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PARTICULARLY in traditional kungfu schools, students are expected to observe certain rules of conduct. Some of the rules are simple courtesy; others derive from tradition, and still others may be unique to your school. Almost all are based on principles of respect: respect for the art, for masters both past and present, for fellow students, and for one’s self. They help instill in every student the qualities and virtues that define the character of the true martial artist.

Whatever the rules of the school, all students should try to follow them as closely as possible. At the same time, do not be terrified of breaking a rule, as if you are committing a crime. If, or when, as a beginner, you forget, an older student will probably quietly remind you of proper behavior. Make the correction, and carry on. Of course, if any student continuously breaks a rule or refuses to follow a school’s regulations, he or she will probably be asked to leave.

A typical set of rules and etiquette for a kungfu school might include the following.

Bowing/Saluting

When entering and leaving the school, bowing—or using the kungfu salute— is appropriate. Saluting the Chief Instructor (sifu) is also appropriate, as is giving the salute to the assistant instructor teaching your specific class. Upon entering and leaving, it may also be customary to salute other students.

New students will probably be taught the proper salute during the orientation session or the first class. Each style has its own particular salute. One of the most traditional involves placing the right fist in the palm of the left hand, holding the two hands in front of the chest, and inclining the head and upper body slightly in the direction of the person being saluted. This salute comes from the days of the Ching dynasty, when Ming dynasty supporters used this salute to identify each other. The flat left hand represented the Chinese symbol for “moon,” while the fist represented the symbol for “sun”; together, these two symbols compose the character “ming,” meaning brightness. It is also said that this salute symbolizes a weapon (right fist) that is in its scabbard (left palm), meaning that there will be no fighting.

Personal Appearance and Hygiene

Dress

While in the school, always dress appropriately. In most cases this will mean wearing your kungfu uniform. It should be clean. Do not wear a hat or sunglasses. Do not wear jewelry of any sort (rings, earrings, body piercings, watches, and so on) as these can interfere with your movements and even cause injury to yourself or another person during training.

Personal Hygiene

As you will be working closely with other students and exerting yourself strenuously, come to school clean. As you may be exchanging punches and kicks, especially later in your training, it’s best to get in the habit of keeping your fingernails neatly trimmed.

Behavior in Class

Arrive on time to show respect for your teacher and fellow students.

Show a positive attitude and try your best in every assignment. Naturally, you will like some forms and some movements better than others; naturally, you will be better at some than at others. In spite of these preferences, give each movement your best effort. Striving to maintain this attitude is also part of the training.

During group training, ask questions only when given the opportunity; do not interrupt teaching. If you are unclear about anything, wait until after the group session to clarify your misunderstanding with an instructor—not with a fellow student. In that way you can be sure you will learn correctly and not disturb others.

Do not chew gum. Often schools will also ask you not to eat in the school except on special occasions.

As for mobile/cell phones, find out what the school’s policy on this is, and follow the rule. Some sifus don’t like phone calls interfering with class and distracting all the students. (Indeed, some sifus don’t even answer their own phone during class time.)

Do not handle or experiment with any of the equipment in the school until you are invited to use it and/or instructed in how to use it. Most schools have various kinds of equipment to help develop muscles and coordination—such as punching bags, wooden dummies, and other floor equipment. You will be shown how to use these things in due time.

Similarly, do not touch or handle any of the weapons that may be on display in the school. In many schools an abundance of weapons of different sizes and shapes—staffs, swords, sabers, chains, and so forth—may be hung on the walls or set in racks around the edges of the practice area. Some of these weapons may belong to individuals, who store them at the school for their use during practice sessions; others belong to the school. In any case, they are not yours, and they are not toys; the best approach is to admire them but not to touch them.

Relations with Others

Other Students

Show respect to all fellow students, regardless of their rank or ability.

Do not correct or criticize other people, either to their faces or behind their backs. If you see someone else doing something that you think is wrong, do not correct him or her. Instead, you should probably ask an instructor to make sure you are not doing something wrong.

Do not compare yourself with other students, or your progress with theirs. Do not think poorly of those who seem to be less capable than you. Similarly, do not show off. Neither of these attitudes will help you improve. No matter how well or poorly you are doing, there is always someone who is doing better than you—and also someone doing worse. Focus on your own practice and form.

Do not give in to ego, anger, or aggression for any reason, either in the school or on the street. Kungfu is a discipline of self-defense, self-control, and self-development. Do not use it for intimidation, revenge, bullying, or coercion.

Do not chat or talk to others during instruction; practice should be pursued earnestly. As you become friendly with your fellow students, there will be a great temptation to socialize during sessions. Don’t do it! Save conversation for after class.

Attitude toward the Sifu