I am not afraid of trying new things: New foods, new activities, and the occasional attempt at new outfit colors are some examples. So when I got an email about Scott Shields' Martial Arts Academy, my interest in a new workout option was peaked. My mind began wandering...Bruce Lee, Kung Fu, Kill Bill...could I be a part of all of this?
A community staple for 18 years now, Scott Shields' Martial Arts Academy is a cutting edge facility that offers a variety of martial arts class in beginner to advanced levels. So when Ashley Nee invited me to a Muay Thai class, I jumped at the opportunity!
A national sport of Thailand, Muay Thai began as a military art form, later developed into a sport, and is today widely known as a kickboxing art. Sometimes referred to as “The Science of 8 Limbs,” Muay Thai uniquely utilizes your arms, legs, elbows and knees, and is a great total-body workout. When I arrived for my class, I was met by a majority male crowd, in a dance-studioesque type space, with Master Scott Shields facing the room with his back to the mirrored front wall. I sat on the floor next to Ashley and observed with excitement & slight anxiety. Master Shields would explain the exercise, demonstrate it, then send us into pairs to practice it for two to three minutes at a time.
I paired up with Ashley, and we were given a pair of gloves and one pair of punch mitts. The punch mitts are like mittens without a thumb separation, and are very padded with a slight curve in the palm area -- this helps to absorb some of the impact of the punches landing in the mitts. We would do the combination of punches and kicks that Master Shields had demonstrated for two to three minutes, then switch sides. It was such a fun workout and definitely a tension-reliever! I can see myself doing Muay Thai after a long day’s work to relieve stress stay fit.
So after kicking some derriere, I sat down with Ashley and Master Shields to learn more about the academy, and Martial Arts as a whole. I learned that Master Shields has 17 Black Belts in different Martial Arts styles including Japanese Jiujitsu, Kempo Karate and Muay Thai just to name a few. His Academy has had several locations around the area, and is now on Matthews-Mint Hill Road here in Charlotte. In 2007, Shields was inducted into the Martial Arts Masters Hall of Fame in Sacramento California, and his knowledge and credibility have garnered him the opportunity to train police officers, defensive tactics teams, the F.B.I, the Secret Service and even S.W.A.T teams!
Originally outlawed in the United States, Muay Thai is becoming more and more popular due to the UFC. Jeet Kun Do is another method of training that has started to surge in popularity in the United States, largely due to Bruce Lee's pioneering of it. “Cross-training” is when a fighter uses multiple expressions of the martial arts. Prior to Lee's cross-training, fighters who used multiple expressions were considered “traitors” to their original style. However nowadays, cross-training is simply a great way to relieve tension and stay fit, and it is offered Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the academy.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a good example of cross-training. It’s a mix of wrestling, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiujitsu and is considered much safer than boxing even though it was outlawed at one point. With boxing, there are 12 rounds and hundreds of punches being thrown over the course of the fight. This can take a serious toll on the body. With MMA, the gloves are smaller and you can “tap out” while still being honorable.
Kids classes at Scott Shields Martial Arts Academy typically range from age four to 11, and are in Muay Thai. The instructors aim to instill discipline in the children, and bridge the gap between the values of traditional Martial Arts and current realistic fighting situations. Competitions are held year-round and though not many female competitors are seen, they are allowed to participate. Ashley competes herself, but said that female fighters are sometimes stuck fighting another female who is in a far different weight class, or may even be forced to fight a male if no other women are competing. If you are interested in learning more about the Scott Shields Martial Arts Academy, their class offerings, rates and/or competitions, visit http://www.scottshieldsma.com/ or call 704-573-3830.
Master Kim’s USK Martial Arts is another academy in the area offering Tang Soo Do, Haedong Kumdo, Hapkido and Brazilian Jiujitsu. A friend of mine, Anthony, is a trainer at the academy, but approached Martial Arts in a non-traditional way. Looking for an activity to keep him physically fit as well as intellectually sharp, Anthony opened up a phone book and discovered Master Kim's USK Martial Arts, one of the oldest "dojang" (training facilities) in the city. Twelve years later, Anthony now teaches Tang Soo Do at Master Kim's academy, and is an expert Martial Artist.
Tang Soo Do is an art form similar to Tae Kwon Do, but is more traditional and less sporty. Haedong Kumdo is a traditional sword style, and Hapkido is a Korean slef-defence that utilizes pressure points and take-downs. Master Kim's school accepts students age three to adult, but the majority of the classes are focused on kids, and the school hosts summer camps and after-school programs. In addition to their Charlotte location, Master Kim has now opened up another location in Fort Mill. For more information about either location, visit http://www.tangsoo.com/ or call 704-540-4224.
In my opinion, discovering and trying new things is a healthy way of living. The world has unfathomable knowledge and luckily, much of that information is available at the tips of our fingers, or at least at the click of a mouse. I’ve learned that in this ever-changing city of Charlotte, there is an abundance of prominent Martial Arts Masters, academies and instructors male and female) that are making a difference in our area. Martial Arts is a fun and proven way to stay fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle. So if you haven’t already, get out and try something new like Martial Arts!
Til next time…
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