At his martial arts studio, it’s more than getting your kicks

Gary Douglass, right, has moved his martial arts school, Tri-State TaeKwonDo, from Conant to Jos. Campau.

By Tanni Deb

Special to The Review

He is an engineer by trade, but in the evenings he is known as Master Gary Douglass, the instructor and founder of Tri-State TaeKwon-Do studio on Jos. Campau.

At 12 years old, Douglass, who is now 57, began training in martial arts.

“I was a little guy going to school and I wanted to protect myself,” Douglass said. “As I got into martial arts I felt confident that I could.”

Having an interest in helping people gain confidence and learn self-defense, Douglass decided to teach martial arts. He initially taught at the Hamtramck Recreation Center for 12 years. After his hours were cut at the center, he opened a location on Conant. He recently moved and renovated his studio to Jos. Campau, just south of Caniff. 

“I love Hamtramck. I know a lot of the people here and I have all ethnic groups in Hamtramck,” Douglass said. “We have a good mix here, and everyone gets used to each other’s culture.”

Douglass has an average of about 30 students per class. Although he is the only instructor, he gets assistance to help children in his classes from eight of his students who have obtained a black belt, which is the highest belt color achievable in taekwondo. There are nine different levels of black belts, and Douglass is currently at the 6^th degree.

Douglass believes that it is “never too late to get started” in martial arts, and therefore he has a program that is suitable for all age groups.

Every Saturday from noon to 1 p.m., Douglass holds the Little Ninjas program for 3-to-7 year olds. This program teaches children socialization skills and physical fitness, while being introduced to the fundamentals of martial arts, such as kicks, punches and the development of self-esteem. These techniques help students enter advanced levels of taekwondo.

For 8-to-17 year olds, students attain confidence, responsibility, self-discipline, flexibility and self-defense. This class assists students to achieve “better grades, more respect and improved focus,” and deals with “peer pressure.” 

The studio also has martial arts for adults who are 18 to 80 years old. This program teaches adults to get into shape, improve coordination, increase flexibility, as well as gain self-reliance to know they have the skills to protect themselves.

Additionally, all participants have the option to compete in tournaments every month after they successfully pass a test for a green belt, which takes three levels to achieve. Douglass said this is exciting for the students because they “get the chance to meet kids from other schools.”

Douglass’ son, Gary Douglass II, 14, said he has enjoyed participating in several competitions. Douglass II began practicing martial arts with his father when he was 3 years old. He said not only does the training help him get “in shape and become flexible,” but the lessons he learns during practice benefits him in school as well.

The lessons Douglass II is referring to are the five tenants of taekwondo that are stressed in the studio: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit, which means to have a strong character and be unconquerable.  

Douglass said these are “life philosophies” that everyone should learn.

Having trained with Douglass for approximately five years, Matthew Lopacki, 27, said the practice has made him a better person. Lopacki has a black belt and often helps teach the younger students during class.

Taekwondo “is a new outlook on life itself because it lets you meditate and reflect on yourself, as well as everyone around you,” Lopacki said.

Martial arts student, James-Michael Moore-Willis, 18, who is majoring in sports medicine at Macomb Community College, agrees with Lopacki in terms of becoming a better person. Moore-Willis began learning taekwondo at the age of 3, and started training with Douglass when he was 7 years old. 

Moore-Willis said, Martial arts “made me more disciplined, and also become a good role model for kids.”

Douglass said his ultimate goal is to develop his students’ competence in self-defense, discipline, fitness and social skills.

“My goal really is to help kids,” Douglass said. “I do it because I love it.”

Participation at the studio requires a monthly fee of $60, which is $5 per class. However, the cost of a class is $8 for students who are interested in taking lessons once a month. For the Little Ninjas program, the fee is $30 a month. For more information about Tri-State TaeKwon-Do, visit, http://tristatetaekwondo.com.