By Sifu Lloyd Fridenburg

Editorial

When you first learn how to cook there is nothing more important than the recipe. You likely don’t know how to select complimentary ingredients or understand which ingredients enhance, or even define the dish. In the beginning we follow the recipe exactly, and hope that the result will be everything that the recipe promised. We don’t alter ingredients, add additional herbs or spices, and we use the exact amount of each ingredient in the recipe. Until you have some experience and have gained some culinary expertise, following the recipe provides an element of security and consistency.

Your Kung Fu training is no different! You need to follow the recipe. In this case, the recipe is our curriculum, which provides the basic skills necessary to advance your Kung Fu career. Our curriculum has evolved over the past 30 years and is something we should all be proud of, because it is not common within martial arts circles. We have a very defined curriculum with new techniques, forms, and self-defense, taught at each rank and we insist that instructors teach, and students learn, the prescribed curriculum. Many martial arts facilities function as a club and a lot of things seem to be taught in a random manner, according to the proficiency of the instructor. We have always functioned as a school with well-defined expectations of both our students and our instructors.

As you become familiar with seasoning, balance, and technique you begin to experiment and to make the recipe your own. Sometimes it turns out great; at other times it is a bust, but you can always return to the basic recipe and build from there. The same thing applies as your Kung Fu expertise grows. Your knowledge and variety of “ingredients” increases but you can always return to the proven basics.

No matter how much additional knowledge instructors gain over the years, they only teach the basic recipe to students. That way you will eventually discover your own pathway. Attaining a Black Sash is not the end; it’s only the end of the beginning.

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By Sifu David Moylan, Owner, Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy

Sifu’s Corner

May’s theme coincides with the first line of our Student Creed: Patience. Finding myself in week 16 of this Achilles tendon rupture recovery, my patience is being tested, but I’m learning lessons and gaining more mobility with each passing week. I’m told I won’t be back to normal until November or so, but it is just nice to be off crutches and out of a cast!

• Historic Grading! May 13^th was a historic day for the Academy as it marked our largest Advanced Adult Grading in our almost 30-year existence!
• Annual Shiai! Thank you to everyone that volunteered and participated in our 20^th Annual In-House Tournament (Shiai) on April 29^th. We spent the better part of April preparing and it showed on the 29^th; our students performed confidently with many personal bests! Way to go!
• Tournaments! Sifus Cory, Greg, Lorna and Mark led our Competition Team with spirit through another exciting season that saw students experience new friendships and success at the CKKA Convention in Kingston on April 1^st and the 40^th Annual Karate/Kung-Fu Maynia tournament on May 6^th. Thanks so much!
• Camps! Thank you sifus Sydney, Anne and Sarah whom led a wonderful Five-Animal March Break Camp! After years of being asked to hold a Summer Camp, we finally will this year! Sifu Anne and Sarah are holding one for Little Ninjas and Youth from July 17 -21 and then another for Juniors from Aug 14-18. Check out the posters and sign-up sheets at the Academy.
• First Aid Training! On March 19^th, 28 of our Instructors and Leadership Team members successfully certified for Emergency First Aid and CPR. Like Kung Fu, we hope not to never have to use these skills, but they are invaluable.
• Gradings! On June 10^th, we are holding an Adult Novice II/Intermediate Grading and on June 17^th, we are trying a new format with our next Youth/Junior Grading: More novice students will be testing at 10:30am and more senior students at 1:30pm.
• Board Breaking! Our Annual Board/Cement Breaking Seminar is slated for June 19^th under the guidance of Sifu Daryl.
• Summer Holidays! A reminder that other than our annual shutdown at the end of July, we will be holding regular classes this summer which is an excellent time to make progress in your training. We also tend to teach a lot more private classes throughout the summer when schedules are more flexible.
• Demonstrations! Our Demonstration Team already has their first performance in the books (Driftwood Public School’s Multicultural Festival on May 18^th). Watch for them throughout the summer, particularly at Open Streets!
• Summer Picnic! Since Kiwanis Park is under construction, this year’s Annual Summer Picnic will be held at Waterloo Park on August 27^th.
• Welcome Back! Finally, I would like to welcome back all our students that are returning from their studies out of town. It always puts a big smile on my face when I see you back training with us for the summer!

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Sifu Anne Vandrus

Youth Student’s Corner

On May 13^th, I got to congratulate our six newest black sashes on all their hard work. It was amazing to see the spirit from all those who graded, but what I found most inspiring was all the time those individuals put in leading up to that day—particularly from those who started their Kung Fu journey as kids.

I think it’s really special to grow up with Kung Fu—where you learn and grow as a person at the same time as you learn and grow as a marital artist—and like any long journey, it’s really tough. Since we now have quite a few black sashes who began their journeys young, I decided to ask them for any words of wisdom they’d like to share. Having started their own Kung Fu journeys as kids, here’s the advice they have for our current Youth students:

Sifu Liam, started at 5 years old (as a Little Ninja!): “No matter what, don’t give up on your goals, and always aim as high as you can in order to achieve these goals. Try your hardest at everything you do, no matter the difficulty, in order to make yourself a better martial artist.”

Sifu Serena, started at 5 years old: “Don’t always focus on an end goal in Kung Fu. Think of it as a journey and enjoy it, make friends, learn new things and challenge yourself. There is no time limit.”

Sifu Jeremy, started at 6 years old: “Always look up to the leadership team members and instructors above you. Follow this path and you will succeed on your Kung Fu journey.”

Sifu Sammy, started at 6 years old: “Don’t get discouraged if you don’t learn anything new for a while. Take it as an opportunity to practice your older forms and technique—it will only make your Kung Fu better!”

Sifu Ryan, started at 7 years old: “Push yourself until you think you can’t go on, then push further. You’d be amazed at what you can accomplish with proper attitude.”

Sifu Anne, started at 7 years old: “Don’t let your difficulties or failures beat you up—they teach you the best lessons, they make you stronger, and they’re just one more step on your path to great things.”

Sifu Spencer, started at 8 years old: “Just take it one step at a time instead of looking at it as a destination. The journey is just as important as getting to the “end!”

Sifu Sarah, started at 8 years old: “Don’t be afraid to answer questions with the wrong answer; you aren’t the only one thinking that and no one will remember a wrong answer two minutes later anyway.”

I hope you took away some thoughts and ideas to help you on your Kung Fu journey. As a black sash, I’m still learning and being inspired by my classmates! We’re all on this journey together.

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Sifu Greg Weir

Junior Student’s Corner

As you know, the style of martial arts we study at the WKFA is called Shaolin Five Animal Kung-Fu. That’s because the Shaolin monks who created our style often looked to the animal kingdom for inspiration when they were developing the strikes, blocks and sequences that would make up our art.

It’s not surprising that the Shaolin monks would focus on a powerful creature like the Tiger—but it’s not just the Tiger’s brute strength that makes it a significant symbol in the martial arts. There are other aspects we can take from the Tiger as well.

For example, while definitely one of the most ferocious animals on earth, did you know that a Tiger will fight only when absolutely necessary? They will kill for food and males battle each other during mating season, but otherwise Tigers prefer to intimidate potential adversaries rather than get into true confrontations (likely because they know that doing so could lead to injuries to themselves). One technique a Tiger will use to avoid fighting is the power of its voice. Indeed, Tigers have been known to scare off potential foes with nothing more than a roar.

Furthermore, for a creature that is in many respects a perfect killing machine, Tigers are also masters of stealth. Rather than engaging in a potentially fruitless, energy-depleting chase with a deer or an antelope, Tigers rely on their ability to sneak up on their prey. So patient and persistent are they, they’ve been known to spend hours creeping ever-closer to their target before launching an attack.

Tigers are also extremely adaptable. They can survive not only in grasslands, but in swamps and forests as well. Their striped coats allow them to blend in with their surroundings, so you never know when one might be close by.

Despite their ferociousness, Tigers are also very generous animals. In the wild, male Tigers will often allow their females and cubs to feed first. Sometimes they even let unrelated Tigers share in their kills.

Tiger Qualities in Shaolin Five Animal Kung-Fu

All of which are interesting facts, I suppose—but how do/should they inform us as martial artists? A number of ways actually:

• Whenever you’re doing a Form that has sounds it (especially the Tiger form!), put as much focus on the sounds as you do the moves. Like a Tiger, you should try to develop an intimidating voice.
• Like a Tiger, you should be patient and persistent in your approach to getting things. For example, be content to take small, incremental steps towards learning new Forms and sequences.
• Like a Tiger, you should always be generous and kind in your approach to your fellow students.
• Like a Tiger, you should avoid getting into confrontations at all costs—especially since you can never tell if a potential opponent is a Tiger himself.

Yes, there are many things we can take from the Tiger, besides its brute strength. That’s what makes it such a potent symbol in the Kung Fu we train.

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By Sifu Rebecca Knapp

Adult Student’s Corner

What does it mean to be fluid, and why does it matter in Kung Fu?

As I’m sure everyone knows, our Shaolin Kung Fu Crane teaches us “fluidic harmony”.

Bruce Lee said: “You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can flow and it can crash. Become like water my friend.”

Being fluid is being like water. Water always gets where it needs to go—put a boulder in the way, it goes around it; a dam, it rises above it; a cliff, it goes over it. If we mimic water—become water—we can develop speed and responsiveness without creating muscle stress—we reduce reaction time without increasing energy output. This is a vital skill in Kung Fu, and increasingly so as we age and reaction times slow, flexibility decreases, and bodies become more rigid.

From Merriam Webster the definition of fluid is: capable of flowing freely like water; used to describe something that can change easily or that changes often; having a smooth and easy style.

This is not unlike the quality of resilience, which is the ability to adapt and change in the moment: You are responsive enough to effectively cope with whatever comes your way.

This ability comes from many hours of training and practice, and a complete awareness of your body and environment.

From a physical perspective our fluid movements, blocks, footwork, slips, weaves and other moves that help to keep us out of harm’s way and set us up for effective and efficient follow-ups as required.

There is also the idea of re-directing the energy of your opponent. As we learn in aikido, you don’t need to deal with the bodily attack if you can redirect the mind and the flow of energy; don’t go against the strength – but redirect it away from you. Never oppose the aggressor’s strength head-on. We can spend a lot of energy going “head to head” with someone. The result is usually a lot of energy and time, and a win-lose outcome. Redirecting energy is more efficient, effective, and allows the possibility for everyone to win, or to avoid unnecessary conflict to begin with.

Fluidity is not only physical, but mental as well. The English translation of the Japanese concept “Mushin” is “no mind”—letting your mind flow. It is a mental state into which trained martial artists are said to enter during combat. They also practice this mental state during everyday activities. It is about acting with unconscious awareness – with automatic action: no thoughts interfere with the action because the mind is flowing like water from one action to another unconsciously.

Of course, it’s much easier to talk about fluidity than to develop it. I have some ideas, but you will have to wait for the next issue of Fu for You….

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by Sifu Patricia Fievoli

Parent’s Corner

Having the opportunity to take responsibility for one’s own Kung Fu is empowering.

Students in the youth and junior programs will find that by taking responsibility, they are also developing a life skill that transfers to other aspects of life, such as school and home.

 

Responsibility Checklist:

• I have a WKFA uniform.
• I look after my uniform and keep it in a designated place at home.
• I fold and look after my own belt or sash and know how to tie it myself.
• I have my own weapons and sparring equipment that fits.
• I have labeled my equipment and weapons.
• I have created and update my training manual.
• I attend classes regularly.
• I know my own student number and sign into class each time I go.
• I bring my uniform, weapons, equipment, (as applicable) and training manual to class each time.
• My training manual is ready should Sifu ask to see it during a class!
• I know how many classes I have attended at my current rank and the minimum number required to grade.
• I know my push-ups, squats, and abdominal requirements for my rank and I practice them between classes (also while away during summer holidays or other vacations).
• I know my forms and curriculum requirements for my rank.
• I know my minimum time requirements at my current rank.
• I practice Kung Fu at home in a safe area.
• I try to eat healthy and drink plenty of water.
• I fulfill my chores at home.
• I fulfill my school requirements.
• I am respectful and kind to others.
• I am prepared and ready to leave for class on time.
• I work hard to remember to show my Kung Fu spirit and manners.
• I have visited our WKFA website.
• I have thought about and have set goals for my Kung Fu journey.
• I know that if I have questions or need help at Kung Fu I can ask my Sifus and other leadership team members for help.
• I bring home any handouts and update my family with Kung Fu news that we talk about in class.
• When practicing my Kung Fu or arriving at class, I try to bring a positive attitude and a willingness to do my best to my training!

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