When people think of martial arts, they think of Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, David Carradine, Jet Li, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Pat Morita, and all the wonderful and cheesy movies we have had over the last forty plus years. People think crazy fight scenes, all the screams as kicks and punches fly across their TV screen during a late-night movie marathon.

The summer Olympics also helps generate a huge level of interest in a variety of sports as kids dream of being the next generation of gold medal winners for the United States. Those things are great, and they generate a lot of interest in learning martial arts, but the time it takes to learn that level of martial arts skills is definitely not something learned overnight, unless you are trained by Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid.

Enter Morris Martial Arts, Hastings number one club for martial arts. Owned by Sam and Dorothy Morris, Morris Martial Arts is a club level training facility for both youth and adults located at 314 Vermillion Street, right next door to Downtown Tire and Auto. The one key distinction between a school and a club is the schools have training available at least five days a week and clubs offer training four days or less each week. Do not let that distinction fool you, both types of owners have the same training and certifications and offer the same courses.

Morris Martial Arts follows the certifications and instructions under the ATA Martial Arts brand, which was founded 55 years ago by Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee. Lee created his own style of Taekwondo known as Songahm Taekwondo, which is todays largest centrally administered martial art.

Taekwondo students learn to perform the physical aspects of martial arts while also learning the key tenants of the mental, emotional and spiritual side of martial arts.  Discipline, honor, self-control, respect, courtesy and perseverance. One of the first things students learn is respect as demonstrated in the bows that students do each time they enter and exit the training facility or training space. They also bow to their instructors as a sign of respect and to say thank you for sharing their knowledge. Some organizations require an additional bow to show respect for the elders and instructors that have come before them.

Becoming a martial artist takes time along with the tenets listed above. The benefits of learning martial arts go beyond the physical. Yes, students learn to punch, kick, and block. The training also builds strength, endurance, flexibility and many more physical attributes, but it also builds the student’s character. Taekwondo is hard, but not in ways you would think. The mental aspect tests your character, and you learn how to push your limits in a positive way. You learn to support and help others and how to accept support. You learn, no matter what your situation, you are not alone. You learn self-defense and most importantly, you learn self-confidence. Martial arts build people up and bring them together, and Morris Martial Arts does that and more.

Members of the club recently travelled to Phoenix, Arizona for the 2024 AAA World Championship. A trip like that encompasses a lot of aspects of martial arts. They have awards for the various schools and clubs, they celebrate individual training accomplishments, and they have a variety of tournaments during the event.

Morris Martial Arts had a surprise waiting for them during one of the awards ceremonies.

“Unbeknownst to us, they had started a new category, and we were told we need to be at an awards ceremony on Friday night,” said Dorothy. “They were giving out the school and club awards and we found out Friday night that we won the ‘Most Competitive Martial Arts Club in the United States.’

That is an impressive award for a club that is around 100 students in size but when you take into account that roughly 50 of the students actively compete, the award supports the club being a mighty one. Along with the club award, Dorothy competed in the combat weapons portion of the tournament for Forth or Fifth Degree Black Belt Women aged 60-69 years old, and she took first place.

“We had four students, myself included, who qualified throughout the competition year as a district champion in the four state area, and now we are competing for World Champion,” explained Dorothy. “They take the cumulative points plus tournament, and so we had one student, Alyssa who qualified in creative forms. Then we had two students qualify in combat weapons. They bring about the top 10 from around the world to compete in this competition. I competed in combat weapons and sparring. So, while the three, they did quite well, but they didn't place. I won my second world title in sparring.”

Morris Martial Arts is always accepting new students from ages three on up. If you would like to give Taekwondo a try, Morris Martial Arts is giving Hastings Journal readers a free trial week just for mentioning that you read the article. Learn more about their club at www.morrismartialartshastings.com or call 651-328-7562.

Editorial Note: As a martial artist myself and having both of my kids in martial arts, I can personally and highly recommend giving martial arts a try. Martial arts had a profound impact on so many aspects of my life growing up and as an adult. I won’t lie and say it is easy because it is not. It takes work and commitment, but it is so amazingly rewarding, fulfilling and fun. It can be hard at times, but it is the kind of hard that, once you get going, you want to overcome. Go, try the class for a week and if you even have a hint of wanting to continue, give it a full month, by then, you will be hooked.