Taekwondo: For a Healthy Body AND a Healthy Mind

To be mentally and physically strong, that’s the total package. Having one without the other is fine, but you may be cheating yourself out of experiencing life to its fullest. However it’s not exactly easy to reach the peak of both. There isn’t a universal method for achieving both, but the Lake of the Ozarks offers one method to accomplish this perfect harmony, and it can start you on that road at a very young age—Taekwondo.

Don’t be confused by the brutality that you may see on television. Taekwondo is a beautiful sport. Yes, it’s a style that’s utilized by those in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), and when necessary, can be used to injure another. Those who swear by the sport, though, and understand its deep-seated Korean roots, truly see its use of combat as an art and an instrument to teach discipline and self-confidence.

Rob Howard has owned Howard’s ATA in Osage Beach and Jefferson City for the past 15 years. Just down the road, Tom Leigh runs the Camdenton Black Belt Academy, giving the Lake of the Ozarks two of the best martial arts academies in the state.

Both institutions offer classes for men, women, boys and girls of all ages. Whether you’re a future competitor in Taekwondo, or are looking into an alternative way to stay in shape, martial arts probably can offer what you are looking for.

“As far as adults, I’ve had attorneys, doctors, auto mechanics, you name it. Each person has their own reason for wanting to take Martial Arts,” Tom Leigh explains.

Adults who seek out Taekwondo, or other forms of martial arts, are looking for an escape from the norm. One of the more difficult aspects of sticking to a workout routine is exactly that—it’s a routine. It’s deemed to be a chore. Those who love Taekwondo see it as anything but a chore.

“Fitness programs can be very repetitive,” Howard says. “Lifting weights, jogging and aerobic activities are nothing but repetition. Boring! That’s why martial arts have experienced a tremendous growth in recent years.”

It may come as a surprise to some, but women have become very active in Howard’s ATA Taekwondo classes. The sport offers them a way to tone their bodies in a truly alternative fashion. A high-energy fitness program is also available at Howard’s. It’s called Women’s Fit, and incorporates kickboxing, self-defense techniques and an overall great workout. The class is a great way to get fit while learning some basic self-defense skills. This would not be a group that you’d expect to find on the martial arts competitive circuit, but that’s not the point. If you can help your self-image while having fun, it’s win-win!

“Martial arts puts a much-needed emphasis on flexibility and aerobic training, as well as muscular strength conditioning,” Howard explains. “It takes the boredom out of working out by giving students alternative ways to strengthen their core as well as major muscle groups.”

It’s no secret that physical well-being and fitness becomes more critical as you get older. The process also gets more difficult! This is another area where martial arts, and in particular the teachings of Taekwondo, can lead older adults to multiple benefits.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of keeping your flexibility as the aging process begins taking a toll on your joints,” Howard points out. “The lack of flexibility and a decreased range of motion in joint activity is the source of many injuries older adults experience during
daily activities.”

Lake residents both young and old have been reaping the benefits and singing the praises of Howard’s ATA instructor Jack Shepherd. Shepherd is a nationally certified instructor for the American Taekwondo Association (ATA), a third-degree black belt and a four-time state champion, as well as a bronze medalist in World Championships. Howard’s accomplishments are nothing to scoff at either. He’s a four time world champion in sparring, and this past year was awarded the distinction of Mastership.

Of course Howard, Shepherd and Leigh would brush aside the trophies and championships when emphasizing their most important goal: the development of better people—mentally, physically and maybe even spiritually.

“We have kids (in the classes) that may have problems with schoolwork, or with obedience,” Leigh explains. “It’s important to really listen to each individual, to understand exactly where they’re coming from. I’ve had a lot of these kids who may have started with failing grades (in school). Within a couple months [of starting Taekwondo], their grades are way up to As and Bs.”

This should not be viewed as something out of the ordinary or unusual when talking about martial arts. Mental toughness is required in order to be successful, and usually that mental toughness follows the students wherever life may take them.

“Perseverance is essential in anything we want to achieve in life,” Howard states. “Accomplishing anything great will take time. If it isn’t challenging and doesn’t take time, it usually isn’t that great an accomplishment. Whether our students decide to attend medical school, law school or open their own business, all these things take a tremendous amount of perseverance. Attaining a black belt is no different.”

With lessons of physical and mental perseverance, the third and maybe most important part of the Taekwondo trifecta is safety. Selfdefense is something you hope you never have to use, and most of the students never will. It’s for peace of mind, not something to show off.

“This is not a license to go out and pick on anybody,” Leigh stresses. “This is for self-defense only.” These lessons aren’t for those with a bully complex, but they certainly can be useful for those who might find themselves on the receiving end of a tormenter.

“Bullying is one of the most common reasons parents enroll their kids in our program,” Howard explains. “We see kids lashing out against bullies almost weekly. No parent wants to see their kids being victimized. So we build their confidence and teach them valuable self defense techniques.”

Those are tools you can’t put a price on, no matter who you are. And whether it’s Howard’s ATA or Camdenton Black Belt Academy, there are good people in our area who can teach you the Taekwondo trifecta—a healthy body, a healthy mind and a sense of safety.

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