The foundation of Kung Fu: body, mind, and spirit

Why is it so important to create a balance between body, mind, and spirit? In a previous article, we discussed the essential basics of Kung Fu. In this second article, we delve deeper into practicing Kung Fu at KEI Kung Fu. We interview Sifu and owner Lai-Wing Hau about what Kung Fu has meant to him and why the sport contributes to greater vitality.

Lai-Wing himself was born 2 months premature. As a result, he was always smaller and weaker than his peers. At the age of 12^th, he started with karate. The sport appealed to him greatly and gave him confidence, but he also noticed that the characteristic exercises (very physical and based on strength) did not suit his body. Two years later, he came into contact with a Wing Chun teacher and embraced this martial art. The philosophy that a weaker person can defeat a stronger person sparked something in him. He has now been practicing Kung Fu for 30 years.

Sifu and the family structure

At KEI Kung Fu, a familial culture prevails; the sifu (master or father) is the head of the family in that culture. In the past, you would apprentice under a sifu. In return, you had to perform various tasks. To learn Kung Fu, you had to show great dedication and discipline. We also encourage that dedication at KEI. You really have to want it yourself. At KEI Kung Fu, we encourage everyone to achieve their personal sports goals. Every member is unique, and we help them develop themselves within our modern version of a traditional family structure.

For every student, their own development and discovery curve is central. That is why at KEI Kung Fu, we find it important that everyone is personally guided. The discovery aspect here mainly concerns the internal aspect of the body. ‘Discover yourself from within’ is therefore fundamental at KEI Kung Fu. This aspect is not always central at other schools, where much more attention is given to the external aspect.

Kung Fu classes: focus on inner strength

Practicing Kung Fu at KEI, compared to other physical sports, is not only about strength but especially about body awareness, speed, and energy. The goal of Kung Fu is therefore not to actively use the muscles, so that fatigue is postponed as long as possible.

Continuous use of active muscles means faster exhaustion of the body. The biological component also plays a role, of course. As you get older, physical vitality decreases, and you encounter limitations more quickly.

“At KEI Kung Fu, the focus is therefore, besides the physical part, also on inner strength. It is important that you cultivate and nourish your body. In this way, you remain healthy in the long term. What we often see with our new students is that they unconsciously have poor posture or breathe incorrectly. Improving these basic elements is something you carry with you for the rest of your life. At KEI, we know all the students personally and know where their focus lies. This is an important part of the family structure for me as sifu.” – Lai-Wing Hau

Tasting the authentic values and principles, in a modern jacket

To practice the Chinese martial art, KEI Kung Fu finds it important to adhere to Chinese theories and wisdom. Of course, we take into account the time we live in, so tradition in a modern jacket. In the past, lessons were extremely strict, and students were punished if they made a mistake. Fortunately, that old-fashioned way of teaching is no longer the case in 2021.

Our own developments

We also continue to develop the knowledge and skills of our teachers at KEI Kung Fu. We do not believe that a person ever truly finishes learning. In fact, it is naive and a shame to think that you have finished learning as a person. That is why we ourselves are guided by others. “I personally look forward to meetings and teachings from, for example, our teacher Sifu Torben Bremann from Denmark. Sifu Torben, now 61 years old, is in turn inspired by his teacher Sam Tam, 84 years old, from Canada,” Lai-Wing explains. The knowledge passed from sifu to sifu is then passed on to our students. This also maintains the family structure at KEI Kung Fu with the values that go with it, such as the desire to pass on knowledge, skill, and dedication.

Curious about what Kung Fu can bring you and what the personal lessons at KEI Kung Fu look like? Come by for an introduction or sign up for a free trial lesson