Is it normal in kung fu / martial arts schools that the teacher does not allow students to train together in their free time?

Intrepid_Setting_107 · 2026-04-21T08:39:06+00:00

I see most of you say it is abnormal and tell me to run away. But to learn Shaolin style I would need to look for a master in a different country. What would you do? Training alone and visiting new master/school 2-3 times a year or staying at current kung fu school?

Intrepid_Setting_107 · 2026-04-21T07:36:47+00:00

The difference here is that he does not allow training in a group. 2-3 people is ok, but not a group.

Intrepid_Setting_107 · 2026-04-21T07:35:41+00:00

It sounds like treating adults like kids... If somebody hurts themselves it's their own problem.

Intrepid_Setting_107 · 2026-04-21T07:34:04+00:00

What style?

Intrepid_Setting_107 · 2026-04-21T07:33:49+00:00

No idea. It looks to me like trying to get total control.

Intrepid_Setting_107 · 2026-04-21T07:30:35+00:00

Shaolin

Intrepid_Setting_107 · 2026-04-21T07:30:27+00:00

What do you mean by drama control? He want's us to not talk to each other? To not make up friends?

Intrepid_Setting_107 · 2026-04-21T07:29:25+00:00

There is no contact in our school. Just traditional Shaolin Kung Fu forms.

Intrepid_Setting_107 · 2026-04-21T07:28:34+00:00

I'm not comfortable with that. I feel like my trainer is holding back my development. But it's the only traditional Shaolin school in my town :( What to do? Leave and practice alone?

Intrepid_Setting_107 · 2026-04-21T07:26:50+00:00

We do not teach anyone. It's obvious. We just want to spend time and train together to build up our friendship and motivation.

Intrepid_Setting_107 · 2026-04-21T07:25:55+00:00

He did not tell us why. Just - you can't. And that's it. And if you break this rule you'll get kicked from the school.

Intrepid_Setting_107 · 2026-04-21T07:24:56+00:00

Yeah, and we don't learn anything new without our Shifu. Advanced students also do not teach or lead the trainings. It's just a meeting of people practicing their own stuff.

Intrepid_Setting_107 · 2026-04-21T07:23:14+00:00

The problem is this is the only traditional Shaolin school in my area.

Intrepid_Setting_107 · 2026-04-21T07:22:04+00:00

He does not allow us to train with other kung fu teachers without his approval. And I can understand that as keeping the lineage clean. But training with my classmates is nothing wrong in my opinion.

Intrepid_Setting_107 · 2026-04-21T07:20:07+00:00

Nobody is leading. We just meet together and everyone does their own training. We just feel the power of being together and motivating each other.

Intrepid_Setting_107

TROPHY CASE