WIND IN THE PINES KUNG FU
Northern Praying Mantis, Internal Martial Arts & Weapons School — FAQs
GENERAL INFORMATION
Q: What styles do you teach at your school?
A: We specialize in Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu (Seven Star Mantis, Wong Hon Fun lineage), along with internal arts including Tai Chi (Taiji), Xing Yi (Hsing-I), and Bagua Zhang (Pa Kua). We also offer traditional and modern weapons training.
Q: What is Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu?
A: It's a fast, precise, and highly efficient style developed over 350 years ago. It’s known for its distinctive hooking hand techniques, speed, and rhythm inspired by the movements of the praying mantis insect.
Q: What are internal martial arts?
A: Internal martial arts emphasize breath control, body alignment, and mind-body connection. Styles like Tai Chi, Xing Yi, and Bagua focus on cultivating fluid movement and relaxed power.
Q: Do you teach weapons?
A: Yes. Our weapons curriculum includes modern weapons like the stick and knife, as well as traditional weapons such as the straight sword, broadsword, staff, spear, and more. Each weapon is taught with attention to real world application.
Q: Does the monthly enrollment cover all classes?
A: Yes! Your monthly enrollment gives you access to all classes available for your age group. We offer Mantis, weapons, and grappling/throwing classes for both children (ages 5–12) and adults (13+). While both age groups train in similar core areas, the focus and teaching approach are tailored to suit their developmental level. Internal martial arts (like Tai Chi, Xing Yi, and Bagua) are currently offered only to adults, as the subtle concepts and body control required are typically beyond what younger students can grasp.
CLASSES & TRAINING
Q: Do I need prior martial arts experience?
A: Not at all! We welcome all levels—from beginners to seasoned martial artists.
Q: What is the age range for students?
A: We offer classes for children (5 to 12 years old) and adults (13+).
Q: How physically demanding are the classes?
A: Our classes are scalable to your ability. Whether you're looking for an intense workout or a slow-paced meditative practice, we’ll help you find the right fit.
Q: How often should I train?
A: Consistency is key. We recommend 2–3 classes a week to see meaningful progress, but even once a week is a great start.
Q: Do you spar in class?
A: Not in the typical sense.. We don’t engage in point-based sparring or full-contact matches like you’d see in tournaments or MMA gyms. However, we do train to high levels of intensity and resistance to mimic real world situations
Q: Why don’t you spar like other schools?
A: Sparring in a sport setting doesn’t reflect what happens in real-world self-defense. Our approach prioritizes building muscle memory through structured partner drills and repetition. This develops timing, precision, and calm under pressure—without relying on competitive rules or heavy contact. We train for real-life effectiveness, not points.
Q: Is there any contact during training?
A: Yes, but it’s light and controlled. Most striking drills are done with minimal contact, and any heavier strikes are practiced on pads, bags, or mitts—not on partners.
Q: What about grappling or throws?
A: Those parts of training do involve close contact and hands-on interaction. We emphasize safety and partner awareness at all times.
Q: What do you emphasize most in training?
A: Muscle memory is the foundation of our training. We believe it’s far more valuable to train one technique 1,000 times than to skim over 1,000 techniques. Repetition builds instinct, control, and effectiveness. Our training is designed to create lasting, usable skills that can be applied under pressure.
Q: Do you teach forms?
A: We do teach some forms, but much less than you find in many modern martial arts schools. At Wind in the Pines, forms are only used as tools to develop key fundamentals like stances, footwork, and body mechanics. We’re not “forms collectors.” Our focus is always on real-world application over choreography.
BENEFITS & GOALS
Q: What are the benefits of learning Praying Mantis and internal arts?
A: Improved coordination, flexibility, mental clarity, self-defense skills, and a deeper connection between mind and body.
Q: Can I learn self-defense here?
A: Absolutely. Our curriculum prioritizes realistic self-defense applications rooted in traditional techniques, adapted for modern-day situations.
Q: Is this a good option for stress relief or mindfulness?
A: Yes! Martial arts are excellent for stress reduction, focus, and inner balance.
LOGISTICS & SIGN-UP
Q: How do I get started?
A: Reach out to schedule a free week of classes to give it a try. We'll guide you through the next steps based on your goals and experience level.
Q: What should I wear to my first class?
A: Comfortable workout clothes are perfect to get started. Our uniform consists of black martial arts pants and a black t-shirt. You are welcome to wear socks if you’d like, but we recommend they are specialty socks with rubber grips on the soles. We wear sashes to denote rank, including white, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, red, brown, and black sashes to denote rank.
Q: Do you offer private lessons?
A: Not at this time.
Q: Where are you located?
A: 503 S. Timberland Drive, Lufkin, TX 75904 – easy to access, with abundant parking available.
ADDITIONAL Q&A
Q: What is a Black Sash?
A: Traditional Chinese martial arts did not have a belt system like many modern martial arts schools. The concept of belts was introduced later to motivate students and signify their personal growth. In our system, a Black Sash represents a significant achievement: it means you have a solid understanding of the basic concepts of the martial art. However, it’s important to note that attaining a Black Sash is just the beginning of the journey. Mastery of the art takes many more years of continuous learning, refinement, and practice. True mastery is a lifelong pursuit. The Black Sash marks a milestone, but the path to true mastery is ongoing, with no end point.
Q: How long does it take to earn a black sash?
A: The journey to a black belt varies depending on individual progress, consistency, and dedication. With good attendance (2-3 times per week), it may take about three years of consistent training and mastery of skills. We emphasize quality over speed, so the focus is always on developing solid techniques, understanding the principles, and cultivating mental discipline rather than rushing through ranks.
Q: Does Wind in the Pines Kung Fu honor belt/sash ranks earned at other martial arts schools?
A: At Wind in the Pines Kung Fu, we honor verified belt or sash ranks from other martial arts schools, even if they are not kung fu. Transfer students have the option to wear their previous belt/sash or a white sash when they begin training with us. This approach acknowledges your past achievements while you work toward mastering our curriculum. Once you demonstrate the required proficiency and meet our standards, you'll be awarded the equivalent sash in our system. This policy ensures a respectful and seamless integration into our school community
Q: Can Sifu Brad refuse to train someone?
A: Yes, Sifu Brad, like all instructors, has the responsibility to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for all students. If a student is not following the guidelines, showing respect to their peers, or not aligning with the values of the school, Sifu Brad may choose to pause or refuse training. This is done to maintain the integrity of the school and to ensure that every student can train in a positive, respectful, and focused atmosphere.
Q: I wish to challenge Sifu Brad to test my skills.
A: If you're looking to "challenge" Sifu Brad or his students to test your skills, we’d suggest a different approach. This school is about self-improvement, not ego or competition. If you truly want to test your abilities, the best way is to focus on your training and growth, not in a fight or challenge against an instructor.