December 7, 2009
by Matt Laguardia | Staff Writer
Photo by Randy Briggs
Take stance, bow, begin. Students who hear these directions have come into a new physical education class: taekwondo.
This physical education course differs from traditional courses because it emphasizes discipline and respect toward others, from the marital arts’ tradition of respecting one’s opponent in combat.
“This class is really different than other P.E. classes because students learn more discipline,” says Jang-Ha Oh, a black belt who has taught the marital art course since 2002 when he first came to City College, but has studied the discipline since 1984. “It is a more Oriental styled class where students learn that they must bow before they enter class and they must bow when they end class.”
Oh says when he first came to City College, he noticed the campus did not have a martial arts program like American River College had. He now leads both first-time students and returning students.
“I grew up around martial arts,” says student Rachel Sharp, a liberal arts major. “My grandpa used to be a teacher, so it has been around my life for a while. I was interested in taking this class because I used to take classes late at night and I wanted to learn how to protect myself.”
Taekwondo has been around for more than 500 years. Originating in Korea, taekwondo is a self-defense martial arts program where students learn how to protect themselves in certain situations.
Student skill levels range in this class from beginner to more advanced. Some have a black belt outside of the class.
Students say this class teaches them defense, and they enjoy taking it because they want to learn something new. Student Cameron Schmitt, computer information science major, says that the class brings back memories from his youth, and that’s why he enjoys it.
“I learn how to defend myself,” Schmitt says. “I was interested in this class because I used to take kung fu at the YMCA and this brought back memories.”
Connect with us!