Taekwondo Club: Release Some Midterm Stress
Date 4/11/2002 12:00 AM | Topic: FeaturesThe Luther College Taekwondo Club has many opportunities for the college student who is looking for life beyond the library. It's a great way to meet new people and have a good time, whether you're interested in competing, improving your health, or just blowing off steam.
Taekwondo is a self-defense form that trains the mind and body. The word itself is Korean for "the way of the hand and foot."
Luther's club began in 1985, when Michael Ackerman, now an M.D./Ph.D. pediatric cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic, introduced the club to Luther (he was then a sophomore and second-degree black belt).
Every Friday night, 30 to 40 Luther students gather in the Regents Center dance studio at 5:30, 6:30 or 7:30 p.m., depending on belt rank, for formal classes.
There are also informal practice sessions held on Wednesdays on the tennis courts from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. There, the students can get additional practice or special attention from instructor trainees Sarah Root ('02) and Julie Larson ('02).
Jonathan Bengtson ('03), a recommended first-degree black belt, said he joined the club to meet people and be involved in something new.
"Taekwondo Club has been one of my favorite Luther experiences," he said. "The skills and values I've learned are invaluable, and I'll carry them with me throughout my life."
At the beginner level (white belt), activities start with forms (a prescribed set of motions) and one-steps (pre-sparring).
The belt ranks increase through the following colors: orange, yellow, camouflage, green, purple, blue, brown, red, recommended black and decided black.
At the camouflage level, sparring begins. Participants begin board breaking when they reach brown belt level, and as black belts begin learning weapons.
The Taekwondo Club competes in tournaments several times a year. Tournaments provide a place to test in front of a panel of judges. Root is planning to test for her second-degree decided black belt at the next regional tournament. Bengtson plans to test for his first-degree decided black belt at the tournament.
Participants are divided by age, sex and belt-rank to compete in both sparring and forms. Root said that at the most recent tournament, in Sheldon, Iowa, they "took 11 competitors and brought home 15 trophies."
They've also achieved honors internationally. In 2000, the LCTC was named the SongAhm Taekwondo International Club of the Year.
The students practice under Anna Linnel, a Nationally Certified Instructor of the American Taekwondo Association.
Linnel began her Taekwondo career in 1987 as a community member of the Luther College Taekwondo club. She went on to graduate from Luther and since then has risen to a third-degree black belt.
Root ('02) said that although it is a private club, not affiliated with the college, it is "always in the hands of either a Luther student or Luther grad."
Due to its status as a private club, there is a fee involved to cover costs of instructors, belts, awards and membership into the ATA. The membership includes coverage under ATA's insurance, although Root said that she's never seen any injuries since she's been here.
Taekwondo is good for improving health and balance, having fun, meeting people, and teaching goal-setting and self-confidence. According to the LCTC handbook, it also increases flexibility, power, endurance and improves memory.
As Root pointed out, it is also an especially effective stress release.
"You can punch and kick and yell and it's okay because everyone else is doing it too," she commented.
As spring approaches, more and more students find themselves stuck in a study-rut. Luther College Taekwondo may be just what they've been looking for.
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Britany Miller
Staff Writer
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