Photo Courtesy of Kevin Rudy
Ernie Reyes Sr. owns and operates 30 martial arts schools on the West Coast, including one in Mountain View.
Town Crier Editorial Intern
The television and film industry often portrays martial arts experts as heroic individuals who dazzle audiences with a fascinating array of specialized kicks, punches, and throws. Mask-clad ninjas often storm the screen in pursuit of the enemy with ruthless rage.
Nevertheless, that's not the primary purpose of martial arts, according to Ernie Reyes Sr., one of the most well-known martial arts instructors in the nation. Reyes - who owns a martial arts school in Mountain View - was recently recognized as the Tae Kwon Do Master of the 20th century for his dedication in exposing martial arts to American society.
Movie star Wesley Snipes, Turner Network Television (TNT), and New Line Cinema sponsored the event in New York.
Reyes has a long list of martial arts accomplishments. He was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame and has been named Martial Arts Instructor of the Year. He has also been crowned National Tae Kwon Do Champion.
Reyes' credentials in the film industry are equally impressive. He has starred and choreographed many major film and television projects in Hollywood. And the 51-year old Reyes, along with his 26-year old son Ernie Reyes Jr., form one of the world's top martial arts demonstration teams.
As the founder of Ernie Reyes West Coast Martial Arts, Reyes Sr. directs more than 30 martial arts schools on the West Coast, with his base in Santa Clara.
Reyes said the entertainment facet of Tae Kwon Do, a form of karate, is valued the least.
"What you see on TV is a distorted view of what martial arts is," Reyes said. "While people may be amazed by the pure entertainment, that's not what martial arts is about."
Reyes' career germinated when he was a freshmen in high school, more than 30 years ago. Reyes noted that martial arts initially struck his interest because of its competitive nature.
"I played all different kinds of sports in my childhood such as football, baseball and basketball," Reyes said. "But when I saw people do (martial arts) for the first time, I was instantly hooked."
Reyes' first instructor, Dan Choi, taught him that martial arts is more than punches and kicks. He stressed the spiritual and mental side of it, emphasizing in particular the theories of various Asian philosophers.
"When Dan expressed these Eastern philosophies in me, I was very enthralled with the practicality of these theories. I realized that if more people had access to these philosophies, they would become better people," Reyes said. "So I felt an obligation to bring these philosophies to the American people."
These theories were eventually modified to form Reyes' philosophy today.
Known as the Black Belt Success System, the formula is made up of five different steps: set a goal, take actions toward that goal, change your path, practice, and mastery.
While these steps are specifically applicable to learning the art of Tae Kwon Do, they can also be used in everyday life.
"To accomplish anything in life, you must follow those five steps, otherwise, it just doesn't work," Reyes said.
Reyes attests that the greatest benefit of martial arts is not the physical satisfaction that it brings, but rather the mental and spiritual sides of it.
"At all of our centers, we drive you so much that we tap into your mental and spiritual beings, we instill an indomitable spirit to never quit, and at the same time, foster respect and discipline as well," Reyes said.
Reyes says he takes particular pleasure in watching people change in his program for the better.
"Believe me, I've seen people change firsthand, and it makes my heart feel good. I think we are fortunate to have this gift that we can give to everyone," Reyes said.
Reyes claims that martial arts has something for everyone.
"Martial arts takes people from all different races, creeds, and colors, and unites them by creating peace and harmony within them. It's truly a whole different artistic expression."
For more information on Ernie Reyes West Coast Martial Arts, call Kevin Rudy at 969-9445.