The Instruction methods of Peaceful
Fight
Instruction is based on the "family" structure where senior students are responsible for the well being of junior students. This well being might be in terms of explaining techniques or just ensuring that they don't do anything for which they will get a telling off ! Classes are generally small which helps all students to train and get to know one another.
More generally, the instruction of the club works in two distinct ways. The first way is where the instructor stands at the front of the class, demonstrates and explains concepts and techniques and the students then practise these techniques on each other. Nothing unusual about that as most clubs work in this way. The second, less common method is where students bring questions with them to the start of the lesson and they are then worked through by the instructor. This helps to keep instructors "on their toes" whilst also stimulating the student body into thinking about healing / martial aspects of life. This helps to enhance the issue of Peaceful Fight in "real" life, ie that life which exists beyond the walls of the training hall. Over time these "real world" ideas helps students become exponents of Kung Fu all the time instead of just in the few available hours a week whilst training.
Instruction for lessons is not planned prior to the start of the lesson to give the freedom for the instructor to include items which students ask about. It also allows the instructor to "judge the mood" of the class and set tasks accordingly.
Instruction of techniques normally starts with the healing (more positive) aspect of that part of the art and then works onto the martial (more negative) issues associated with it. For example, neck / shoulder relaxation techniques are often paired with spine locking and techniques designed to induce tension into an opponent prior to striking. However, the lesson is also planned so that it ends on a "positive" note in order to send students home with a sense of well being. This often takes place via reapplication of the healing aspects of the art taught during the lesson.
Because of the healing aspects of the art, there is a degree of non-martial touching (eg massage) which is undertaken within the class. This is the most difficult aspect of the art to teach due to the general taboos regarding touching a fellow human being and especially touching a stranger. In order to overcome the embarrassment that this touching can cause, these aspects are developed slowly starting in generally acceptable areas (eg the hands or shoulders). After a while, students can start to trust each other and more "delicate" techniques (eg pressure on the sacrum or abdomen) can be attempted without undue fuss. Martial aspects seldom have the same taboos as healing which in some ways highlights how strange the World can be ! Seems like deadening someone's arm in a class is fine and few students will complain and might even see it as a "badge of honour" when they can't use it the next day. Use the same pressure points for making them feel better and they'll probably sue !