As a child, it was the fierce punches and flying kicks that left a big impression on Naren Sivasubramaniam.
Today, it’s mental discipline that Kung Fu instills that impresses him most.
Studying under the Kung Fu master Shi Xingwu, at Richmond’s Zen Shaolin Temple, not only improve Sivasubramaniam’s physical strength and flexibility, it also taught him the mental and emotional disciplines of persistence and self-discipline.
In fact, studying Kung Fu has been life-changing, Sivasubramaniam told the Richmond News.
“I practice for an hour in the early morning six days a week. My life changed after I completely gave myself to Shaolin Kung Fu,” said Sivasubramaniam.
“When I first started, I didn’t have the flexibility. I was stiff, and sometimes I felt out of breath. But after doing it consistently every day for five years, I had no idea I could get this far. Everything in my life got better, my marriage, relationships and career. My life has been more put together.”
Sivasubramaniam was among about 50 Kung Fu fans and community members gathered at training session on April 3 near Aberdeen Centre.
The session was held to celebrate the end of online classes and the beginning of training in person.
Kung Fu master Xingwu Shi, who was leading the training, said it’s “rewarding” to hear about Sivasubramaniam’s achievements and personal transformation.
And Sivasubramaniam is among the more than 100 students in Shi’s Kung Fu training class.
Shi is a Shaolin warrior monk. To earn that title, he endured an intensive training process in China. As part of that training, students were expected to practice on the edge of a cliff -- to overcome their fear of death.
“After going through the training, everyone could maintain his emotions steady as a rock and finally get over the fear of death,” said Shi, stressing that Shaolin Kung Fu aims to teach people how to build up physical strength and embrace everyday challenges and hardships with courage and persistence.
Shi is thrilled that they can meet in person and practice Shaolin Kung Fu together this year.
