By Jade Glen
If your little tacker is a little ninja, Tae Kwon Do might be the perfect outlet for them.
Little Tikes, the class for under-five-year-olds at Pakenham Tae Known Do, offers similar size-appropriate challenges as seen on the hugely popular Australian Ninja Warrior.
Pakenham Tae Kwon Do is a long established martial arts school started by former policeman James Heenan in 1999.
The club has grown from its original incarnation as a class at the Fitness Factory to a large school of dedicated students, with something to offer everyone from kindergarten to senior years.
James is a fifth-dan black belt who has practiced Tae Kwon Do for 30 years.
“I invented Little Tikes and it is essentially an obstacle course – it teaches them balance, focus, some hand-eye co-ordination, with a really fun atmosphere,” Mr Heenan said.
“They learn how to bow, sit and count in Korean. It’s only $8 for the half an hour and they really run ragged.”
Mr Heenan said the sport was suited to students of all abilities.
“We have students with behavioural problems, with learning disorders, intellectual or physical disabilities. You name it, we’ve had it. I think about half of the black belt honour board (would fall in to this category).
“Often they come along to Tae Kwon Do and the changes are amazing. I’ve had students that have come in for the first time and have hidden in the toilet – we’ve worked with them and now they’ve been at the club for four or five years.”
Mr Heenan said the school, known as a Dojang, practiced a traditional style of Tae Kwon Do that focused on the core values of the martial art.
“It’s a bit of philosophy, essential life skills, and it is more based on development through the ranks and achieving a black belt than tournaments and competitions.”
The Dojang also has many female devotees of the sport.
“It is high intensity, high kicks, a lot of leg work, running and jumping. It’s great toning,” Mr Heenan said.
“It’s a very friendly environment, and everyone really becomes friends with their fellow students. Their whole focus becomes wanting to be a black belt and be recognised. It’s not an attendance course, you don’t just hand them out. To get a black belt is a big thing.”
The strict training environment also encourages discipline and self-restraint.
“You learn how not to pull the trigger. And that helped me when I was a policeman, that helped me in life, and I’ve passed on that ideal to my students,” Mr Heenan said.
“We are custodians of the art, and it’s my job to pass it on.”
