Kung Fu

T has been interested in Kung Fu for quite some time.  He has been interested in a lot of classic movies and special effects in movies.  From there he began learning about Jackie Chan and other actors and how they used martial arts in movies.  He really wanted to start taking classes here in Hawai'i.  He was very nervous about it but also felt like it was something he needed to do.  G has sponsored him to pay for classes and he has been going for a few months now.

I have never seen him so serious before.  He has always been a fun loving goof off, but that has all changed with respect to Kung Fu.  He has been practicing, stretching, planning ahead and getting ready for lessons.  V and I have commented to each other "where did this child come from⸮"  For example, once, when I started to take his uniform to put in the wash he stopped me and asked if it would be dry and ready in time for his next practice(!).  He is even learning the Chinese names for the different moves.  And his coordination has improved dramatically.  He always moved like a loose bunch of limbs fasten to each other with springs and rubber bands.  Now when he does his practice moves it is smooth, fluid and controlled.  I am very impressed.

The picture above was taken at his school with part of his class (credit for the photo goes to the school).  This is the fun "shaka" photo after the more serious official shot.  In the photo he did not have his white sash yet but not long after it was taken he took the test and passed, so now he has moved to the white sash level.  His instructor has done all kinds of things including acting in movies and recently we rented one to see him.  Hawai'i was one of the first places to also start teaching kung fu to non-Chinese students.  They teach the Hung Gar style and the sifu's lineage goes back to Lam Sai-wing and Wong Fei-hung, which traces back further to the kung fu practiced at the legendary Shaolin Monastery.