KEI Kung Fu in Parool: new hotspot in Amsterdam

Parool – Anna Salhany January 20, 2020:

Anyone who steps into the KEI Kung Fu hall begins with a bow to the wall adorned with photos of several Wing Chun grandmasters. Wing Chun is a martial art from southeastern China. You might know it from the iconic Bruce Lee films, where he showcases spectacular moves. This specific kung fu style focuses on short, quick movements. However, at KEI Kung Fu, the emphasis is not on fighting.

“Kicking and punching can be learned anywhere,” says owner Lai-Wing Hau (42). “We teach our members important life skills through kung fu.” KEI Kung Fu is not a club, but a school. And it involves more than just martial arts. “Here, we teach people discipline, respect, values, body awareness, confidence, team building, and self-defense.”

These skills require enormous focus and dedication. So if you want to learn to fight quickly, this is the wrong place. “We advise members to try it for at least a year and to come at least twice a week,” says Hau.

The lessons are for young and old, starting with children from the age of four. Members learn traditional kung fu techniques. “Kung fu is not an aggressive fighting style. Here, you learn to disable your opponent as quickly and painlessly as possible,” says Hau. It is a form of self-defense, but the real lesson lies in everything that comes before it. Hau: “A fight avoided is a fight won.”

Parool – Anna Salhany January 20, 2020. Read the article on Parool here