Owner Brian Johnson instructs brothers Drew (middle) and Dale Murphy during a workout at Johnson’s academy. Craig Murphy/For The Olympian
Martial arts instruction thriving
Classes appeal to South Sound youth, adults
CRAIG MURPHY
FOR THE OLYMPIAN
LACEY – Ten-year-old Robby Snyder is one of a growing number of people who are learning karate and other martial arts.
Robby’s mother, Marlean, enrolled him three years ago in a class at The Academy of Brian Johnson Karate and Fitness in Lacey.
“Robby got started because he had a bully issue,” Marlean said. “We got Robby started so he could defend himself. He’s done all of it. He’s learned quite a bit in three years. It’s all about confidence for him.”
Marlean said Robby has learned more than self-defense.
“This has taught him an enormous amount of respect,” Marlean added. "You have to have respect for yourself and your teammates with karate. They don’t mess with my child now. But he doesn’t go around bragging about it.
“Brian teaches that you don’t use it unless it’s a last resort, and you don’t brag about it.”
Johnson, 39, is a six-time World Sport Karate champion, a sixth-degree black belt in Shito-Ryu karate and a member of the United States Sport Karate Team.
At his gym at 3707 College St. in Lacey, Johnson teaches a couple of forms of karate, Shaolin Kenpo, Muay Thai and aerobic cardio kickboxing, boxing, submission grappling/JuJitsu and applied self-defense. Edit: Just missing some Shaolin Gung-Fu and you’re set!
Several other gyms around South Sound offer similar classes.
There are notable differences in older forms of martial arts and newer forms such as Muay Thai kickboxing, Johnson noted. Edit: Muay Thai is a newer form of martial art now?
“In Muay Thai, you drive through the kick,” he said. “You use the shin and leg. It is definitely a more aggressive form. Muay Thai and submission grappling are the most realistic types of martial art out there.”
Johnson said an advantage to kickboxing such as the Muay Thai form is usefulness in the real world for self-defense.
“Muay Thai and kickboxing is more applicable,” Johnson said. “They can be used in a street situation to defend yourself. The traditional ones are more for structure and discipline.” Edit: Haha! Stop doing kata so much and spar instead.
Johnson, a former reserve with the Tumwater Police Department, said police agencies find martial arts training useful.
“Muay Thai and grappling are taught here to law-enforcement (personnel),” Johnson said.
Robby Snyder isn’t old enough to be in law enforcement yet, but he said he enjoys the training he has received.
“I probably like sweeps the best,” said Robby, who leads his class in stretches. “That’s where you take people down. I will do this until I get a black belt.”
Caleb Shoemaker, 9, has been practicing moves for more than a year and often does sweeps with Snyder. “I probably like the sweeps, like him,” Shoemaker said. “I also like Sets 1 through 5, which is a variety of moves.”
Arielle Roy, 17, has been in martial arts since she was 6. She takes classes at Johnson’s academy and teaches karate.
“I liked the tradition and discipline involved with martial arts,” Roy said. “This was still traditional, but also more lenient with the newer forms. Muay Thai is a totally different style. I enjoyed getting such an extreme. I like different aspects of each.”
Jason Swan, 20, said he remembers watching martial arts movies as a child. He teaches kickboxing at Johnson’s academy and takes lessons as well.
“It is very old, and very rich in history,” Swan said. “It’s so honest, with the straightforwardness of the technique.”
Johnson said he doesn’t teach martial arts to those who want to do harm. Rather, he focuses on those with better intentions.
“A lot of adults want to learn to protect themselves, and to get in good shape,” Johnson said. “It has been growing. Muay Thai is at an all-time high right now.” Edit: I wonder why? :5dunce:
The 400 students at Johnson’s academy range in age from 4 to 61.
“Many of the adults feel embarrassed and awkward at first,” Johnson said. "They work their way slowly through the process. The amount of time depends on the individual.
“Everybody within a six-month period has learned enough to be able to defend themselves, since their hands and feet are coming together. They get to the point where they’re not having to think about it, since it is happening automatically.”
Original article and more pictures at:
http://www.theolympian.com/home/news/20050301/sportssection/97334.shtml