Emily Buckley, editor in chief
Master Michael Evans has been studying martial arts for 46 years. He takes pride in his program and his students who learn safety, fitness, and health in what he calls Master Evans Martial Arts (MEMA), all while preparing to compete at the national level.
Earlier this month, Master Evans took 23 competitors, ages 5 to 52, to compete at the Annual National Taekwondo Competition held this year in Salt Lake City. Among the 4,000 competitors at the event, his students took home 12 medals (three gold, four silver, and five bronze).
But, while the medals are nice, Master Evans says that Martial Arts is about much more.
“The ultimate goal of Martial Arts is not in victory or defeat,” Master Evans said. “But in creating a special character in each of its practitioners.”
Martial Arts activities, like taekwondo, are a fun way for both boys and girls to achieve fitness and focus. Some parents may think they also promote violence, but, according to experts, that is a myth.
“The training I provide is a foundation for life,” Master Evans said. “It is respect, confidence, and character building all rolled into one.”
A typical hour-long class begins and ends with a bow to the teacher. After a warm-up, students practice the art’s particular skills, which may include kicks, punches, and blocks. Each requires concentration and strict attention.
Progress is often marked by the belt system, which takes the beginner from a white belt through a variety of colors until black. Testing for each new level is a good exercise in setting and achieving goals.
Experts says it is the respect kids learn, whether from bowing or standing still and waiting for the next command, that can be the most important benefit: It often carries over into social situations, family life, and school, helping improve behavior and even grades.
Master Evans’ students are expected to live by the tenets of modesty, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit in a “quest for the best.”
Master Evans is a Grand Master Instructor certified through the World Taekwondo Federation, The World Taekwondo Union, USA-Taekwondo (USOC), and MEMAF. He has taught thousands of students ages 3 to 81, and has promoted more than 145 black belts up to the fifth degree. He has trained and coached 112 national and world champions as well as more than 900 state champions in Olympic taekwondo in the last 21 years.
Master Evans will be offering a FREE bully prevention class in August. Call (435) 799-1995 for more information and to register for the class. He also offers free women’s self-defense classes. Call for more information.
Master Evans Martial Arts is located at 70 E Golf Course Road in Logan with open enrollment for new students happening now.
