When David Mason was 16, he saw a Bruce Lee movie that sparked a lifelong interest in martial arts.
Today, the seventh degree black belt owns and operates Mountain View Martial Arts and Fitness in Battle Ground, where the instruction is about life skills and attitudes in addition to taekwon-do. During a toddler class for children up to age 4, Mason uses a break to have students recite familiar phrases.
“Courtesy,” he said as the kids echoed him. “Always be polite. No backtalk.”
Then it was back to business, with the children running the length of the classroom, then lining up to take turns kicking pads hanging from a wall. “Knee kick. Knee kick,” Mason instructed as each toddler, dressed in white martial arts jacket and pants, showed off their style.
Robin Parmer was one of the parents watching the Nov. 20 class. Her children, Caden, 7, and Makinzie, 5, have been students at the school for more than a year. It’s given them self-confidence, she said, while also improving the way they act at home.
“He teaches a lot of behavioral stuff,” Parmer said. “We travel from Camas a couple of days a week. There are other places that are closer, but we wouldn’t go anywhere else.”
Mason opened his school in July 2009 with 60 students. Now there are 140 children and adults who study under him in classes ranging from beginning taekwon-do to those for advanced practitioners and even self-defense classes.
But Mason, who is a certified International Master instructor, said he especially enjoys working with youngsters.
“It’s a big responsibility,” he said. “I want to impact lives. I have a lot of single moms with kids who have problems. Teaching them structure is important.”
The Mountain View Martial Arts and Fitness web site, www.mountainviewmaf.com, describes the school as “a fun and exciting martial arts experience in a family friendly environment.” The site says students will get in shape, learn self-defense and lose weight while equipping children with confidence, discipline, focus and respect.
The facility is located at 805 E. Main St., suite 102. Details about classes is available on the web site or by calling (360) 601-7713.
Mason used to run a school in Portland for elite students, but decided that wasn’t as satisfying as teaching those of all ages and experience levels. He isn’t concerned about making lots less money than he did during a 25-year career as an engineer operating electrical systems in some of Portland’s tallest buildings.
“I don’t care,” Mason said. “I love this. This is what I was born to do.”
