Posted on: Monday, March 28, 2005
FITNESS PROFILE
Martial arts instil dignity, respect
By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer
Stanley Armpriester is the embodiment of the tenets of tae kwon do: courtesy, perseverance, integrity, self-control, indomitable spirit.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser Now his teacher, Martin Williams, the MAC-PLUS program manager with the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawai'i, is grooming him as an assistant so a beginning class can be added to the popular six-year-old program.
Armpriester leads the warm-ups, stretches and some of the exercises with purpose and attention to form and tradition. The martial arts have taught him how to carry himself with dignity and respect. "We have no behavioral problems in class because the code of conduct is expected and not negotiable due to the nature of martial arts," said Williams.
Armpriester's mother, Alexa Armpriester, said that since Stanley took up martial arts, she has seen him blossom. "He has been more compassionate with me. He listens and is more disciplined and focused. It's so important to him to go to this class."
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser Age: 32. Profession: Through Winners at Work, he volunteers to feed the homeless at the Institute for Human Services. Workout habits: Attends Winners Martial Arts Academy, a blend of hapkido and tae kwon do. Enjoys swimming in his building's pool, as well as playing basketball and lifting weights with his cousin, Keone Wilson. My good foods/bad foods: He loves chicken and vegetables. He doesn't eat any red meat and doesn't care for sweets or junk foods such as potato chips and cookies. My biggest motivator: Exercising with his cousin, as well as the pride and self-confidence he has attained through martial arts. My biggest roadblock to fitness: He doesn't like walking. My next challenge: He is working toward becoming an assistant instructor, so another Winners class can be opened for beginners. He also hopes to bring home another trophy, as he has the past two years, from Glendora, Calif., where he and his team compete in the Specially Challenged Martial Arts Championships organized by Possibilities Unlimited International. Last year, the Hawai'i team won the trophy for "Most Outstanding School."
For information on the Winners Martial Arts Academy, call Martin Williams at 532-2100. Correction: For information on the Winners at Work Martial Arts Academy, call 532-2100. The telephone number was incorrect in a previous version of this story, and did not make clear that the Martial Arts Academy is a program of Winners at Work.
Although he was born with Down syndrome, he has gained self-confidence, discipline and focus during his six years studying hapkido and tae kwon do with the Winners Martial Arts Academy.
Stanley Armpriester leads his martial-arts class with warm-up exercises. His goal is to become a tae kwon do assistant instructor.
Name: Stanley Armpriester.
Stanley Armpriester has Down syndrome. Swimming, basketball, lifting weights and martial arts have helped build his self-confidence.
