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Training Basics
(By Ben Skywalker) (Return to Teachings)


 * Conditioning**

Conditioning begins each class, and is an all-class affair. As the name implies, conditioning's prime purpose is to train the body and the mind in a variety of ways, including strength, stamina, coordination, focus, drive and technique. Running from 45-60 minutes in length, conditioning starts with some light warmup exercises, and proceeds through a regimen chosen by the class' instructor. Drills, stance training, aerobic and strength exercises, toughening and stretching can all form part of the conditioning.


 * Sets**

After conditioning, the class breaks down into smaller groups, to be taught their sets by an instructor.

A set in Kung Fu is a pre-determined series of martial techniques, such a strikes, kicks and blocks, linked together in a comprehensive way to make a "story". This "story" trains the practitioner not only to learn and develop basic martial art techniques and skills, but also to emphasize different aspects of training. A set can be viewed as a type of shadow boxing, where the practitioner exercises their memory and body, learns coordination and balance, and builds up stamina and flexibility. Each set teaches new techniques to the students, as well as demonstrating new applications and combinations for those and all other techniques. Sets develop, discover and train one's Kung Fu skills and knowledge. They are the prime vehicle for a teacher to hand down their knowledge to their student.

Sets teach skills representative of their style. Hung Gar sets teach strong stance-work, power and ambidexterity. Shaolin sets teach speed, full extension of movements, fluidity and kicking techniques. Tai Chi sets teach flow, gracefulness, linking and the development and direction of chi.

While sets contain linked moves and a set of techniques, they also teach adaptability. The sequence and techniques should not be seen as the end-all, but rather as one way of expressing the techniques contained within the set. Each move may also contain various applications. A student begins learning through individual techniques, then links groups of moves, and finally unifies the set as a whole.


 * Hand Sets**

Also called Open- or Empty-Hand Sets, these sets form the core of Kung Fu training. The term "Hand" denotes that there are no weapons used except for one's body; kicks, elbows, forearm strikes, throws, locks and other techniques are not precluded by the literal meaning of hand.