Vivian Smyrl
RANK: 2nd Degree Level 4
INSTRUCTOR STATUS: Level 2
Birthplace: San Antonio, Tx
Favorite Book: Count of Monte Cristo
Favorite Movie: Shakespeare in Love
Favorite Color: Forest Green
Favorite Ice Cream: Mexican Vanilla
Goal: To give my best effort in everything I try.
Taekwondo essay:
Like several of the adult students at Westlake, I got involved in Taekwondo because of my child. From the time that my son, Daniel, was four or five years old, his teachers at day care were telling me, “Oh, he should start taking Taekwondo. It will help him focus.” I finally listened and asked a family at his school to suggest a place. Fortunately for us, they recommended Westlake TKD Plus. Soon after Daniel’s 7th birthday, he took his first class. He absolutely loved it and wanted to go every day. Although we didn’t manage every day, I did find myself spending quite a lot of time watching class from the lobby. After about a year of that, I got drafted into being Daniel’s “buddy” so he could go to class on Buddy Night. He may have been slightly embarrassed, but I was hooked! Doing is much more fun than watching!
Three years later, I find myself 15 pounds lighter, and I’m still hooked. This is the longest I’ve ever stayed with any form of regular exercise—probably because I don’t really think of it that way. Taekwondo is so much more than that. It does help with focus and self-confidence—and not just for kids! The tenets really do provide a framework for life. Every new stripe earned and every new belt level achieved represents hours of practice, at the school and at home. The stars that the junior students can earn for their belts provide a link between TKD and academics, at times offering a much-needed incentive to do better at school. And what better stress relief could there be than hitting or kicking targets, breaking boards, and yelling?
Teaching has added yet another dimension to my TKD experience. It’s as different from being a student as being a student was from watching in the lobby. Yes, it’s a way of giving back to a program that has given me and my family so much, but I find that I’m still receiving as much, if not more, than I’m putting in. It really is true that having to teach something to someone else makes you really learn it yourself. Being an instructor has made me a better student, and having a part in helping the kids learn is SO much fun. Seeing them grow and take pride in their accomplishments is a better reward than earning my own stripes.
