Reap the many healing benefits of tae kwon do

As a black belt (1st Dan) in the martial art of tae kwon do, I can personally speak to the incredible healing and empowering benefits of martial arts.

As a young woman, I began studying the discipline with one, solitary intention -- to learn self defense. I could have never predicted the other world that this study would open to me; that of self confidence, patience, concentration and empowerment, among many others. My grand master, the inimitable Han Cha Kyo, was a 10th degree black belt under whose tutelage studied the likes of Elvis Presley and Chuck Norris.

But as a humble man, Grand Master Han didn't put much stock into celebrity. For him, the real celebrities were the everyday people, both the well and the handicapped, with whom he doggedly worked on improving their quality of life. Han has long since passed but others carry on the art, and study and teach it with equal dedication.

In Libertyville, the Northshore Academy of Martial Arts has been doing this work for the past decade. Owner and head instructor, Sifu Marc Halleck, 44, of Round Lake Beach holds black belts in Tae Kwon Do, Karate and Jeet Kune Do, to name a few. For this reason, Halleck teaches a mixture of styles, ala Bruce Lee, which include Hapkido, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Kung Fu, as well as more sport and grappling disciplines such as wrestling and boxing.

"We use martial arts to help our students develop themselves physically and mentally," Halleck said. "We prepare them to be outstanding citizens through learning self-respect and respect for others. We strive to help students become positive contributors and winners in anything they are passionate about."

With programs for all ages, Halleck centers on focus, control, memory, balance, discipline, fitness, coordination and teamwork, adjusting his teaching methods to everyone's individual learning capabilities. Students begin at age four and go on through adulthood.

Under Halleck's instructional study, many disabled students benefit as well.

"We have numerous kids with autism, cerebral palsy, ADD and ADHD. This is a great activity for them because it focuses their mind and builds their strength and self-confidence," Halleck said.

For Peg Chartier, 38, of Libertyville, mother of 10-year-old triplets with disabilities, the Northshore Academy of Martial Arts has been a godsend. Two of Chartier's three sons, Spencer and Jackson, were born with cerebral palsy, a condition that permanently affects body movement and muscle coordination. Spencer's condition is more severe, necessitating him to use a walker. Chartier's third son, Corbin was, thankfully, spared from this illness but suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

For the past year, all three brothers have been attending the NSA and have now reached the green belt intermediate level.

"My sons have been at the academy for approximately one year," Chartier said. "In Spencer especially, this has developed into a very positive strength and motion improvement."

While cerebral palsy can't be cured, treatment will often improve a child's capabilities.

"Spencer's legs barely move and one arm doesn't work, so we focus on trying to get his other extremities to work," Halleck said. "Instead of doing kicks we have him raise his knees. We try to get him to do some sit-ups and stretch a little. And for hand techniques we try to have him do them with his good hand."

Halleck and the other instructors even have Spencer work with his walker to teach him to use it as a self-defense tool, if needed. "I have to give it to him, I've had tears in my eyes watching him work," Halleck said.

On Saturday, the Northshore Academy of Martial Arts will hold an open house at their new 6,000-square-foot facility at 281 Peterson Road in Libertyville.

The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include give-aways of free weeks of training, demonstrations and cardio kick boxing performances. For information visit www.nsama.com.