Sinking Moon School of Kung Fu

Class Structure

Our classes are divided into the following phases. Some classes deviate slightly from this paradigm in order to focus on special curricula (e.g. when a visiting instructor is present), but, in general, each class tends to follow this pattern.

Stretching:

We begin classes with a number of stretching and flexibility exercises. Flexibility is an important component of the martial arts, and students are encouraged to push themselves through deeper and more intense stretches each class.
Drills:

We have a series of drills that we perform each class, including break-falls, tumbles, kicking exercises, and basic boxing drills. In addition, we often add one or two drills that vary from class to class, often depending on lessons from recent classes.
Conditioning:

Strength training and conditioning is a vital component of success in the martial arts. Conditioning can vary from class to class, but typically involves strength training (push-ups, crunches, etc...), body hardening (iron vest training, forearm hardening exercises, etc...), and muscle toning (stance training, held kicks, etc...).
Cardio Workout:

We colloquially refer to our cardio workout as 'torture', but it's actually a fun, high-impact, workout to music led by an instructor. The purpose of this workout is to help students develop cardiovascular health and stamina, which is necessary to be successful at sparring.
Water Break:

In order to encourage proper hydration, we take a short (5-7 min) water break between our cardio workout and other areas of class. This is also time used by instructors to make any relevant announcements.
Lesson:

After water break, we go over a short review of topics covered in recent classes, then proceed into a specific topic for that day's class. The topics covered during lessons are usually focused on specific requirements at the belt ranks of the students attending the class in question. Sometimes, more advanced topics, or topics that are not in the rank requirements, are covered, especially if a visiting instructor is present.
Sparring:

Toward the end of class, we'll have one or two sparring sessions. These sessions are timed boxing or kickboxing rounds where students have the ability to develop the skills they've acquired over the past several classes. Since we don't have time for each student to spar every class, we have an informal rotation schedule that we follow. While the matches are timed, often there will be short breaks in the exercise for instructors to give feedback and tips.

Lesson Curriculum

Our lessons in Kung Fu consist of several subjects which make up our curriculum. In a single class, a lesson may cover several of these topics, or it may cover a single topic in more depth. A brief description of the different topic categories is below.

Forms

A 'form' is a predetermined sequence of techniques simulating a combat situation used by an individual to learn, apply, and recall techniques. We often compare forms as 'dictionaries' of techniques - you will never use the words in a dictionary in the order they are presented in the dictionary, but you will take specific items from different places within to form a cohesive set. Forms, by themselves, are only marginally useful. We also teach the applications that correspond to the movements in the form, in order to decouple the choreographed aspects from the fighting techniques they represent. Students are taught forms in which every sequence of moves has a fighting application - there are no wasted aspects to our forms.
Strikes

Strikes, in this sense, mean the fundamental hand positions and physical movements involved in striking an opponent. Hand configuration is taught, as are potential targets and body-positioning necessary before and after the strike in order to effect maximum potential with minimum effort.
Kicks

Kicks are strikes performed with the legs and lower body. In a way similar to strikes, we teach not only the fundamentals of the kick, but also balance, power generation, stance and body positioning, and flexibility in order to enable students to maximize their benefit while kicking.
Blocks

Blocks are a way of stopping, deflecting, or absorbing a strike made by an opponent in order to minimize damage to oneself. We teach the motions associated with blocks at each level, but also how to utilize blocks as transformations into strikes, or even as strikes in and of themselves.
Stances

Stances train the legs and body, provide a mechanism for teaching balance to the student, and generate power through transition from one stance to another. We are rigorous in our stance training and often employ methods of strengthening the legs in order for students to deepen their stances. While stance training is often repetitive, it is core to a student's development and stance training should be undertaken with maximum attention paid to detail.
Techniques

All technical applications of the art consisting of a sequence of steps necessary to execute a complicated move we refer to as 'techniques'. This includes joint locks, throws, submission holds, striking combinations, and blocking/redirection maneuvers. All of our techniques are derived directly from the forms we teach. Students learn not only the theoretical basis for a defense, but also the parts of the defense that make it practical to use in an actual combat situation.
Ground Defenses

Much of the art of Kung Fu is centered around how to defend oneself from a standing position. Unfortunately, there are times when it is inevitable that even the best fighters will end up on the ground. We teach a number of techniques related to falling safely, defending oneself while on the ground, and recovering from a fall or takedown to regain an upright posture.
Theory

In addition to the applications of the fighting art of Kung Fu ('techniques'), we also teach the theoretical basis for the art. This theory component covers topics such as positioning and strategy while in combat, the ethics of when to use what one has learned, the historical basis for our techniques, and traditions surrounding our art. As it is traditional for more experienced students to pass on what they have learned, we also have a number of topics on teaching and learning that are specific to the martial arts.
Chi Kung

Chi Kung, or Qigong, literally means 'life energy cultivation'. It is a methodology of meditation, simple exercises, repetition, and mental visualization techniques designed to focus students' minds and internal energy ('Chi'). Practioners of T'ai Chi will find similarities in the movements within the art of T'ai Chi to our Chi Kung exercises.
Sparring

Sparring is our method of applying theoretical concepts and physical techniques in real-time against an opponent. Students at the rank of white belt are introduced to sparring through two-person drills and basic boxing in a controlled environment. Orange, yellow, and green belts are expected to extend their knowledge in boxing, as well as add the use of their feet for executing kicks. At blue, purple, red, and black belts, students are introduced to more open-hand techniques, and begin to practice the use of these techniques in a controlled combat situation.

Self-Study Expectations

In addition to class attendance, students are expected to spend time conditioning themselves outside of class. As students progress further in the ranks, this requirement becomes more crucial to success. While each student may require a different amount of time for different concepts, students should strive to practice 2 hours per week outside of class for every hour of class in which they participate.

The following is a list of items each student should practice on their own, outside of class:

Stance Training
Practice and Review of Known Forms
Journaling/Memory Retention Techniques
Meditation and Chi Kung Visualizations
Conditioning Drills
Sparring Review/Self-Critique