“Wax on, wax off” may not be a skill learned in martial arts classes at the Shelby YMCA, but both youth and adult students can learn about discipline, self respect, and how to perfect a roundhouse kick.
Youth martial arts classes first began in Shelby in September 2013 as a way for the YMCA to bolster its youth program. Starting in March, the YMCA has added adult martial arts classes to its schedule.
“It’s a program we’ve had for years with different teachers, and we were looking into a way to get more families involved with the Y,” said Eric Finn, Director of Program and Membership at the YMCA. “A lot of parents like the structured portion of (martial arts) and teaching kids the life skills they learn by being disciplined and following what people say. It’s worked hand-in-hand in bringing new families to the Y.”
All martial arts classes are taught on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with youth class from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and adult class from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Husband and wife team Gary and Reneta Music teach the classes at the Shelby YMCA as well as the Mansfield YMCA.
“It just so happened that they had a couple of nights open, and we were looking at bolstering our youth program and what could we do, and we decided we needed to get them over here,” said Finn.
Instructor Reneta Music has been a black belt for 20 years and has taught martial arts at the Mansfield YMCA for the past five years. Her husband Gary Music previously ran a martial arts program at the Shelby YMCA around 10 years ago, and since coming to the Shelby YMCA in the fall Reneta said she runs Gary’s program to a tee.
“Our students learn discipline, respect, self-respect, strength, mobility, flexibility…and that’s just on the personal note,” said Reneta Music. “That’s just the beginning of what they learn.”
The Musics’ students also learn to keep up their appearance by folding their uniforms neatly and keeping charge of all their sparring equipment, and learn to respect others by answering to their instructors and bowing to their sensei in traditional Japanese fashion.
“All of this goes over into their day-to-day life,” said Reneta.
The students also learn different kicks, punches and self-defense maneuvers. Reneta said her students learn how to protect themselves on the playground without striking another student, and how to stand up to a student and say no.
“That’s the inner confidence side that bleeds over into the outward behavior,” explained Renata.
Currently the Musics teach eight students ages six to 12 in their youth martial arts class and one adult in their adult class, ages 12 and up. Reneta said while they do have fun in their classes the material is also very structured, especially in the youth classes.
“Kids aren’t going to be kids forever, they’re going to grow up, and I don’t see kids as kids, I see them as adults,” said Reneta Music. “And they have to be trained in how to be adults in the world. (The karate) is just one little aspect of their life that can completely change them.”
Martial arts classes are open to the public, but Shelby YMCA members receive a discount on entry fees. For more information on martial arts classes with the Musics, visit contact the Shelby YMCA.
“Kids aren’t going to be kids forever, they’re going to grow up, and I don’t see kids as kids, I see them as adults,” said Reneta Music.
