Anyone who has ever watched classics such as Karate Kid or Bruce Lee’s movies has at some point dreamed of going to the mountains and training in martial arts like a Shaolin monk. An unattainable dream? Not for Sacha Wenk! At 24 years old, this young man of Swiss origin from his mother and German from his father has made his passion for Kung-Fu his life! Just a few days ago, he returned to China after organizing a Kung-Fu retreat in his native Switzerland. Toombow Kids interviewed him nearly 12,000 km away to share his unique journey with you. Ready to unleash your Ch’i?
Toombow Kids: Hello Sacha, how are you? Can you tell us what attracted you to the world of kung-fu?
Sacha: Hi! Thanks for having me! So to keep it short, I went to China for the first time in 2005 because my parents had work there. Right away, my mother told my two brothers and me that we had to do sports to stay in shape. One day, I will always remember, we were walking down a big street, and I heard very loud shouts. There was something inexplicable that attracted me; I climbed the stairs and saw many kids my age training. It was very strange; they were not taller than me, but they seemed much more confident. It gave me goosebumps to see their energy; they were all coordinated. Actually, I was in front of a kung-fu school. I said to myself that this was what I wanted to do! So I started practicing this discipline at 6 years old. I had some interruptions; I tried other sports in the meantime, but it’s really kung-fu that I prefer!
Toombow Kids: How would you describe kung-fu to kids who don’t know what it is?
Sacha: Hm… If I had to explain, I would say that kung-fu is a way of being happy and living life with a smile. Actually, it’s not just about doing sports or martial arts; it’s a way of life. If a baker gets up, makes his croissants every day, trying to improve, then he’s a bit like a kung-fu baker. By the way, it’s funny, the word “kung-fu” translates to “hard work”!
Toombow Kids: Thanks for the info! Currently, you are in China, but in June, you were in Switzerland and organized a “retreat.” Can you tell us more about it?
Sacha: Of course! It took place in Champéry in the mountains. Actually, the idea had been in my head for a while because since I opened my social media, many people shared their desire to train like I do but without having to go to China. So I thought: “why not recreate all this in Switzerland?” I talked about it with my master, and he loved the idea of promoting kung-fu outside of China. With my parents’ help, we set everything up, rented a big house in the mountains, and prepared everything well. Over three weeks, there were between 30 and 40 people per week following the training that my master and I gave. Russians, Italians, French, Ukrainians… There were people of all origins, and it was an honor. It was intense, but I loved it!
Toombow Kids: It sounds great! What was the daily program like?
Sacha: Well, it was more or less the same as what I did in China but with a slightly lower level of intensity. Every day, we got up at 5:30 a.m. and had a first training session from 6 to 7 a.m., which was very physical. From 7:30 to 8 a.m., we had breakfast: hot water with rice, some cabbage, Chinese-style bread. Then, from 8:30 to 11 a.m., there was a second training session. It changed every day; it could be basic kung-fu, Chinese kickboxing. After that, it was break time; we ate, then took a nap. Then, we did another training session until the evening, had dinner, people had some free time, and then everyone went to bed!
Toombow Kids: What are the benefits of kung-fu for the body and mind?
Sacha: Nowadays, I feel like a lot of people don’t take the time to sit down for two minutes and spend time with themselves. Kids at the bus stop can’t wait a minute without looking at their phones. Kung-fu has taught me a lot about myself. Before, I was shy, and since then, I’ve gained a lot of confidence. When I did my mandatory military service in Switzerland, kung-fu helped me a lot with discipline. I never thought I would become a lieutenant in the army, but I did it thanks to kung-fu.
Toombow Kids: You seem to have a lot of respect for your master. Can you tell us about him?
Sacha: With pleasure! My master’s name is She Miao Hai, and he’s really great. When I told him about my retreat project, he supported me 100%. Here in China, it can be tough to find a good master because everyone has their own philosophy that sometimes doesn’t match ours, and several will never fully respect kung-fu practitioners who are not native Chinese because they consider them “tourists.” My master chose me as his disciple. In Buddhism, this practice means that we are karmically linked; it’s a bit like I’m his spiritual son. It’s an honor!
Toombow Kids: What advice would you give to a child who wants to start kung-fu?
Sacha: I would say this: no matter what they want to do or start as a project in life, I advise them to take the time to think carefully and go all the way with what they want to do!
Toombow Kids: What is the best anecdote that has happened to you since you started your kung-fu journey? Sacha: I have many… One that comes to mind is from 2019. I was in a temple, and we were performing for tourists. They paid for the temple visit plus a kung-fu show. There was first the passage of foreign practitioners, of which I was a part, and then the passage of the Chinese. It was so beautiful when I saw them; their talent was impressive. I had the same stars in my eyes as when I discovered kung-fu as a kid. I told myself that I had to reach that mastery. What inspires me the most is the Ch’i, the life energy, always related to yin and yang. Whenever I do a form of kung-fu, I feel so good, in the present moment, so alive.
Toombow Kids: That’s very inspiring. What are your future goals? Sacha: In the short term, it’s the next retreat I will organize in October 2024 in Switzerland. I’ve also had offers to appear in movies, so we’ll see! In the long term, my dream is to open my own kung-fu school. I also plan to participate in an Iron Man race, which includes swimming, cycling, and running.
Toombow Kids: Thank you, Sacha, for sharing your passion for kung-fu with us! The Toombow Kids team wishes you all the best in this field and much fulfillment. Dear readers, you can follow Sacha’s progress on his Instagram account @sachka.w. Let passion guide you! And you, would you be ready to train like Sacha?
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