Frequently Asked Questions

Here you’ll find answers to some common questions about becoming a student at the Chinese Shao-Lin Center. Remember, students always work at their OWN PACE and can JOIN AT ANYTIME.

My doctor recommends some kinds of stretching and exercise. Can I do Shao-lin?
Many experts today encourage activity to keep us young and flexible. We have passive conditioning classes, breathing exercises that build and continue on to more involved classes, such as Tai Chi Chaun.

What kind of mental training might I expect?
Most students comment that Shao-lin provided so much more than they expected! In addition to the physical training and conditioning, mental conditioning is also emphasized. Correct breathing techniques are taught, as well as, forms (katas) which are an excellent way for the brain to learn new patterns. Experts say this is critical in achieving a healthy mind and body as we get older.

Is there a specific time in the class cycle when I should start my training?
No! Students WORK at their OWN PACE and new students can JOIN at ANYTIME.

I’m over 40 – can I do Shao-lin?
YES! We have many students from all walks of life interested in getting in better physical and mental shape. Students that cannot participate in particular areas of conditioning have an abundance of other material that will help get and keep you in shape!

Is Shao-lin Kung Fu suitable for women?
Absolutely, we have many women in the art, various ages and rank. Besides learning the self defense aspect, the conditioning and mental training ensure a long, healthy life!. The techniques developed in Shao-lin Kung Fu were designed for a smaller practitioner to defeat a larger more powerful attacker through superior skill, strategy and technique. Studying Shao-lin is the perfect preparation for a woman seeking effective and universal self-defense skills. In fact, the founder of Wing Chun, the style of Kung Fu that Bruce Lee studied, was a Shao-lin nun.

What about kids?
For children the recommended age is 12 years old, however, we will allow a student as young as 9 or 10 yrs old if an older sibling or parent joins with them. We suggest that you purchase only a 1 month membership for a youngster under 12, and have them join on a trial basis to see how the 1st month goes. Kung Fu is a great family activity!

Is Shao-Lin Kung Fu applicable for self-defense on the streets?
Definitely. The techniques taught in Shao-lin Kung Fu have been combat tested for generations, and the instruction at the Chinese Shao-lin Centers emphasizes a full understanding of the applications behind all of the movements taught.

I thought there was only one Shao-lin temple, why do you refer to others?
In fact, after the first burning of the original Shao-lin Temple, the art was dispersed through a network of 7 Buddhist temples and Taoist hermitages across China as a means of keeping the knowledge fully intact for generations to come.

Why do you wear Japanese uniforms, and use a Japanese belt system?
The Japanese style uniform is virtually identical to what the monks wore when training (crossed tops, loose pants and colored belts to denote rank). Historical resources such as the frescoes from the Thousand Buddha Hall at the original Shao-lin temple show this in their depictions of the martial monks training. The frog-button, silky uniform that people often associate with Kung Fu is actually a relatively recent innovation, dating to the late Ching dynasty. Hence these fancier types of uniforms are both less historically accurate, and ill-suited to the intensity of traditional Shao-lin training.

How is Shao-lin different from other martial arts like Tae Kwon Do, Karate and Jiu Jitsu?
Shao-lin Kung Fu is much older than all of these arts, so it has had a much longer time to develop an advanced repertoire of effective fighting techniques. It is said that “all martial arts come from Shao-lin.” This refers to the fact that many other styles were created by someone wishing to share their exposure to Shao-lin’s fighting methods with a new group of students. The application of Shao-lin Kung Fu is pragmatic and ferocious with an emphasis on the elegant delivery of finesse-based techniques.

Can I freeze my membership?
Yes. You may freeze your membership once with written notice. An email to the head instructor will suffice.

What is the sparring like? Are there competitions?
We do not have any competitions. Shao-lin Kung Fu is not a sport. The free sparring, practiced both in pairs and larger groups, is a strategic exercise working on intelligently applying the techniques you are learning in class in a fast-paced, safe and creative environment. As a laboratory for exploring the effective application of techniques, you are allowed to work on a much wider variety of applications than would normally be emphasized in a competition-oriented sparring environment.