SCM Membership Application
Each student of Shaolin Chi Mantis must complete an SCM Application Form and SCM Release Form.
These are available from your Shifu at the location you are enrolling for Taijiquan "Tai Chi" and Shaolin Gongfu "Kung Fu" classes.
During the 1990s many students came from various Karate and Kung Fu schools to learn the Praying Mantis and Chinese swords taught to Shaolin Chi Mantis students. Despite their previous martial arts training, Buddha Zhen realized that they still needed to at least 'pass-off' on all the SCM basic requirements and Beginner Level Forms before he could teach anyone Intermediate Level or Advanced Level weapons.
To avoid the disappointments of students being denied attendance to sword classes or the 'failing' of the Shaolin Chi Mantis Initiate Requirements, Buddha Zhen changed Shaolin Chi Mantis to "By Invitation Only."
This required ALL students to join Tai Chi Youth and after graduating to TCY Intermediate Level, the students could submit a request to join Shaolin Chi Mantis, if their Shifu had not already 'invited them to join.'
TCY New Student Packet
Since 1996, all students must enroll in Tai Chi Youth, even if they only wanted to be in Shaolin Chi Mantis. You may enroll in both programs if separate programs are available.
Tai Chi Youth teaches the same traditional Shaolin Forms of Shaolin Chi Mantis. So don't be fooled by the name "Tai Chi" or "Youth" since these programs are offered 
to all ages and seniors. TCY is still a traditional Kung Fu school, teaching the same Forms as Shaolin Chi Mantis.
SCM classes move very quickly and include Chinese weaponry not taught by Tai Chi Youth. Since these weapons are only taught to Intermediate Level and Advanced Level students, you will have to complete the TCY Beginner Level first.
Shaolin Chi Mantis requires a greater commitment than Tai Chi Youth and has much higher standards of behavior for its' students and disciples. Buddha Zhen refers to SCM students as "The Elite Force of Tai Chi Youth."
Your TCY New Student Packet contains enrollment forms, a 3-ring notebook binder, handouts for your classes, a Belt Test Form, and tab dividers to promote each students' organizational development. Few schools provide this many materials during their entire curriculum. However, these are just for starters. Each semester has new paperwork to study and complete as well as written essay requirements.
YMCA Classes of Shaolin Chi Mantis
The YMCA classes require no Application Form or Release Form. These may be included within the TCY New Student Packet purchased by students of the YMCA.
Since these are YMCA programs, we have less control over the programs and requirements of students.
The YMCA has permitted us to sell uniforms and sashes to students, however, these cannot be required.
This may make it easier for more students to join our classes, but Buddha Zhen has noticed that students are less compelled to advance or participate in Tai Chi Youth and Shaolin Chi Mantis under these more flexible guidelines.
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