Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What makes 5 Elements Kung Fu different from other martial arts schools?
5 Elements Kung Fu is part of a larger family of schools across Arizona and throughout the United States, connected through shared training, tradition, and growth.
Our Masters and Grand Masters support student progression through graduations and lead seminars throughout the year, while our curriculum begins with Southern Tiger and Crane and gradually expands into Northern styles, Ba Gua, Wing Chun, and Tai Chi.
I am a complete beginner, can I still join your classes?
Our classes are designed for those who have no martial arts experience. Just bring an open mind and an enthusiastic attitude.
Do I need to be fit or flexible before I start training?
No, you do not need to be fit before beginning your kung fu journey. Our training is designed to help you build strength, flexibility, and confidence over time, starting exactly where you are.
What should I wear and bring to my first class?
Bring a positive, ready-to-learn attitude, and wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move and stretch freely. Street shoes or bare feet are fine, but please avoid open-toed shoes, sandals, Crocs, or anything that could come off.
How often should I train each week to see progress?
Everyone progresses at their own pace, and every body responds differently, but training at least twice a week is ideal. Our system is designed for people with no martial arts background, beginning with simple but effective exercises and drills to build strength, condition the body, and develop eye-hand coordination.
How do I book my free lesson? Do I need an appointment?
Everyone begins with a free one-on-one private lesson. This gives Sifu Burns a chance to introduce himself, show you around the school, and guide you through a basic introductory lesson. Click here to request your appointment.
Where are you located and is there parking available?
We are located at the south west corner of 32nd St. and Cactus. Near Highway 51 and cactus. We are behind the Dunkin’ Donuts and Chase Bank. Our address is 3135 E. Cactus Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85032.
Training & Curriculum
Is sparring required and how is it supervised?
We do light sparring, but not full-contact sparring. All sessions are supervised by Sifu Burns and our instructors, with control and safety always coming first.
What is expected of students?
The first things every new student learns when they walk through our doors are courtesy, confidence, and respect.
These three pillars are at the heart of our school, and Sifu Burns expect them to be carried into every class.
How can Martial Arts help my child against bullying?
In our Lil’ Dragons class, we focus on building self-confidence and calmness, along with verbal assertiveness and basic de-escalation skills.
Self-defense is always taught as a last resort, never the first response.
What can I expect in a typical class?
Each class begins with a warm-up to loosen the body and prepare you to train. From there, we move into cardio, stances, push-ups, sit-ups, and stretching before transitioning into the month’s curriculum, where students develop coordination, blocks, strikes, and self-defense techniques.
What happens if I arrive late to class?
At Five Elements Kung Fu, we understand that life can sometimes get in the way of perfect attendance.
If you’re running late, please send a text to let Sifu Burns know; if you’ll be more than 20 minutes late, we ask that you join the next class instead.
What styles of Kung Fu do you teach?
At Five Elements Kung Fu, our name reflects the five styles we teach throughout the curriculum. Students begin with the Earth element and Hung Gar for first degree, then progress through Fire and Northern Long Fist, Wood and Wing Chun, Air and Ba Gua, and finally Water and Tai Chi at fifth degree.