Greenville Magazine - April 2008 - (Page 25) In Stanley’s life and business, this idea of empowering people is perhaps the most compelling thing about Hapkido. His fascination with a Korean martial art that has roots in the royal court of the Ko-Ryo Dynasty from the year 918, began when he was the selfprofessed “skinny kid that everybody picked on.” He began studying Judo, aspiring to be like the Asian fighting icon of the day, Bruce Lee. But seventh grade at Northwood Middle brought a demonstration of another kind. “I saw this 142-pound guy who could do these incredible things,” says Stanley, recalling his first encounter with Bong Soo Han, a master instructor who appeared in the film “Billy Jack.” He was hooked. What followed was a protracted begging from an eager student to a teacher who held off until he felt Stanley was ready. There was something to the “Karate Kid” style approach. Because Hapkido is “a discipline of coordination, a way of strengthening the mind and body, of fusing the individual’s physical and mental powers so that he or she will emerge as a more fully integrated human being,” practitioners need to be dedicated. Once he started, Stanley couldn’t stop. His eagerness to learn took him to classes with Master Bong Soo Han in Santa Monica, Calif., as well as to Korea. Stanley poured those years of training into his work as a private investigator and a body guard for many years. Shot at, stabbed multiple times and fighting through all manner of altercations, he managed to overcome. But Stanley’s most dramatic conquest is a battle he nearly lost to the stress of a corporate environment where the scars were high cholesterol and blood pressure. “I’d never had those problems before,” he says, shaking his head in disbelief. Just before the doctors put him on prescription drugs, Stanley refocused his energy back into Hapkido. “I could tell the difference immediately. When you don’t exercise your body, your mind suffers as well,” he declares. Not too long after, Stanley was healthy, in body and spirit. “It is not just about sport. It is about changing a life,” he says, explaining the positive results he’s also noted in others. “The self-discipline combats depression, anxiety and problems at work. I’ve had two students tell me they haven’t taken anti-depressants since they started training.” Stanley has trained members of the Armed Forces Special Services and law enforcement officials. But he truly enjoys working with regular folk ranging in age from 12 to over 50, both men and women at all levels of fitness. “I still get excited watching the smaller students take on the larger ones and take them down to the mat,” he says, blue eyes twinkling with pride. Beginning with only nine students, Elite Hapkido has grown – all through word-of-mouth – exponentially. Stanley insists it is a testimony to the art. “With breathing techniques and movement, you push your body and mind.” It’s a powerful tool he believes can even fight addiction. “One hundred percent into one percent. It is confidence, true confidence, knowing what you do does work.” n We’re on Top of Things. Now offering seamless gutters for your home or business! jvs, inC. ROOFING CONTRACTORS | Residential /Commercial 1-888-675-3568 | Simpsonville, SC | www.jvsinc.com april 2008 | Greenville MaGazine 25 http://www.jvsinc.com http://www.jvsinc.com http://www.jvsinc.com
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