folding your left hand over your right fist. Among other things, this demonstrates control over power.

Salutations should be offered when members of the academy address one another, even in casual conversation, within the school. This includes instructors showing their respect to the students.

Salutations should be offered upon receiving instructions.

Salutations should be offered when partners are about to work together - particularly if this involves sparring.

Salutations should be offered when one is called upon the floor to practice or demonstrate.

Salutations should be offered at the beginning of any form/choreographed set (kuen).

Salutations should be offered when entering the training hall (kwoon), even when the training is located within another facility not belonging to the academy. Where ever training is done as a group, that place is considered sacred (again, NOT religious) for the duration of training.

When in doubt, offer salutations – Be respectful.