Daily Pioneer News

University of Wisconsin-Platteville students participate in, clockwise from top left, Aikido, Tang Soo Do, kickboxing and Taekwondo.

PLATTEVILLE- For anyone looking to strengthen their body and their mind, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville offers four martial arts clubs and a class. Aikido, Tang Soo Do, Taekwondo and kickboxing offer different workouts for students and faculty of all experience levels.

Each martial art differs from the next in style and technique, but all are similar in that they teach self-defense, control and development of the mind and body.

Aikido, the oldest of the UWP martial arts clubs, is a grappling type of martial art. Originating in Japan, Aikido uses pushing and extending moves that blend with the motion of the attacker and redirect the force of the attack instead of fighting the attacker directly. Sometimes, wooden sticks are used as weapons. The techniques require little physical energy. Aikido focuses on controlled relaxation, flexibility and endurance.

"Aikido is a really good stress reliever. It's good exercise and there's a lot of camaraderie," said Ben Schmidt, a senior in history and Aikido member.

Aikido meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 to 10 p.m. in Room 200 of the Pioneer Activity Center. Theresa Waugh serves as the instructor.

Tang Soo Do originates in Korea. The techniques consist of open hand and foot fighting and techniques with weapons. The other half of Tang Soo Do is a philosophy for living. It is a way of life and path to follow.

"As you learn the techniques and how to fight, it builds your confidence," said Michael Johanek, a senior in engineering physics and Tang Soo Do member.

Tang Soo Do meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Room 200 in the PAC. Dan Vorwald, a UWP alumnus, serves as instructor.

Taekwondo also has its origins in Korea and places emphasis on kicking techniques. It develops strength, speed, flexibility, balance and stamina.

"It's a complete body and mind workout," said Brooke Ogden, a junior student and Taekwondo member.

Taekwondo is instructed by student member LengLai Lee. It meets from 8:30 to 10 p.m. in Room 200 in the PAC.

Kickboxing is a striking full contact sport that uses martial arts style kicks and boxing style punches to defeat an opponent. American kickboxing was adopted from Japanese kickboxing and uses a point system. The UWP Kickboxing Club is instructed by experienced members.

"I love it. I wish we had more practices. It's a fun, competitive contact sport," said Bobby Burken, a freshman in reclamation and kickboxing member.

All four clubs do spar, but implement a high level of safety and control. Members practice techniques on each other, but do not use full force.

"We like each other. We don't want to hurt each other," said Kevin Dreger, a senior in computer science and business and Taekwondo member.

"We emphasize control. You can't go full power. Control is emphasized in any martial art. It's actually harder to control your movements than to go full force. We also emphasize focus and concentration. The moves become reflex," said Vorwald.

The members of all four clubs stated they have formed friendships from being involved. Outside of practice, members in all four clubs have movie nights and just hang out with each other. Recently, the groups began to collaborate, with members joining more than one martial arts group and coming together for events and practices.

Ross Foley, president of Aikido and kickboxing, initiated the collaboration. "I have been practicing on campus for four years and I have to say it's been a very fulfilling and humbling experience. All I wanted to do was try and bring those people who shared my passion together so that we might take something from each other's personalities and experiences," said Foley. "It is my last year on campus and I want to leave all of the programs in a little better shape they I found them in. They have helped me so much that I want everyone to discover what inner potential lies hidden within themselves."

Recently, Aikido and Taekwando hosted guest instructor, Dennis Meyer, a black belt in Taekwando from Black Earth. He taught the group basic punches and a kick move and how to avoid punches and return a punch. The group also did some board breaking.

"It was a really good group. They were very focused, well received and respectful. It was a good experience. I'm sure I'll do it again," said Meyer.

Anyone wanting more information about the marital arts groups may contact Foley at foleyr@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Ross Foley, president, Aikido, Kickboxing, foleyr@uwplatt.edu Written by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu