Rules and Regulations

Respect:

1. Salute before entering and leaving the school to honor this space.
2. All of this tradition, its majesty and legacy, depends upon what happens here and now, so we salute to show that we will work to preserve these skills and pass them on to future generations in honor of our martial ancestors, our teacher's teachers and the founders of the style.
3. When students must leave the workout area, he/she must Salute to the instructor asking permission to leave the area.
4. Salute anyone that you might workout with, especially for techniques and sparring.   This signifies that you will work together on these skills, without trying to injure each other.
5. Salute to the instructor and each other before and after formal sparring to show respect to one another.
6. When the head instructor enters the school, the whole class will be called to attention, face the instructor and Salute as a gesture of respect.
7. Salute at the beginning and ending of class, to signify that this is the lesson time and that your attention will be undivided.
8. All students shall show respect to each other at all times.

Be first to salute.  Do not wait for your senior to salute you.  This demonstrates your alertness, quick reflexes and most importantly, your respect.  These salutes should be observed at every practice.

Uniform:
The basic uniform consist of black baggy pants, soft-soled shoes, and a school tee-shirt. Do not wear running shoes. They offer too little side support. The pants are full to allow for high kicks and low stances.  The shoes are soft, so that you can feel the ground beneath your feet, and to protect your partner against injury from kicks.  The school shirt denotes your affiliation.
Keep your uniform neat and clean with the shirt tucked in.
Jewelry, rings, watches and any other accouterments must be removed before practice.  These objects can cause injuries in sparring and they can be expressions of ego, which we leave outside.  The main reason for wearing a uniform is to remove any identity.  The best way to stand out from the rest of the class, is to develop outstanding martial skills. Sweatbands, wristbands, and articles that are functional for practice are permitted.

Class Etiquette:
Arrive for class promptly, dressed and warmed up, ready to go.  When your instructor signifies that it is your class time, quickly line up in the proper order.  Lessons are not the time for idle chatter.  Make your questions pertinent and give the lesson your full attention.  Avoid interrupting others during class time.   If you cannot make your scheduled time, inform your instructor.  This will allow your instructor to plan his or her lesson schedule for that day ahead of time.  If you have an injury that will not allow you to practice with your usual performance, inform your instructor.  The instructors are very capable of adapting your lessons to your needs.

You may participate in the other classes with the leading instructor's permission, but do not be obtrusive or disruptive if they practice something that you are unfamiliar with.  Do your best to follow along, and ask for clarification later. Never belittle another style, either within this school or outside of it. Never attempt to teach new material to another student without the express permission of the leading instructor.
 
School Etiquette:
We all help to keep our school clean and orderly.  Everything has its place, so when you use something, make sure that you return it to that place.  Each weapon must be returned to its appropriate rack.  Striking pads and targets must be returned to their proper place.  If you use the mats, be sure to replace them. If you see something that needs to be cleaned up, clean it up.  Ask for help only if you need it.  Alert an instructor if anything is in need of repair.

The school is not a place to sit and socialize.  While we are all friends and family here, we all came here with the same intention - to improve ourselves and our quality of life through this martial discipline.  Often times, unnecessary conversation is just another excuse not to practice.  If you are tired, it is best to walk in circles, and keep moving.  When you sit down, you will cool down, and it is difficult to get back up from there.

This school is here for practice. Eating (except things like sports energy bars), smoking, alcohol and drug use are inappropriate behavior on the premises.  Chewing gum is also not permitted.  The use of profanity is not allowed.
Traditionally, the school hierarchy is arranged like a big family.  The term "Sifu" also connotes "father-teacher".  There are usually children training in the school and they are the youngest members of our family.  It is the responsibility of each of us to act as a good role model for the youth.

Since our school is open to the public, we frequently have visitors who are interested in training.  If you see someone you do not recognize who looks lost, ask them if they need help and direct them to someone who can serve them.  They may not be aware of martial etiquette yet, so help them find what they are looking for, while watching for their safety.

Most important is that you enjoy your practice.  Sometimes, Kungfu can be a very humbling experience.  Some people make it look so easy.  However, behind that look of ease lies practice, practice, practice.