Chan Lee, of J.K. Lee Tae Kwon Do Academies, explains that real world martial arts are very similar to martial arts as presented in the movies - but even better!
An old and wise martial arts master taking a young child under his special charge is a relationship we're all familiar with. It drives the plot in the original Karate Kid (1984), and the remake, which opened recently.
Mentoring is a prominent theme in martial arts schools, largely because students work their way through a progression of levels under the tutelage of teachers and trainers who have ascended in similar fashion.
According to Chan Lee, who operates five J.K. Lee Tae Kwon Do Academies in metro Milwaukee, our whole organization is based upon this mentoring model. It is a wonderful dynamic. And just like in Hollywood, magic is made when a special teacher and a special student come together.
Lee's father, Grandmaster Jae Kyu Lee, had largely retired from teaching when a prospective family came through the door. The parents were looking to enroll their youngest son, Aaron, in the program.
The couple brought their older son, Evan, along, too. But 11-year-old Evan had cerebral palsy, a condition that contorted his legs made all the muscles in his body rigid. He needed canes, a walker or a wheelchair to move. It was difficult for him to walk unassisted, let alone kick, punch or perform the rigorous katas, or patterns of Tae Kwon Do.
Chan extended an open invitation for everyone in the family to attend a class. That's when Grandmaster Lee looked at Evan and saw past his disabilities. What he saw was a fighter.
I could see in his face he was a boy who would never give up. For 18 months, twice a week as regular as clockwork, Lee and Evan have been working together. Lee massages the boy's legs, loosens his muscles and starts their training regimen. When Evan falls, Lee matter-of-factly tells him to get up and keep going.
On their own, each of them has a resolution that is remarkable. My father came to this country and has become one of the most successful Korean martial artists ever. And Evan is so tough, he doesn't let anything stand in his way. Together, they're an inspiration for all of us. They're unstoppable.
Today Evan has earned his high purple belt, and the two set regular goals that Evan must accomplish. Dancing at the Christmas party, once an unimaginable achievement, is a happy memory for both Evan and Grandmaster Lee. So is his dream of walking unassisted, which he does regularly around the Academy.
Chan father's relationship with Evan has brought the best in all of us. For all of us here, Evan is our Karate Kid. He's the real deal.
Manage Bullying is a forum that brings together a dynamic group of experts to offer insights and solutions on the subject of verbal abuse and harassment. This group strongly believes the same verbal tactics that keep police officers safe on the streets can be applied to the home, workplace and school. Members of the group advocate the communications technique called Tactical Communications/Verbal Judo (www.verbaljudo.com) and the Verbal Self Defense - Youth Program (www.verbaldefensecourse.com). J.K. Lee Black Belt Academies are located in Brookfield, Germantown, Fox Point, Pewaukee and Waukesha, Wisconsin. For information, contact Lee at (262) 783-5131 or visit www.jkleeblackbelt.com.
An old and wise martial arts master taking a young child under his special charge is a relationship we're all familiar with. It drives the plot in the original Karate Kid (1984), and the remake, which opened recently.
Mentoring is a prominent theme in martial arts schools, largely because students work their way through a progression of levels under the tutelage of teachers and trainers who have ascended in similar fashion.
According to Chan Lee, who operates five J.K. Lee Tae Kwon Do Academies in metro Milwaukee, our whole organization is based upon this mentoring model. It is a wonderful dynamic. And just like in Hollywood, magic is made when a special teacher and a special student come together.
Lee's father, Grandmaster Jae Kyu Lee, had largely retired from teaching when a prospective family came through the door. The parents were looking to enroll their youngest son, Aaron, in the program.
The couple brought their older son, Evan, along, too. But 11-year-old Evan had cerebral palsy, a condition that contorted his legs made all the muscles in his body rigid. He needed canes, a walker or a wheelchair to move. It was difficult for him to walk unassisted, let alone kick, punch or perform the rigorous katas, or patterns of Tae Kwon Do.
Chan extended an open invitation for everyone in the family to attend a class. That's when Grandmaster Lee looked at Evan and saw past his disabilities. What he saw was a fighter.
I could see in his face he was a boy who would never give up. For 18 months, twice a week as regular as clockwork, Lee and Evan have been working together. Lee massages the boy's legs, loosens his muscles and starts their training regimen. When Evan falls, Lee matter-of-factly tells him to get up and keep going.
On their own, each of them has a resolution that is remarkable. My father came to this country and has become one of the most successful Korean martial artists ever. And Evan is so tough, he doesn't let anything stand in his way. Together, they're an inspiration for all of us. They're unstoppable.
Today Evan has earned his high purple belt, and the two set regular goals that Evan must accomplish. Dancing at the Christmas party, once an unimaginable achievement, is a happy memory for both Evan and Grandmaster Lee. So is his dream of walking unassisted, which he does regularly around the Academy.
Chan father's relationship with Evan has brought the best in all of us. For all of us here, Evan is our Karate Kid. He's the real deal.
Manage Bullying is a forum that brings together a dynamic group of experts to offer insights and solutions on the subject of verbal abuse and harassment. This group strongly believes the same verbal tactics that keep police officers safe on the streets can be applied to the home, workplace and school. Members of the group advocate the communications technique called Tactical Communications/Verbal Judo (www.verbaljudo.com) and the Verbal Self Defense - Youth Program (www.verbaldefensecourse.com). J.K. Lee Black Belt Academies are located in Brookfield, Germantown, Fox Point, Pewaukee and Waukesha, Wisconsin. For information, contact Lee at (262) 783-5131 or visit www.jkleeblackbelt.com.
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