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| Bill Kocur discovered a love of Tae Kwon Do 35 years ago, but it wasn’t until his own son was growing up that he found a passion for teaching the martial art. Kocur, 57, trained in the art of Tae Kwon Do in the Pottstown area beginning at age 21. Later, his interest was renewed when his son because curious about the martial arts. "When my son Anthony turned 7, he was into the Ninja Turtles, and I got back into the martial arts because of him. It was a father-son thing," Kocur said. "I liked the idea of the discipline of it, plus the flexibility. It teaches you to be courteous. I try to pass that along to the kids now." Kocur's’ son, now 24, assists him teaching children and adult classes three nights a week. Kocur’s Tae Kwon Do began holding classes at The Open Door, 1019 Ben Franklin Highway (Route 422 westbound) in January 2005. Betsy Chapman, owner of The Open Door, suggested Kocur start a school there, he said. Kocur, a Pottstown native who resides in Douglassville with his wife, Betty Ann, has owned A-1 Traffic Control, a line painting and sign installation firm there since 1988. So when the opportunity arose to teach Tae Kwon Do close to home, he didn’t hesitate. Kocur said he especially likes The Open Door’s Dojang, or training hall, and the facility is so visible and accessible. "It is in an area where there’s a lot of families, a lot of development and is on the highway. People can see our sign when they drive by," he said. Although the classes have already proved to be very popular through word-of-mouth referrals, there is always room to grow, he said. "I’m a big believer in keeping in shape at any age. And I like dealing with kids," Kocur said. "I started Kocur’s Tae Kwon Do mainly for the kids." Most of Kocur’s students are under the age of 12. A good age for kids to start Tae Kwon Do is 5, he said, when they are old enough to pay attention and follow along. "The flexibility it brings carries over into any activity the child does," he said. "It also involves a lot of memorization. The students have to remember forms, poses and which leg to put first." The study of Tae Kwon Do improves not only the body, but also the mind, and promoting focus and a peaceful philosophy, according to Kocur. Students learn the tenets of Tae Kwon Do: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit and how to carry them over into their daily lives. When students first begin taking classes, they wear regular clothes. They are eventually required to buy uniforms called doboks, which consist of white pants and a belted white robe-like top. Students work on different skills each week, and prepare to test for different colors of belts, beginning with the yellow stripe for a white (beginner) belt, and progressing through yellow belt, green stripe, green belt, blue stripe and so on up to the first degree black belt. Students are required to bow upon entering the Dojang and to any black belt as a sign of respect. That means they must bow to Kocur, a fourth degree black belt, meaning he is an expert. "The key is for them to have fun," he said. "It doesn’t matter how old you are for it to be fun." Amy Bartra, a Birdsboro resident whose daughters Maeve and Sarah attend Kocur’s Tae Kwon Do, said she is very pleased with Kocur’s methods. "I think (this business) is a standout because it serves the community by building the fundamental skills of integrity, perseverance, and self control in children," Bartra said. "Mr. Kocur has a special gift with children to motivate and grow self confidence. Both of my daughters have benefited greatly from the school and it’s teachings." Students also compete with other students from the area. Six of Kocur’s young students earned trophies at the April 29 Tellers Martial Arts Tournament at Action Sports Center in Pottstown. Kocur was adamant that the school does not teach kids to be bullies, and everything is taught with safety in mind. "We teach them how to protect themselves. Knock on wood nobody has been hurt in my classes," Kocur said. Every child wears protective chest, head and hand gear while they’re sparring, or controlled fighting. Sometimes the kids even break boards as a lesson in how to focus. Although Tae Kwon Do is a lot of fun, according to Kocur, it is not for everyone. He recommends that parents bring their kids in to try a class free of charge to see if they like it. |
| Kocur's Kids Kick it In!!! |
| This Christmas at Kocur's Taekwon-Do the Childrens Class put a different twist to their usual Holiday Celebration. Normally the children would exchange gifts with a special Christmas workout and ending with a visit from Santa. This year instead of exchanging gifts and with arrangements made by Mrs. Cindy Rathgub (a regular at Kocur's) the Children donated their money they would normally spend on gifts and donated it to the Bethany Childrens School in Womelsdorf, Pa. Together they raised over $300.00. What a great example of Community Service and what Taekwon-Do represents. Great Job to all of you!!!! |
