By Sam Nicklin, Student, Southern Crane Kungfu
Ever since I was a kid I’ve always wanted to study in martial arts, so when the day came that I would finally be going to my first kungfu class I was both excited and nervous.
After speaking with Sifu Darren my kungfu adventure started. At first I found everything very daunting; I saw everyone performing fluid forms and movements yet I couldn’t get my body to do anything like it, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disheartened at first.
But Sifu Darren said to me: “It would be no fun if we knew everything, that’s why we train.” This gave me the confidence to keep training and not get disheartened when I couldn’t do something, but to persevere and succeed.
Through training, patience and perseverance I was a ready to grade my first pattern, San Zhan, and although it may not have gone as well I wanted it to, I passed. The pride and sense of achievement I felt when I walked to the front of the class to be presented with my sash was like nothing else.
As a result of my kungfu training I am now a lot more confident, calmer, fitter, more coordinated and an overall better a person. I’d also like to think that I’ve made some friends along the way who were very patient and supportive, and still are today.
My journey has only just begun in this vast world of kungfu and I know I haven’t even scratch the surface yet, but with going to China next year and having the opportunity to train with Master Lin I can only look forward to what lies ahead.
