To be a Student of Life Long Gung-Fu

by Si Fu Edward Joseph Laramie

edited by: Mara Hui

Having been frustrated looking for a “Master” and a great hall of learning, you finally decide to go with your first choice. The neighbor had suggested a place in the lower end of town that looks a little scary. When you arrive, it’s 6:30 pm and the sign says classes start at 7:00 pm. You open the door carefully, not knowing what to expect but remembering what it was like in all the gung-fu movies you had watched. The first thing you see, beside the weapons rack, is a little sign asking that you remove all your footwear before proceeding any further. You look around expecting to see someone materialize out of the air, but instead you hear a kind voice asking how they may help you. You tell them you are interested in studying gung-fu, to learn how to be able to beat people up in the name of self-defense, and wave away arrows shot from the most powerful bow in the world by the most skilled marksman. You are told to wait a minute and that they will be right back. You see them go down the training hall and speak with the man who was mopping the floor, emptying the trash, and dusting the weapons when you came in. The man washing the floor is like any other janitor and the people who spoke with you seem nice but not that impressive.

The man washing the floor exits through the side of the building and the people who spoke with you are also leaving. You take this lonely moment to realize that there is the smell of incense in the air, not unpleasant, as you look further into the building. You notice a lot of Chinese characters along the top of the walls and on either side of the entrance and along the back wall. You muse to yourself that this is quite pleasant. There are a few trophies along the floor by what seems to be some incense, and there are statues mid-way along the wall. There are mirrors along one side of the building and punching bags along the other side. High up on the roof, there are flags that are Chinese in nature. Then you notice the strangest thing. It looks like a dragon's head with a soft fur covered body. There are also rather large drums, bells, gongs and masks.

The entrance was fairly common with some chairs and coat hangers. Just to the right is a small office with some herbs, drinks, and other unknown things. Farther down in that direction are washrooms and what appear to be change rooms. Just before the entrance to the change rooms there are a number of pictures and newspaper clippings stored and displayed under glass. Your thought processes are interrupted by the man you had seen as the janitor. You notice that the people who first addressed you are returning to the floor with their gung-fu clothes on. Ah, this is where I get to see some action. The man you thought was the janitor addresses you and invites you to the office area. To your amazement, you are now talking to the Si-Fu of the Gung-Fu school. While you are in the office, the people who first spoke with you are now doing warm up exercises, and you realize that they are black sashes. There are now other students entering the school and quickly removing their shoes and heading to the change rooms without speaking. The "janitor" introduces himself as the Master of the school, and asks if you have any questions.

Your questions cover all the necessary information you require to make a choice. You are informed of the different price plans and of the class times. You are also told the rules of the school, and that all you can expect to get out of the courses is exactly what you put in yourself. The Master mentions that your attitude inside and outside of the school affects your training and your progress. You must respect your teachers, your style, your school, and most of all yourself. Your Si-Fu is honest and tells you there is no guarantee that you will ever be a black sash. It is always up to the student how successful he or she wants to be. The honor of the school must come first and any unsavory behavior will be dealt with expulsion. Your reaction to this statement causes the Si-Fu to explain that you are a direct reflection of him, the school, and students. Anything less than perfect, quiet, and respectful behavior will not do. Your morals must be of high standards. You are not to look for fights. Doing so will go badly against you. Like the study of any art form, the study of martial arts requires a lifetime commitment. This is to ensure balance in the student’s makeup.

You take a curious glance towards the class, and to your surprise the Si-Fu says you may watch all or any of the classes you want. He takes you to the training hall, where upon the Si-Fu’s arrival; all students stop their training and bow to the Si-Fu. He explains that the system in place is based upon respect. You watch until the end of the class where all bow out, noiselessly leave the training hall to the change rooms, and then leave the building. The man who has just spoken to you now takes his place upon the training room floor and begins to mop and wash the floors all over again. You now realize what it is to be a student. One must follow the Master without question and without fear or resentment. Your role is to follow all lessons and be respectful at all times. Through heat, cold, snow or rain you must always attend classes.