COLFAX – “Wax on, right hand. Wax off, left hand. Wax on, wax off.”
When people hear the words martial arts, they typically think of someone in a ninja outfit armed with nunchucks beating up a gang of delinquents to the tune of Carl Douglas’ hit single, “Kung Fu Fighting.”
But similarly to Mr. Miyagi’s famous lessons from the 1984 film, “The Karate Kid,” there is more to martial arts than meets the eye.
“It is like a family,” said 15-year-old Kaylee Sartell, a second-degree black belt at Martial Arts America Colfax Branch. “It has such a great family feel to it.”
Despite its size, Colfax is home to two schools of the Korean martial art, taekwondo. Although both schools teach a variety of different high-flying kicks and self defense moves, the dojangs’ instructors value one thing — family.
“These kids are like family. We talk to their parents a lot. If they have an issue, they talk to us about it,” Dino Kostes, the head instructor of the Colfax Tae Kwon Do Club said. “In today’s society, mom and dad both work. Sometimes, they don’t have as much discipline at home because their parents are busy and they are at home by themselves.”
From celebrating birthdays to checking if their students are keeping up with their school work, Kostes and Donna Bucklin, the head instructor of the Martial Arts America Colfax Branch, provide an extra support system to their students. Through their lessons, the instructors teach their pupils the importance of discipline, patience and respect.
“(My son) has some anger issues. We wanted to help him focus in a different area,” William Sliger said. “He does really well in class and he has also done better with focus in school and at home.”
Sliger’s 12-year-old son, Lane, has been taking classes at Martial Arts America Colfax Branch since September. The orange belt said he enjoys learning new techniques and testing for a new belt.
“It was confusing on my first day of class. It was kind of hard to figure out what to do,” Lane said. “I feel confident now. It feels good to know all the moves. (Bucklin) is a good teacher.”
According to the students, the lessons they learn in taekwondo class impact all aspects of their lives.
“It teaches you respect,” 13-year-old Rory Heer, a red/black belt at Colfax Tae Kwon Do Club, said. “It is more than just self defense. It teaches you responsibility, manners, and how to keep your clothes clean and folded. Respect is a lot of it.”
In addition to the lifelong values learned in class, the students said they are in a safe environment where they can be themselves, learn new things and most importantly, have fun.
“One time I jumped and when I landed, my foot slipped and I face-planted,” Rory’s 11-year-old sister and green belt at Colfax Tae Kwon Do Club, Reyna said. “It was kind of fun, but it hurt a little bit.”
To further reinforce the lessons they teach in class, the instructors encourage parents to not just watch the class, but to participate.
“I have parents doing it with children. I have an aunt doing it with nephews,” Bucklin said. “My granddaughter is doing it with me. It is something the family can totally get involved in.”
With enough time and a lot of hard work, enrollees can earn the legendary black belt while learning some important life lessons along the way.
“Mr. Kostes always says, ‘a black belt is a white belt that never quits.’ That’s the truth,” Rory said. “You don’t have to be Bruce Lee, you just have to continue to work and give your full effort.”
Anyone who wishes to take taekwondo classes can enroll at either dojang.
Colfax Tae Kwon Do Club classes taught by Kostes are offered from 1 to 2:30 p.m. every Sunday at Colfax-Mingo Elementary School, 20 W. Broadway St. For more information, call 515-554-7932.
Martial Arts America Colfax Branch classes taught by Bucklin are offered every Monday and Thursday at Howard Street Christian Church, located at the intersection of Division and Locust streets. For more information, call 515-674-3746.
Contact Anthony Victor Reyes at areyes@jaspercountytribune.com