THANK YOU FOR BEING A WAH LUM MEMBER!
IMPORTANT INFO TO KNOW:
- First Day:
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to class to sign in at the front office, and warm up.
- There is a key rack located by the bathrooms and on the left patio.
- Extra uniforms and shoes can be purchased in the front office. There is water, Gatorade, and quick snacks for sale.
- Uniforms:
- Uniforms may not be altered.
- Full uniform must be worn to class, or you will not be permitted to participate in class. (Wah Lum issued: TC jacket, shoes, and pants comes with the registration. TC shirts are sold separately)
- Photo / Video / Social Media:
- You may not take photos during class.
- You may post PHOTOS ONLY and TAG us at @wahlumtemple on Instagram or Facebook.
- Any videos taken at the Wah Lum Temple are prohibited from being used on any public share sites, such as but not limited to, Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, etc. without permission.
- We also ask you refrain from video taping your forms and posting them online.
- While we are happy with your enthusiasm, our forms are a part of the traditional Wah Lum system and we would like to keep the privacy of our style within the system. Grandmaster Chan has worked hard to keep the system traditional and to ensure that students are only learning from certified Sifus
- Testing Policy:
- You will test once you have reached a certain level in the curriculum.
- An instructor will inform you when you are ready to test and registration info will be sent by email.
- Communications:
- A weekly newsletter will be sent with important information on the school. Please read them! They are short and informative and let you know of any schedule changes. Your information is never shared.
- To join our secret members only Wah Lum Warrior FACEBOOK GROUP – please add us as a friend and request to join the group HERE. Get tips, advice, and secret kung fu moves are revealed to our members only!
- Keep Us Updated:
- If at any time, you change any information, including emails, contact info, and bank account, please notify the office immediately so we can update our records.
- Safety – Please be aware of the following areas at the Temple:
- The plum flower poles and any garden area are strictly off limits.
- Do not play/jump from the stage area located on the left patio.
- Please wait on the porch for pick up as the parking lot is busy.
- No plants or fruits on the property are to be disturbed or eaten.
TAI CHI MEMBER HANDBOOK
Welcome to Wah Lum and thank you for taking the first step to improve your health. The benefits of Tai Chi exercises will improve your well-being both mentally and physically. The style you will be learning is the 108 movements of the Yang style.
Benefits of Tai Chi
Tai chi is meditation in motion. We like to think of tai chi as medication in movements.
There will be 3 parts to the 108 movements of which each part, you will be ‘checked’ to make sure you are understanding the movements and gaining the benefits of tai chi. More benefits include:
- Overall Well Being
- Improves Physical Condition
- Flexibility
- Strength and Stamina
- Decrease Fatigue
- Coordination
- Self-awareness and Confidence
- Balance
Things to remember when practicing tai chi:
Waist line power Shifting of weight
60/40 stances Circular movements
Deep breathing
Relax shoulders, relax body
TRADITION
Here at Wah Lum we encourage learning the tradition and culture with tai chi training. Respect and tradition are important to us at Wah Lum. Bowing is a gesture of respect. Addressing your instructors by their proper titles is also a sign of respect. Listed below are some of the Chinese terms we use at the school.
Sigung = Gandmaster (Grandmaster Chan)
Simo = direct translation ‘sifu’s wife’ (Simo Suzy – is technically SiPo as the grandmasters’ wife, but prefers Simo)
Sifu = Instructor, teacher. Here at the temple certified instructors are Sifu’s
Count to 10 in Chinese: yat, yee, samm, sei, umm, luk, chut, baat, gau, sap
Bisan = to light incense out of respect for previous masters
Gau Jung = end of class
What are the characters on the altar?
Middle: Foh Gee (Control)
Right side: Jeen Jo, Jeen See, Jeen Gaau Do (Respect Grand Master, Respect Sifu, Respect Teachings)
Left side: Hok Yan, Hok Yi, Hok Kung Fu (Learn Kindness, Learn Fellowship, Learn Hard Work)
Top: Wah Lum Pai (Wah Lum System)
Learning Etiquette: To maintain standard and quality, students must only practice movements that have been taught by a Wah Lum instructor. Following new movements is not permitted.
FAQ
- What age should I start practicing tai chi?
Tai Chi is beneficial to everyone! We encourage adolescents 14+ to start their training, as younger children may not yet mature enough to understand the benefits of tai chi.
- Is tai chi good for self defense?
Tai Chi is a martial art, and is an art form that has self defense movements within it. We teach tai chi for health benefits first, and self defense secondary.
- What do I do after I finish 108 Movements of Yang?
There are several weapons and other advanced tai chi forms in the curriculum for those who want to further their training.
- I have just had surgery, can I practice tai chi
Yes, we encourage to do some form of exercise after surgery, and tai chi is one of the best exercise program for this. (always ask for doctor advice and recommendation before starting any exercise program)
- I have back problems, and knee problems. Is this good for me?
Make sure you let the instructor know of your situation. Tai chi is not a fix all exercise, but it will help strengthen your body and legs, which might help with the pain.
- I suffer from stress and anxiety, is this good for me?
One of the many benefits of tai chi is to relieve stress as we do breathing exercises to help the nervous system.
SCHOOL RULES AND REGULATIONS
- All students must be in proper uniform to participate in class (WL issued: Tai Chi Jacket or T-shirt, pants, and shoes). There is no altering of uniforms permitted. You can purchase additional uniforms in the front office.
- Arrive at least 5 minutes prior to classes, but no more than 15 minutes early.
- Students must bow before entering and leaving the training area (as a sign of respect).
- No profanity in the training area
- Respect one another as family members. Treat all instructors (Sigung, Simo, Sifu’s) with respect, and all classmates as your brothers and sisters.
- Students are not permitted to instruct or teach other students.
- No eating or drinking in the training area.
- All personal belongings kept in the restrooms is at your own risk.
- No leaning against the walls or mirrors
- Students must purchase their own personal weapons. Do not use other students’ weapons without permission
- All weapons must be stored in a safe place or in the weapons rack.
- Keep tuition up to date.
- Please help keep the school clean.
- Students may not take photos during class. Any videos, photographs, or images taken at the Wah Lum Temple are prohibited from being used on any public share sites, such as but not limited to, facebook, youtube, etc. While we are happy with your enthusiasm, these images are a part of the traditional Wah Lum system and we would like to keep the privacy of our style within the system. Grandmaster Chan has worked hard to keep the system traditional and to ensure that students are only learning from certified Sifus.
TESTING
PART 1
- Know and understand the movements of Part 1
- Read Tai Chi World of Suzy Chan
PART 2
- Know and understand movements of Part 2
- Execute fluidity and balance
PART 3
- Know the names of the movements of part 3
- Execute fluidity, balance, and have a better understanding of the self defense application of the movements
Test Fees
Part 1 – $35
Part 2 – $35
Part 3 – $50
Weapons Test – $35
Upon completion of all three parts, you will be given a certificate of completion. This however, is really the beginning of your journey to a fuller understanding and gaining the benefits of tai chi by constantly training and improving daily.
ADVANCED TAI CHI
DO (Broadsword) GIM (straight sword)
13 movement broadsword
24 Movements 42 Movements
Chen Style Stick
Fan