Escape Reality With Kung Fu Training in China

Summary

A young adult in a quarter-life crisis finds new motivation and personal insights through the rigorous discipline of Shaolin kung fu training in China.

Abstract

The article describes a transformative journey undertaken by an individual seeking purpose and direction after completing university and facing the pressures of adulthood. The author, dealing with uncertainty and self-doubt, chooses to embark on an impulsive trip to China to train at a Shaolin kung fu school. There experience teaches the importance of perseverance, as the intense training leaves no room for excuses or giving up. The structured daily routine at the school provides ample time for reflection and future planning, a stark contrast to the post-university stress that often clouds clear decision-making. The remote location of the school in nature offers a sense of freedom, with traditions like summiting a mountain and letting out a victorious scream to release built-up stress. The author emphasizes that while a drastic move like going to China isn't necessary to overcome life's standstills, the principles learned, such as resilience and introspection, are universally applicable.

Opinions

The author believes that facing the challenges of kung fu training without the option to give up is a metaphor for tackling life's difficulties.
Regular daily routines with ample free time are seen as beneficial for reflection and future planning, contrasting the often overwhelming demands of modern life.
The author values the tradition of climbing a mountain and screaming in victory as a cathartic experience that provides a sense of accomplishment and clarity.
It is suggested that similar benefits can be achieved through less extreme measures, such as hiking or taking a small vacation, implying that the essence of the experience is in the mindset rather than the location.
The article conveys the opinion that escaping a quarter-life crisis involves taking time to breathe, never giving up, and celebrating victories, no matter how small.

Stuck in life and looking for change? Rediscover yourself with martial arts training in China.

After the last exam has been passed and celebrations took place extensively, reality quickly catches up with one. Young adults are increasingly more often in a so-called “quarter life crisis”, which affects people between the ages of 21 and 29 and describes the final phase of the first quarter of life. As I myself was plagued by uncertainty and asked myself: “What am I actually doing with my life?” I decided not to dwell on it for long and do something impulsive instead. So I packed my bags and made my way to China to join a Shaolin kung fu school in hopes to find new motivation in a land far from home. Today I want to share with you what I learned during my time abroad and how I apply my new insights to everyday life back home in Central Europe.

There is no giving up Not everyone is aware of how physically and mentally challenging kung fu training in China can be. Morning training at 5.30 a.m., endless tiring runs and hours of technical exercises are on the agenda, no excuses can be made to escape a session. It becomes clear that giving up is not an option and instead of standing still and suffering you have to take one step at a time to move forward. No matter how difficult the exercises are when you fight through with all your strength and most importantly want to improve you will succeed. This also applies to everyday life situations at home.

Time to think Due to the regular daily routine in the kung fu school and less responsibilities more free time between training sessions occurs. Time that can be used to reflect on elapsed events, highlights, lows, as well as gives opportunity to plan for the future. While surrendering to the routine in China, almost standing still, it motivates you to take the next steps and to initiate the path to adulthood. The post-university stress prevents many from being able to see clearly where the path they have chosen should further lead. Hence, sometimes you need to detach yourself from your surroundings to recognize what you actually want to achieve. Stop and take a deep breath, collect yourself. Of course, this works very well in a kung fu school without obligations, but this can also be done without the extremes. Similar to going hiking in the woods or even taking a small vacation in a neighboring city, country or state.

Feeling of freedom Kung Fu schools in China are mostly located away from big cities on mountains and in forests, which has created a wide variety of traditions that are practiced by schools. Climbing the highest mountain within reach and letting loose a scream of victory is one of those traditions. Climbing a mountain in the blazing heat and 5,000 meters altitude can be a challenge even for the most experienced athletes. However, when reaching the summit and looking ahead to see what you have accomplished, has an even bigger impact on you. It makes you forget the previously felt pain and the shed sweat and encourages a cry of joy. Simply screaming away all the stress and frustrations accumulated over the past months or even years. What remains are positive thoughts and a beautiful view.

To escape a Quarter Life Crisis or any standstill in life it is of course not necessary to go on an adventures trip to China. Kung Fu schools in China demonstrate under excessive circumstances what needs to be done to escape such a situation. All in all what I learned is that it is important to take a deep breath, never give up and from time to time don’t forget to let loose a well-deserved scream of victory.