Yes and no. While Harvard Kung Fu teaches students techniques, the actual ability to do special techniques must be primarily developed through Master Lee's "Chi Kung" class, the third class of the Harvard Tai Chi Tiger Crane Club. Chi Kung is a one hour class every Tuesday and Thursday at 4:30pm that helps the student develop his or her chi. While you might be skeptical at first, just wait until you see some of Master Lee's demonstrations: you will be surprised (feel free to ask about them). The development of "chi" is important to the dedicated student of Hung Gar-style kung fu: it helps tap into internal strength that you otherwise would not know how to access, and it helps develop this internal strength in order to perform unusually powerful feats - of strength and of healing.

2. Do members of the club have to come to all practices?

The short answer is "Yes." The long answer is that all members of the Kung Fu Club are required to attend Tuesday and Thursday practices unless otherwise specified by the Student Overseer. Until the second term of the First Year Curriculum, students are not required to attend Sunday practices unless there is strong interest in advancing in unarmed techniques or sampling weapons techniques; Sunday practices will normally be reserved for weapons training and advanced forms (for Second, Third, and Fourth Year students). If there are class conflicts, you may speak with the Student Overseer(s) to work out an individual arrangement.

3. When do we get to learn how to use weapons?

Kung fu is a martial art based on powerful and effective empty-hand techniques: the basis and foundation of the art begins with the unarmed strike. However, weapon training is major component of the Harvard Kung Fu club. Group weapons training doesn't begin until after the first semester of training, depending on how fast the group learns and refines the basic techniques (for the basic techniques are the fundamentals of weapon styles). The first two weapons introduced to the students of Harvard Kung Fu are the wooden staff (approximately 6 feet in length) and the broadsword (a curved blade with a dull backside except near the tip). Other weapons are available to learn, but personal interest and dedication must be expressed by the student.

Other weapons: Spear, Straight Sword, Three-Sectioned Staff, Seven-Linked Chain Whip, Rope Dart, Double Broad Swords, Double Chain Whips, Butterfly Swords, Double Hook Swords, etc.

But don't be discouraged! Weapons training is one of the intriguing parts of kung fu, and you will learn what you desire.

4. Does Harvard University allow sparring?

The MAC (and Harvard) only allow sparring under supervision of the instructor and the use of "full protective gear (head, chest, arm, hand, mouth, and groin)." However, this is not particularly useful in the case of kung fu: we learn the techniques and train our muscles without the use of protective aids. Students of kung fu are trained to fight in real-life circumstances, not merely for simulated fights. Furthermore, while many martial arts are based on basic punches and kicks, Hung Gar kung fu utilizes a myriad of fast open hand techniques, non-fist closed-hand techniques, and quick kicks aimed to hurt (a lot). These techniques simply cannot be effectively or swiftly executed wearing a full suit of armor. Nevertheless, certain exercises will train the student on how to make tactical decisions in a fight, how to fight opponents with different fighting experience and styles, etc. So while Harvard Kung Fu doesn't incorporate sparring in the "wear-as-much-padding-as-possible" sense, students will definitely train their techniques against each other without the luxury of padding.

On another note, many of the techniques used in kung fu can cause serious damage - the moves are meant to disable your opponent in ways unpleasant to them. While other martial arts may seek to pin your opponent, floor your opponent, knock your opponent out, or defeat your opponent through attrition, kung fu is a fast-paced martial art that involves moves that may result in broken bones, twisted muscles, and even death. (Of course, you will learn kung fu techniques that floor your opponent, ground them from jumping techniques, and defeat repeated strikes.) As you might imagine, we have reason to be careful, but we still want you to be able to fight and win.

5. Is there a uniform for kung fu, or special wear required for practice?

Yes. The current uniform is a red shirt and black pants or shorts. After the first month, you will be given a Harvard Kung Fu t-shirt to wear to practice, performances and demonstrations. We also have a number of traditional Chinese Kung Fu uniforms for performances and demonstrations.

6. So, what makes kung fu better than, say, tae kwan do, or karate, or judo, or boxing?

Bring in one of your fighting friends, and we will show you. We promise not to hurt him or her *too* much.

Sincerely, Lester Leung '06, Student Overseer of the Harvard Kung Fu Club