The Shuai Chiao Kungfu Club at the Ohio State University
USSA REQUIREMENTS for WHITE BELT (6th Chieh)
An open mind, and willingness to train both
mind and body.
If you have never studied a martial art before: pay attention, and be respectful of your instructors and fellow students. Always listen to the signals of your own body. Kungfu practice should be physically challenging: if you have pre-existing injuries or disabilities, please allow for them. You must learn to differentiate between the discomfort and lingering soreness of a stressed muscle or tendon and the sharp pain and chronic discomfort of an over-stressed one.
If you have other martial arts experience, try to be an "empty cup": just accept what is taught, and do not instantly classify and pass judgement on the materials based on your previous martial arts teaching and experience. Always seek first to understand, and receive without analysis. Integration, blending, and analysis of knowlege will come later, but only if you do not immediately reject novel material due to pre-existing opinions and prejudices. Absorb.