Yuen's in Maple Ridge News - Character Development Program

January 27, 2009 - Maple Ridge News

You get a double punch at Yuen’s. One, a complete martial arts program with a foundation in Taekwondo. Two, an educational component where students learn life values, like building leadership skills and confidence and developing respect for themselves and others. Camaraderie, empathy and integrity are just a few of the values that children learn about in their daily mat chats in their POWerful words program.

Owners Perry and Karen Bateson opened Yuen’s Institute of Taekwondo 13 years ago and now offer over 75 classes per week in two studios, providing students with a variety of training times to accommodate families in today’s busy environment.

“As a character development centre,” Karen says, “our focus is on developing strong life skills. We treat all our students as individuals. Everyone comes to martial arts for a different reason and we try to meet each of our students’ needs on a personal basis.”

Yuen’s is family oriented. There are not many activities where parents can train right along side their children. Parents are also encouraged to watch the high-energy, action-packed classes and sit in on the daily mat chats, which are a large part of the character development program. All Yuen’s instructors have their black belts and a minimum of four years training experience, and are highly trained to teach skills specific and appropriate to each age group. Also part of the staff is Dr. Robyn Silverman, child development specialist who provides consultation and programs. Dr. Robyn plays a major role in the character development program that Yuen’s offers. There are several entry-level programs, starting with Little Dragons. This program is designed for children four years old.

“We teach skills that are age specific and age appropriate to their development,” says Perry.

For that reason, the Little Dragons program is taught in a format that centres on fun and games and teaching children to take turns, listen and follow instructions, share and care about their peers. The next level is Junior Ninjas (5-6 years old), in which emphasis is put on appropriate behaviour, respect, focus and concentration, listening and learning. Stranger danger is also a large part of this program. In the Junior Black Belt program, students seven and eight begin to learn more specific martial arts forms and skills. Included in this program is bully awareness, playground self-defence and stranger self-defence.

In the main program, (7 and up) students progress through the different coloured belts in a non-intimidating environment. Taekwondo students range in age from seven to 82-year-old black belt Peter Rogers, who also teaches a weekly seniors’ class at the studio. Perry’s focus on teaching is to build students self-respect and confidence so they are equipped to make responsible life choices and become contributing members of our community.

“When [the kids] gain self-respect and they gain self-confidence they don’t have the need to act violently,” he says. “There’s too much violence in the world today, so to teach in an environment that promotes peace and resolution is really important to us.”

Yuen’s also offers adult-based programs in Kung Fu, Women’s Self Defence and Mixed Martial Arts, which incorporates Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and stand-up arts. The studio is committed to building a better community and encourages students to get involved as part of their personal development.

For more information about their school go to their web site at www.yuens.ca or call Karen or Perry at 604-460-0046.

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