“My time spent training and practicing Kung Fu could be divided into four stages; with a different motivation at each step along the way. In the beginning, 11 years ago, the primary motivation that kept me coming to this studio to practice Kung Fu was purely because I was an energetic child who had moved to Silicon Valley from Boston, so what better way to get me introduced to the community than enrolling in this Kung Fu studio. At least I think that was my parents’ reasoning. Truth is, while I was energetic, I can’t say that I was a very motivated child, and I often required a nudge from my parents in order to get myself going. It wasn’t until middle school when I found something that got me really motivated with Kung Fu. I had switched to Saturday morning classes, then again to Sunday morning classes, where I got the chance to see advanced-level students practice and perform. I also found a good group of friends along the way. After seeing how the higher-level students performed, I was more eager to challenge myself and advance belt levels; though I think part of me also wanted to one day brag to my school friends how I was a black belt in Kung Fu. Between the encouraging staff at SKZ, like-minded acquaintances on Sunday classes, and my experiences with training for higher belt levels, I became highly motivated to improve, even through more chaotic, uncertain, times. And uncertain they were once the pandemic hit in 2020; the things that had motivated me with Kung Fu were suddenly absent. The group of friends that I would interact with were reduced to seeing each other on a tiny screen once, maybe twice a week as we practiced Kung Fu in our tiny spaces at home. On top of this, there were fewer and fewer higher-level students to be inspired by, largely because…well, now I had reached the higher level! I realized that I had achieved, through practice and training, and it would not make any sense to quit, even if the online classes were more difficult to stay excited about. It was during this time, the “part” of my Kung Fu training that I am most proud of, because with Shifu’ guidance, adaptability, and good heart, I was able to motivate myself to train, to practice, and do my best everyday. I sucked it up on the bad days knowing that if I did, I would reach what many could not or would not. I did not want to give up! This leads me to the final part of my Kung Fu “training”, one that’s not easily defined. Tomorrow may be uncertain, but today I can motivate myself to train Kung Fu. I drive myself to and from classes. I take care of any days that I miss. And I tell myself that I train to better myself and be a good role model to others. Thank you, Shifu, for being the best role model to all students at SKZ. 2/13/2022
My name is Lukas Knappenberger. I have been practicing kung fu for around 9 years. It was one of the first activities I got into when I moved from Massachusetts to California. I am currently a junior in high school, and going to college in another 2 years. However, I hope to continue practicing Kungfu wherever I may go.
