Are traditional uniforms and training hall important to you?

Hi. I was wondering whether anyone else feels the same way about uniforms and traditional kwoon as I do, or whether I am too much of a traditionalist? I am a big believer in traditional uniforms. I have never been a huge fan of coming to kungfu classes in street clothes or tracksuits and sneakers. I know that it's the person and the training that is important, not the clothing, but still I can't help feeling that something is missing. I also think a dedicated kwoon is a big plus. Am I alone here?

probably not alome, but I never trained in an uniform and my "kwoon" is most of the time a forest, parkinglot or old garage/ workplace...

I think you can't get mor etraditonal than that...

Chief108

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all hail Martyr Fakka

I don't think uniforms are important at all, we train in black pants/t-shirts=loose fitting clothing of our choice, a uniform should not be of importance to you, your training/skill/style/instructor should be what you are proud of, not how pretty one looks in a cool uniform.

Though I highly agree with having a dedicated kwoon, as long as that dedication is to the training/style/your(and others) skill/instructor.

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Oh THAT'S how that works!

I think the uniform can have a limited purpose, that is, it can help newer students stay in the correct frame of mind for training. There are a lot of psychological dynamics going on when one puts on the same clothing as the rest of a group (some good, some bad). The main reasons for a uniform -- anything from a club t-shirt to a full monk's robes -- are to create a sense of unity within and without, and to identify the school to others (visitors, spectators, etc.).

Some traditional uniforms are design for functionality, some for looks. A judo gi or shuai chiao jacket are made to withstand being grabbed & tugged on. While TCMA silks are almost solely for looks, especially in the performance area, the sash is worn with or without silks because it provides a functional aspect.

The traditional kwoon is also important, and I think it's important to revisit one's main kwoon or dojo occasionally even if one does not study regularly there. Again, a traditional school is set up to maximize a student's focus and frame of mind. On another note, the school provides a place to train and to store training weapons (sometimes difficult in a crowded city). And it should be -- should be -- a supportive place to train. Not "oh, I'll hold your hand while you tell everybody how good it feels to be a martial artist" but a place where like-minded individuals encourage each other to be the best at what they do.

Edit: I forgot to say, the uniform tends to become less important as one's training progresses. And, TCMA kwoons generally have deep cultural and traditional aspects in addition to the training, such as training lion dance and observing various holidays.

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"Pain can be a great teacher of compassion and humility."~ Unkotare-san

"Whatever the case, it proves that countless disasters can be prevented by simply assuming everyone you're working with is a moron." ~ Adam Brown, 5 Tiny Mistakes...

I must agree that the uniform means nothing. I enjoy doing forms in a t-shirt and a pair of old gi pants. A Chinese friend of mine laughs when he sees kung fu "uniforms". He says, "those aren't uniforms, they are just Chinese people's clothes!" I think, (as it has been mentioned here), that if you need to wear a uniform and you are doing hands-on stuff, nothing beats a thick judo gi...

I know, I know...a Japanese uniform whilst doing a TCMA form!? Preposterous! I am sure that performing a White Crane form choreographed to the latest Techno beat has little to do with tradition, either...

Judogi are comfy I train in my judogi, if I'm gonna do BJJ it's either my gi or my rashguard, depending.

I feel whatever is suitible should be worn, not what is prettiest. Functionality over looks!

I agree....who wants to wear all that shiny silk anyway? That should be limited to neckties and lingerie...

Ah, but silks are so comfy! Especially in a gym on tournament day when it's 95 degrees outside. Nothing like suffocating in silks buttoned up to your neck.

The dressy traditional uniforms (silks) make the best impression in TCMA forms competition. There are rules at most tourneys about appearance -- competitors aren't required to wear silks but they must look their best, shave, haircut, wash the t-shirts at least. Sashes and proper shoes are usually required. Anyone who spars in silks though ... ugh, what a fast way to ruin that costume! I've seen a couple of schools whose students wore full-length blue/orange monk robes into the sparring ring, great way to get tangled up LOL.


Hmm, silk lingerie ... but is that practical for the sparring ring?

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"Pain can be a great teacher of compassion and humility."~ Unkotare-san

"Whatever the case, it proves that countless disasters can be prevented by simply assuming everyone you're working with is a moron." ~ Adam Brown, 5 Tiny Mistakes...

You should train in what you wear most of the time. But a lot of that has to do with the student if they are trying to look the part or if they are there to learn to fight, most students are there for the first one.

True. Most students want to look the part when they first begin training in martial arts. The serious students move past that eventually and concentrate on training as they realize it's the only way they're going to actually succeed at that art.

It's true of every new endeavor, too. A new participant in a hobby/sport/etc. will purchase way more stuff than he actually needs, thinking that the more "stuff" one has, the faster he will progress.

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"Pain can be a great teacher of compassion and humility."~ Unkotare-san

"Whatever the case, it proves that countless disasters can be prevented by simply assuming everyone you're working with is a moron." ~ Adam Brown, 5 Tiny Mistakes...

“	Originally Posted By: Sammygirl I've seen a couple of schools whose students wore full-length blue/orange monk robes into the sparring ring, great way to get tangled up LOL. Hmm, silk lingerie ... but is that practical for the sparring ring?	”

I would like to see people trying to spar in monks robes! I have never been to a tournament where you have to shave and all that...I have a big 'ol Osama beard, so I would lose upon entering

Is there anyone on this forum who DOES practice in silk uniforms?

silk lingerie probably wouldn't stay on very well in the sparring ring...as a matter of fact; lingerie is something that doesn't usually stay on very long, anyway...

I think the beard's OK lol, but WuSung you're gonna have to comb out the chicken bones and cabbage and stuff.

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"Pain can be a great teacher of compassion and humility."~ Unkotare-san

"Whatever the case, it proves that countless disasters can be prevented by simply assuming everyone you're working with is a moron." ~ Adam Brown, 5 Tiny Mistakes...

Aaaw, man...my secret weapon is the 'ol projectile chicken bone from the beard...not to mention my pocket sized ninja I keep in there.

I think the uniform can be important, but I have 2 viewpoints on it:

1. Combat: Based on combat, my opinion is wear exactly what you would wear when you are out on the street. Alot of people I train with will often times show up in jeans and I think that is perfectly acceptable. No sense in wearing something in class that has more functionality that what you would wear on the street. We fight how we train and this part of the picture is certainly not an exception to that idea.

2. Culture: Part of the reason I study CMA is to learn more about the culture, the history, and the way of life they used to lead. A traditional kung fu jacket with frog buttons and such isnt a uniform to me...It simply the garb that was/is worn by those in that part of the world. And I enjoy wearing that type of shirt, not only because I love that type of clothing, but also because I feel it helps me get in touch with that culture a bit better. If I were a historian re-enacting a civil war, I would wear the clothes of that time period, not a pair of jeans and a AC/DC t-shirt. Similarly, when I train I like to play the part, to step into the shoes as much as I can, of those who trained in Asia in generations before me. And that goes beyond uniform , I enjoy classes more when the kwoon is set up as it was traditionally, and the classes are run the way they used to--strict and hard, with slow progression, to preserve the art as closely as I can. And its not because I am a "traditional" guy...Im just really fascinated by that part of the Chinese culture.

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So when you train to fight you were regular clothes and the rest of the time you dress up when you're playing?