Kiski  News

Volume XXXIV

Number III 

More Than Just Kick and Punch

by MICK NARDELLI Staff Reporter

Tae Kwon Do is a sport, an art of defense, and for some of the students here at Kiski, it is a way of life. Our Tae Kwon Do class, consisting of eighteen people, works hard and pushes themselves to the absolute extreme five days a week. Our goal is simple: complete control of the body and mind. Our instructor, Mr. Philip Ameris, has been studying the art for many years, and turned professional at age sixteen. He is a pupil of the Korean National Champion of 1962, Master Hee II Cho, who is an eighth degree black belt in the art.

Many people do not understand the full concept of Tae Kwon Do, and this dissuades people from entering into the world of the martial arts. Tae, meaning fist, Kwon meaning foot, and Do, meaning art or way of, combines into one of the oldest forms of martial arts still being practiced. It was founded by Korean General Choi-Hong-Hi, and has been around for about 1900 years.

There is much more to Tae Kwon Do than the name translates. Many people think that it is learning to punch and kick, but this is a huge misconception. The art consists of self-defense, physical conditioning, building endurance, and most importantly, discipline. It seems like every time someone mentions martial arts, people automatically picture some movie star kicking twelve guys at once and walking away unharmed. Well, let me tell you, it doesn't work that way in the real world.

Due to the fact that Tae Kwon Do was founded by a Korean general, there is an easy explanation of why we say, "Yes Sir!". The main reason for this is that it shows respect to the instructor, and it shows discipline on the part of the student. Everything in Tae Kwon Do revolves around these two types of obedience, respect and discipline.

Now we get to the actual class. Many people have asked us if it is hard and if we enjoy it, etc. Well the answer for most of us is yes. The classes are extremely hard on some days and then on other days just very difficult. Mr. Ameris has devised a schedule certain to get us in better condition while learning the art. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, we work our bodies "to the max." We push and push ourselves in such exercises as knuckle push-ups, leg raises, and squat kicks. And on those days when it's possible, we go out on a little stroll around campus, stopping at various places to perform some conditioning exercises. On Tuesdays and Thursdays we put most of the emphasis on our fighting skills. We work out with pads and later in the class we spar with partners. And if we are really feeling good, we choose to spar with Mr. Ameris. There are also days devoted to learning how to get out of threatening situations.

We have been honored to meet Mr. Ameris' first instructor, Father Connelly. He is a seventh degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and a fourth degree black belt in Aeikedo, another form of martial arts. Mr. Ameris also has brought some of his students to train with us.

Altogether our class is extremely enjoyable, with a few little twists thrown into them. By the end of the winter term, we will be prepared to test for our yellow belts, and with the way things look, by this time next year many will be trying for green belts.