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by Chantal Moylan
Fu For You Winter 2024-25

Have you ever tried something in your Kung Fu class so difficult you wanted to give up? Kung Fu is a fun martial art that helps you get stronger, faster, and even more confident. But sometimes, learning Kung Fu can feel tricky or frustrating. That’s okay! Everyone will find something challenging, and the important thing is to keep a positive mindset and try your best. With practice and a good attitude, you can make the trickiest moves seem easier and more fun! Here’s how you can stay positive and manage your hardest challenges in Kung Fu.

When you’re learning Kung Fu, it’s easy to think, “This is too hard!” Maybe you’re struggling with a new kick, or you can’t get a move in your form right. Instead of getting upset, remind yourself that you can do it. Nobody is perfect on their first try—not even the Sifus!

Here are 5 tips to help yourself believe:

1. Believing in yourself could mean saying, “I’m going to keep trying because I know I’ll get better.” Each time you practice, you’re building your strength, focus, and skills in Kung Fu. Even if you make mistakes, it’s all part of learning. Remember, at Kung Fu, we never say “I can’t” we say “I can try”
2. To help yourself believe in your abilities, remember something you feel you can do really well. Maybe you have a form or technique you’re really good at. If you could learn how to do that, you can learn new things too!
3. Sometimes Kung Fu is hard, but it can also be a lot of fun! When you enjoy what you’re doing, it’s easier to stay positive. Think of practice like a game: How many kicks can you do in a row? Can you have lower stances and stronger techniques than the last time you did the move?
4. If you mess up, don’t worry about it too much, just try again! Everyone makes mistakes. The important thing is to keep trying. Kung Fu isn’t about being perfect, it’s about doing the best you can do.
5. Kung Fu isn’t something you have to do alone. We have lots of helpers and instructors there to help you out. If something feels too hard, ask an instructor to explain it again or show you a good way to practice the techniques. Remember, even they needed help when they started! Practicing and working with your classmates can also make difficult things seem easier, or more fun. When you support others, you create a positive environment where everyone can succeed.

Kung Fu is about more than just kicks and punches—it’s about learning new things with a positive mindset and working through challenges. When you believe in yourself, have fun, and work together, you can face any challenge with a smile.

So, the next time something feels tough in Kung Fu, instead of giving up, take a deep breath and say, “I can do this!” Keep practicing, keep trying, and soon, you’ll surprise yourself with what you can achieve!

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by Sifu Charlie Romeo
Fu For You Winter 2024-25

STOP! Before reading this article, take a moment to consider the title. Think about what Kung Fu means by definition. Now, think about what Kung Fu means to you. Is the answer different? Finally, consider what Kung Fu might mean to others. How might this differ? You probably can’t answer these questions right away; it could take hours or days to truly review your understanding of Kung Fu from alternate perspectives. Revisit this article once you’ve confidently and honestly answered the above considerations.

What does Kung Fu mean, by definition? If you want to be literal, the rough translation to English is “skill achieved through hard work”. This, however, is quite vague and doesn’t exactly convey the intricacies of Kung Fu. To be more specific, Kung Fu could be described as a Chinese martial art that emphasizes the wellness of body and mind, while teaching the practical applications of self-defense, and encouraging individuals to be their best self. This is my shot at a lengthy one-sentence definition inspired by the teachings of our school in particular. Still, one sentence is not enough to define the art of Kung Fu. Kung Fu has many variations and depths that cannot be fully captured in one paragraph. To learn more about the external definition of Kung Fu, I encourage you to take some time to research and observe the full picture.

Kung Fu is difficult to define objectively—it may even be impossible. That’s because Kung Fu is a subjective personal journey that differs from person to person. So, I’ll ask again: what is Kung Fu to you? What do you value the most about being a martial artist? In what areas have you realized the most benefit? There are so many benefits to Kung Fu that it can be difficult to narrow down the most impactful, but it’s important to recognize how your training has shaped you – physically, mentally, and emotionally. In this process, you may discover growth and benefits in areas you hadn’t noticed before. This process of self-discovery not only deepens your training, but also allows you to reach a higher potential that you may not have realized was possible.

Now that you understand what Kung Fu is to you, consider the last question: What might Kung Fu be to others? While you may benefit from Kung Fu in one way, your classmates will likely find other benefits to be more impactful. For example, one person could be training to become more physically fit, while another is there to become competent in self-defense. A third person could be trying to build confidence. When you respect that each person has their own benefits and reasons for training, you create an encouraging environment where people can learn and grow. In the end, that’s what Kung Fu is to me—growth. In any way, and at any pace, Kung Fu helps people grow to become better versions of themselves.

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by Sifu Erich MacLean
Fu For You Winter 2024-25

We often talk about the sacrifices that have to be made when testing for a high rank at the Academy. Testing at an elite level requires a bare minimum of three classes each week, plus extra training hours outside of the Kwoon to build and maintain fitness. Training also starts almost a full year before the actual grading date. To accommodate this, we often have to make various sacrifices. We sacrifice sleep, social lives, extra-curriculars, and even school or work to accommodate this heavy training requirement. Many of the instructors and students make sacrifices like this just to attend classes on a regular schedule too – a sign of pure dedication to the martial arts.

Sometimes, though, we have to sacrifice Kung Fu in order to accommodate everything else in our schedules. This does not mean that we are any less dedicated or loyal to Kung Fu, but it is imperative to achieve a healthy balance in our lives. Everyone’s situation is different when finding this balance, including my own. Trying to balance a regular regime of Kung Fu classes, teaching, coaching, and performing, on top of university classes, teaching assistant responsibilities, and research for a Masters thesis is extremely challenging. Adding in cycling with the university club, a social life, relationships, family, sleep, and personal time makes finding a balance feel impossible.

In the chaos, it is easy to forget balance. Training regularly is important for maintaining strength, speed, flexibility, endurance, and overall physical health. Regular training is important, but its rigors, coupled with external responsibilities, can significantly impact mental health. I, like many others, have faced stress, anxiety, and fatigue from not having a healthy balance. These are all things that affect focus, mindfulness, and well-being, not just in Kung Fu but in all activities. As a result, I have had to cut back on daily training but can prioritize my mental health and ensure I spread my time wisely to other areas of my life.

Through these challenges, I have learned a valuable lesson: Dedication to Kung Fu is not measured by the number of classes you attend, because sometimes life gets in the way. It is important to recognize when to take a break. It is also important to recognize that taking a break is acceptable – especially to focus on mental well-being. Prioritizing mental health does not diminish the dedication and commitment to training but rather emphasizes it. Just as we would take time to rest and heal a physical injury, we must also prioritize our mental health. By taking time to rest, breathe, and meditate, we can adapt to the limitations of our minds and maintain a healthy balance between our physical and mental well-being.

Ultimately, finding a balance between training, work, and personal life is a continuous journey. It requires self-awareness, flexibility, and a willingness to prioritize our overall well-being. By recognizing the importance of mental health and making conscious efforts to maintain it, we can continue to practice Kung Fu with passion, purpose, and longevity.

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by Sije Veronica Sas
Fu For You Winter 2024-25

As I write this, it’s 10 degrees outside and it’s hard to imagine that winter is just around the corner. However, it is inevitable that the snow will be here before we know it. As some things need to be modified with the change of seasons, I thought I would share a few winter tips about Kung Fu training in the winter.

Everything Takes a Little More Time

Depending on road conditions, travelling anywhere in winter can take a little longer. Keep this in mind as your child gets ready for their Kung Fu class. If the roads are snow covered, consider leaving for class early. It also might take a little longer for your child to get ready as they now need to put on warmer clothes such as boots, coats and mitts.

Coats

With the weather turning colder, we need to start wearing warmer clothes such as sweaters and coats. There are hooks upstairs in both change rooms that can be used for coats. Please have your child place their coats there, or else give them to you to hold on to. The shelves in the Kwoon are for equipment bags only. Students need the shelf space for sparring bags.

Is Waterloo Kung Fu Academy open for class?

When the weather is bad, sometimes buses, schools and activities are cancelled. However, the Waterloo Kung Fu Academy rarely closes because of the weather. Even if school is cancelled for the day, there is still a good chance that Kung Fu classes will be held. If the weather is bad, please check the Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy Facebook or Instagram page. Any closures will be posted there before the Academy opens. The Academy will also email updates on any weather closures.

Snow everywhere! (Even Inside)

Nothing is worse in the winter than driving in snow and slush, except when you bring that slush inside. The front foyer of the Academy is often very wet during the winter months. Please be considerate of how much snow is on your boots when you enter the building. Most students train in bare feet, and it is unpleasant when you step in a cold wet puddle. Also, please remember not to leave the carpets with your shoes or boots on. When either you or your child takes off their shoes or boots, please place them on the shoe racks instead of leaving them on the floor.

Lost and Found

With students wearing extra clothes to the Academy, it is inevitable that things get forgotten. Any lost items will be placed in the lost and found, located by the front doors. For more expensive items like glasses, or jewelry, please check Sigung’s office first as it might have been put there for safekeeping.

Illness

Please remember that if your child is not feeling well, please keep them home. There is nothing wrong with skipping some classes due to being sick! Be considerate of classmates and instructors, we don’t want to get sick either.

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“I’ll believe that someone has the knowledge, desire and commitment to earn a Black Sash when I see it around their waist.”

~ Sigung Bob Schneider, Founder of Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy

The Christmas season is a time of renewal so don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future.  Enjoy what you have and get ready for a brighter 2025.  From our home to yours, Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy, and Happy New Year!

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