Q: Is Drunken Kung Fu a real style?
A: Yes, Drunken Boxing or Jiu Quan (Wine Fist) is a real traditional group of Kung Fu styles, each one varying slightly from the other, however they all conform to the use of deception to enhance their ability in combat. The Drunken Style we teach is designed for actual combat not just performance use.
Q: What Drunken Style do you teach?
A: The Ma Family inherited its drunken kung fu from a traveling monk who stayed with them for a time. As they lived in Honan, not too far from the Shaolin Temple, many monks frequented the area and repaid the family’s hospitality by sharing their kung fu. The Ma Family were taught the drunken kung fu system in exchange for providing a temporary home for these monastic travelers. Passed down through the generations it has been entrusted to Shifu Neil Ripski who has complete knowledge of the system and its components. The style itself is based on internal concepts of Qi, Body Connection and Structure, as well as the external ability to fight. As such, the style of Eight Shadows Drunken Fist (Ba Ying Jiu Quan, which also incorporates weapons) is complete, and is also a great method to increase health and promote longevity.
Q: What Weapons are there in the Eight Shadows Drunken Fist?
A: The Drunken weapons are the Staff, Spear, Guan Dao (Kwan Dao), Broadsword, Flute, Guord, Fan and Straight Sword (Jian).
Q: How large is the curriculum of Ba Ying Jiu Quan?
A: Ba Ying Jiu Quan is a complete style of Chinese Martial Arts and as such contains all the different aspects of such arts: Striking, Kicking, Throwing, Joint Locking (Qin Na), Dim Hsueh (Dim Mak or Pressure point attacks), Fighting Strategies, Theories and Tactics. As well as Internal (Neigong) training including various Qigongs and neigong exercises both Wai Dan (Outside Qigong) and Nei Dan (Inside Qigong). See below for our ranking system, or read more about this in the FULL TIME TRAINING section.
Q: What is involved with full-time training in Ba Ying Jiu Quan?
A: Full Time training is an intensive method of study for the serious student of Drunken kung fu separated by distance or lack of time to train with a Master. The training takes place at either Shifu Ripski’s retreat in the beautiful Creston Valley of British Columbia Canada or in Taipei, Taiwan when Shifu Ripski is staying there. The course is completely adapted to the individual student taking into consideration previous years of training experience, age, fitness level and any other limitations they may face.
The training time includes approximately 4 hours each day of private instruction by Shifu Ripski and another 2 hours each day participating in private or group classes for a total of 6 – 7 hours each day of training and practice time, 5 days a week. For the use of comparison the average martial arts student trains twice a week for 1 ½ hours each time. This totals out to 12 hours per month or 144 hours each year. Each full time training month at 5 days per week is equal to 130 hours or nearly a full year of normal training time, this is not including any extra time the student may spend practicing on his/her own or with other students!!
As such full time training is a way to gain a large body of knowledge and experience in a shorter time span. The goal of the full time training course is to train students to become instructors in the Eight Shadows Drunken Style of Kung Fu in order to propagate the style with credible, skilled instructors (subject to screening and approval by Shifu Ripski). Instructor certification is available for these students depending on their ability, time spent and understanding of the material pending examination at the end of their stay.
Q: How much can I learn while doing full-time training?
A: That depends totally on you the student. However in the amount of time we have we can definitely teach you a lot of knowledge about the Drunken Style, Qigong, and applications. We focus a lot on body structure of the Drunken posture, and the use of the different keywords of Drunken boxing during the training. This enables one to take home knowledge that can continually be worked on and applied to all facets of martial training.
The Eight Shadows style of Drunken Boxing is unique in that theory, philosophy and keywords are emphasized so that students may more fully integrate these concepts into all of their martial practices. Also, as an intensive period of study of Ba Ying Jiu Quan, one can really deepen an existing understanding of Drunken boxing. The full time training is designed to allow students of any level to take as much out of their training time here as their own ability allows.
Certification as an instructor in Drunken Fist entirely depends on the student and their ability at the end of their time spent training. Instructor certification and franchising opportunities can be inquired about for more information. While there is no way to better understand your martial art than to practice it for long years, one must obtain the information and ability to do so first, full time training gives you that chance. Full time students are always welcome to contact Shifu with questions and for advice, full time students also receive Shifu Ripski’s entire ever-growing library of resources on the Drunken Style *FREE* prior to arriving for training, currently this includes:
Secrets of Drunken Boxing Vol. One (Book)
Secrets of Drunken Boxing Vol. One (Instructional DVD)
Secrets of Drunken Boxing Vol. Two (Instructional DVD)
Secrets of Drunken Boxing Vol. Three (Instructional DVD)
Secrets of Drunken Boxing Weapons – Drunken Staff (Instructional DVD)
Q: What is the ranking system of Ba Ying Jiu Quan?
A: The following are the Levels of Mastery
Beginner (Green Sash)
Beginner – Level One Green
Intermediate – Level Two Green w/ 1 rank
Advanced – Level Three Green w/ 2 ranks
Intermediate (Blue Sash)
Beginner – Level Four Blue
Intermediate – Level Five Blue w/ 1 rank
Advanced – Level Six Blue w/ 2 ranks
Advanced (Black Sash)
Beginner – Level Seven Black Instructor
Intermediate – Level Eight Black w/ 1st Rank Instructor
Advanced – Level Nine Black w/ 2nd Rank Shifu
Q: Is there anything I can do to prepare myself best for the training in Drunken?
A: Students who wish to arrive with a working knowledge of the first form of Ba Ying Jiu Quan can learn it from Shifu Ripski’s DVD’s and Books he has published on the Drunken Forms. These detail the choreography, applications and some qigong practices. By careful study, one could arrive with a good working knowledge of the basics that we can build on when you are here (the more one knows, the more we can add to your existing knowledge!). The DVD’s and Books can be purchased through contacting Shifu Ripski.
Q: Where can I stay during the course?
A: Past students have stayed at the Snoring Sasquatch Hostel, which is located just a few blocks from the studio. Creston offers many B&B's and Motels within walking distance. We are also located only a few minutes from Porthill Idaho and a half hour from Bonners Ferry Idaho, which may allow our US students to live and work in the USA while training with Shifu Ripski in Creston (transportation required).
Q: Is it possible to train for fewer than 3 months at a time?
A: Yes! There are a few options available to those who are not able to commit to a full three month training period. Starting in 2009 Shifu Ripski will be inviting students to join him for a 4 week intensive cultural experience in Taipei Taiwan. Date and cost tba. As well, students are welcome to attend for a shorter period of time during the 3 month program, and can still complete their instructor levels by returning each year until attaining the required skill level and understanding.
Q: Is there a discount for returning students?
A: Yes! Continuing education is encouraged and rewarded.
Q: I have a friend interested in taking the course with me, do we get a break on the price?
A: Absolutely. If you and your friend send your deposit at the same time we will give you both a generous 'buddy' discount! We encourage you to bring a friend for a variety of reasons; shared accomodation expenses, a support system, a future training partner, etc.