|
|
|
Stronghold Martial Arts : Defensive Concepts, Martial Arts, and Seminars for Everyone |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TAI (Transitional Arts Incorporated) Kung Fu of Idaho is a combat oriented American art based on a core of traditional Chinese Kung Fu with some elements of traditional Japanese Karate, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Western Boxing, Submission Wrestling, and Modern Defensive Concepts logically integrated within. We wear uniforms, we practice external (strength-based) and internal (energy-based) forms, self defense, basic techniques, grappling, bag-work, and sparring. Our ability to build our bodies and our minds is emphasized, as we are preparing students to be citizen warriors. But while ancient warriors trained to die, we train to live!
HOW LONG DOES THE TRAINING TAKE?
With many arts, a student can reach the black level in about 2 to 4 years, with 10 levels of black belt. TAI Kung Fu of Idaho usually requires a student to train between 7 and 9 years to reach the Black Level. In TAI Kung Fu of Idaho, a First Level Black Belt is certified and licensed to accept and train students. Training after that is based on the students themselves.
HOW DOES RANK WORK?
Beginning students are denoted by the White and Yellow belts. These students are working on learning, understanding, and perfecting the basic techniques, forms and self defense. They have begun to spar, and are exploring the conceptual basis behind the art. The Purple and Blue ranks represent intermediate students who have been training approximately 2 to 4 years. These students are starting to discover their own "technique preference" based on their body type and physical abilities. They are also learning more advanced self defense , combat forms, and internal technique. The Green belt, or "Gateway Belt" is an advanced student with approximately 4 to 6 years of training. These students are learning to combine the internal with the external, the energy based techniques with the strength based techniques. Their sparring is becoming advanced, and they are working to perfect their timing, distancing, and mental game. A brown belt is an Apprentice Instructor. They are learning the final touches of the empty hand portion of the system, and more importantly, they are learning the actual process of teaching.
Multiple and "umpteenth" degrees of Black Belt appear to be the downfall of many a practitioner. With TAI Kung Fu, it is kept simple. At First Level Black, a practitioner is a Certified instructor of the system. He or she is allowed to accept students and train them up to the Black level. A Second Level Black practitioner is considered an Advanced Instructor, and has been through the Knife/Bladed Weapons curiculuum, and has been training in supplemental skills in which he or she might be interested. He or she has also been teaching for at least 3 years. A Third Level Black practitioner is a Senior Instructor, has completed Basic Firearms, and has been teaching at least 6 years while continuing personal supplemental training. A Fourth Level Black Instructor is considered a Master Instructor (NOT A MASTER!), and has been promoted at the discretion of his or her instructor after completing Tactical Firearms. While there are levels of Black that extend beyond Fourth Level, they are mostly ceremonial and issued out of respect and are based on the Practitioner's personal achievments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
