Grading covers 12 student grades, split into six stages of training; basic, intermediate, advanced, senior, technician and master. At each stage you will receive a coloured t-shirt beginning with white and advancing through green, brown, black and red.
a
Basic: Student Grades 1-4
The first stage of practice is designed to increase your physical awarness and understanding of skills and concepts behind basic self protection. Core strength, stratergy and tactics to effectively engage and attacker are developed through the various training disciplines. Self confidence and positivity are encouraged in all our members.
a
Intermediate: Student Grades 5-8
Having progressed and improved through practice a green shirt is worn. Your movement is characterised by improved posture, control and power. You have the ability to fight at various ranges and with various methods. Self awareness and a proactive attitude makes for a successful kung fu practitioner.
a
Senior Level: 9-11
From long practice a deep understanding of the movements in both the Siu Nim Tao and Chum Kiu an ability to apply these forms effectively is gained. Application is done skilfully with power, grace and precision. Your body will be strong and flexible, a brown shirt is worn. Thinking and aiming for success is a habit, practice makes progress.
a
Advanced Level: Grade 12
Advanced Students wear black. You will be exercising fine control over your body at high speed and intensity and be able to express and absorb great quantities of energy. You will be able to apply what you have learnt through your training in a wider context; able to remain stable and fluid in thought, emotion and movement even under great duress in any situation.a
Technician: TG 1-4
When the student grades are complete, after four to five years of training, the Technician training begins. We do not manage the Technician grading, this is done in Cambridge at our older sister club run by Sifu Ross Sargent who was recently awarded his 3rd Technician grade by Sifu Benno Westra.
We see ‘Technician’ as reference to control. When truly empowered we recognise and can accept full responsibility for ourselves. With the knowledge skills and awareness to technically manage our lives, making the most of opportunities becomes effortless and dealing with challenge a pleasure. The Technician grade is extremely gruelling. The grading involves a day long exam with three parts; a theoretical paper, technical practice and finally a lot of full contact sparring. This is a test designed to promote, intellectual understanding, practical ability and strength of will. There are four levels of technician training. The fifth level is Master level.
a
Master: Well Done!
Master level takes many many years of devoted training to achieve. Master level describes a way of being in which the practitioner is not only a total bad ass at kung fu but also demonstrates mastery of the art of living. The only standards are those you set yourself, the only limitations the ones you acknowledge.