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| Ang pow | ||
| Written by Rachel | ||
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Different
culture
Tai chi is not English. It was not invented in the UK. It is Chinese.
Consequently, there are Chinese words used in tai
chi, a dress code and also a number of Chinese
customs such as bowing.
Most people are keen to explore different cultures, and accept the cultural
differences as being part of the learning
experience.
A few people don't like Chinese traditions (and are probably studying the
wrong art...)
What is ang pow?
In Asian culture people offer a gift on certain occasions.
This is called 'ang pow'.
Traditionally the gift is offered in a red envelope/paper and the nature of
the gift is relative to the event and its significance.
If you don't do martial arts, it may be hard for you to understand
the importance we place in the people that teach us. They are
not like schoolteachers or lecturers, where the tuition is compulsory. In
the martial arts the teaching and the learning is voluntary. It's a shared
passion. The rewards of your instructor's lessons go deep.
(Goran Powell)
In Asia
In Borneo there was Teacher's Day in which the whole school acknowledged the
worth of the teacher.
Students celebrated with good food and every student bought their teacher a gift.
Everyone chose the gift with great care and truly enjoyed letting their
teacher know that they valued the teacher's knowledge and expertise.
In Western terms
There isn't really a Western equivalent of ang pow, but if it helps... think
of it as buying your teacher a birthday, Christmas or 'thank you' gift.
Value
In a Chinese martial arts class, ang pow is about acknowledging the
worth of the teacher.
It says that the instructor means something to the students. And is not being taken for granted.
Peter Southwood said that an ang pow gift was a civilised and
gracious
way to show respect and appreciation.
Grateful
We often get e-mails from school members saying how much they like our
classes. The classes are the outcome of the teacher(s). Ang pow provides a
means of expressing gratitude.
As a teacher I am continually impressed with Sifu Waller's teaching system, resources
and the time he takes with classes. I often feel like emailing him to thank
him for another outstanding lesson but a) this could happen most weeks and
b) I do actually feel guilty for not being a good enough student.
(Tim)
Dear Sifu Waller,
I feel very lucky to have found your class and have had the opportunity to
be your student.
I really do enjoy all the lessons and learning about the art. I know what I
have learnt from you will always stay with me.
Thank you Sifu Waller for your generosity and the passion you put into
teaching.
Warmest wishes for the coming months and the future.
(Yu-chun)
I very much
enjoy your sessions - without any false flattery, you have been the
best instructor I have
encountered for any martial art. Your commitment, patience
and dedication to the art and your students is something that I believe many
instructors should aspire to.
To your credit Sifu Waller, you have
shown me something that has I did not expect to find in taijiquan... a
comprehensive fighting system in itself. I wish the rest of the MA community
would wake up and see what you see.
(Stuart)
What I really like about the class is it’s friendly atmosphere with
excellent teaching and a clear syllabus that means everyone makes progress.
It’s challenging but accessible. Everything is explained to the level you
want and obviously Sifu Waller really demonstrates what is possible in the
art.
(Tim M)
I consider it to be a pleasure and a privilege to be part of Sifu Waller’s class.
(Ray)
Ang pow is normal
In case you think that ang pow is some scam:
http://taichikitten.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/students-with-honour.html
Please note that the people posting on the Facebook entry are all
non-Chinese.
Teacher tax?
Some people may think that ang pow is a con.
The traditional answer is to encourage the student to seek tuition
elsewhere.
By trying out the other classes in the region, the student gains a sense of
perspective.
Groundhog Day
Often tai chi classes teach pretty much the same formula/same material every
single week.
There is very little learning taking place.
Every lesson is the same. We are not like this.
Higher learning
Our school is different to many others; students are challenged to take an active part in
the learning process.
There is a massive syllabus, differentiated learning and
regular consultation
with the instructor.
Karen collects ang pow
In our school, Karen collects ang pow.
The traditional amount was at least
the value of one lesson. If you have any questions, please speak with
Karen in class during the breaks or afterwards...
Recognition
Karen wanted to point out that students of our class receive far more than
they have paid for:
Sifu Waller offers an encyclopaedic level of knowledge, skill and opportunity for all school members to benefit from
You learn something new every week
Sifu Waller and Rachel respond (in-depth) to student questions
Every lesson is stimulating, interesting and informative
Sessions frequently start early and last longer than they are meant to
Sifu Waller developed the comprehensive syllabus
Sifu Waller has never been paid for the web pages he took so many years to write
Workshops, private lessons and regular classes provide a level of information and tuition second to none in the North East
The hospitality at workshops and boot camp is first rate
Sifu Waller and Rachel train at least 2 hours every day (and study too) in order to offer you the best quality tuition possible
How about letting
Sifu Waller know that you're grateful? That you don't just take him for
granted?
Our
students
Karen asks that our students give a small gift to their instructor twice a
year:
Traditionally, students also gave ang pow on the teacher's birthday but we don't usually ask for this.
Random
Please don't give
random gifts; it's a waste.
Speak to Karen about ang pow.
A personal gift?
Some people ask if they can give a personal gift to Sifu Waller or Rachel, separate to
the Start of the
Training Year and Chinese New Year.
A sign of respect and gratitude. This is a very kind thing to do.
Please refer to the wishlists:
Traditional gift?
One traditional ang pow personal gift was a gift of green
tea. This
was also a good option when applying to undertake
indoor tuition or lineage.
Premium grade
matcha was always a great choice.
Sifu likes
cacao
kefir... but doesn't drink alcohol or eat sweets.
Ang pow for meals
Traditionally, school members are asked to
chip in £1.50 to pay for the instructor's meal and Rachel's.
This is separate from Karen's
ang pow and is collected by
the Social Secretary.
A student should earn the right to have a teacher, and to keep one.
(Robert W Smith)
Page created 28 September 2007
Last updated
3 June 2016