Adult Student’s Corner
by Sifu D’Arcy
Fu For You Fall 2025
When students think about our curriculum, the most common things that come to mind are those “hard-skills” that we teach in every class. Picture the large variety of techniques that we teach at every rank, the forms that you are required to learn, and the strategies around sparring. These are things that we focus on heavily in our classes, and so they usually end up as front of mind when it comes to grading requirements. There are, however, some additional requirements that I feel should be brought into the light and aired out for everyone to think about: essays and the infamous home-made form.
So, why do we have our students write and submit an essay as part of some rank progressions? I think there are two answers to this, the first being: it forces you to think about your own Kung Fu journey. As you write about why you chose Kung Fu, this hopefully bleeds into why you are still pursuing the Kung Fu path. At a very early stage of the journey, you get to reflect on what brought you to Waterloo Kung Fu in the first place, which often helps determine where you want to take your training. Secondly, personal essays give the instructors better insight into who you are as a person. It should be no secret that every instructor on your grading panel reads through the submitted essays on the day of the grading. This helps us understand our students, to help guide and shape the journey each of you is on. In short, it makes us better instructors.
At some point in your progression, you are also required to create and perform a form. This process should be driven exclusively by you, with no input from an instructor (or even your peers). Crafting your own form is an incredible way to express who you are as a martial artist. You’ll lean into your own preferred style, and showcase what you love to do. Again, this is a great way for the instructors to see who you are as a student. Finally, this process shows your understanding of the techniques and philosophies you have been learning throughout the process. Figuring out how to combine a myriad of techniques that flow smoothly and make a cohesive pattern is an important skill for martial artists. When you truly understand the things you have been taught from the curriculum, putting together a form on your own becomes a true joy.
In reality, the “other stuff” that shows up throughout the curriculum is designed to broaden the understanding that exists between you and Kung Fu. These requirements also deepen the connection between you and your instructors, which in the end strengthens our ability to teach you the skills we strive to impart through our classes.
“Learning is all about connections, and through our connections with unique people, we are able to gain a true understanding of the world around us.” ~ Peter Senge