Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2012 08:36:37 -0500
From: “William \”Chip\” Pate”
Subject: Rodriguez of Staley awarded black belt
Liberty student awarded black belt in winter ceremony
SILER CITY, N.C. — Logan Rodriguez of Staley was awarded a black belt last month, when South Eastern Karate Association held its quarterly promotion exams.
The belt and certificate were presented by Master Instructor Peggy Jolly, a seventh-degree black belt, or Seventh Dan, who owns the school and has been teaching martial arts in Siler City for three decades.
Rodriguez, a 13-year-old who trains at the branch school in Liberty, received the rank of First Dan Junior, a designation for new black belts under age 18. It’s a training process that lasts almost four years and teaches essential skills for self-defense.
Once students become black belts, their training continues, shifting from learning new kicks and punches to using those basic skills more effectively in various situations.
Training for all students, no matter what their rank, includes forms — choreographed patterns of techniques that help martial artists develop their skills, including balance and mental focus. Rodriguez says he particularly enjoys practicing forms — though he has no favorite — as well as the crescent-jump-crescent kick, one kick followed by a jump, turn and second kick while still in the air.
But physical skills aren’t the only thing students learn on their way to a black belt. Rodriguez says he’s also developed self-discipline, something that helps him at school. It takes many forms, from something as simple as saying “yes, ma’am” to maintaining mental focus and control of your body in a busy setting.
Master Jolly says parents and school teachers appreciate the self-discipline and respect for manners that martial arts teaches. On the other hand, it’s not something that can be developed in just a few hours of karate each week.
“It has to be a team effort with the student, karate instructor and parents working together,” Jolly explains. “As a karate school, we try to encourage the parents to learn all they can about martial arts discipline and how important it is for their children to train regularly.
“Over time, our students improve and excel in martial arts and in school. But it’s most effective when parents and students understand that martial arts training is a discipline, not merely an exercise class.”
Classes are held in Siler City on Tuesdays and Thursdays — with one class primarily for children from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and another class primarily for adults from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Liberty classes are Mondays and Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Details are available at southeasternkarate.com.
South Eastern Karate Association has taught Korean martial arts in central North Carolina since 1982 to men and women from 5-years-old to well past retirement age. Schools in Siler City and Liberty feature instruction in self-defense and emphasize confidence, physical fitness and self-discipline.