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| Dress code | ||
| Written by Rachel | ||
classes qigong tai chi kung fu about us reviews a-z
Appropriate
attire
It is
customary for martial arts classes to have a dress code and our class is no
exception. It serves to meet insurance company criteria concerning appropriate
attire relative to exercise.
Litmus test
A dress code is a 'litmus test' - addressing the matter of 'ego'.
Uniform literally means "remaining the same in
all cases and at all times; unchanging in form or character"
and "the distinctive clothing worn by members of
the same organization or body or by children attending certain schools".
When you begin something new, you don't fully
understand why things are done a
certain way. In lieu of experience, you draw
upon your own memories, ideas
and feelings.
An instructor's motives and reasoning may
be elusive. Even if comprehensively explained to
you.
Consider this: would you do yoga in jeans and
training shoes? What would you wear to do ballet? To go swimming? When
playing basketball as part of a team? Football? Gymnastics? Karate?
When you come to the dojo, it is a recognition the
teacher there has something you want. He will give it to you in his own way.
You must accept that. If you do not, you are free to leave. The dojo,
however, is never run by consensus.
You may have all sorts of wonderful ideas, what you
consider to be valuable contributions and insights, your own personal take on
matters. Nobody cares. Quite the opposite.
The fastest way to alienate yourself
in a dojo is to make known these ideas or to volunteer your suggestions on how
training might be better or more effective.
The student has nothing to
offer but an absolute willingness to follow the teacher's instructions and
direction without question or comments or personal improvisation.
(Dave Lowry)
The earnest student learns of the dress code and adheres to it, without
improvisation. This indicates a willingness to
learn, to follow instructions. And an open and
receptive mind.
By contrast, the vain, self-important egotist desires
some badge of perceived independence, a pithy statement of
rebellion or
political values. But why? This is not the place for such things.
It is not a forum for self-expression.
▲
3-tier uniform
There are 3 different levels of tai chi uniform in our school. Each corresponds to
the level of training being undertaken:
A student wearing a
white T-shirt is a health practitioner improving their
health.
The black T-shirt or kung fu suit indicates martial practice.
▲
(i) History
In China there was never a traditional martial arts uniform. People just wore
their normal clothes.
When Kanō Jigorō developed judo (the first modern fighting art), he created
the first actual martial arts uniform. It was comprised of a fireman's
jacket and a loincloth.
(ii)
All beginners wear:
•
White
cotton crew-neck
short-sleeved
T-shirt
•
Black
cotton
martial arts trousers
• Flat footwear; preferably not
training/sports shoes
• Female students wear thin
tights
(iii)
Optional (but recommended):
•
White
cotton crew-neck sweatshirt
Please note that T-shirts or sweatshirts with pockets are not appropriate
attire for tai chi.
Tights?
If a woman was studying classical ballet, she'd be required to wear
tights. There'd be no discussion.
Think of tai chi as being along the same lines. They are an Asian
aesthetic.
In tai chi bare ankles or socks are
considered inappropriate for women. Thin
tights emphasise femaleness, grace,
femininity and elegance.
Non-lycra tights are best for tai chi (and leg health) e.g.:
https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc141364351
https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc141364393?clickPR=plp:4:24
Morrisons sell some super cheap barely black tights.
More...
▲
No bare feet
In Japanese martial arts it is common to train in bare feet. This is not the
case with Chinese arts.
Whilst there are a number of reasons for this, the first is hygiene and
the second is skin abrasion (especially if you practice on carpet).
(i) Hygiene
The
hygiene issue is somewhat obvious.
Traditionally, a Japanese martial arts school had a dedicated training hall that
was kept spotlessly clean and the floor was washed after each training session.
UK martial arts classes typically take place at a sports hall, where there are
shower facilities to be used after the session. Tai chi isn't usually trained at
a sports centre.
Consider: yoga and pilates people train on their own mat. Tai chi people do
not. They walk around a public hall/room in which outdoor shoes are worn. Hence,
bare feet will get filthy and grit may stick into the soles of the feet...
(ii) Foot care
Apart from filth and grit to keep in mind with bare feet, there is also abrasion... The
heel turns in tai chi form can be really rough on the skin of the feet if you
choose not to cover your feet.
Expect cracked heels
etc if you ignore this warning.
▲
All students wear:
•
Cotton crew-neck T-shirt
•
Black
cotton
martial arts trousers
• Socks for men
• Female students wear thin
tights
Please note that 'leggings', yoga attire and T-shirts with pockets are not appropriate
attire for workshops.
Winter
Students who are working through the health/fitness
syllabus are permitted to wear a plain
long-sleeved white sweatshirt over their
white class T-shirt.
e.g.
Women's sweatshirt
&
men's sweatshirt.
Please note that sweatshirts with pockets are not appropriate
attire for tai chi.
Dynamic Balancing Boxing class
The black T-shirt or kung fu suit indicates training with
Sifu Waller.
Students are working through the Dynamic Balancing Boxing
curriculum:
(i) Working towards white belt
Students wear the same uniform as a
qigong & tai chi student. The standard
uniform.
(ii) Passed the basics
Once you have passed the basics you can wear:
•
Black
short-sleeved T-shirt
•
Black
cotton martial arts/karate trousers
The individual is no longer a health
student. However, they are not yet undertaking any kung fu
training.
The T-shirt is not to be tucked into the trousers unless you are wearing
a sash.
(iii) Pockets
Please note that T-shirts with pockets are not appropriate
attire for tai chi chuan.
(iv) Sweatshirt and sash?
Please note that you cannot wear a sash and a sweatshirt.
This is not allowed.
If you have passed white belt and still want to
wear a sweatshirt, please transfer to the health group.
(v) T-shirt, changshan or wrap-over
Tai chi students who have passed their green
belt can choose to wear either a
black
T-shirt, changshan or wrap-over.
If wearing a T-shirt, they need to tuck the T-shirt into their trousers and show their sash.
(vii) Belt policy
When you need a new belt, the process is simple:
1) Ask Rachel if she stocks the belt colour you require.
2) If Rachel doesn't stock the colour you need, purchase it online. Perhaps
from Blitz or CIMAC.
Do not take a hand-me-down belt from another student.
Get you own.
Changshan
The Manchu invaded China in 1644.
They insisted that every man wear a long shirt (changshan) with high collar
and frog buttons.
This is what most Chinese martial arts
uniforms are based upon nowadays.
(i) Long shirt
Once the student has passed
green
belt, they can start wearing a
kung fu uniform:
•
Black
T-shirt,
changshan or wrap-over
• School
badge sewn onto the left upper chest and the
neijiaquan patch on the right
sleeve (suit)
•
Black
cotton martial arts/karate trousers
• Flat footwear; preferably not
training/sports shoes
•
Green
sash
The full
kung fu suit is sold by CIMAC.
Price £23 + £8 postage.
Be careful to keep the long shirt well washed and ironed. If it looks
unkempt and scruffy, you will be advised.
Please note that satin or silk uniforms are not permitted. It
must be black cotton.
(ii) Vest
Students should wear a
black vest beneath their changshan, not a T-shirt.
If you wear a T-shirt beneath the longshirt, you will be asked to remove the
jacket.
(iii) Wrap-over
Students may wear a wrap-over
with a shitagi and sash for more vigorous combat work (or in Winter
time).
▲
Belts/sashes
Belts have no ancient meaning or history. They are a learning tool.
Mikonosuke Kawaishi - a Judo instructor - introduced coloured belts in Paris
around 1935. This was adopted by other martial arts. China only followed
suit much more recently.
(i) Colours
There are 9 belt colours in the tai chi syllabus:
White
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Purple
Brown
Black
Red
(ii) Passed
You wear the colour you have earned, not the colour you are working
on e.g. a student who is wearing their
blue belt is now working to pass their
purple belt.
(iii) Fighting
skill
In our school, the darker the belt, the better your fighting skills need to
be.
Sifu will only issue a darker coloured belt to a student with combat ability
who knows all preceding material to the required standard.
(iv) Black belt
The black belt grades are all trial-by-combat, the same as in judo.
No black belt will be issued to a student of tai chi unless they possess considerable kung fu skill. Pretty forms are not enough.
It is
common for frog buttons on a changshan to unravel.
Please see Rachel immediately and you will be taught how to re-knot yours.
▲
Armour
Tai chi chuan students may benefit from lightweight body armour:
(i) Leg shields
CIMAC sell fabric and foam elasticated leg guards ideal for shuai jiao.
They will not hamper movement.
They will also not prevent injury.
But they will reduce the risk of bruising.
(ii) Boob shield
Female tai chi chuan students are encouraged to purchase a boob shield.
(iii) Groin cup
Male tai chi chuan students may wear a comfortable groin guard (if
required).
▲
Wrap-over
Once the student has passed green
belt, they may wear a wrap-over in Winter time or for shuai jiao
or rigorous combat
practice.
(i) History
The wrap-over uniforms (gi) worn by
Japanese martial arts nowadays stem from the Chinese 'hanfu'
design.
In Japan they were developed from a fireman's jacket by Judo creator
Kano.
Up until 1644 the hanfu wrap-over was standard attire in China and throughout Asia.
Modern Taoist martial artists have returned to this
style.
(ii) Uniform
•
Heavy black
ju jitsu
or
karate suit
•
White cotton shitagi beneath
• School
badge sewn onto the left upper chest and the neijiaquan patch on the right
sleeve
•
Belt/sash
The suit is sold by Blitz (and other
suppliers). The shitagi is sold by
Nine Circles.
(iii) Wear a shitagi
If you wear a T-shirt beneath the jacket, you will be asked to remove the
jacket.
(iv) Belt
Wear a
sash to hold the wrap-over closed.
Longevity patch
The longevity patch is worn by 'indoor
students':
Family members who train with Sifu Waller outside of class
It signifies a long-term commitment to learning tai chi with our school. The patch is worn on the left arm.
Page created 26 November 2007
Last updated
16 April 2010