Adult Student’s Corner
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.
