Kung Fu Classes vs. Gymnastics Classes in Amsterdam

As a parent, you want your child to be healthy and fit and also feel good in their (young) skin. Children up to 18 years old are advised to be active for 60 minutes daily. Because children often only have 2 hours of gym class per week at school, sports outside of school are encouraged. Kung Fu and Gymnastics classes in Amsterdam are both sports where children move playfully. There are some very nice similarities, but also important differences to mention. We gladly explain these so it helps you as a parent choose which sport suits your child better.

During gymnastics classes, the development of general motor skills is central. Think of hopping, skipping, climbing, balancing, and throwing. There is also attention to cooperation and interaction through playing various games. Additionally, it is good for your child’s social skills to play with other children than those they already know from school. At KEI Kung Fu, besides motor skills, your child’s physical strength is also improved. Think of taking a push-up position where children have to crawl under one by one or various somersault games where children help each other. As mentioned earlier, these are similarities that promote your child’s overall development.

However, there is a big difference between gymnastics and Kung Fu that KEI Kung Fu would like to highlight. The difference is the development of so-called ‘lifeskills.’ Think of developing self-confidence, perseverance, discipline, self-control, respect, and verbal abilities. Kung Fu teaches children step-by-step to stand in front of a group to demonstrate an exercise. This way, children learn to use their voice and develop more self-confidence. Furthermore, self-defense is a very important part of the lessons. Here, you should not only think of physical self-defense but also mental self-defense. In a phase where (secret) bullying among (young) children occurs, we cannot emphasize enough how important it is for your child to learn to stand up for themselves.

Prefer Kung Fu classes or gymnastics classes in Amsterdam? Because KEI Kung Fu wants everyone to get acquainted with Kung Fu, we offer free trial lessons in our beautiful academy in the heart of Amsterdam. Will you come by?

At KEI Kung Fu, we start from within and the focus is not only on the physical, external element

What is Kung Fu?

Kung Fu is an ancient martial art originating from China. Contrary to popular belief, Kung Fu was not developed by the monks in Shaolin. However, these monks did have a positive influence on it. For the monks, three pillars were always central to their way of life, and these three pillars still form the basis at KEI Kung Fu today: balance between mind, body, and spirit.

With the arrival of Chinese people in Europe, and of course through the fame of Bruce Lee and his teacher Yip Man, Kung Fu has become an integral part of the Western world as well. A popular style within Kung Fu is Wing Chun, characterized by short and fast movements. Legend has it that Mrs. Yim Wing Chun developed this style for physically less strong people. The style is suitable for everyone, regardless of age and gender. Learn to know and control your own body to defeat stronger opponents.

Development of life skills at KEI Kung Fu in Amsterdam

Children become more aware of their body and movements around the age of 6. Therefore, at KEI Kung Fu, we advise starting Kung Fu before this age, from 4 years old. In this way, we influence the unconscious of the child and create certain physical habits that, as a child grows older, become automatisms. We make them unconsciously competent.

It is important that young children (4 to 6 years) enjoy Kung Fu. Therefore, at the monkeys class, we focus on physically strengthening children in a playful way, unlike traditional Kung Fu. For older children (6 to 11 years), the focus is on other elements because children of this age are capable of learning more complex movements. During the lessons, the focus is on the development of discipline, self-confidence, and improving verbal skills, among other things.

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