Kids and Teens Kung Fu

Imparting Wisdom and Guidance through the Art

Our school's curriculum includes all three branches of Chinese Internal Martial Arts. It is designed to begin with the foundations of these styles while also teaching application and self awareness. As the students progress, they learn more of the intricacies of each style from multiple points of view. All material is advanced material brought to the level of a beginner, with an emphasis on Martial Values.

The styles of Kung Fu taught at Dragon Phoenix are established, time tested, and highly respected in the Kung Fu world. We are constantly working to refine our curriculum and grow as teachers and as martial artists so as to provide the highest quality instruction possible. The path of growth and learning is never-ending, which is what makes it so exciting. In prior decades, it was near impossible to find teachers who were qualified to teach Internal Kung Fu or who would teach Americans. It is very rare to find all of these styles housed under one roof and taught to kids and teens in a thorough, cohesive manner.

While we pay attention to detail and correctness, we also believe that students should learn in a healthy, growth centered way. Students are allowed to progress at their own speed, and the depth of their understanding is dependent on their dedication to learning. We teach with Love and Logic and appreciation for each child’s individual learning style, not with control and force. In this way students learn to become masters of themselves, which is what it truly means to become a Kung Fu Master.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to students who have progressed to level 2 and above and have demonstrated dedication and hard work in their studies. More information can be found on the Scholarship Page.

Our Curriculum

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Xing Yi Quan

Level 1

Xing Yi Quan (click on the link for more information about this style), or “Mind Formed Fist” is the style of Kung Fu taught in the Level 1 class. Its movements are based on the movements of the Spear, This is the style of Martial Arts taught to the Chinese Military. The forms are easy to learn, but difficult to master.

In this class students learn the Five Element Fists, which teach the five different types of power expressed in Xing Yi, as well as a 5 Element Linking Form, Two Person Form, and four of the twelve animal styles. The second half of the system will be taught in Level 5 after they have had time to develop a high degree of proficiency in the style.

Students also learn Tai Chi stances and concepts to prepare them for Level 2, and Bagua Circle Walking to prepare them for Level 3. We try to keep this class fun with many activities to build strength, whole body awareness, and skills they need to be successful in the art. Class ends with a short Kung Fu story coming from Tao philosophy, and sitting meditation.

For students to progress to level 2, they must submit a video of them performing the 5 Element forms, Linking Form, and 4 Animal forms outside of class. They must also submit a rubric where they grade themselves on their performance. If they give themselves a passing grade and the instructor agrees, then they can go on to the formal testing. The reason for this is to encourage practice at home, to teach self reflection and awareness, as well as to teach students how to read the movements of others. In this, they develop a sense of “What is good Kung Fu” and start to become self teachers. “Testing” is more of a formal performance to show friends and family members their hard work and how much they have grown. This helps to develop the skills of "public speaking. Testing is difficult regardless, and is important for developing a sense of confidence and self awareness. There is no such thing as failure at our school. Students simply continue to work until they arrive at their destination.

There are no testing fees or any other hidden fees. We prefer to be upfront and honest about everything we do here.

The Testing Rubric can be downloaded by clicking on this link.

Class Schedule

Xing Yi Chuan (Where new students begin)

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 4:10 - 5:10

Chen Tai Chi Chuan

Wednesdays 4:10 - 5:10

Baguazhang

Mondays 5:40 - 6:40

Pao Choi

Wednesdays 5:40 - 6:40

Weapons (for Teens who have advanced to at least Tai Chi)

Thursdays 5:40 - 6:40

Tuition Costs

New Student Special - 2 Month 2 days/ week and Free Uniform for $215

$170/ month for 2 days a week

$90/ month for 1 day a week

Weapons Class - $90/ month

Swimming Dragon Baguazhang

Level 2

Cheng Style Baguazhang (click on the link to find out more about this style) is very circular in nature. In practice it is meant to resemble a dragon riding the wind. Whereas most martial arts styles only utilize straight line work, Baguazhang moves in circles and spirals. In this you are constantly moving behind your opponent and create the ability to fight many opponents simultaneously.

Baguazhang is typically considered graduate level Kung Fu and too difficult for children to learn. Because of Mr. Dison’s years of training as a school teacher, he understands how to break down complex concepts into fun digestible pieces that can be strung together and better understood, regardless of age. We are perhaps the only school in the United States who teaches Baguazhang to children and teenagers.

Students learn Standing meditation, Circle walking, 8 Changing Palm Form, Eight Mother Palm Forms, Eight Mother Palm Linking form, and a Two person Baguazhang Form.

Testing to move into level 4 is the same as in the previous levels.

Students practice application on the wooden man

Chen Tai Chi Quan

Level 3

Tai Chi Quan translates as Great Ultimate Fist or Spirit Boxing. Tai Chi uses spiral power for whole body integration. Whereas some Tai Chi styles are slower and focus mostly on health and energy cultivation, Chen Family Tai Chi (click on the link to find out more about this style) does this with more of an emphasis on martial application and change of speed. We are one of the very few schools in the country that teaches Tai Chi to children.

Students in this class learn the first half of Chen Tai Chi Old Frame First Form, or Yi Lu. The second half will be taught later in Level 5. Another big focus of this class is Push Hands practice. Push hands is where martial application of Tai Chi is learned and refined, and is the sparring of Tai Chi. Wuan Hua and Ding Bu push hands exercises are taught with a focus on the methods of Peng, Lu, Ji, and An (Ward off, Roll back, Press, and Push). Huang Bu and Da Lu exercises will be taught in Level 5 where the focus is on the other four methods (Cai, Lie, Zhou, and Kao, or Pull down, Split, Elbow, and Shoulder).

Xing Yi forms will be practiced as a warm up for this class so that students can continue to grow and develop in this style.

Testing for Level 2 is conducted similarly as in Level 1. Students will submit a video of them performing the Tai Chi form along with a rubric grading themselves. In this way, students are in charge of their own growth, know when they are ready to progress, and grow at their own pace.

Pao Choi

Level 4

Pao Choi translates as Cannon Fist. This is the combat form of Chen Tai Chi. It is unknown to many Tai Chi practitioners, as it is much more advanced and rarely taught outside of China. Spirals are tightened and Fa Li (explosive power) is now explored through Tai Chi. When Tai Chi evolves to this level it is said of the movements that one moves like water, strikes like ice, and evaporates like steam. Another way to describe this Kung Fu is “External by way of Internal”

Students learn through qigong exercises, application exercises, and Pao Choi form. Through Pao Choi students will to apply new principals to prior forms and to move the body as one whole integrated unit.

We finally put all the pieces together with 2 person skills. Students at this point have learned how to move with whole body spiral mechanics, they have developed the sensitivity to move their center of balance and manipulate another’s, they have learned how to “dissolve to emptiness” so that an opponent always misses, they have learned how to utilize the circle with advanced geometry, and now they learn how to apply the attack side of the fight. We explore all options of what works and what doesn’t work in a fighting situation. The mind is conditioned to stay calm, move naturally, and make good decisions based on what it happening in real time. Fighting isn’t a “sport”, but rather a way of moving through the world with confidence and the skills to tackle most any problem.

Path to Black Sash

Level 5

In our culture we often think of “Black Belt” as a high degree of martial proficiency. In reality, black belts are often awarded to students after a relatively short period of time. Kung Fu traditionally has no belts, sashes were added in some schools to be able to compete with Karate and Taekwondo schools. We do not have a belt or sash system at our school, but I do feel that students who have attained a high degree of martial proficiency deserve to be awarded a physical representation of all of their hard work. Thus, the only “belt” we have is Black Sash.

What does “Black Belt” mean?

Traditionally in styles with a belt system students are only given one belt, a white belt. There are no colored belts. White belts turn black over a number of years of hard training from all of the dirt, sweat, and blood that have stained it.

There is a higher level though. This is called “Return to White Belt”. As we age, our dark hair turns white with wisdom and maturity. Similarly, black clothing (such as a belt) will slowly turn white over time with exposure to the sun and elements. There is no shortcut to this, the only way to attain this level is through time, practice, and diligence.

This class focuses on raising each students’ skill level a great deal. Speed, accuracy, precision, power, and fluency all must flow naturally without the need for thought.

Material taught in this level includes the Praying Mantis Bung Bo form. Tai Chi 3rd section, and Bagua 64 Palm form. This is the level where free form sparring is introduced, because this is the level at which students can safely apply technique at speed with self control.

Once students show the proper level of proficiency, they will be ready to test for Black Sash. This is the only testing where there is a fee. Yes, it is a very big deal and testing is held on a Saturday rather than during class.

To attain the level of Black Sash at Dragon Phoenix is the equivalent of 3 separate Black Belts from different disciplines. Students have not developed proficiency in just one style of martial art, they have developed it in 3 different styles of Martial Art. Praying Mantis, Tai Chi, and Baguazhang.

After earning Black Sash, students move into the Adults Tao Style Kung Fu class. Tao style is yet another style of martial art that blends Praying Mantis, Tai Chi, and Baguazhang.

Weapons Class

Weapons Class is an optional class for students who have made it to the level 2 class and are at least 12 years of age. When a student moves to level 3 class, the age requirement changes to the parent’s discretion. This class is only open to new students once or twice a year when we are about to learn a new weapon. In this way all students learn the same material together at the same time. We focus on the four major weapons in Kung Fu; Staff, Broadsword, Double Edged Sword, and Spear. Most of the forms taught come from our Praying Mantis lineage.

All weapons are taught as an extension of the body and led by the mind. A “Weapon” is a concept. We use these weapons as Tools to improve our Kung Fu while strengthening our body and building greater awareness in ourselves and our surroundings.

For each weapon we start off learning stances as well as basic drills. From there we expand on these concepts and explore movement through learning traditional forms. Once students start to show fluency and control with their weapon, we move into basic 2 person exercises so that they can grasp application and connection. Finally we explore free form combat with each weapon in a safe, noncompetitive way so as to build real life application skills.