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Its been over a month since i started training for the young Rashid and Hafiz, and I’m really impressed with their progress. Within a few more lessons they will be have covered almost everything required to take on a primary Wing Chun grading. How is this possible? I have witnessed that their ability to absorb knowledge faster than adults or older childen. As the old saying goes, you need to empty your cup first before filling it.

Even with the month of fasting reduced our training hasn’t reduced. and even when it wasn’t fasting, I got to know that on certain days Rashid and Hafiz would be fasting and even on some of the days was our training.

Azman Shah, one of the gentlemen working at Rumah Aman, whom I cordinate my visits with, was very enthuziastic about the development of Rashid and Hafiz. So he got a copy of the latest Ip man movie and showed it to them. Boy they were thrilled after they realized this is the same martial art they have been training.

So what’s next. once they have completed the techniques and forms required for primary grading i hope to get them some kung fu uniforms.

When I 1st heard about these two little chaps wanting to learn Kung Fu, I was pretty impressed. For 2 nine year olds wanting to learn martial arts, that’s not something you hear every day. Usually at 9 kids don’t really know what they want to do, besides play or watch TV.

Kung Fu is a broad term. It means Chinese martial arts, or Wushu. There are over 200 styles of Kung Fu. Wing Chun is one that originated from southern China, moving on to Hong Kong and then the rest of the world. If you saw the movie IP MAN. The style IP MAN fights is Wing Chun. It was also Bruce Lee’s 1st martial art. It teaches you more than fighting techniques. It teaches you discipline, commitment, tolerance, focus, respect and allot about how to live your life.

A little bit about me. I’m Ameen. I’m a Sri Lankan following my masters in MMU Cyberjaya at the moment. I learned Wing Chun during my school and university days. Till this day I still practice it. Martial arts is one of my passions.

Today I went to Rumah Aman for the 1st time to meet the boys. I was really excited. Azman greeted me and introduced me to the young Rashid and Hafiz. At 1st they were very shy. They introduced themselves and told me a little bit about themselves. Rashid wants to be an astronaut when he grows up. I got to know that they were fasting today. I asked them if they wanted to start training another day, but they were cool with training while fasting. Boy these guys are determined.

We started the training. To begin was showing the boys the Chinese martial arts salute. & then we did some warm up exercises and stretching, followed by some kicking exercises and breathing exercises. I was pretty impressed with the boys eagerness and resilience. Now and then I asked them is it too much and to tell me if they want to stop but they wanted to continue. After we were done with the warm ups I thought them some basic stances. Azman watched as we trained. The training went on for almost 2 hours.

Finally we called it a day and we ended the 1st lesson. For one final time I asked Rashid and Hafiz to demonstrate what they had learned today. They performed everything very well, from the salute to each of the basic stances. It’s so amazing how young kids can absorb what they learn so much better compared to adults. Guys never underestimate the power of kids.

Next week we’ll be doing basic punches and blocks. And Maybe Chi Kung which is a breathing form.

Known for his soft spoken voice and dedication to his work, Hafizuddin is one of our most hard working and obedient boy in the house. His best friend, the always cheerful Ikmal Rashid will always smile when you see him and his enthusiasm to learn something new and apply it in real life is something that anyone, especially teachers, will look forward to.

Their wish is to learn Kung Fu.