Chicagoland Shaolin Kung Fu

More Pictures from the Library in October, What a great time!

Its always awesome to run into Former students! Huge shout out to Calvin Lam!!!

Fun day at the Schaumburg Library! Thanks to those students that could make it an exciting day!

Most cases, People see Martial Arts and Kung Fu as just a commodity. They buy what they want. To me it isn't even a religious thing so much as a code of honor. You earn what you get. Having Mommy and Daddy buy achievements for you doesn't prepare you for the world or for life. Its strips you of your self worth. Today, more than ever, I see kids handed everything from a black belt to a new car. They have no idea what it is like to have to work, go to school, make your car payments and still pursue your passions. Nor do they understand the feeling of accomplishment that they get from making that last car payment, Chopping down that tree and turning it into firewood. Earning a Rank in a group means nothing, because they bought it. They never struggled for it.
Hard Work and Discipline is what makes a student into an accomplished Martial Artist. In the old days, they begged the teacher for entrance into their Mo Gwoon. I don't care about belts or Ranks, I care about training. Iron Skills take time to develop, Not just Muscle memory. When you look for a school, Never judge based on cost or convenience, but on the quality of the lessons. More than Just Kicking and Punching, Kung Fu should also include Trapping, Joint Locks, Throws and strategies. A quality school never makes any guarantees on belts or ranks in any amount of time, if at all.

Learning Martial Arts is like learning any skill, you have to practice it daily in order to understand it. In class, I like to train with everyone else as well, break in that sweat. After classes this week, we will also be practicing Zhan Zhuang and Ba Duna Jin Chi Kung exercises. These exercises are as challenging as they are fun to perform. Don't forget to ask any questions you have.

I was talking to some parents at a birthday party the other day. One of the Moms and her kid told me all about how hard Kung Fu is. I asked her what made her think that Kung Fu is hard.... Yes I do focus on technique, yes I do want to make sure you understand the techniques and I definitely want to make sure you can use it to defend yourself. That isn't hard, thats called Martial Arts. Anything less than your best and mine is a dis-service to us both.

Training at the Old Ng Family School in China Town 8 years ago.

This is a great article. Although it is on Karate, many points can be put to Kung Fu as well.
http://www.karatebyjesse.com/10-disturbing-myths-about-karate-everyone-thinks-are-true/

10 Disturbing Myths About Karate Everyone Thinks Are True 1: "Karate people break bricks every day." We've all heard it. "So... how many boards can you break?" In Japanese, the skill of breaking bricks and board

Gong Hay Fat Choi