By students wishing to share their experiences in training.

My Path in the Kung Fu

            My journey in the martial arts, more specifically in Kung Fu, has been relatively short, 3 years. True mastery takes a lifetime. My journey has not been to master the art, but to achieve balance in my life. When I began I was at a relative low period in my life. I had gained a lot of weight, after I had quit smoking. A long-term relationship was ending at the same time. I was not happy with my body, my mind, and therefore my spirit was also suffering. I knew I had to make some changes.

            I had done the gym membership thing in the past, and was not feeling especially enthusiastic about that again. For me, the idea of spending hours on a treadmill, like a mouse on a wheel did not seem particularly attractive. Also I had some specific physical limitations, so walking and running was not really a good idea. I needed something that was going to keep my mind interested as well. I knew the most important thing was to be active, and the best way to do that was to do something I loved. I thought about trying Yoga, and bought some videotapes. It was o.k. but I needed something more. I had thought about martial arts in the past, and had always been interested in Kung Fu. I did some research online and got out my trusty YellowPages, and found a couple of local clubs. I made some calls and found one that sounded friendly and open.

            I went in to have a look around, and set a time to come in for my first lesson. Was I nervous? That would be an understatement. I was very self-conscious. I was in my middle 30’s, overweight and going to start training something that I wasn’t quite sure about. I was concerned that the other students would make fun of me, or worse hurt me. What I eventually discovered is that everyone feels something similar when they first started.

            As I started my training I struggled, but with the encouragement of my instructors and the students I persevered and started to get better. My balance and co-ordination started to improve and so did my confidence. I made changes to my lifestyle and started eating properly. I trained most evenings during the week. It became part of my social outreach. I was making new friends, learning new things, and oh yeah, getting a really great work out. The weight started to come off.

            Now I have my brown belt. Training shouldn’t be about belts. What it signifies to me is a place I never thought I would get to. When I see people today that I last saw before I started this journey, they are astounded by the change in me. Not just the fact that I look more like I did before I gained the weight, but also the way I carry myself and my outlook on life. I’ve lost over 60 lbs with my training, but have gained so much more. I am much more toned and stronger than I was even in high school. I leaned that I can overcome pretty much any challenge that comes my way. I know that if the situation were to arise I could defend others or myself. I can now find that place inside in order to calm myself and focus.

            In Kung Fu I have been able to find the benefit of achieving a better balance of body, mind and spirit that I was looking for. This is why I continue to train. I will look for new challenges and ways to improve my overall wellbeing. This includes continuing to eat right and be active. Kung Fu will continue to be a part of my journey.

RV

A Martial Arts Journey

I trained Karate from age 4 - 10.  But sports became the bigger focus over the next few years.  Now in my late 20's, I had just gone through a hard break up and was having trouble keeping focus.  My emotions were so hard to deal with.  I needed to do something to keep my mind busy. 

A friend had suggested training kung fu had helped him, maybe it would help me.  Having trained Karate when I was younger and remembered how beneficial my martial arts training was.  Now I wasn't in the best shape and had recently quit smoking.  Was carrying a few extra pounds.  But I decided to give a try anyway.  I went to the club where my friend trained Kung Fu and signed up.  After a few months of training, I was loving it.  Inspirational classes, challenging workouts. And new way of defending myself.  

I found that all the bad feeling and overwhelming emotion had subsided.  What had replaced it was  strength, stamina, flexibility, balance, inner peace, and confidence.  I felt healthy and positively focused.  My mind was clear and had a new found self-respect.   Not to mention all the new friends and great people I met. Friends and family noticed the change befoe I did, and encouraged me to continue. 

I eventually went on to become a teacher myself.  And this has given me the chance to help make that change in others.  Whatever your reason for starting....START!!!

JC