- Do I need an appointment to visit?
- Do you have beginner's classes?
- Do you have children's classes?
- Do you have any other schools?
- How would I know one of your members who is teaching?
- Are there other schools/temples like yours?
- Can you recommend a school/instructor in my area?
- Can you tell me how to study in China and/or the Shaolin Temple?
- Do you have a residential program?
- Can I join your organization/association if I do not study with you directly?
- Do you provide instruction/information over the Internet?
- What styles do you teach?
- How long will it take me to advance?
Do I need an appointment to visit?
No, you are welcome to visit any time a class is in session. There will be an instructor available to answer any questions you may have or you may direct questions to questions@kungfuwusu.com prior to your visit.
Do you have beginner's classes?
No, we do not. A beginning student is provided with a 2-3 week orientation (basically equivalent to private or semi-private lessons). When they have become familar with the basics, they are then integrated into the rest of the class. Classes are typically broken down into groups based on level (not rank) for instruction.
Do you have children's classes?
Yes, the children are the pride of the Temple. Childrens classes are Saturday mornings. There is a high instructor-to-student ratio and the children receive the same instruction as the adults. Ages range from 6-16, with the older kids (14 and over) reserving the option to attend adult classes (with permission, of course).
Do you have any other schools?
No. Some of our higher ranking students have moved on and teach in other parts of the world, but they are not sanctioned by the Temple.
How would I know one of your members who is teaching?
A ranking member who is qualified to teach will have in his/her possession at least 2 large framed parchment certificates signed by Grandmaster Lee and displaying both the Dragon and 3-Fighting-Men logos you see on this homepage. The certificates will also bear Mr. Lee's signature in Chinese, as well as his chop and the school seal in the lower right hand corner. Some of the older students will also have a gin or straight sword bearing a brass plaque with their rank on the scabbard. Note: A student with less than 2 degrees (here, 2 certificates) is not considered certified to teach outside the Temple.
Are there other schools/temples like yours?
There are a few schools of this type and caliber in the West, but our curriculum is unique to us.
Can you recommend a school/instructor in my area?
We do not, in general, make recommendations or provide comment concerning any school/instructor in any part of the world. Nor do we make recommendations unless we have first hand knowledge of an instructor or school.
Can you tell me how to study in China and/or the Shaolin Temple?
We do not have contacts in China, nor are we directly affiliated with the Shaolin Temple. This includes the "Shaolin Fighting Monks" performance team.
Do you have a residential program?
No, we do not.
Can I join your organization/association if I do not study with you directly?
No, we are not a fraternal organization. You must study with us directly.
Do you provide instruction/information over the Internet?
No, we do not. Again, you must study with us directly. Books and videos authored by Grandmaster Lee will be forthcoming, but are not yet available to the public.
What styles do you teach?
There are 26 distinct and complete styles outlined in our curriculum. In addition, we teach the 4 traditional Shaolin weapons and the 18 classical military weapons. While some of these styles will be familiar (Northern Long Fist, Southern Stone Fist or Cannon Fist, Drunken Monk, Lost Track, etc.), others (left unnamed here) are more arcane and taught by only a few Masters.
How long will it take me to advance?
We use the traditional button system of rank. In general, it takes 3-4 years to attain a 1st Degree (this is approximately equivalent to a 2nd Dan or 2nd degree Black Belt in a typical Karate ranking system). There are 5 White Buttons on the way to the rank of Sifu (Shifu) or Master. The Master rank (6th Degree) is the first Black Button. There are then 5 Black Buttons on the way to the rank of Sigung (Shigong) or Grandmaster. The Grandmaster rank is the first Red Button. It typically takes 20-25 years to attain the rank of Sifu or Master. A 1st Degree student is remarked an Assistant Instructor, a 2nd Degree an Instructor.
| << temple bookstore |
