Kung Fu club founder offers free lessons

Daniel Chiodini found a passion in the art of Kung Fu growing up. As a sophomore at Southeast Missouri State University he decided to share his love with the campus community. The process to become a master and get belts is complicated. People must go to the head Kung Fu school in Houston to take tests, and Chiodini hopes to go there soon, but for now his knowledge is based on his own growth over the years.

Chiodini started a Kung Fu club in the fall, but due to a lack of interest he is unable to continue the club and instead will give private lessons during the fall semester.

"We would meet once a week and practice, and things were good for a while," Chiodini said. "Then a lot of guys, except for Dustin [Hubler], dropped out because they are in love with the idea of becoming a Kung Fu master, but a lot don't want to put in the work to get there."

Southeast student Dustin Hubler and Kung Fu club founder Daniel Chiodini spar in a Parker Hall gym. Photo by Kristina Lautenbacher

Chiodini is interested in restarting the club in the fall if more people are seriously interested in joining, but his selection process of members allowed in the club would become much more specific and demanding.

"I would be a little more rigorous with my selection process," Chiodini said. "If I start up again I am going to say you have to be serious and practicing at least three times a week on your own time, as well as come for each practice. Be willing to set time aside to do it because if you're only going to do it for one semester then don't waste my time."

Hubler not only is a member of the Kung Fu Club but also is an athlete at Southeast on the football team

"If interested in Kung Fu I suggest you do it, my experience has been really good," Hubler said. "You get out of it what you put in just like everything else in life. If you actually go to the meetings and pay attention and try to learn it will work."

Chiodini plans to offer free private lessons to undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in and passionate about Kung Fu.

"I just needed something structural that I could go to that meshed with my personality as well," Chiodini said. "I picked it up and never stopped doing it and fell in love with it. Anyone who is interested I will teach privately, and if I get enough guys that I know who will stick around, and I like them enough, then I will go back to having a club again."

Since everybody progresses at a different rate the private lessons will provide the chance to have one-on-one attention and get more out of the time. The lessons will be given in Cheney Hall for an hour at a time. Chiodini will not charge for the lessons due to the fact that he wants to share his love of Kung Fu with others.

"With private lessons they are still expected to train on their own time, it's a lot more specialized and I am able to give them special attention depending on how their style is developing," Chiodini said.

Anyone interested in private lessons for the fall 2013 semester can contact Chiodini by email at djchiodini1s@semo.edu.

"I have enjoyed my experience and learned a lot more than I thought I would learn," Hubler said. "It's worth your while and helps you get your perspective on things if you ever find yourself in a position to defend yourself."

According to Chiodini every person's experience is different, and if a student wants to grow in Kung Fu they must train, workout and practice on their own time to prepare for the next lesson.