Ashburn Boxing: Frequently Asked Questions

Ashburn Boxing: FAQ

How Are you Different?

The primary difference if I had to guess is the core

motivation of the

Ashburn Boxing organization versus the

many

commercial-focused

versions

of martial arts

schools

. In it's

simplest form, Ashburn Boxing

was created to provide a forum for teaching

the

Jook Lum Tong Leong

style in

it's unaltered form.

Based on how we have decided to build

the organization services, we are allowed to focus on the true expression of the

art versus some of the more commercial-focused schools easily found in the area.

We offer tremendously interesting

and challenging

classes

that we do not expect will be the right fit for everyone.

We have no motivation to water down the

material so

that we can get an additional 10 to 20 students on the floor.

A second difference is the focus of the class on building teachers

as an advanced expression of building

technically

superior

practitioners

. Regardless

of how terrific you can execute a technique, form, weapon, sparring skill; until you

teach the material as part of your class

training, you don't really know it. It takes the innocent questions of

why

and

what if

that challenges not only the physical

nature of your skills but requires you to search inside to firm your understanding. We

create terrific competitors and

students. The highest achievement though is watching a student take a part of class and

totally absorb the students in

the material. When you can do this, you can justify your belt at whatever rank without

question - because you know it -

you've internalized it.

Why set such a high goal?

Unlike aerobics or other

physically

challenging programs, the material taught in a martial arts class has relevance in the

outside world that relies very heavily upon correct execution. If you skip out on an aerobics class, the most pain you

experience is the soreness and

exhaustion

experience upon your first day back. Practicing a martial art is non-trivial.

skills learned on the floor must be practiced and internalized over years of

exposure so that they become as comfortable

as breathing (which is the skill level needed if you are ever called to use

these skills outside of class).

What are the key influence to the Tong Leong Style?

The

History

page gives a brief overview of the historical development of the Jook Lum Tong Leong system. Perhaps the

most notable recent influence is the material introduced and refined by Grand Master Agrella. Grand Master Agrella

learned the traditional Chinese Jook Lum Tong Leong from the then current reigning Master Wing. Prior to meeting

Master Wing, Grand Master Agrella had studied a variety of Japanese and other influences within the martial arts styles

and attained Master level ranks

all. As he studied in detail the techniques of each of the systems, he refined in the Jook

Lum system some of the core positions to reflect higher and tighter chambers, combined the Praying Mantis, Monkey and

Dragon techniques to result in an absolutely stunning martial art system. To the trained eye, you will see reflections of

Japanese stances and other nuances that are the hallmark of the Grand Master Agrella influence. To anyone who

watches the practitioner, the forms and techniques are nothing short of stunningly beautiful only matched by the

effectiveness of material.

How Long Does it take to make Black Belt?

Realistically? Give it 10 years. And that's if you show up a few times per week, train hard and compete

regularly

. I'd

suggest longer by 2 years to be respectful, but 10 is a good number. If time to black belt is important, there are many

other places that will help you out.

Do you teach children?

At the end of the day, the short answer is that

we evaluate every student who wishes to train. We do however discourage

children under the age of

imply due to years of experience on our ability to succeed with our material on such a young

student.

One of the core things to consider is

that we don't offer a dedicated kids class, so young students

are

intermixed

on the floor

with

adults. There are plenty of

martial art schools

in the

Ashburn area that allow young

children on the

karate

floor and attend to the needs of young children quite well.

For Information about the Ashburn classes please send an email to info@ashburnboxing.com or inquire in person at Golds Gym in Ashburn.

The site tag line "Begin with Courtesy, Engage Purely, End with Courtesy" so... What does that mean?

As mentioned in other areas of the site, Ashburn Boxing classes are conducted in a traditional format which stress courtesy
and protocol as originally observed in the formative years of the martial art systems. This is noted specifically given an
objective to set expectations clearly to anyone who comes onto the floor. Below are a few of the protocols that will be easily
observed by anyone who enters a class:

Shoes come off before entering the Dojo (place of practice)
Bow into the Dojo
Formally greet each student at the beginning of class
Belts are put on and taken off in a kneeling position only.
Conversations are only between student and teacher.

Begin and end each class with courtesy; bow to each of the other students on the floor and greet them accordingly. While class
is active, give everything you have to achieve the highest quality experience possible. That's a good day by any measure.

yep, that's 6 first place trophies.