Quote:Around West County: Using the force: Martial arts studio trains Jedi knights
ANNAPOLIS
By DONNA M. FELLOWS For The Capital
Published August 27, 2008
In conjunction with the release of the movie "The Clone Wars," Shelton Martial Arts Studio in Odenton recently hosted an open invitation for students and non-students to experience what a candidate (padawan) in training might experience on the road to becoming a Jedi.

More than 40 students and guests filled the studio for this special event.

Master Larry Shelton and Master Samuel Slater, along with senior students, led the evening's events in full Jedi master regalia, and welcomed the young padawans to the evening training session.

"A Jedi, like a martial artist, has three main aspects (body, mind and guiding principles) to develop before he can become a Jedi," Larry said to the group. "Body development - the first aspect a Jedi must develop - conditions the body to be strong, flexible and as agile as possible.

"Both the Jedi and the martial artist have to prepare themselves to be able to handle any situation they find themselves in. The ability to move quickly without effort and to defend and react without thought is as important to the Jedi as it is to the martial artist."

The group was then led through a series of exercises and stretches to help them in their training.

The next aspect of their training was the development of their minds. Much like the martial artist, a Jedi maintains a clear mind.

"This training will help a Jedi and a martial artist discipline their mind to ignore distractions from external influences, making task completion more successful," Larry said. "And focusing on maintaining a clear mind should not only be done as a Jedi or martial artist, but carry over into every aspect of their daily lives (school, job, extracurricular activities, etc)."

By disciplining themselves to focus they could achieve anything they desire.

Guiding principles is the third aspect of a Jedi. These codes of conduct keep the Jedi and martial artist on the right path in life's journey.

Larry said that in Charter of Moo Duk Kwan, the style he teaches, reverence for life is very important - much like the Jedi code. "Our charter is to protect even someone who is trying to harm us. A martial artist, just like a Jedi, is tasked with setting the example for others to follow. This way of life will help us travel a life to peace, harmony and happiness," he said.

After Larry's lesson, the participants were divided into two groups to begin their training in the different aspects of being a Jedi.

The final test for each padawan was to embark on a journey through a maze that tested the skills they learned during the evening session.

In the end, all the young padawans completed their assignments and became Jedi in training.

On Saturday, the group traveled to the movie theater to see "The Clone Wars" to reinforce what they had learned the night before and to help them on their journeys to becoming a Jedi master.

For more information about Shelton Martial Arts, call 410-672-2955, visit the school at 1202 Annapolis Road in Odenton or visit <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.sheltonkarate.com">http://www.sheltonkarate.com</a><!-- m -->.