Classes run continuously year-round. We typically have a two-week break over the Christmas holidays. Other than that, classes run every week. Once you register, you are part of our team and will always be welcome to attend. Each August, we do ask participants to complete a re-registration package so that our records stay up-to-date and we know who is returning (which helps us know how many spots we have available for new students).
That is not a problem at all! In fact, most of our students who join have no previous experience in martial arts. We will start by teaching you the fundamentals of kung-fu including our stances, blocks and basic punches, and build from there.
Yes. We have all of our students start by earning their white belt. Your previous experience may allow you to progress more quickly to the next rank. In some cases, we may allow students to skip a belt level if their martial arts skills are sufficiently advanced and they pick the techniques and forms up quickly enough.
Yes, everyone is welcome at Kung-fu for Christ. We recognize that everyone is at a different fitness level and may have different physical abilities. We can suggest modifications if you are not able to do a specific exercise or technique. We have taught students from age 7 into their 80s and are able to tailor classes to personal differences to ensure everyone can get something out of it.
Students must earn their first – white – belt and will usually be awarded their belt and uniform after their first 6-8 weeks of classes. Uniforms are valued at $50, but are awarded without a required fee. Donations are encouraged to offset costs and allow equipment, such as uniforms and belts, to be awarded without required fees.
We encourage all of our students to read the Bible and to dedicate a good effort to their academics. To recognize achievements in either area, students are awarded badges. Red chevrons on the left sleeve denote that a student has read one book of the Bible, and a gold chevron represents five. On the right sleeve is the Academic Achievement Award (earned for working hard in school) and chevrons for subsequent academic accomplishments.
The red belt and red belt with a black stripe don’t denote a specific rank in kung-fu. Rather, they indicate a junior instructor (red) and a full instructor (red with a black stripe). The Laoshis are not all the same rank, but wear the red belt so that students can easily identify them and recognize them as instructors.
You are certainly welcome to stay if you want, but it isn’t required. If you decide to stay, you can watch your children on the television in the front foyer or find a seat along the main hallway. The kids’ class ends at 8:00 PM. Bible Reading Time is from about 8:15-8:45 PM and students have the chance to socialize and play games afterwards until 9:15 PM when the adult class ends. We ask that you pick up your child(ren) by 9:15 PM at the latest.
Bible Reading Time is an optional class that offers a short youth-led Bible study for participants of the kid’s kung-fu class. During it, students read one chapter of a book in the Bible and discuss what they read. Youth leaders guide the discussion with prepared questions to explore the different ideas and important messages contained in the chapter. Participants enjoy a small snack (a juice box and dessert of some sort such as cookies) and are welcome to stay after the study finishes to play games and socialize with their teammates. The study portion typically lasts about half an hour from 8:15-8:45 PM and games continue until the end of the adult class at 9:15 PM.
Depending on the intake of new students and instructors available, new students may train together in a single group or be split up based on age. We may be able to accommodate requests to stay in a group with a friend. As students progress to higher belt ranks, groups will be determined entirely by rank. So, if you or your friend progress at different speeds, you may not be able to stay in the same group. However, you are welcome to hang out before and after class.
Due to the limited number of spaces available, students may only attend one class (Tuesday or Thursday night). Higher rank students may be invited to an additional night of training on Monday which prepares students to begin teaching. Advanced students are also invited to bimonthly classes on Saturday mornings. Depending on your rank, current class sizes and instructor availability, you might be able to switch nights if a conflict arises. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis and approval will be granted or denied by the head instructor, Sifu Alan Braganza.
Kung-fu classes for children, teens, and adults are offered without required fees. Instead, we are supported by voluntary donations that help offset costs. Students are also awarded uniforms without a required fee, and most required equipment is available to be borrowed (with the exception of mouthguards (which we sell for $10) and cups/jock straps for males that students can purchase themselves). That being said, Kung-Fu for Christ has all the same costs as a traditional martial arts program (e.g., facility rental, insurance, administrative costs, equipment, etc.). This is why traditional martial arts clubs charge between $100-$150/month per student. We depend on voluntary donations to keep programming accessible to people of all economic situations. If you are able to, we encourage you to sign up to become a monthly donor. Any donation you make will help cover costs and keep programming accessible.
To earn your next rank, you first need to learn all of the required techniques and form(s). If a Laoshi believes you are ready, they will recommend you and Sifu Alan will make the final assessment. If he believes you are ready, you will be awarded a piece of black tape on your belt. This means you have been invited to the grading. If you continue to train hard and practice your techniques, you’ll be able to attend the grading.
The grading is just like an extra long kung-fu class where the instructors will ask you to show them everything you know. You’ll do a warm-up, your push-up and sit-up requirements, techniques as a group, and techniques moving across the floor. You’ll also do your form independently in front of the entire group and recite your Bible verse. The grading typically concludes with some conditioning – a test of your endurance and perseverance. Gradings range in length, typically starting at about 2 hrs and reaching as long as 6-7 hrs for a black belt grading.
To prepare for a grading, attend all classes in the months leading up to it. Come to class early and take advantage of the extra time and space to train; feel free to ask instructors to watch and provide feedback either before or after class. Practice your forms and techniques at home. It’s also encouraged to work on your cardio (by running, swimming, biking, etc.) and strength training (training with weights is great). The day before the grading, make sure to go to bed at a good time to be well rested. Eat a good meal, but don’t eat anything heavy close to the start of the grading. Drink some water before the grading and take small sips if/when given water breaks. Never chug or gulp your water. It’s normal to be nervous before a grading.
Before learning a weapon, students must first acquire a certain level of skill and proficiency with their empty handed forms and techniques. Students’ first weapon will be the bo staff which will be taught at orange stripe. As students advance through the ranks, they will also learn knives, tonfa, sais and swords. For each weapon, students will begin by learning how to handle and perform techniques with the weapons, then they will learn a form with the weapon.
Earning a black belt typically takes a minimum of 10 years of dedicated, consistent training. Laoshi Sarah, who is currently preparing to test for her black belt, will have trained for twelve years by the time she grades. We don’t train for belts though, rather we train to get better. Traditionally, there were no belts or ranking systems in martial arts; these are a western invention to help students remain motivated and provide them with a measure of their progress.
The Sword of the Spirit represents the Word of God, which is the Bible. The Bible contains great wisdom and guidance, equipping us to live Christian lives. Students who carefully study and read their full, age appropriate Bible are awarded with a wooden broadsword, representing the Sword of the Spirit.
STORM stands for Special Team of Role Models. A STORM member is a student who demonstrates leadership potential. They should be dedicated to both their kung-fu training and their Christian faith. Students aged 10-18 who show promise are invited to participate in STORM 101, a leadership training course with curriculum and homework that takes place on Mondays throughout the school year. During the course, students learn important leadership skills preparing them to become assistant instructors in kung-fu.
