Tae Kwon Do classes offered at the Neighborhood Resource Center show that some forms of fighting can be beneficial.

Many of the martial arts movies of the 1970s show the all but invincible Bruce Lee doling out powerful punches and lightning fast kicks to his enemies. Today, actors like Jackie Chan and Jet Li carry on this tradition of dynamic fighting on the silver screen.

Partly, as a result of media images such as these, the popularity of many marital art forms in America has grown. This includes Tae Kwon Do. This particular style of martial art originated in Korea and is widely recognized for its flying kicks.

In reality, Hollywood fighting scenes are a far cry from what goes on in the Tae Kwon Do class at the Neighborhood Resource Center in Richmond’s Fulton Hill community. Here, children learn the art of Tae Kwon Do in a close family-friendly environment.

The students are enrolled in the Kim School of Tae Kwon Do , and receive instruction from Master Charles Skelly. There are over 20 students currently in the classes, with ages ranging from six to 46.

Skelly’s lessons focus on proper form and technique. Also included in the lessons is the importance of respect. The students honor each other by bowing before and after matches. During the sparring, fists are thrown and kicks are extended, but no one is injured in the end.

Fifteen-year-old student Tina Davis attended Tae Kwon Do classes earlier in her life, but quit after a short time. Now, she is back and ready to give it her all. She has earned a yellow belt with two stripes and is hoping to earn a green belt.

“I was nervous during the test. But it’s fun. I really enjoy it,” Davis said.

Tina Davis may be in it for the fun, but her mother, Sharon Davis, has other reasons for allowing her daughter to continue taking Tae Kwon Do.

“She’s definitely more disciplined and calm now. I’m sure the classes are contributing to that,” Sharon Davis said.

Other than self-defense skills, discipline is one of the many benefits of Tae Kwon Do. Students also stand to gain confidence and maturity.

For a schedule of Tae Kwon Do classes at the Neighborhood Resource Center log onto www.nrccafe.org

This story was developed as part of a journalism class in the VCU School of Mass Communications. Reported by Sofia Moody and Erica Coleman.