Written by Christy NguyenSeattle Medium
Kihap!
This is the scream performed by students in Taekwondo, a Korean martial art. Shouts not only teach you proper breathing when performing blocks and attacks, but also demonstrate powerful mental strength and concentration.
The Seattle Parks and Recreation Community Center offers classes in a variety of martial arts, including karate, aikido, kung fu, and jiu-jitsu. Classes are divided into different ages and skill levels, and each class has unique teachings and benefits for improving your mind and body.
The High Point Community Center in West Seattle is an open space for community members to gather, play games, and take classes. The center offers martial arts classes consisting of Taekwondo and Tansudo throughout the year. Both are Korean style.
Known for its dynamic kicks, Taekwondo uses the body rather than a weapon. Students not only learn physical aspects such as strength and speed, but also life lessons such as confidence, control, and kindness.
“People often feel disconnected from their bodies,” says Darin Smith, instructor at High Point Taekwondo. “Most people start out wanting to get in shape, but over time they become more confident in their abilities. They learn how to become better people.”
One way students gain confidence is through belt testing. Two hours of rigorous demonstration of everything you know to take you to the next level. During these tests, students push themselves to overcome physical and mental challenges.
“I’m going to have some students do wheelbarrows, but I’m not going to tell them when to stop,” Smith said. A wheelbarrow is something that is run by hand, with one student holding the other foot. Other challenges, depending on the student’s level of skill, include seemingly endless push-ups, blindfolded sparring, and even breaking blocks of concrete.
Black belt student Pooja Mathur’s fondest memory is the first time she broke a board.
“I feel more confident knowing I can do something like that too. Things fall off my shoulders easier, you know?” Mathur said.
Mental resistance helps martial artists overcome any challenges in life.
“I remember in graduate school they had a VO2 max test,” Smith said. This test measures the maximum amount of oxygen available to your body during exercise. Mr. Smith had to run on an inclined treadmill until he could no longer run. “I just kept thinking to myself…I’m a fighter. I can do just about anything.”
But martial arts is about more than just testing your limits. I will also teach you how to slow down.
“For me, I really had to learn to live without perfection,” said Tamera Thomas, assistant event coordinator for High Point and South Park. Thomas is practicing tangsudo, South Korea’s national sport. Tansudo focuses on the hands and feet and is an older practice than Taekwondo.
Thomas was a lifelong dancer, a profession that came with perfection.
“I didn’t start martial arts until I was in my 40s,” Thomas said. “I really wanted to be someone who could flip the floor, but I learned that it’s okay if you can’t do it all.”
Thomas said the best thing about martial arts is that everyone gets something different out of it.
“Some people need to learn control, while others strive for perfection. Some people need discipline, and others learn to go with the flow,” Thomas said. Ta. Overall, martial arts is all about balance.
“The best thing so far has been reflecting and connecting with my body,” said Taekwondo yellow belt Swapna Savana. “I’ve never trained before, so it always feels fresh.”
Taekwondo student Marie Borland said the biggest lesson she learned from Smith was kindness towards others.
And learning doesn’t end with being an instructor.
“I learned how to be an example for others,” Smith said. “At first I verbalize every detail. Now I know how to communicate, show, execute, and follow up as needed.”
All martial artists know that they start as beginners.
“I recommend not getting bogged down in the details and just enjoying the movement,” Smith says.
“The key is finding the right atmosphere and the right instructor,” Thomas says. “Please find a store that you’ll want to come back to.”
High Point Community Center currently offers a three-month tansudo program and a one-month taekwondo program, but students are encouraged to return each month.
Registration for the winter season is now open at all Seattle locations and scholarships are available here.
