Getting a Kick Out of Martial Arts
By Shaun Sittinger

    Martial arts have gained much popularity in America in recent years.  People of all ages have been becoming interested in learning the ancient Asian ways of self-defense and of thinking. Movie star martial artists such as Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and Jackie Chan have significantly contributed to the increased popularity of martial arts in America.

    Martial arts is a broad term that includes many different cultural and traditional styles of self defense, often with origins in China, Japan, and Korea. Various martial arts styles, such as kung fu, kenpo, tae kwon do, and jujitsu, reflect the art and culture of the civilization from which they came. These styles were often formed by the villagers in Asia in order to defend themselves against invaders, using their hands and feet along with any available objects or farm tools that they had, including the nunchukas. Later, weapons such as sais and Chinese broad swords came into use. 

    While martial arts began primarily as a means of self-defense, it also became an art form, which is shown in the accompanying philosophies, katas, and fancier techniques used for self-defense.  Some styles have even progressed through observing and learning from other creatures such as tigers, monkeys, and praying mantises.

    True martial arts are a means of self-defense, not of fighting. Martial arts should be used only as a last resort in order to avoid unnecessary violence, and it is never to be used for showing off through bullying and attacking others.

Learning martial arts results in many benefits such as increased coordination, strength, focus, discipline, self-respect, and self-confidence. It is a hobby that is healthy and constructive mentally as well as physically.

Explaining some of the benefits that she has gained, 14-year-old Green Belt Ashley Dong happily stated,

I feel that I’m a better individual by helping others. I’ve also made some really good friends here.

Like many other students, she generously volunteers to help teach others martial arts at K.O.. The resulting self-confidence and self-respect creates a person who does not need to bully, show off, or join a gang in order to feel confident or strong.

Frank Santos, also a Green Belt student (at the time of this article) with much experience and knowledge, brilliantly described that,

Martial arts enhance the idea of personal growth through learning. Studying martial arts helps you to be able to carry yourself well physically and mentally by developing a healthy mental demeanor that other people can perceive, but not always understand, that earns their respect.

This shows that besides earning belts and competing in tournaments, there are many goals that are related to self-improvement and applying what one has learned to one’s daily lives. Blue Belt Stacey Glavinos joyfully commented,

I have learned that I can achieve and do a lot more than I thought I could when I started.

There are many different aspects to marital arts and to K.O. that students enjoy. Ashley Dong excitedly explained,

I like teaching the little kids because it is fun and they’re really cute, and I also really like the instructors and enjoy instructor training.

Stacey Glavinos agreed that at K.O.,

The students and instructors are very helpful and willing to help you improve, and are not intimidating since they are supportive rather than competitive against you.

This is a huge variety of different aspects and skills of martial arts that one can learn. Twelve-year-old 3^rd Degree Brown Belt Kazia Sticklinski cheerfully commented,

I like kickboxing and using the different weapons, such as the nunchukas and the staff.

One of the reasons many students enjoy K.O. is because there is a family atmosphere here. Many entire families learn martial arts together. 7-year-old Purple Belt Kacie Dong explained that she wanted to start learning martial arts because “I saw my sister (Ashley) learning martial arts and I got interested in it.”

When asked what her favorite aspect of K.O. and martial arts is, Kacie enthusiastically stated

I like everything!!