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What follows is a list of answers to questions regularly received by email to the Surbiton Branch of Hung Leng Kuen.
If you have a query, please check that it is not already answered here first. If you cannot find an answer here, contact the club. Scroll down to see your questions answered or click each title to jump to a section: How do I join? Where and when do you train? What are the club Fees? Do you teach children? What age do you have to be to train in Hung Leng Kuen? What should I wear? I am an absolute beginner: - what can I expect from Hung Leng Kuen? I have studied a different martial art before - can I instruct at your club? Is Hung Leng Kuen suitable for women? Are there term times? Do you train for tournament? Sparring: - Do you spar? - Is sparring scary? Do you have to go through the grading system? Do you teach specific Kung Fu styles within Hung Leng Kuen? How can I be taught more than once a week? Private Lessons Insurance Uniforms & Padding How do I join? There are no specially designated induction lessons. 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. Visit the Training Times, Maps & Fees page of this web site. £10 for adults & £8 for under 16s per lesson.
It is preferred that students are 14 or over, however, an individual's outlook and personality is more important than an age category. 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. 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 will require at least 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, sellers we recommend are 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, see the bottom of this page. All grades are taught together, therefore there are no beginners classes as such, but you are taught at a level suited to you. Please visit the Introduction and What Is Hung Leng Kuen? pages of this site. 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. - can I instruct at your club?
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. Yes - those which apply to the Hollyfield School, however, we are currently in discussion with The Hollyfield School with the aim of using the gym all year round. Watch this space. 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, based in Isleworth. 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 regularly. 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. 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. 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. The closest other branch of Hung Leng Kuen is based in Isleworth, under the instruction of 5th Duan, Sifu Chris Parker. It takes place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. 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. 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. Gumshield
Gloves Groin Protection Chest Guard
Shin Pads Head Guard
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