Borden father, son volunteer teaching martial arts to young children

By TARA HETTINGER
Tara.Hettinger@newsandtribune.com

February 18, 2009 01:20 pm

— A volunteering opportunity that started out as a father’s idea to bond with his young son has turned into a tradition that has been going strong for eight years.
Reuben Druin, of Borden, came up with the idea to teach a Little Dragons class — which is taekwondo for children, ages 4 to 6 — when his son was about that age.
“Originally, it was something for me and my son to do together,” Druin said. “We got to working together and it turned out to be so much fun for me and him to do it.”
He and his son, Josh, teach that class two times a week in addition to going to their own martial arts training.
The two working together has made a difference to Josh.
“It’s helped me and my dad connect together through communication and stuff because we both have to teach the class,” the now 14-year-old said.
The two teach at Kentuckiana Martial Arts Academy in Floyds Knobs. Since they volunteer their services, fees are reduced by the school to attend their class, Reuben said.
Reuben said volunteering is not only helping the two bond, but it also gives him a challenge.
“When you talk to an adult, you say this is what you do. ... But with the children, you have to figure out their personalities and you have to go about it differently with each child ... then you have to pull them together to do it in one way,” Reuben said. “I always loved challenges and that’s what I chose [this age group].”
He said the class also can create lasting changes for the five to 20 children that attend on any given day.
“The proof is in the pudding, when you ask them questions and see how they respond with ‘Yes sir’ and ‘Yes ma’am,’” Reuben said, adding that learning respect helps in school.
The two plan to keep this tradition alive. Josh said he will continue until his father stops, which he said won’t be anytime soon.
“I actually don’t plan on stopping as long as my body holds out, and I can do taekwondo,” Reuben said. “It’s just something that we look forward to doing at this point and time, and I can’t see stopping it.”
Though he may have to find a new partner if Josh chooses to go away for college when he’s 18, Reuben added. Reuben said he would be sad but would continue the program, possibly with a graduate of the class assisting him.

SO YOU KNOW
• Kentuckiana Martial Arts Academy is located at 3620 Paoli Pike in Floyds Knobs. For more information on the Little Dragons class, contact the academy at 812-945-4644.

MEANING OF TAEKWONDO
• “Tae” means foot, leg or to step on. “Kwon” means fist or fight. And “do” means the way or discipline. If we put these three parts together, we can see two important concepts behind taekwondo.
• Taekwondo is one of the most systematic and scientific Korean traditional martial arts that teaches more than physical fighting skills. It is a discipline that shows ways of enhancing spirit and life through training body and mind. Today, it has become a global sport that has gained an international reputation and stands among the official games in the Olympics.
— World Taekwondo Federation

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.