Practicing Wing-Chun has led Nima to set up a school to share his grand masters teaching and enable students to bring relaxation, mindfulness and power into their lives.
What’s your story?
Being an Iranian born, Australian raised guy, some find it surprising that I’ve dedicated my life to the Chinese art of Wing Chun Kung Fu. I have been practicing this ‘internal’ art full-time for over 16 years. When I say full-time I mean over 50 hours per week. I moved to Hong Kong in 2005 to continue training under my grandmaster (master’s master) and I was practicing at his home everyday for 6 hrs a day for 9 years until he passed away at an age of 81. I opened a full-time school 7 years ago to teach this beautiful art back to the Hong Kong residents and have 9 staff and over 150 students.
What excites you most about your industry?
The fact that the health and wellbeing industry is expanding so rapidly in Hong Kong is very exciting. It means that more and more people will become open minded and come to try this health promoting art of kung fu. I believe that the ‘internal’ art Wing Chun is a real gem in that it can change lives for the better by enabling people to bring relaxation, mindfulness and power into their lives. The depths of Wing Chun are limitless and any person regardless of age, gender or fitness level can benefit from it. This is why I think that the internal aspect of Wing Chun can become a giant in this industry (just like yoga has).
What’s your connection to Asia?
Spent the first 10 years of my life in Iran and the next 10 years in Sydney, Australia and now have been in Hong Kong for 10 years. Also, I have dedicated my life to exploring and passing on the Chinese art of Wing Chun and plan to do so for the rest of my life. But most importantly my wife is Chinese, making my son half Chinese.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Hong Kong for sure! I love the pace and the convenience of this city. Many people complain about this but I think if one can ride the wave of this fast pace city, we can effortlessly develop ourselves with great speed. I also love the fact that it feels like the safest city in the world!
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Don’t worry yourself over things cause it won’t change the situation.
Who inspires you?
My teacher CH SHONG TIN who passed away recently. He was a father figure to me and taught me many things about life. The funny thing is that he couldn’t speak English and my Cantonese is not great so the lessons were not through words!
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
Efficiency: The fact that by doing things less physically and more mindfully, you can achieve more with much less effort.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
Not a thing! I don’t want to sound like one of those people who always pretend to be living a perfect life but I honestly love my life. I wouldn’t change anything in my past because if it wasn’t for all of my past, I wouldn’t be who I am and where I am today.
How do you unwind?
After a long day, sitting on the couch next to my wife with a glass of red and watching my son play.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Thailand! The fact that it’s so close to Hong Kng and the people are always so nice. There are great beaches, it’s always hot and of course the food, my God the food!
Everyone in business should read this book:
The Laws of Success – by Napoleon Hill
Shameless plug for your business:
MINDFUL WING CHUN: Myself and 4 other teachers have over 50 years combined experience in Wing Chun. We all practice and teach it full-time. The method of Wing Chun we do is very unique in that it focuses more on the internal and health promoting aspects of the art which almost none of the other styles do. We were blessed to have a teacher who was a legend of our time and we want to pass this gem of an art to as many people as we can. Our school is very modern and is located in the heart of Central and we’re open from the morning till night. What we teach is not just effective self defense but the essence of correct movement and, more importantly, how to rid yourself of muscular pain and mental stress and how to develop enormous power with minimum effort.
How can people connect with you?
PH: 6620 7050
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mindfulwingchun.com.hk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mindfulwingchun
Youtube and Instagram – search Mindful Wing Chun
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This interview was part of the Callum Connect’s column found on The Asian Entrepreneur:
Callum Laing invests and buys small businesses in a range of industries around Asia. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is the founder & owner of Fitness-Buffet a company delivering employee wellness solutions in 12 countries. He is a Director of, amongst others, Key Person of Influence. A 40 week training program for business owners and executives.
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