Martial arts school flourishes in Woodland

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At first glance, 11-year-old Abigail Dobosz seems like a demure, almost shy child.

Then she dons her martial arts robe and – presto – an entirely different persona emerges.

Her father, John, owner of Old School Martial Arts Academy in Woodland, holds a thick black pad for Abigail to practice her kicks. She accommodates him, jumping into the air and flicking a foot powerfully into the pad while letting out an ear-splitting shriek of “haa!”

It was a practice session for Abigail and other children last week as they fine-tuned the skills that John teaches. He says it gives kids self-confidence to know various moves, and his daughter agrees.

“We can defend ourselves,” she said.

The academy, which opened in June, offers classes for children and adults on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. The large, carpeted space is pleasant with big windows that let in lots of light.

Kari Chatwin of Kalama, whose 10-year-old daughter, Karlee, is a student, said she’s happy the academy opened close to her home.

“I’m so glad not to have to drive to Longview” for lessons, she said. Kari suggested karate classes to Karlee as an antidote to the electronic world that absorbs many pre-teens and teenagers.

“I hope she finds an interest other than the computer and TV,” Kari said. “I’m also hoping it gives her some discipline.”

She doesn’t believe any physical harm will come to Karlee from participating in karate, saying with a laugh, “I think she has more chance of getting hurt by her sisters.”

John Dobosz is a chiropractor with an office in Longview. He lives in Kalama with his wife, Nanci, and their 11 children, seven of whom study martial arts.

John began taking classes in 1999 and was quickly hooked. He and Nanci made a deal: she would take martial arts classes with him if he would join her for six weeks of swing dancing lessons.

“He has wanted to do martial arts since he was a kid,” Nanci said.

Before receiving his black belt, John was already teaching private lessons and group classes. He believes martial arts can improve people’s health and well being. The potential benefits include fitness, weight loss, stress relief, focus, self-control and discipline, according to an informational flyer for the academy.

Students add a bit of foreign language knowledge, too. John uses Japanese phrases in some of the instruction. Mostly, though, it’s a physical undertaking that he considers a form of dance.

“The joy comes in getting that technique,” John said.



The screams that practitioners emit during some moves are called “spirit shouts.” John explained that they help focus a person’s energy.

After a brief conversation with a visitor one night last week, he was all business while addressing a class for children.

“Drop to the push-up position,” he commanded. “Stay on your knuckles. That will make your wrists nice and strong.”

Students obeyed during several warm-up activities, looking forward to more enjoyable parts of the class. Joseph Dobosz, 11, said he likes flying side kicks most of all.

He and the others got their wish before long, taking turns attacking the black pad that John held.

There was silence in the room, except for the repeated command and responses.

“Kick.”

“Haa!”

“Kick.”

“Haa!”

As Kari Chatwin had hoped, her daughter and the other youngsters were focused on the moment. And their electronic devices were forgotten, if just for an hour.

AT A GLANCE

What: Old School Martial Arts Academy.

Where: 1331 N. Goerig St. in Woodland.

Classes: A combination of kung fu, karate and jujutsu for adults and children.

Contact: (360) 600-5426 or www.osmartialarts.com.