8 reasons to train Kung Fu in China for a year

My body & mind have been transformed. I took the opportunity to stay at a Kung Fu academy in China for 2 months. Now, instead of feeling tired, unmotivated and lost, I have found the time and peace to think about myself and current situation. These days, lot’s of people decide to take a longer period of time of to travel and experience different cultures. For centuries it has been an interest of people to do so. Nowadays, we have different ways of naming that period of time. For some it’s a gap year, others a sabbatical or just simply life after retirement. Every person has their own reasons to start a journey into the unknown. Let me share the reasons why you should spend your valuable time on a study of Kung Fu in China.

Obviously, your physical condition will improve greatly when studying Kung Fu in China. You will be running at least twice a day. Training three times a day. Warm-ups, practicing forms and doing application. Besides that, at the start of every training you stretch your body. This combination of training and exercises will certainly give you more strength & flexibility. I haven’t spoken to anyone who didn’t feel any improvement. Everyone improves on a schedule like this.

The standard language of China and spoken all across the country. Learning a language is very useful. What better way to learn a language than in the country of origin. The combination of sport and learning a language is magical. When your brain focuses on the physical elements during the day, you will receive and learn more easily after. Whether you learn Chinese Mandarin for personal, business or career reasons, I am sure this will give you an amazing start (or continuation)

When training Kung Fu in China, you will likely not find the food you are used to at home. Outside of your situation at home, this is a great opportunity to change any habits you are used to and want to change. With a variation of vegetables, meat and rice , it is up to you to pick and create your own healthy style.

Who minds losing some weight? I don’t. Who minds losing weight while not even thinking about it? I don’t! This is exactly the way you lose weight while learning Martial arts in China. You will be focused on getting the forms right, doing warm-ups, applying your new skills. You don’t even realize that you’re burning energy at an amazing rate! I haven’t seen one single person come – big or small- who didn’t lose a lot of weight. You will see the difference within weeks.

After training you will have access to a broad mixture of classes. This includes the teachings of Buddha. Of course the Yin & Yan philosophies of the Taoism. Classes in the ancient teachings of acupuncture, or even massage lessons. These teachings will definitely give you an insight into different ways of interpreting life. Enrich yourself with these experiences while training Kung Fu.

Mastering a sport builds discipline, lets you socialize with other people of all ages and backgrounds but who have similar passions, and helps you to develop the instincts of a killer without having to kill anyone. Great! Whether you are learning Wing Chun, Tai Chi or Praying Mantis - to name a few styles. The beauty of Martial Arts, it's not just a sport. It's a lifestyle. You can choose to make it as complete as you want. Mastering your mind is a skill for life. This is an opportunity to learn it.

Discipline is extremely useful and import in life. It’s the thing that makes us get up in the morning, take action in work and create amazing things. Without discipline, everyone would be fooling around and things would take far longer – if not forever. The way of life while learning Kung Fu is build around discipline, a trait for the rest of your stay on earth.

Being able to defend yourself in certain situations could be very useful. Situations can change quickly for the worse. You would be happy if you knew a way to defend yourself. Now, I’m not saying you need to become the next Bruce Lee. But at least knowing how to use & apply some techniques can make the difference in any situation.

Whatever your motives are, training for Kung Fu in China will give you an experience you will never forget. Teach you things you will never forget. Let you see things you will never forget. It's an amazing way of experiencing Chinese nature, living there. Whether you're looking for the mental aspect of Kung Fu or the physical - or both - you will be thankful to yourself taking the opportunity and look back to it the rest of your life.