These rules are subject to change at the discretion of the head instructor, Sifu Mark Cheng. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with these rules from time to time. 1. RESPECTS & SALUTES: All classes begin and end with the traditional Chinese martial arts "sun-moon" hand salute & bow. There are no religious undertones to this salute, so there is NO excuse not to pay respect to your teacher and your art. While some martial arts groups find practices such as bowing and signs of respect outdated or irrelevant in modern society, we find them even more necessary in today's day and age of entitlement and arrogance. If you have problems with showing a traditional sign of respect to your art or your teacher, find another teacher. 2. PERMISSION TO JOIN: If you are new to the class, please respectfully approach the head instructor and ask for permission to join the class. Again, you are not entitled to anything. Just because you show up somewhere doesn't mean that you are automatically owed the right to be taught by Sifu Cheng or any of his instructors. For those who have joined the class, you are required to also join the appropriate Yahoo Group, depending on which class you are part of. The purpose of the Yahoo Group is to facilitate communication from Sifu to all of his students. If you don't want to be kept in the loop, then don't be part of the group. These groups are restricted in that only Sifu can send you messages, so you don't need to be concerned about getting spammed from this group. If you are unsure about which group to join, simply e-mail Sifu to request an invitation. 3. SENIOR STUDENT DUTIES: Senior students (si-heng, si-jeh) are obligated to guide and inform the junior students (si-dai, si-mui) of proper positioning during class (i.e., where they should stand) and gently guide them in performing techniques when it does not detract from the concentration of the class. Senior students are also required to take the newer or junior students to the side to field operational questions for the Sifu in an unobtrusive manner. However, in the presence of the Sifu, they are not obligated to answer technical questions when specifically directed to by the Sifu. Additionally, senior students should refrain from answering questions in group classes to allow the junior students a chance to demonstrate their understanding. [In Chinese martial arts, students are referred to as older or younger siblings, all under the leadership of the Si-fu (teacher-father). Just as older siblings often take responsibility for helping raise their younger siblings, so too should senior students.] 4. JUNIOR STUDENT OBLIGATIONS: Junior students are required to meet the benevolent guidance of their seniors with obedience. If students return guidance with a poor attitude, they make themselves impossible to teach. If you sigh, groan, roll your eyes, or otherwise show displeasure towards your instructor or seniors, go elsewhere for instruction. Judgmentalism without experience is a sign of immaturity. For junior students to be worthy of leadership, they must first understand how to follow and serve wholeheartedly and correctly. 5. UNIFORMS: Instructors and instructor candidates are required to wear the Chung-Hua T-shirt to training sessions. Your shirt marks you visually as a leader. Students are requested to purchase a Chung-Hua shirt to signify that you belong to the group. The shirts were not printed to take up space in your drawers. They are part of our functional uniform, which doubles as streetwear. ***In the case of classes taught privately or at one's place of work, no such uniform requirement applies.*** --- We are currently out of stock on T-shirts, but new apparel and designs will be coming in time for Chinese New Year 2007! --- OK... so we're running a little behind on those new items, but it won't be too long now. We've got a new designer working on it, so keep your eye on our products page! 6. FEES: Fees are due at the time that instruction is rendered unless some other arrangement has been made with the instructor. For classes where there is no fee, you are expected to make some demonstrable or concrete contribution towards the perpetuation and comfort of the group or the well-being of the head instructor. This is the traditional way. Just "gracing us with your presence" is utterly unacceptable, as that which you receive too easily, you esteem to lightly. As regularly as you wish to receive instruction is as regularly as you are expected to contribute. Money has never been a focus of how Sifu Cheng has shared his teachings, but nobody appreciates having their time, their hard work, and their generosity taken advantage of. Sifu has always STRONGLY, STRONGLY encouraged his students to go around to other Tai-Chi groups, classes, and masters. Carefully observe their classes and make note of the quality of instruction, the level of understanding of the students, and the depth of the program. If you find something, someone, or somewhere better than what Sifu is teaching, then Sifu would like nothing more for you to go there and enjoy it. Otherwise, show your appreciation in a proper and profound manner! 7. WEAPONS: Students who train with weapons should always do so with the utmost care. Playing around or unsupervised weapon sparring could result in serious or permanent injury, even with something as seemingly harmless as a wooden sword or a rubber knife. Students who are warned twice about their conduct with weapons or other training tools will be asked to leave the group and unwelcome to return. 8. CONVERSATION: If you have a question in the middle of class, raise your hand. Make sure to phrase questions in a respectful, interrogative form. The chief instructor will usually take the time to answer your question. If the instructor deems it inappropriate to answer your question at that moment, he/she will tell you that your question will be addressed later. Do not talk over, interrupt, or verbally slight anyone else. And do not ask a question simply for the pleasure of hearing your own voice or drawing attention to yourself. In observing these rules, you not only save face for yourself, but also honor your teacher. 9. RUNNING LATE: If class has already started by the time you arrive, it is generally no problem. However, you are still required to salute the instructor before joining in. Do not come to the front of the group, no matter how senior you are, unless the instructor motions for you to come to the front. If you come late, you are expected to show respect to the group by not interrupting the flow of the class. Join in promptly, quietly, and unobtrusively. In the event that the Sifu enters when a class is already in progress, the class should stop, address the Sifu with a salute, and then continue training. 10. FORMS OF ADDRESS: There are certain traditional ways that are part and parcel of Sifu Cheng's traditional Chinese martial arts training. These include, but are not limited to, use of traditional Chinese titles and terminology, etiquette, and codes of conduct. The following are a few titles that are important for you to know. During class, students are expected to address their instructors by their titles. Outside of the boundaries of training time, they are free to address each other or their instructors in any fashion that is mutually agreed upon. Sifu - Cantonese for a master of martial arts or Buddhism, literally "teacher-father". It is the title that the head instructor is addressed by. Other Chinese martial arts teachers who are "unrelated" to your head instructor are also referred to as "Sifu" out of respect. In the Mandarin dialect, the equivalent term is "shifu". Read Wikipedia's excellent entry on this title HERE. NOTE: Many Chinese also say that the term "Sifu" is not distinguishing in the realm of martial arts, as it can be a form of address to a chef or a taxi-driver. This comes out of ignorance, as the character for "fu" can be written with the meaning of "father" or the meaning of "teacher" or "tutor". When the second character is used, which is gaining in popularity among Chinese, that signifies that the instructor is merely a technical guide, shunning the responsibility to act as a moral authority or role model to his or her students. Simu - Cantonese title for the master's wife, literally "teacher-mother". Sigung - Cantonese title for the master's teacher, literally "teacher-grandfather". The Mandarin Chinese equivalent is "shiye". Sipoh - Cantonese title for Sigung's wife. Sibak - Cantonese title for master's elder male classmate or master's elder brother. Sisuk - Cantonese title for master's junior male classmate or master's younger brother. Siheng - Cantonese title for a senior male classmate. The Chung-Hua group uses this term not only as a form of address among students, but also as a title for a male instructor under the guidance of the Sifu. Students who train under a Siheng will address him as such, even if he is the sole instructor of that satellite group. Sijie - Cantonese title for a senior female classmate. The Chung-Hua group uses this term not only as a form of address among students, but also as a title for a female instructor under the guidance of the Sifu. Students who train under a Sijie will address her as such, even if she is the sole instructor of that satellite group. Sidai - Cantonese title for a junior male classmate. Simui - Cantonese title for a junior female classmate. These terms are used as a means of reinforcing the familial and martial structure that guides Chinese martial arts study and practice. All too often, people are content to just learn the techniques they want to learn without subjecting themselves to the cultural influences that also play an important role in the study of that art. Such an attitude is unacceptable among the Chung-Hua Institute's students. 11. ATTITUDE & LEARNING STYLES: While it is in vogue to pay extra attention to different learning styles and learning disorders, no such quarter will be given during group classes. As a student, you are expected to rigorously pay attention to correction and work diligently to apply those corrections at all times. You are also expected to learn and train in such a way as to NOT disrupt the flow of the rest of the group. Letting your mind drift or showing repeated lack of attention to detail or caution will result in reprimand or removal. If you come to learn, then apply yourself fully and completely to the instruction that is given to you. If you come to be coddled and showered with nothing but positive reinforcement, regardless of your behavior or performance, go elsewhere.
***QUESTIONS??? - These rules should be utterly self-explanatory. However, if you have questions about these rules, e-mail Sifu Mark Cheng at SifuMarkChengLAc@aol.com for clarification. *** updated 12/16/06
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