Page 6 •Thursday, December 1, 2005
NEWS
The PenduluSl
_ _ ^
Martial arts club finally kicks it up at Elon
Kristopher Moody
Reporter
After four years of struggling to
gain recognition, a martial arts
club has finally been launched at
Elon.
Trying to gain acceptance has
caused many changes in
leadership. The current leaders
have succeeded in making the
concept a reality. The new Aiki
Bujitsu club has already hosted its
first two meetings. Lisa Pohton,
faculty adviser for the club, is
excited that all of the hard work
has finally paid off.
“We’re so happy to finally get
approval,” Ponton said. “This is
needed on campus.”
Ponton said that self-defense
seminars are important to bring to
campus and are a good start to
make students aware of issues.
The problem was, however, there
was no outlet for students seeking
to practice self-defense. Darren
Thompson, instructor, and
Michael Collison, club president,
Instruaor Lisa Ponton shows a student
joined Ponton in an attempt to pro
vide this outlet.
Advocates for the club have
endured rejection due to concerns
about safety and the view that it
would promote violence. The true
nature of the art got lost in the
Kristopher Moody/ Photographer
a basic stance at a meeting Monday.
translation by people who didn’t
know about the practice. The
decision-makers misinterpreted
the teachings of peace as teachings
of violence.
I do understand the hesitance,
do something
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wrong it could go very badly,”
Ponton said.
More important than the knowl
edge of the techniques is the
awareness that accompanies it.
People tend to not understand that
because you know how to use the
skills, you know not to use them.
Ponton said that the intangibles of
martial arts are much more
important than the fighting.
Aiki Bujitsu is a blend of
martial art styles. Its wide array of
techniques makes its teachings
more applicable to a university
setting. Instructors will teach
falling, breaking holds and grabs
and the ceremony. Each meeting
will feature a meditation session to
help students focus on a single
task, something that Ponton says
is crucial to learn in today’s multi
tasking society.
Respect, focus and discipline
are the main intangibles the club
hopes to give students. These are
the ideas that transcend the dojo
and help people in their daily
lives.
Especially on college
where confrontations
inevitable, having a marti
club can help to decrease the
ber of incidents-that may
For students who will take p ^
this club and for students j^g
not, the awareness that somet
exists is crucial. Just
your abilities, surroundings
levels of confidence allows yo
avoid potentially
situations. i ”
“It’s a matter of
Collison said. “It’s controlling
situation around you.” jy
With the campus alf®,
showing interest m
established club, the Aiki
club hopes that more ®
take advantage of the ski s
opportunities the club
“Everyone can do martia
Ponton said. “Everyone can
something out of this.”
Contact Kristopher Moody
dulim@elon.edu or 275-7*
on
if patients welcome
Robert J. Mead MD
3128 ComiiKTcc Place
Buriiiigton.NC 27215
Wed,Thiiis;8aitol2p
Mon,Tiies,M8ainlo5p
584-5163