SJF Kung Fu School provides short-term and long-term authentic Chinese Kung Fu training to international students around the world.
Before you join any Chinese Kung Fu Center, you will probably see a single monthly figure. What you may regret missing is everything standing behind it: the uniform you must buy in week two, the grading fee, the seminar that "everyone attends," and the notice period for leaving. At SJF Kung Fu School, we think a fee should be as clear as a good stance. Nothing hidden, nothing wobbling.
Traditional martial arts have always rested on trust between teacher and student. In the old Wu De (martial virtue) teachings, honesty and respect come before technique. A transparent fee conversation is the first small test of that trust, for the school as much as for you.
This article separates recurring tuition from one-time charges and optional extras. It also lists the questions worth asking in writing before you commit. We do not publish a universal price list here, because the right figure depends on the program, the length of stay and your goals. The aim is to help you compare any school fairly, including ours.
Tuition is the part that repeats. In a school rooted in lineage, it pays for something that cannot be copied from a video: a teacher's trained eye correcting your alignment while you hold a posture.
When you read a fee sheet, tuition should plainly cover these things:
Instructor time: scheduled class hours with a named, qualified teacher, not a rotating group of assistants.
Training space: mats, wooden dummies, traditional weapons for practice and a quiet hall for meditation. Our 200㎡ indoor training center means practice continues in any weather, which matters in the cold months.
Correction and progression: someone watches your Tai Chi root, your Zhan Zhuang posture and your breathing, and adjusts the plan as you change.
Lineage and instruction: Master Shen Jiangfei is an 11th-generation inheritor of Chen-style Tai Chi and a descendant of Liuhe Quan. What you are paying for is access to that transmission.
Where this does not apply: a low tuition figure is not a warning sign by itself, and a high one is not proof of quality. Large group classes can be perfectly good for fitness-minded learners. If you want detailed correction of Chen-style movement, though, ask how many students share one teacher. Class size is a cost too, just a hidden one.
This is the section most fee pages skip. Use the table below as a template when you ask any school, including us, for a written breakdown. The "ask" column is what to put in your email. We have not filled in prices because they vary by program, and we would rather confirm figures with you directly than quote a number out of context.
| Charge type | Usually recurring or one-time? | What to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Recurring (monthly, or fixed for a short course) | Which class hours and styles are included? Is private correction included? | Defines what the base price really buys |
| Uniform and basic gear | One-time | Is a uniform required? Is it sold at the school, and can I bring my own? | A small cost, but it often appears after you have paid |
| Grading or testing | One-time per level | Are tests optional? Is there a fee per test, and is a certificate extra? | Frequent testing can add up; some students prefer none |
| Association or federation dues | Often annual | Is membership in an outside body required to train or to be graded? | Separates mandatory dues from optional affiliation |
| Seminars and special workshops | Occasional | Are these included, discounted or charged separately? Are they optional? | Prevents a pressure purchase later |
| Weapons and training equipment | One-time, if bought | Can I use school weapons for practice? What must I buy myself? | Matters for Sword, Broadsword and other Chinese weapon work |
| Cancellation, pause and refund terms | Applies at exit or change | What notice is needed? What happens if I must leave early or postpone? | The clause you never think about until you need it |
| Accommodation and meals (for travelers) | Varies by program | Are they bundled with tuition or separate? Where is accommodation located? | For an overseas student, this can outweigh tuition itself |
Comparing a monthly figure at one school with an all-inclusive figure at another.
Assuming grading and uniforms are included because nobody mentioned them.
Skipping the cancellation clause because you are sure you will stay.
Choosing by price alone, then discovering the teacher you wanted is rarely on the floor.
Not asking for the answers in writing. A verbal promise is hard to recall after three months.
Numbers only mean something next to real training days. Here is what some of our students said about what stayed with them.
Andrew Williams from the USA trained for 30 days with his son, working on Tai Chi, Zhan Zhuang and Dao Fa. He called it a life-changing experience that strengthened him physically, mentally and spiritually, and he plans to return next year. A father and son sharing standing meditation in the early morning is something no fee table can price.
Klaes Risbjerg Simonsen from Denmark completed 30 days of Tai Chi, Zhan Zhuang and Broadsword. He wanted a focused experience rather than a touristy resort, and felt he was in the right place from day one. He praised the Shifu for adapting the training to his needs.
Austin Erkl from the USA was frank: he did not love the training at first. After adjusting, he had a great time, praising the accommodation, the food and the master. His words: "The master is a great guy that cares for his students. I made some lifelong memories here and will cherish my time." We include his honesty on purpose. Traditional training asks something of you in the first week, and it is better to know that before you pay.
Hayley Noel from the UK stayed 120 days for Tai Chi, Zhan Zhuang, Sword and Broadsword. Her family had worried when she flew out, then wrote to Master Shen that she had an awesome time and that they were grateful. For long stays, the question is less "what does it cost per month?" and more "who is looking after her?"
Limits of these examples: they show what individual students valued. They are not promises of identical results, and each person's progress depends on effort, health and time spent.
Because a fee is also a question of commitment, here is what we can state plainly:
No minimum enrollment for regular classes. You can begin without committing to a long block.
Group bookings require at least 2 students. Friends, couples, or a parent and child can train together.
Programs run from one week to long-term study. The range includes a One Week Kung Fu Course for first-timers, a Three-Month Course for deeper study, and extended training for those who stay longer.
Many students begin short. Pamela Paes Ezawa from Brazil and Othmane Echaouki with his wife from France both took 7-day Chen-style Tai Chi courses. Pamela valued the traditional training environment and the training-focused accommodation. Othmane and his wife thanked the Shifu for caring for every student.
Specific terms such as uniforms, testing, and cancellation or postponement conditions vary by program. We would rather confirm them with you in writing than leave a general statement that may not fit your plan.
Decide your length: a week to taste the training, a month to feel change, or longer to study properly.
Name your styles: Tai Chi, Zhan Zhuang, Shaolin Quan, San Da, weapons, or meditation.
Send the cost table above to every school you are considering, ours included.
Ask for the answers, the cancellation terms and the teacher's schedule in writing.
Compare total cost for the same length of stay, not the headline figure.
Can I speak with the teacher who will actually teach me?
Does the school list its teacher's lineage and training background?
Is there indoor space so training does not stop with the weather?
Are uniforms, testing, dues and seminars separated from tuition on paper?
Is there a no-pressure way to try a short course before a long one?
Do former students describe the daily training, not just the scenery?
Martial arts handed down over generations were never meant to be bought like a gym pass. Training begins with an honest exchange between teacher and student, and a clear fee conversation is part of it. Whether you come to us or choose elsewhere, ask the questions above and wait for plain answers.
If you are considering a month of study, read about our 30 Day Kung Fu Course. Then send us a message through the contact form on our website with your preferred styles, your dates and your questions about fees. We will reply with a clear written breakdown. Genuine seekers of traditional Chinese martial arts are always welcome here.
You need to pay a $100 deposit in advance. This deposit will be applied toward your school fees. Get Unique Customized Kung Fu Water Bottle for Free!
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