Photo By Staff Sgt. Willis Hobbs | Grandmaster Yong Son Yi holds a pad for a student during a class at Camp Casey, South...... read more read more
CAMP CASEY, Republic of Korea – Soldiers from the 210th Field Artillery Brigade attend taekwondo classes at Carey Fitness center on Camp Casey weekly to better themselves by learning a valuable new skill in self-defense, while also finding confidence in themselves.
Taekwondo translates roughly to “the art or way of kicking or punching”, but this is not all that this fighting style is about. Taekwondo originated in Korea and is recognized as one of the oldest forms of martial arts, dating back over 2,000 years. Mostly anyone can learn taekwondo but it takes lots of time and self-discipline to master.
Staff Sgt. Andre Stanley, a Field Artillery Firefinder Radar Operator from 210th FA Brigade, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery has been practicing Taekwondo at Camp Casey under Grandmaster Yong Son Yi for nine months.
“Taekwondo has taught me about self-defense and self-confidence,” said Stanley. “I do plan on continuing my Taekwondo training after I leave South Korea.”
Taekwondo on the surface is just a martial art and self-defense skill, but it can also be a great character builder to improve confidence in one’s self as well as mental fortitude.
“It has taught me to be very confident in myself,” said Stanley. “It teaches self-defense but also helps with leadership skills and being able to teach others.”
Stanley has so far earned his red belt over five months of training. The Taekwondo classes at Carey Fitness Center occur on Mondays, Wednesday and Thursdays and are taught by Grandmaster Yi.
Grandmaster Yi has been practicing Taekwondo for around 40 years and is a master at his craft. Grandmaster Yi’s experience shows through his teaching, you can really tell he has been practicing this skill for a very long time. Yi is very personable with his student and creates a positive atmosphere to learn in.
“Taekwondo is about self-defense but is also about discipline,” said Yi. “With seven or eight months of training you could earn your black belt here.”
Yi explained that doing Taekwondo at Camp Casey is a great opportunity. The classes’ only charge is for uniforms and students will be able to learn a valuable life skill in self-defense as well as bettering themselves physically and mentally.
During a Taekwondo class on 9 Mar, 2022, there were over 13 new students who signed up for Taekwondo classes under Grandmaster Yi. It was refreshing to see so many people interested in learning a new skill and the comradery between all of the students.
| Date Taken: | 03.09.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 04.14.2022 20:58 |
| Story ID: | 417908 |
| Location: | DONGDUCHEON, GYEONGGIDO [KYONGGI-DO], KR |
| Web Views: | 74 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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