Youth Student’s Corner
by Chantal Moylan
Fu For You Summer 2024
Summer is usually seen as a time for relaxation, vacations, and a break from your usual routines. While taking breaks can be important, practicing your Kung Fu during the summer is an excellent opportunity to deepen your skills and improve both your physical and mental health. It also gives you a chance to enjoy the weather, keep in touch with friends and pass the time in a productive way!
Practicing Kung Fu will help you stay strong, flexible, and full of energy. I find if I take too long of a break from Kung Fu, it makes classes a lot more difficult when I return. During the summer, you probably have a lot more time – which also means you have a lot more time to practice. So instead of spending all day in front of the TV or playing video games, take some time to practice your Kung Fu. It gets you moving and keeps your body healthy. You can also practice outside during the summer, so you get lots of fresh air and sunshine while you practice – just remember to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen!
Throughout the school year, you’ve learned some pretty cool Kung Fu techniques and forms. If you decide to take a break from Kung Fu and stop practicing during the summer, you might forget them. Then, you will have to relearn everything and it will take longer for you to advance. But if you keep practicing over the summer, you’ll get even better! You’ll remember all your techniques and forms and maybe even learn new ones during classes. To do this, you can make a schedule or a chart to help you keep track of your practice. By the time school starts again, you’ll already be better!
Because you have so much extra time during the summer, you might get bored or find you have too much energy. Practicing your Kung Fu can help with that. Kung Fu isn’t just about getting exercise; it’s also about using your mind. It improves your memory and focus because you must remember all your techniques and requirements. Practicing Kung Fu helps you stay focused and calm, which is helpful, especially when you have parents who still have to work, and you have nothing to do. Even if you decide you don’t want to practice your techniques, you can practice your meditation. This can help you feel more relaxed.
When you think of summer, you probably think of hanging out with friends and Kung Fu can be a part of that. You can get together with your Kung Fu friends to practice or spend time with them in class. Training together makes Kung Fu even more exciting and fun. Our Kung Fu school also has a really fun summer camp you and your friends can join and you might even make some new friends!
So, make sure you keep up with your Kung Fu over the summer so you remember your techniques, spend time with friends and get outside. Enjoy your summer!