Classes - General Information/Class Guidelines

These guidelines apply to our classes. You will find they are particularly valuable when you are receiving instruction from Masters Donald and Cheryl Lynne Rubbo, Certified Teachers, and Teachers-in-Training.

  1. Please be prompt for the start of all classes. Promptness shows respect for the teacher and fellow practitioners. Engage in individual practice or warm-ups if class has not started.
  2. Wear loose comfortable clothing to classes and flat shoes for ease of movement.
  3. Honor the space where you receive instruction. Enter with a positive attitude in your heart and mind. Come to class with an open mind: "an empty teacup." Suspend your skepticism, preconceptions, or prejudices and cultivate humility and self-confidence.
  4. Greet the instructor when you arrive. Show respect to the lineage. Honoring the teacher is actually honoring the wisdom that is available through the teacher. The greeting is the covered fist (left hand covering the right fist) extended toward the teacher. We continue the tradition of the early morning salutation to honor our teacher Sifu Kuo Lien Ying. Upon arrival at morning classes, extend the covered fist toward the teacher and say "Sifu Dzao." Sifu translates as teacher, and Dzao translates as "early." Upon arrival at afternoon or evening classes, extend the covered fist and say, "Sifu, good afternoon/evening."
  5. Set an example of focus and attentiveness. Even if the material seems familiar, class is a learning opportunity for you as well as for those with less experience.
  6. Continue practicing a given exercise until the teacher is ready for the class to move on. This attitude of perseverance develops devotion, and earns respect and personal attention.
  7. Pay close attention to the teacher when he/she is giving instruction on form practice and/or when he/she is leading a group form practice. This is an integral part of studying the Asian martial and healing arts.
  8. Please monitor yourself. You are the best judge of the limitations of your own body. Do not overexert yourself during any of the classes. Try not to exceed 70% of your physical abilities while doing your exercises. This 70% will grow over time.
  9. Support the school events. This will show your respect for the teachings, the teacher and your fellow students. Come to the free public classes, attend workshops and retreats, Chinese New Year Banquets, and special events.
  10. When you are working in a group, become sensitive to the synergy of the group. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. If you allow yourself to match the timing and spacing of the others around you, this synergy will reinforce and strengthen your own chi and increase the benefits you derive from engaging in chi cultivation practices.
  11. Avoid correcting, teaching, or conversing with other students during class, except for Masters, Certified Teachers and Teacher Training. If the teacher divides the class into small groups, however, you are encouraged to share personal insights and observations to help others in your group.
  12. It is school policy that no one may be touched without permission. Teachers will generally announce their intention to make respectful hands-on corrections only once to a class; they then rely on individual students who might not wish to be touched to state that preference. A student should not attempt to physically correct another student without first receiving both their consent and the teacher's permission.
  13. Assume that whatever is happening at every moment is for your personal benefit. A comment or exercise introduced to the class as a whole may be especially directed toward a single student, and be exactly what that student needs at that time. That student might be you. A single word or gesture could be worth the cost of an entire course.
  14. Assist others in acquiring certain skills when asked to do so by the teacher. This is for your own development as much as for those you are helping.
  15. Help your classmates, your T'ai Chi/Chi Gung brothers and sisters, by getting together outside of class to practice, share and encourage one another.
  16. Always gather your Chi before leaving class. If you have to leave early, step to the side and gather the Chi to the Dantien, and then say goodbye to the teacher.
  17. On your own, practice whatever you remember, as much as you remember, as often as you can. Even if you feel it might be "incorrect," practicing something is better than doing nothing and waiting until the next class.
  18. Notify the teacher any time events or injuries are affecting your T'ai Chi/Chi Gung practice, or if you plan to discontinue study.
  19. T'ai Chi/Chi Gung study progresses in a spiral, along which the same material is encountered again and again at higher levels. Taking a form course once is not enough. Attending the workshops offered by Donald and Cheryl Lynne Rubbo is recommended. The additional time spent on a particular subject will be invaluable to your practice.
  20. As devotion to this art deepens and desire for personal improvement increases, students are encouraged to periodically request private lessons from Donald Rubbo - especially after completing a course in a form.
  21. As a courtesy and to show respect for the Master Teacher's skill and knowledge, consult with him/her about issues related to your study. These may include questions, difficulties or experiences; if you are thinking of studying another art or with another teacher; if you plan to perform in a public exhibition or tournament; if you are considering the use of videotapes to supplement your learning; or if you have a "different idea" regarding a principle or form. Talk to us!
  22. Completing a course or the ability to perform a form are not sufficient qualifications to teach. Our Teacher Training Program is designed to insure that interested students will possess the skills, knowledge, and experience to be effective teachers. The program progresses through several levels leading to certification. Let us know if you feel this might be for you.
  23. Payment policy: Monthly class fees are due on the first day of the month, and no later than the first day of the month. The first month you sign up will be pro-rated according to your start date. Drop-in class fees are due at the beginning of class.
  24. Monthly fee attendance policy: T'ai Chi, attend all T'ai Chi classes offered during the month. Chi Gung, attend all Chi Gung classes offered during the month. Two or more subjects: Attend all classes in those subjects offered during the month. If you increase the number of subjects you are studying, please verify that you are paying the appropriate fee.
  25. If you are requesting scholarship assistance or other special financial arrangements, please write a note with your request to Cheryl Lynne Rubbo so that she can arrange to discuss this with you and provide you with the necessary application and verification forms. All scholarship assistance, work-study and other arrangements will be reviewed quarterly.
  26. Work/Study: Each hour of class attended equals 1 hour of volunteer work for PDPII Research Foundation.
  27. Refund Policy: Monthly students: No refund. Workshops: Up to 2 weeks prior: 75%, 1 week prior: No refund. Retreats: Up to 3 weeks prior: 50%, 3 weeks prior or less: No refund.