By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
“Find your true strength.”
That’s not just a slogan for martial arts instructor Debbie Jones and her staff at Marina Martial Arts. They infuse that mission into the curriculum in all the classes — from children ages 4 years old to the adult students.
Jones is a dynamo who runs the school and oversees classes for children and adults. She’s also behind the preschool martial arts program and the Leadership Team for teens. Training since 1990, she has a black belt in taekwondo and is certified in Haganah, a form of Israeli self-defense. She is a certified weight-loss and health coach, too.
“The prospect of studying martial arts can be exciting and fun but sometimes a little outside people’s comfort zone,” Jones said.
The staff prides itself on providing an environment that is welcoming but at the same time challenging. They teach self-defense and fitness — with an emphasis on leadership and personal development.
“We’ve noticed that since COVID, people in general really need an anchor. They need a community where they can come exercise and have fun but know that they’re accomplishing something. That’s what we strive for,” Jones emphasized.
The school has developed a strong relationship over the years with teachers at local elementary schools like Playa Vista Elementary, Short Avenue, Broadway, St. Mark’s, Ocean Charter and Coeur d’ Alene. Before a student moves up to a new belt, they must be approved not only by Jones’ team of instructors but also by their parents and teachers.
“By working with teachers and parents, we make sure the students apply the focus and respect they learn in martial arts to interactions outside of our classroom,” Jones said.
Jones frequently visits elementary schools to give character education lessons. She talks to the children about how to set goals and achieve them in whatever talent or hobby they want to pursue. They talk through the steps necessary to accomplish skills such as learning a musical instrument or competing in a sport.
“It’s always exciting because my students get to demonstrate their use of goal setting by breaking a board in front of their class,” Jones said.
Teaching bully prevention is also an important part of their community outreach. “Martial arts was originally developed for self-defense,” Jones said. She said many martial arts schools stray from this reality for fear of seeming too serious or not fun. But Jones insisted that a good instructor can teach students the verbal and physical skills necessary to avoid being taken advantage of, while having an abundance of fun.
Jones has developed an in-depth, parent-led Bully Defense Program that PTA organizations can use for Red Ribbon and Yellow Ribbon Week that focuses on kindness and empathy as well as verbal deescalation techniques. Jones also teaches workshops for Scout troops to earn their Bully-Prevention badges.
Her community involvement goes beyond teaching life skills, fitness and self-defense. She was a two-term member of the Culver City Homelessness Committee and has held various PTA and booster club positions at her children’s schools. Currently, she is the co-chair of the Women in Business Council through the Culver City Chamber of Commerce.
“Women have so many roles to play in our community; we are the caregivers, the entrepreneurs, the leaders in business and leaders in our communities. It’s important to support women in all these roles,” Jones said. The Women in Business Council holds mixers four times a year and selects the Leadership Awards presented at the annual luncheon.
Jones repeats her favorite phrase in class: “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” She said discipline and consistency are keys to success in life and that will require you to regularly get outside of your comfort zone.
Jones insists to the teens in her Leadership Program that being uncomfortable doesn’t mean it won’t be fun. In fact, most of the time those experiences are ultimately the most fun and empowering. Teens are recommended by instructors and qualify for the team by attending consistently, showing a strong interest in helping others and keeping their grades up at school.
“They practice public speaking and learn how to set and achieve goals — things that are necessary as an adult to function out in the world,” Jones said.
One of her favorite things about being an instructor is seeing the younger students grow up and develop into capable and confident teens and adults.
“Former students who have moved away will often drop in to visit and tell us about the exciting things they have accomplished in part because of their experiences at Marina Martial Arts. It’s exciting to know that we helped them find their true strength.”
Marina Martial Arts offers beginner classes for children ages 4 years and older as well as adult and teen kickboxing classes for all levels. Summer camp spots are still available. Call 310-821-6768 for more information.
Marina Martial Arts
13203 W. Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles
310-821-6768
marinamartialarts.net
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