Martial artists offer free classes in Gurnee

Wearing the black jacket and colored belt, most white and yellow, the students stand before their teachers.

They listen carefully to instructions. No one makes a sound when the teachers are talking. When asked to, they respond to their teachers with "yes sir."

But when given the chance, the room is no longer quiet. There is the loud thud of punches as a boy repeatedly punches the pads held by his teacher. Across the room, a girl yells as her kick reaches its target.

These young men and women who enter the Gurnee studio are learning Korean martial arts. But not only the movements - they are also learning to respect authority, discipline and, for many, self-confidence.

And they are doing it all for free.

This was the vision carried out by Jonathan Kness, a Waukegan resident who, after years of martial arts experience, wanted to give back and offer that opportunity to Lake County families.

"It's not about making a dollar. It's about making a difference," he said.

Kness, who first took martial arts classes as a child, said he missed it as an adult and wanted to return. Looking online for a martial arts instructor, he met Timothy Seitz, who teaches martial arts at McHenry County College. He asked Seitz if he would be willing to teach him again.

"I loved it so much as a child. I still had a passion for it," said Kness, who has a first-degree black belt. "It was a natural, obvious choice."

Wanting to share that passion with others, Kness decided to open a martial arts studio with Seitz. The school, called Kuk Sool Won, opened in February.

Kness, 36, who runs a technology services firm in Waukegan, said financially he could foot the bill for awhile. His goal was to make an impact in the community and give people the opportunity to empower themselves regardless of their ability to pay.

"At first, we thought about charging the students, but I thought it's not about that for me. I do ok," he said. "When we start to teach, we get to see these kids grasp, comprehend and grow."

Corporate sponsorships and donations help fund the classes, which started with four students and has grown to 15. Donations particularly are appreciated as he expects word-of-mouth continues to help the classes grow.

"It's not asked for, but it is much appreciated," Kness said.

Seitz said they see students as young as 6 years old up to middle-age adults, and that's what they want.

"We want to open our doors to everybody, regardless of any athletic skill or background in martial arts or socio-economic status or any other identification," said Seitz, 45, who lives in Palatine. "We've had some yellow belts make great progress and we see students walk in the first day today."

For an hour, three days a week, the students see structure, Kness said. He adds with a laugh, there is no goofing off.

"There is discipline. You watch when the students say 'yes sir' or 'no ma'am.' We want that to carry over as much as we can to the home life," he said. "We're here to learn. We're here to pay attention. But we're here to have fun, too."

Seitz explains the class encompasses a wide range of movements. They do not burn out learning only kicks, punches and sweeps.

"There is so much variation, so they are never bored. They can come three days a week and enjoy the class," Kness said.

Andrew Davis, 14, of Gurnee heard about the class from a friend. While he's participated in only four classes so far, he said he's learned a lot, including precision and discipline.

"Learning all these things is fun for me. I don't do this stuff in my daily life, or ever," Davis said.

Kness said he hopes the techniques the children are learning will be implanted in their brain so if they are ever attacked by someone, they will know immediately what to do to escape.

"The way I win a fight is to get home safe," Seitz said. "We always have the mindset that my goal is not to hurt you for the sake of hurting you."

It is stressed this is not a place where they will learn to fight. Seitz said they are learning a combat system, but what's more important to recognize is traditional martial arts is a holistic approach to health.

"I'm learning to protect myself against literal violence but, more importantly, I'm staying healthy, flexible, building strength, coordination, balance and being mindful of the way I interact with others," he said. "Those are the values of doing traditional martial arts."

One of the biggest things Kness said he gained from learning martial arts is confidence. He hopes students will develop this, too. He shares a story about a 9-year-old girl who came to the studio. She has gained so much self-confidence, he said, that she now helps lead the class.

"Tell me that is not beautiful," Kness said.

Among the students who come to the studio are Jonathan's wife, Karen, and 10-year-old daughter, Ainsley.

"I was a little puzzled by it at first, but I got into the swing of it. I like it a lot now," Ainsley said. "I just enjoy meeting all the other people who are here and I enjoy the activities we do. I like using the equipment a lot, but when he says we're going to do cardio, I say, 'oh no.'"

Kness said he offers this class for free, but he and his family are benefiting just as much.

"I'm getting back into shape. I'm exercising every day. My wife is exercising every day. My daughter is exercising every day," he said.

And, Kness said, he does not worry if his daughter will be ok if someone tries to hurt her.

"It's confidence for her, but as a parent it makes me feel so much more sure to know she is going to be ok," he said. "If she is not, she is going to scare someone to death."

Martial arts, Kness explained, is a lifelong journey.

"You can come (to classes) as often as you want. You can go forever. It's the thing you can do from the time you're 6 until you are 600," he said.

For information, contact Kness at (847) 404-5381 or jkness@wiil.com.