Parent’s Corner
by Sifu Veronica Sas
Fu For You Summer 2025
Have you ever wondered what exactly your child was learning in class? You might have had a specific reason for signing your child up for Kung Fu such as for exercise or to learn how to defend themselves. Perhaps it was your child’s idea to join. Whatever the reason, Kung Fu is so much more than kicking and punching. At the Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy, your child will also learn: discipline, respect, responsibility, self-confidence, patience, resilience and perseverance. Over the next few articles, I will go more in-depth on each of these subjects. If you wish to learn more about how our classes are structured, I recommend reading Sifu Laurent’s article, What a Typical Kung-Fu Class Looks Like.
Discipline
Like most martial arts, instructors at the Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy expect a certain level of discipline from their students. The simplest example of this is when your child is expected to hold their closed stance without fidgeting. It is hard to stay in a stance without moving and by working on not fidgeting, we are teaching them how to have control over their own bodies. Instructors will often give out push ups if certain expectations are not met. This type of “punishment” is designed to make your child stronger. Push ups are hard, and the more push ups you do, the easier they get. Push ups might be given out if the class has low “spirit’. When an instructor wants more spirit, they want to see the class responding louder and moving places more quickly. This shows that the student is truly listening and wants to learn. Sometimes if the students are not verbally responding to a command, they could be given push ups or they could be made to do the command repeatedly. An example would be running from their spots in line, to the back wall and back again until they realize what they are missing. I’ve also seen discipline done in fun ways, where when a class was too noisy in the weight room, they were made to hold different stances. This made them concentrate on something other than talking with their friends.
Respect
Martial arts are known for demanding respect. One of the biggest ways to show that respect is by bowing. Your child will be expected to bow when entering and exiting the Kwoon. This shows respect to the space in which they will train. Your child will also be expected to be respectful to their fellow classmates and to their instructors. When your child works with another student, you’ll notice that they will bow both before they start and after they are done. This shows respect for your child’s classmate and thanks them for helping them train. Another way Kung Fu students show respect is by addressing instructors and brown sashes by their proper titles. This acknowledges the instructor’s knowledge and appreciation for passing on that knowledge.
Knowledge and respect are core beliefs at Waterloo Kung Fu and not to be taken lightly. They are principles instilled in and demanded from every student and instructor.
Read the entire Series:
- What Are We Teaching Your Child? Part 1: Discipline | Respect
- What Are We Teaching Your Child? Part 2: Responsibility | Self-Confidence
- What Are We Teaching Your Child? Part 3: Resilience & Perseverance | Patience