Why you should train kung fu

I remember as a kid watching Kung Fu Theater on Saturday afternoons on my little black and white tv.

I thought it would be so cool to learn some of that stuff.

Eventually, I first inquired at a local school to me when I was 21, but I did not actually start to train until I was 24.  I did that for about six months, but then I took a job out of town, and stopped.

About ten years later I started up again, and trained for about eight years to pursue a side gig.

For a while, I regretted discontinuing, but I still trained a bit on my own.  Over time I’ve come to realize that, after a period of time, and developing a foundation of knowledge, it is possible to go down your own path in kung fu without training at a school.

Here is why I my enthusiasm for training has been reinvigorated, and why you should train at kung fu as well.

Movement

At 56, I understand more and more the need for increased physical activity.

I recently posted about Blue Zone Living, and the most common theme among people who live in these zones is natural movement.

In case you are unfamiliar with these Blue Zones, they are areas around the world that have extremely high life expectancies.

Kung fu training requires a substantial amount of movement in order to develop proficiency.  By extension, on its own, it can help you stay quite healthy and strong, even through just training forms.

Forms involve a sequence of movements involving foot work, stances, kicks, blocks and strikes.

You can perform these in slow motion to focus on the details of the movement, and at higher speed to give you some cardio exercise.

Over time, your balance, flexibility and leg strength will improve quite significantly with regular training.

Stress Management

Traditional kung fu training can include exercise such as Tai Chi, along with breath work, and meditation.

Research suggests that there are numerous benefits to meditation, including

• Improved sleep quality
• Lowering resting blood pressure
• Lowering resting heart rate
• Improved focus
• Symptom management for certain medical conditions

Skill Development

Traditional martial arts are typically associated with self defense.  However, in the modern world of street violence, attempting to apply techniques you’ve never applied under stress won’t be very effective.

Arts such as kung fu, aikido, and karate, are notable for teaching numerous techniques over time.  Therefore, it takes years and years of practice to develop proficiency.

But, under stress, even someone who has practiced for years may not perform well in violent street confrontation.

With that said, long term practice of kung fu and other martial arts will help you develop important skills that can absolutely be effective.

Traditional kung fu training teaches you how to strike hard and kick with power.  You also learn how to move more efficiently, without expending as much energy.

I would argue that the most important skill you can develop for self protection, aside from increased awareness and situational control, is how to hit hard.

Improved meditation is also a skill worth developing, as I indicated above.

Sense of Purpose

Another common theme among people in the Blue Zones I mentioned is that people who live in these areas have a strong sense of purpose.

This sense of purpose is what gives them a reason to wake everyday.

In today’s world, this sense of purpose is needed now more than ever.

When I first started serious kung fu training, my reasons were that I thought it was cool, and it would help with my self defense.

Yup, that was a bit naive, but that is how the martial arts industry promotes itself.

Now, with a few more years under my belt, a little more wisdom, and a greater sense of the fragility of life, I have more reasons for training.

One of these reasons is to help spread the benefits of kung fu training.  I’ve found my own sense of purpose.

Training in the art itself can give one a sense of purpose as well.  It’s a form of self improvement.

By waking up everyday with the goal of improving one aspect of your kung fu, you have a sense of purpose.

By improving your own physical and mental health through the training of kung fu, you can also be of greater benefit to your friends and family.  Is there any greater reason for living?

Thanks for reading!