Bear in mind also that, traditionally, paper certification was never common among Chinese styles. Many martial artists were illiterate and styles were transmitted, by and large, orally and by fiat accompli - you were a lineage-bearer when your teacher said you were. The best way to find out if a teacher is for real is to go and train a couple lessons with them to feel out their training methods and teaching style, not to mention their own personal ability. If they have that indefinable right vibe, then they're for real. If not, move on. |