Clark County martial arts studios
All Star Karate Studio: 217 N. Belmont Ave., Springfield, 322-6581
Davis School of Martial Arts: 3430 W. National Road, Springfield, 113 W. Jefferson St., New Carlisle, 324-0404
Hino Ryu Martial Arts: 2232 Grube St. Springfield, 477-7024
Midwest Martial Arts Academy: 2443 Troy Road, Springfield, 390-7505
SPRINGFIELD — A group of local businesses, while not directly connected, have similar philosophical underpinnings and offer opportunities for children to grow and learn.
Area martial arts schools, some new, some well-established, operate from a belief that the life lessons their students take away are the primary focus.
“Martial arts are most often based on overarching ideas like respect, self-control, peace, courage and helping others,” said David Plassman, co-owner of Hino Ryu Martial Arts Studio.
Hino Ryu, 2232 Grube St., opened a few weeks ago and is owned by Plassman and Robert Chiles, both experienced martial artists who trained under Carl Davis, a long-time local practitioner and school owner.
Until recently, Davis owned Davis School of Martial Arts, 3430 W. National Road, which still bears his name. He is also the president of the International Pangai-Noon Budo Kai-Hino-Ryu Association.
Schools affiliated with Davis’s association — there are eight, five of which are in the U.S. — are Christian-oriented.
“To some people that may not mean much, but to us, it’s very important,” he said.
A Christian-based teaching philosophy meshes well with the philosophies of martial arts, Plassman said, a notion echoed by another local instructor.
“Being at the Salvation Army, at the core we are a Christian organization, but we teach those values without putting a label on it. We don’t push strictly Christian values per se, but focus on important ideas such as treating others as you want to be treated,” said Rick Lloyd, head instructor at the Salvation Army’s martial arts program.
At Midwest Martial Arts, run by Cassie Dewitt and her brother Anthony, values are an integral part of the overall challenge.
“We try to push them mentally, physically and spiritually. We push them to go beyond kicking and punching, to do things they think they can’t,” said the 3rd degree black belt.
Midwest — with locations in Springfield and Fairborn — is owned by Tony Dewitt, Cassie’s father, who holds to the idea that his schools should empower people using martial arts as a tool, his daughter said.
Lifelong learning
Area martial arts instructors bring with them years of experience and see their path as one of continual learning.
Davis began practicing martial arts at 12. An 8th degree black belt in Pangai-Noon Karate Jutsu, he is now 65.
“I have no intention of retiring at this time and will always be affiliated with it,” he said.
Plassman has been training for 15 years and holds seven black belts; Chiles, who formerly ran a school at Hillside Avenue Church of God and has practiced for more than a decade, holds four.
Coincidentally, Plassman is also Davis’s son-in-law. He married Davis’s daughter in 2003.
Lloyd, a 4th degree black belt, has been involved with the sport for more than 20 years and has been with the Salvation Army for more than a decade.
“It’s a very family oriented sport and that’s one of the things that has made me stick with it for so long. As a younger person, I enjoyed the competition, but as I got older, I also learned I liked teaching,” Lloyd said.
Dewitt, 21, has been practicing since she was three.
Positives for students
Local experts agree that when children take part in martial arts, no matter what the form, they gain on many fronts.
If children make the commitment to stay with it, Lloyd said, they grow and develop because it teaches focus and discipline as it offers stability and guidance.
Grades improve.
Students gain an increased respect for themselves and others.
They learn to become community leaders.
“We tend to get many students who don’t have a strong male role model in their lives,” Lloyd said, “and there is some really strong bonding that takes place with families and schools. Our students must bring in grade cards and I tell them, ‘The proudest I can be of you is when I give you your academic achievement patch.’”
Chiles and Dewitt have both had students experienced progress with Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
The focus and discipline along with a structured atmosphere with clear expectations can help students change behaviors, Dewitt said.
Martial arts can also serve as an equalizer for young people from all walks of life who may have struggled with other organized activities.
“We do this because there are so many kids turned away from other sports because they aren’t ‘good enough,’” Chiles said. “Here they learn balance, agility and respect and that can improve their skills in other sports and activities. ...We teach self-defense, moral values and a better way of life.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or elroberts@coxohio.com.
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