Youth Student’s Corner
by Chantal Moylan
Fu For You Fall 2026
In Kung Fu, you learn things like punches, kicks and forms, but you also develop important skills like focus, balance, discipline and awareness. These skills don’t have to stay inside the Kwoon! You can use them in your everyday lives to help you be more aware of the world around you and to make smart and safe choices.
One important skill that you learn in Kung Fu is awareness. During class, you have to pay attention to your instructors, your surroundings and the people practicing around you. You also need to know where your body is and what is happening around you so that everyone can move around and learn safely. You can use that same awareness outside of class too, by paying attention to everything that is happening around you. Being aware of your surroundings can help you notice when something doesn’t seem right. Whether you are walking through a parking lot, playing at the park, or waiting for your parents—take a moment to look around and know where you are. Staying aware doesn’t mean being scared, it means being prepared!
Another important part of staying safe is knowing how to use your voice. In Kung Fu, you learn how to be loud and use your voice by doing things like kiais. You can use this skill outside of class if someone makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Instead of a kiai, you can say “No!” or “Stop!” really loudly and confidently. You can move away from the situation and find a trusted adult who can help you. You never have to be polite if you are in a situation that makes you feel unsafe.
You don’t have to do any special training to develop these important skills. Paying attention and trying your best in your regular Kung Fu classes will help you learn many of these skills naturally. For example, when you practice your stances, you learn how to stay balanced and stable. When you practice footwork, you learn how to move with control. When you work with a partner, you learn to pay attention to what another person is doing and control your movements. Even listening carefully to your instructors and helpers is an important safety skill!
Kung Fu also teaches you how to stay calm and focused. Sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned, and it is easy to panic or feel overwhelmed. Kung Fu teaches us to take a breath (think of our meditation at the start of class), think about what we are doing, and make good choices. Staying calm can help us respond to unexpected situations instead of making them worse.
Most importantly, being a strong martial artist doesn’t mean looking for a fight. In fact, one of the best ways to protect yourself is to avoid a dangerous situation whenever possible. If you can walk away, get to a safe place, or find a trusted adult, those are the best choices!
