SHABAZZ TAEKWONDO SCHOOL
INTRODUCTION
SENSEI
JAMAL M. SHABAZZ
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY
"UPDATES"
In this column we will give you current updates regarding our school and tournament progress:
Anyone interested can follow our progress here on our website and on our FaceBook page.
NOW: The construction on our 900 square foot Martial Arts studio in Ripley, TN has been completed. We are now open for active classes. Call us at (815) 953-1687 to schedule a free no obligation class. See you in class.
WHAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR STUDENTS
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To follow all school rules and our code of ethics.
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To attend a minimum of one class per week.
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To compete in and work on all Martial Arts tournaments and events that we promote. Also to compete in any tournaments that others outside of our school promotes that we attend and compete in as a team and school.
QUALIFICATIONS TO BE A STUDENT
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We accept mature male and female students.
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Must be physically and mentally able to fully participate in every aspect of a serious Martial Arts class and program.
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Our classes are affordable so that anyone can financially afford to make Martial Arts part of their life.
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OUR CODE OF ETHICS
We are a Martial Arts family who share a dedication and passion for Taekwondo as a way of life. The following is the code of ethics that we train, compete and live by:
1) I will give 100% positive effort in everything I attempt to do.
2) I will always strive to be honest, loyal, truthful, respectful and morally upright to myself & everyone I come in contact with.
3) I will always treat my body as a temple and not pollute it with smoking, alcohol, recreational drugs,
unhealthy food and drink.
4) I will never be the aggressor but will defend my self if physically attacked or threaten.
In 1975 Mr. Shabazz trained in Kuntaw Kung Fu under Master Mike Balbo in San Diego, California.
In the 1970's he joined the Windy City Boxing gym in Chicago, Illinois and was trained in American Boxing techniques by Trainer Clarence Griffin.
Also in the 1970's Mr. Shabazz joined the CYO Boxing Club in Chicago, Illinois and was trained in American Boxing techniques by Trainer Harry Wilson.
In 1984 Mr. Shabazz joined Master Kim's Taekwondo school in Chicago, Illinois and was trained by Master Kim and his two brothers. Mr. Shabazz earned his first, second and third degree (dan) black belt's there.
He uses the title of Sensei. Which means simply teacher and describes best how he views himself in the fighting arts.
In the middle 1980's for a brief period Mr. Shabazz studied Japanese style Shorei Goju-Ryu karate under Master Harold "Scorpion" Burrage in Chicago, Illinois.
From 1988 to the present he has taught Taekwondo and American Boxing first in Chicago then in Central Illinois from 2015 to 2018. In 2020 he & Shabazz Taekwondo School relocated to the state of Tennessee.
Mr. Shabazz in the past has competed in various Martial Arts and Boxing tournaments. He has traveled to: China, Hawaii, Japan, Mexico, Philippine's and throughout the USA.
Mr.Shabazz is currently retired from a 32 year career and teaches Martial Arts as a life long passion. Because he is not in it for financial gain our tuition is priced very low as to cover our overhead and make our Martial Arts program affordable to anyone who wishes to participate.
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WE HAVE CURRENT ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP IN THE FOLLOWING MARTIAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
1) ALLIANCE
Belen, New Mexico
(We are a lifetime member)
2) INDEPENDENT KARATE SCHOOLS OF AMERICA (IKSA)
Franklin, TN
3) INTERNATIONAL KICKBOXING FEDERATION (IKF)
Newcastle, California
4) SHABAZZ OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Memphis, TN
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SENSEI SHABAZZ IS A VIETNAM ERA VETERAN & A MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS
1) AMERICAN LEGION
(Life time member)
2) USS KITTY HAWK VETERANS ASSOCIATION
(Life time member)
SENSEI'S PERSONAL DIET
Before you start or change any exercise program or diet consult your medical doctor or professional health provider. The following is Sensei Shabazz personal basic daily diet along with Taekwondo that he has used for 48 years as a Martial Artist to stay active and healthy at the age of 66.
1) He drinks no alcoholic, unnatural or processed beverages.
2) He drinks pure water, tea, vegetable and fruit juices.
3) He eats no red meat, pork, scavenger meat or sweets (candy, pastries).
4) He eats vegetables, fruit, chicken, turkey, fish, non-scavenger meat, natural and organic foods.
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FAQ
Q1: What is the best Martial Arts style?
A1: There is no best style because it depends on the reason and needs of each individual.
Q2: Do you have to learn the language
or culture of where a particular Martial Art came from in order to be
proficient in it?
A2: No you don't have to learn a particular language or culture to be
physically proficient in a specific
Martial Art style. But if you want to fully understand any style then you
should study it's history and the
culture it came from.
Q3: Who is the greatest most skillful boxer and Martial Artist who ever lived?
A3: According to most boxing scholars Sugar Ray Robinson was the best and most skillful boxer that ever lived.
According most serious Martial Artist's Bruce Lee was the best and most skillful Martial Artist who ever
lived.
Q4: What is the youngest age that a
qualified student should be
promoted to black belt?
A4: Age sixteen. At that age and with a
minimum of 3 1/2 years of
consecutive proper Martial Arts
training the student should be
responsible and mature enough to
assume the role of a serious
competent black belt. This is a
serious rank because a black belt is
a teacher and role model.
Q5: What is the youngest age to start in
Martial Arts?
A5: Children as young as 3 years old
participate in Martial Arts classes
and tournaments. But children be-
tween ages 3 to 12 have short
attention spans, loose interest
quickly and have a high drop out
rate. Twelve is the age that they
usually start becoming more focus.
Twelve is the age we recommend
to start a child in a serious com-
petent Martial Arts program. Meaning a program that is not just
a babysitting service with games
and activities to keep their parents
paying!