What follows is a list of answers to questions regularly received by email to the club.
If you have a query, please check that it is not already answered here first.
If you cannot find an answer here, feel free to email hlk*at*kungfulondon.com (where *at* = @).
How do I join?
Simply arrive in time, ready to begin training promptly at 7.30pm on either Tuesday or Thursday evening.Before your first lesson, you will need to sign an insurance form. You should also ensure that you inform instructors of any injuries or physical problems you may have.
Your first lesson is free.
Club Fees
£7 per lesson or £35 per calendar month. There is also an annual insurance fee of £30 due after training for two weeks.What should I wear?
Until you decide that you want to train in Hung Leng Kuen permanently, you should attend lessons in a plain t-shirt, training/tracksuit bottoms and trainers / sports footwear that allow your feet to flex. After a month of training, you should be on the way to having black kung fu bottoms and a plain white or club t-shirt.To participate in any kind of contact sparring a student wil at least require a gumshield and gloves. For a student to get the full benefit from sparring they should look at kitting themselves out with full sparring gear as listed below. When purchasing gear, one seller we recommend is Playwell.co.uk or Blitz
A full compliment of padding for all students allows intructors to teach you some very valuable lessons. You will need full padding in order to spar and progress past your first grading. For a list of pads required, please scroll down.
I am an absolute beginner...
All grades are taught together, therefore there are no beginners classes as such, but you are taught at a level suited to you. Your first lesson is free but we do recommend attending at least 4 classes to get an idea of whether the style is what you are looking for.I have studied a different martial art before...
We welcome students from alternative martial arts backgrounds. You will begin training as any other new student and instructors will assess your capabilities. Students who train in other martial arts before they join have a tendency to progress quicker than absolute beginners.Is Hung Leng Kuen suitable for women?
Yes. In terms of self defence, it's ideal as what we teach relies on technique more than strength and so does not require you to be big or strong. You will develop a technique suited to your individual needs. We already have several dedicated female students. We also occasionally hold extra-curricular women's self defence lessons. If you would interested in attending these, send us an email and we will put you on the mailing list: hlk*at*kungfulondon.com (where *at* = @)Are there term times?
We only break for about two weeks over the Christmas period. If you are a club member, you will be made aware of exact dates in class and by email or by viewing the news page on the web site.Do you train for tournament?
No. Hung Leng Kuen does hold inter-club competitions as it can add an extra incentive to your training. However, as students of "Martial Arts" in it's truest sense, we train for real-life self-defence situations and reactions that may become diminished if focussing on training for competition or sport.If you are interested in training for tournament, we recommend visiting Baron Omidi's Kung Fu / Kickfighting Club, instructed by Chief Instructor Bill Guyett, also based in Isleworth.
Sparring:
- Do you spar?
Yes. Used wisely, sparring is a tool that can help students get used to the reality of being attacked, help students with their timing, practice the use of their techniques, increase stamina and improve confidence.
Used incorrectly, it gives people an unrealistic perspective on what fighting is like. Hung Leng Kuen uses sparring to compliment it's training techniques and is a part of the overall learning. Therefore, we employ it approximately once a month.
- Is sparring scary?
No. At the club you will be partnered-up with those of a similar grade and those who are more experienced than you will bring things down to your level. Sparring is always supervised.Do you have to go through the grading system?
We of course do not force you to progress through the grading syllabus, but do strongly advise it as it is the basis for the system we teach. You are able to pick up self defence techniques without grading, but the syllabus is designed to enhance and compliment everything you are taught.It is essential for everyone to have goals andd the stepping stones that take you to them. The Hung Leng Kuen syllabus will give you these goals.
Is Isleworth the only London-based branch of Hung Leng Kuen Kung Fu?
Currently, yes. There may be more in the future.What age do you have to be to train in Hung Leng Kuen?
We do not specify a minimum age. We have had several students under the age of 10 who usually attend with their parents. We have also had mature students in their 50s.There are several exercises that we tell younger students not to do until their bodies are physically developed enough to do so. There are slight differences to these training methods or alternatives that they can practice in the meantime.
We do advise that, as the majority of our students are over 18, we do not alter lesson plans for the benefit of younger students and so they may find it difficult to understand theory or maintain interest while teaching complex moves and forms.
Any students under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult for their first lesson.
Insurance
After your first month of training, you will be expected to pay an annual insurance fee of £25. It is at this point that you will receive your licence.Do you teach specific Kung Fu styles within Hung Leng Kuen?
(eg. Monkey / Mantis / Ba Gua / Choy Lee Fut etc.)
The Hung Leng Kuen Kung Fu system has many different influences (see the main site pages "What is Hung Leng Kuen Kung Fu?" and "The Eight Animals of Hung Leng Kuen" via the contents page). These influences have been blended together to form a logical progression of skills and techniques - the HLKKF syllabus.
Throughout the syllabus you will find grades that focus on areas that have a particular influence.
Uniform and Padding
When you first attend you are asked to wear sensible sports training attire: a plain t-shirt, tracksuit/sports trousers and sensible sports shoes.After a month of training you are expected to start aquiring the following uniform and protective gear.
Club T-Shirts (available through Sifu Chris) or a plain white t-shirt.
Black kung fu bottoms
Cotton
- durable - buy a size larger than you otherwise would as they do shrink slightly after washing. Elasticated or open ankles.
Kung Fu trousers
or Satin
- lighter, often more manouvreable.
Trousers
Footwear
- should allow your foot to flex - avoid chunky-soles. They should also not have overly long laces or harsh protruding parts that may harm your training partners.
Sash
- at Hung Leng Kuen we wear kung fu sashes, not belts.
Sashes
To spar, the minimum you will need is a gumshield and gloves.
Gumshield
- it is essential that you purchase one that you can mould to your teeth.
Gumshield
Gloves
- should be well-padded for the protection of your partner during training. NOT bag mitts.
Boxing gloves
Various gloves
Groin Protection
- available for men and women.
Men's groin guards
Ladies Protection
Chest Guard
Ladies Protection
Chest guards
Shin Pads
- foam, not plastic. Foot protection is not essential as we do not spar barefoot.
Shin pads
Head Guard
- with fixed face grille.
Head guards
Although we recommend Playwell.co.uk as a decent retailer, it is obviously advisable to make sure that the gear is comfortable for you before purchase.