Bozeman Chinese Martial Arts FAQ
Some answers to frequently asked questions on Tai Chi, Bagua and
martial arts in general. For brief descriptions of the arts themselves,
see the What we Study
page.
General Questions:
Can I try a class before I join?
Is there a minimum commitment?
What if I can't make all the classes?
Do you have belts or ranks?How long does it take to learn?
Will I get injured?
Will I get hit or thrown?
What is an "internal" martial art?
Do I have to subscribe to a certain philosophy or religion?
When can I start?
Tai Chi Chuan Questions:
What style of Tai Chi do you teach?
I have studied Tai Chi before, is it like my style?
Is Tai Chi really a martial art?
Is Tai Chi good for specific health conditions?
Bagua Zhang Questions:
What style of Bagua Zhang do you teach?
Why do you teach this class so early in the morning?
BCMA currently offers classes in Tai Chi Chuan and Bagua Zhang. As part of that curriculum, material from Shuai Jiao (Chinese wrestling), Chin Na (joint locking) and other related arts are also explored. When there is enough demand, I also offer a Tai Chi sword class which focuses on applications, and a push hands group which meets once a month. I have previously provided instruction in other styles including Northern Long Fist and Northern Praying Mantis.
All classes are structured so that beginners may join at any time. There are typically students at varying levels at every class, and the material is presented in a way that all students can get something out of it. Classes may be split between those with more experience and those with less, but much of the class is practiced together. While beginners may feel a little behind at the beginning, working with more experienced classmates provides learning opportunities and insights that are not always available in an all beginners class. Likewise for more experienced classmates, the opportunity to aid a beginner presents different ways of looking at material and a deeper exploration of concepts than might otherwise happen.
Cost for classes varies somewhat, but I try to keep classes as affordable as possible. See the Classes page for current costs for each class. Some are set by me, others by where I teach them. If money is a problem and you have a sincere desire to learn, please contact me about other options.
Can I try a class before I join?
Absolutely. I invite any prospective students to come check out the class and meet me before joining. If you come to try a class, expect to participate as much as you are able so you get a feel for the material- its free. Afterward, ask any questions you may have.
Is there a minimum commitment?
There is no minimum commitment in terms of time or money. All class fees are on a monthly or drop-in basis.
What if I can't make all the classes?
Classes on a monthly fee schedule require the month to be paid in full even if you miss a few days during the month. If you are only able to attend one class per week of a class that meets twice a week, we can look at another fee structure or you can opt for paying on a drop-in basis. As far as your ability to keep up in class, that is up to you to decide. Some people are fine to get in extra practice on their own and only need to meet once a week, others find they can not effectively keep up.
No. All you need are some comfortable clothes. The sword practice is the only class that you will probably want to invest in your own gear. Everyone is required to provide their own protective eye wear (like racquetball goggles), but for other gear there is extra available to borrow during class. Most classes are barefoot, but good martial arts shoes have a thin flat sole without a lot of extra cushion. Chuck T's, indoor soccer shoes, wrestling shoes or martial arts shoes are all appropriate.
Chinese martial arts do not traditionally use a belt ranking system. Some styles and schools have adopted the practice, but I have not. I personally prefer to spend more time training and building a community of students than to develop and administer a ranking system.
How long does it take to learn?
Your whole life, but don't let that stop you. This really depends on what you want to get out of the class and your own learning speed. Martial arts, and internal arts in particular, are rich with subtleties, nuance and endless refinement. You certainly don't have to dedicate your life to martial arts to learn them, but if you want to you can. Internal arts, however, do take longer to learn due to the fact that they are very 'technique' heavy. To use Tai Chi Chuan and Bagua Zhang correctly, you cannot muscle your way through. In fact, much of beginning work is simply breaking down habits and re-learning how to move. This can be very frustrating initially, but if you are not in a hurry and stick with it, it is very rewarding practice.
There is always the possibility of injury in any physical endeavor. Students must take responsibility for their choices and understand that working with the body presents inherent risks. At some point in training, you will most likely injure yourself. It may be a stubbed toe, or it may be a bruised ego. I train with the intent of making the body stronger and healthier, and injuries, of course, run counter to that goal. I spend a great deal of time explaining stances, structure and working basics in order to prepare the body for exercise. You should never get a long-term injury (ie: joint or repetitive stress injuries) from practice, but you may suffer short term soreness: it is exercise after all. I have students from mid twenties to mid sixties, and all of them are able to participate without fear of injuries. I never require students to do something they think (or I think) will injure themselves, and I often remind new students to simply listen to their bodies. Attentiveness and conscious practice are the best ways to avoid injuries.
Will I get hit or
thrown?
If
you are training in the sword class, expect to get hit. It happens, and
it will train your reflexes quicker than anything. Protective eye wear
is required for this class, and other protective equipment is
recommended with some loaners available at practice. At no point are
participants trying to hit each other with malice or excessive force-
we are all helping each other learn and building trust with our
training partners.
In the freehand classes, learning the applications as a reference for the form is indispensible for correcting stances and posture. It also builds confidence and adds life to the practice. BCMA does not practice free sparring, but we do practice applications and push hands. While exploring different applications, defenses, locks or throws, there is the opportunity for contact. These techniques are practiced in the safest manner possible, and I never ask people to do something they are not comfortable with. As I said, we are working together to help each other learn, and injuring or insulting your training partner is the quickest way to lose training opportunities.
What is an "internal" martial art?
The classification of internal and external martial arts is a bit misleading. In general, outwardly physical styles like Karate, Tae Kwon Do and some Kung Fu would fall into the external camp due to their emphasis on muscular strength: the stronger the better. Softer looking styles like Tai Chi Chuan, Bagua Zhang and Aikido would fall into the internal camp due to their emphasis on neutralizing and using an opponent's strength against them: no force on force. However, some harder looking styles, like Hsing Yi Chuan, are called internal and vice versa. Really it is about the approach to practice that an art takes. For many arts the end goal is the same. But does the art approach that goal from the outside in or the inside out? Internal vs external is as much about intention as technique, and often debated to the point of obscuring any meaningful discussion on the merits of a particular system. As a person looks for a style of martial arts (or any endeavor) to practice, it is more important to find something which fits their personality and temperment, and that they enjoy doing.
Do I have to subscribe to a certain philosophy or religion?
Absolutely not! Although I may use terms and concepts that are unfamiliar to western students, these are based on physiological concepts of the body (think acupuncture), not religious concepts. They do not require subscribing to any particular belief system or submitting to any pre-conceived notions. The practice of martial arts can influence your attitude about many things in life, but it cannot make you into something you don't want to be.
Any time. All classes are ongoing and I structure classes so that beginners can join at any time and get into the class right away. I would recommend contacting me first, as there are times when I am introducing a new subject or topic and there may be a better time within a few days or weeks to join. I also suggest letting me know when you plan to attend for the first time just to make sure there hasn't been a class cancellation for some reason.
What style of Tai Chi do you teach?
I am teaching the Yangjia Michuan style of Tai Chi, a branch of the Yang style. See the Styles page for more information on the art, and the Lineage page for more on my teachers.
I have studied Tai Chi before, is it like my style?
Probably not. While the core principals will be the same, the movements have some real differences in the expression of movement. I first studied Traditional (or Public) Yang style before studying Michuan, and find the differences to be interesting alternatives on a technique, although sometimes seemingly contradictory. Chinese martial arts have not benefited from the rigorous standardization that Japanese martial arts have. However, the Chinese approach is much more accepting of differences between practitioners and variety of styles. It can, however, be very frustrating to students, and takes some getting used to when evaluating different styles and approaches. I am always open to discussing these differences with prospective students, and encourage those from another school to expand their repertoire of techniques.
Is Tai Chi really a martial art?
It sure is! It is, in fact, a very effective martial art. The lasting benefits of Tai Chi (as a physical/ mental exercise) have outlived its martial necessity, but its roots go back to some of the most turbulent times in Chinese history. Yang Luchan, the style's founder, was instructor to the royal guard of the imperial court, a position not easily achieved or maintained without defeating serious challengers. Because martial prowess is not nearly as necessary today as it once was, this facet is often overlooked or even neglected. I have found, in almost 20 years of practice, that understanding the application of a technique reinforces the proper structural and energetic requirements necessary for gaining the maximum health benefit. Remember, the health benefit used to be just a nice byproduct, but is so powerful that the art has survived and even grown in popularity over the last 150+ years.
Is Tai Chi good for specific health conditions?
Possibly, but I don't make any guarantees or claims beyond what I have seen and experienced. Tai Chi's effects on things like stress, high blood pressure, arthritis, mobility and balance have been well documented in scientific literature. I have seen great results in stress release, posture correction, balance/ mobility improvement, and ability to deal with life's barage of stresses. Some unsubstantiated and anecdotal claims go much farther. There are certainly some ailments or conditions to which Tai Chi is particularly well suited to alleviating, however, it is up to the practitioner to commit to practice and making good choices for any benefits to be realized- same as with any other exercise regime. Searching the web for information on this topic can be misleading and confusing, so always consider the source of the information. This Link to a brief article from the Harvard Medical School highlights some of the benefits.
What style of Bagua Zhang do you teach?
I teach the Cheng style of Bagua, a lineage from Cheng Ting Hua passed through Sun Lu Tang. This style emphasizes throwing techniques (Shuai Jiao) more than striking techniques. Like Tai Chi, if you have studied Bagua somewhere else it may or may not look exactly like the style I teach, but the core principals are the same.
Why do you teach this class so early in the morning?
Partly because it fits well with my schedule. But Bagua Zhang was traditionally taught in the early morning. It is said that as most other Kung Fu and Tai Chi practitioners were heading to the parks to practice, the Bagua practitioners were just leaving. I don't know the real reason for this, but I suspect it could be traced to either the art's Taoist roots, or the fact that it was a popular style among body gaurds and they didn't want to reveal any trade secrets.