Training Information

There are several courses of study available in several styles at Hong Xiang Wushu School, depending on which style you wish to learn, and how long you will be attending. Typically a one month period is the shortest desired training time, while there is no limit on how long you can stay at the school, other than as required by your visa.

Visa Information

In order to enter China, you need to have a valid Chinese visa in your passport BEFORE you come to China. Visas can be obtained from the Chinese embassy in your country. There are several types of visas, but in most cases it is best to get a tourist visa, which is valid for up to 3 months. For those who wish to stay for longer periods of time, upon arrival we can arrange to convert your tourist visa into another type which is valid for 6 months, 1 year, or longer.

Picking a Style

There are several styles available to be learned at Hong Xiang Wushu School. Which style you want to study will depend on your goals as a martial artist.

The first option is Fohan Quan, which is a practical traditional martial art, focused on application. Students will learn power, control, accuracy, and great coordination of many parts of the body working together. If you are looking for a martial art with techniques that can be used effectively in real life, this is the ideal choice.
The second option is Shaolin Quan. Though based on the original traditional martial art with the same name, the Shaolin style as it is taught today in China is very different from what it was even just a few decades ago. Today this is mostly "for show", though the forms and techniques used to show are all based on solid martial arts theory, and can form a solid base for future practical martial arts training, thanks to the extensive stretching, stance work, and acrobatics.
The third option is Sanda, which is essentially Chinese kick boxing. As with Fohan Quan, this style has immediate real-world applications, and helps to develop speed, power, and accuracy with both kicks and punches. Unlike Fohan Quan, however, Sanda is based on the rules of a competition sport, and as such is limited in that many of the most effective targets on an opponent are not used for safety reasons (such as the eyes, throat, temples, and groin).
The fourth option is Taiji Quan, which is classified as an "internal" martial art. Taiji Quan is often known for being practiced for its great health benefits, and its ability to teach great coordination and breath control. Many people are unaware that Taiji, when practiced at full speed and full power, is a very effective as a self defense martial art. Those wishing to learn Taiji Quan for either reason will be able to find what they are looking for.

Alternatively, if you are unsure of what martial art you wish to study, you can always decide once you arrive, by taking a look at the different styles as they are practiced.

Language Issues

Learning wushu can be very difficult with a language barrier. Even if your knowledge of Mandarin Chinese is intermediate, some of the concepts and theory can be difficult to understand. For this reason, a translator is available during the training sessions to assist when communication between teacher and student is needed, and when hand signals and "do what I do" isn't sufficient.

However, aside from the translator there are no other people at the school (other foreign students excepted) who speak English. Students are encouraged to learn spoken Chinese at a basic level to ease in communication in day-to-day affairs, and so that they are capable of communicating with the local people in order to experience and learn Chinese culture.

Many of the Chinese children at the school are very friendly and patient and can also serve as an excellent way to learn the language and culture while having fun. A number of books, computer programs, audio CDs, and internet learning resources can be recommended to the potential student for learning Chinese.

Typical Weekly Training Schedule

Below is a typical weekly schedule for Fohan Quan. The other styles will have similar schedules, though with different activities. The times vary depending on the season-- in the summer, the classes start earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon to avoid the hottest parts of the day, while in winter the class times are adjusted so that there is enough daylight to train in.

	Morning		Afternoon
	Class 1 60 Minutes	Class 2 60 Minutes	Class 1 90 Minutes	Class 2 90 Minutes
Monday	Running, hamstring stretches, back stretches	Kicks 600-1000 times	Jumping kicks	Solo forms practice, opponent training
Tuesday	Hamstring stretches, front and side splits, kicks (x200)	Quality training	Wushu theory	Opponent training
Wednesday	Kicks (x1000)	Wrestling training	Fohan basic training of hand movement	Strength training
Thursday	Running, kicks (x200)	Solo routines practice	Jumping kicks	Weapons training
Friday	Fohan basic training of hand movement	Opponent training	Stamina training	Stamina training
Saturday	Running, leg kicks	Sanshou (free sparring)	Sparring	Sparring
Sunday	Rest Day

In addition to the prescribed schedule, if the student wishes, additional training or practice sessions are available. In all, the typical schedule amounts to 6 days a week of training, 5 hours a day, for a total of 30 hours a week of training.

Syllabus for Fohan Quan Students

Time	Course
3 months	Fohan basic skills, eight basic methods of Fohan stepping and striking, 18 routines of Fohan Quan, Form 1 to Form 2 with two persons, Fohan single broadsword, Fohan cudgel
6 months	Fohan basic skills, 18 routines of Fohan Quan, Form 1 to Form 4 with two persons, eight kinds of Fohan concealing hands' movement, Fohan single broadsword, Fohan cudgel
1 year	Fohan basic skills ,the learning of wushu theory, Fohan 48 typical movements, Form 1 to Form 6 with two persons, Fohan Sanshou (free sparring), Fohan Quan's techniques of Health Maintenance, Fohan broadsword, Fohan cudgel, 5 methods of fast wrestling, Fohan leg's movement, 20 methods of Qin Na
3 year	Fohan basic skills, the learning of wushu theory, 52 routines of Fohan Quan, 36 methods of moving around the opponent, 24 Jue Ming (deadly) routines, Fohan iron claw techniques, Fohan Quan's techniques of Health Maintenance, mental training of Fohan internal exercises, the methods of Fohan 19 stances, the explaination of Fohan body's movement and how to use strength, Fohan broadsword, spear, sword, cudgel and so on
Notes	1. the schedule can be adjusted timely by an individual's requirements. 2. it pays attention to the combination of theory and practice. 3.it strengthens the teaching of Chinese culture and Wushu morals.

Syllabus for Shaolin Quan Students

Time	Course
3 months	Shaolin basic skills, Shaolin snap kicks, 17 routines of Shaolin Quan, Form 1 of Dahong Quan, Shaolin single broadsword, Shaolin cudgel
6 months	Shaolin basic skills, Shaolin snap kicks, Shaolin Guiding Quan, Xiaohong Quan, 18 routines of Dahong Quan with two persons, single broadsword, Shaolin Panlong (winding dragon) cudgel
1 year	Shaolin basic skills, Shaolin Guiding Quan, Form 3 of Dahong Quan, Xiaohong Quan, the learning of Wushu theory, Form 1 to Form 3 with two persons, Sanshou (free sparring), Shaolin broadsword, Shaolin cudgel, practicing cudgel with two persons
3 years	Shaolin basic skills, the learning of Wushu theory, Shaolin Qixing (seven-star) Quan, Xiaohong Quan, Dahong Quan, Form 1 to Form 10 with two persons, Shaolin broadsword, spear, sword, cudgel, Spring and Autumn broadsword, 9-section whip, explaination of Shaolin Qigong, Sanda
Notes	1. the schedule can be adjusted timely by an individual's requirements. 2. it pays attention to the combination of theory and practice. 3. it strengthens the teaching of Chinese culture and Wushu morals.

Syllabus for Taiji Quan Students

Time	Course
3 months	The basic skills, the learning of Taiji theory, 42 routines of Taiji Quan, 13 routines of Wu Taiji Quan, Chen Taiji Quan
6 months	The basic skills, the learning of the theory, 108 routines of Wu Taiji Quan, Form 1 of Laojia (old frame) of Chen Taiji Quan, the single broadsword of Taiji Quan
1 year	The basic skills, the learning of the theory, Form 1 of Wu Taiji Quan, Form 1 of Laojia (old frame) of Chen Taiji Quan, Taiji Tuishou (pushing hands), Sanshou, Taiji broadsword, Taiji sword
3 years	The basic skills, the learning of the theory, Form 1 and Form 2 of Wu Taiji Quan, Form 1 of Laojia (old frame) of Chen Taiji Quan, Taiji Tuishou (pushing hands), the training of Dashou (sparring hands), Taiji weapons (broadsword, spear, sword, cudgel and so on), opponent training of Sanshou, how to use the strength with Taiji
Notes	1. the schedule can be adjusted timely by an individual's requirements. 2. it pays attention to the combination of theory and practice. 3. it strengthens the teaching of Chinese culture and Wushu morals.

Tuition & Costs

The costs of the school, including in-school accommodation, the basic food plan, and all training are as follows:

1-3 Months: 3000RMB/month (approx. US$375/month)
6 Months: 15000RMB (approx. US$1875)
1 year: 28000RMB (approx. US$3500)

If you were to stay for a length of one year, the cost would be less than US$300/month, which is among the most affordable offerings for training in China for foreigners. Payment is typically due on arrival for the duration of your stay, if you want to take advantage of the discounts for longer training periods. If you wish to pay month-to-month, it is possible to do so, but it will be at the 3000RMB/month rate.

Additional costs may apply-- visa renewals, pick up from the airport in Beijing or Zhengzhou, internet access (if you do not want to share with the school's connection), gym fees (if you want to weight train at a local gym), getting a local mobile phone, traveling, etc. may add to the total cost of your trip.

You should also have health insurance for the duration of your stay, preferably a policy which covers the extra costs associated with getting medical help in other countries (translator fees, transportation back home if needed, etc.). There are several hospitals in Puyang which are all modern and up to western standards. There is also a qualified doctor who lives at the school that can take care of any minor injuries or illness.

Earning Money

If you are concerned about being unable to afford the tuition costs of the school, there are some options for earning income in China while training at the school. The best option is that there is a high demand for foreigners whose first language is English, to help teach conversational English at local schools. Most students will not have time outside of training for a full-time position, but may be able to arrange for part-time teaching. Previous experience is preferred but surprisingly not required.

We have several contacts in the English teaching world in Puyang and can try to arrange something upon arrival, however the student should not assume that a position will be available, and since payment for school tuition is typically due up front, should bring enough money with them to cover all costs during their trip. Wages vary, but can be up to 100RMB/hour (US$12.50/hr). If you could manage 5 hours a week at this rate, your tuition would be 70% taken care of, which provides an attractive option for those with budget limitations.