Adult Student’s Corner
by Sifu D’arcy Langois
Temperatures are rising, the sun is starting to rule the skies, and the summer of Kung Fu is soon to be upon us. That means it’s time to shake off that winter hibernation and start to think about what the Summer has in store.
While we train year-round, things tend to move just a little quicker at the Academy in the Spring and Summer months. Between Gradings, Tournaments, and other events it feels like there is always something going on during the warmer part of the year. What does that mean for Kung Fu students? It’s time to adjust your training accordingly! Here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Take some time to refocus on your goals. Consider your current training goals; are they the same from the winter, or do you need to adjust? Knowing where you want to be is the first step in getting there, so determine your goals and write them down.
- Figure out your new training schedule. With the warmer weather on its way, the opportunities you’ll have to train are myriad, and not just at the Academy. If Covid taught us one thing, it’s that training at home is possible, and is well worth the effort. This is especially true for those looking to grade in the upcoming season, make sure you are setting time aside to train outside of class hours. Remember: what you did to prepare for your past gradings, will not be enough for future ones.
- Ramp up to your new schedule. It may be tempting to launch directly into a new training regimen, but if you go too hard, too fast you may end up regretting it. Scale your way up to your new normal, leaving your body time to adjust as you increase your training frequency. Don’t forget to work your strength, and flexibility alongside your technique, and cardio: your body will thank you.
- Be prepared to be flexible with your plan. Once you reach your training goals, constantly evaluate yourself. Are you seeing gains? Are you pushing too hard? Could you push harder? Keep these things in mind and make whatever adjustments you need along the way. These things are rarely linear, so it’s okay to make changes on the fly, do what’s right for you.
Remember to bring everything you could need to the Academy each time you train (I recommend a good pair of shoes in the summer for training outdoors). The Summer of Kung Fu is soon to be upon us, use it for the opportunity it is and make some great gains in your Kung Fu journey.
See you in the Kwoon (or outside)!