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Tae kwon do offers more than self-defense
For 10 years, Master Yoon Kim has been teaching the art of tae kwon do in Gainesville at the Mountain Kim Martial Arts Center.“Tae kwon do” literally means “the art of kicking and punching” or “the art of unarmed combat.” During the last decade, Kim has had thousands of students, promoted more than 100 black belts, taught physically impaired students and brought families. His youngest student was 3-and-a-half years old and his oldest student was 72.
Coming to the United States when he was 16 and starting his school when he was 20, Kim has seen almost a generation of children pass through his school.
“Today when I go to any public school, I see children that have been in my class at some point,” said Kim. “They never forget.”
Tae kwon do is an enduring life experience. “Many sports are seasonal, but with tae kwon, do the learning and perfecting of techniques can continue throughout a person’s life,” he said.
Many other schools that offer similar programs do not follow traditional tae kwon do philosophies but Kim said the tradition is key at Moutain Kim.
“Bringing the traditional tae kwon do techniques to the United States was important to me,” he said, adding that the number one goal of the Mountain Kim Martial Arts Center is to teach respect and self-confidence.
“Today children live in an ever-changing society and sometimes see poor examples of respect shown for teachers, parents, and their fellow man,” he said. I feel respect is the number one lesson we teach. Even at an early age, children learn to respect each other, higher-ranking belts and their master instructors. And we show our children respect.”
Multiple family members can be seen in every class. Jill and James Christopher of Haymarket have enrolled three of their four boys in Mountain Kim tae kwon do classes. The two older boys, twins named Robert and Daniel, earned their dragon black belt status in 2009. Joseph, their 7-year-old brother, has his brown striped belt and Stephen, the youngest, will start the dream tiger class soon.
“We started the the twin boys in tae kwon do when they were almost 5 years old,” said Jill Christopher. “When they first started, their self-confidence was low, they sometimes wouldn’t look people in the eyes. Today that is not a problem.”
Tae kwon do has major benefits to all age groups, according to Kim. It teaches children respect, discipline, self-confidence, coordination and how to achieve goals. For adults, tae kwon do can not only help with physical fitness but can also relieve stress, increase flexibility, maintain weight control and promote a healthy mind and body.
“Now or never” is Mountain Kim’s motto.
“Today is the day to start” said Kim, stressing that the benefits of tae kwon do can outweigh those of other sports.
The Christopher family agrees.
“Master Kim is very disciplined and teaches the children to be disciplined and respectful,” Jill Christopher said. “Master Kim is strict with the kids but is also gentle while being firm. The children love him.”
Another parent reported that after two years in the school, her child's grades and discipline have improved.
Mountain Kim Martial Arts Center offers classes, after-school programs and summer camps for all ages in Bristow, Gainesville and Bealeton. For details, call 703-753-9595 or visit www.mkteam.us.
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