TRAVERSE CITY -- Chris and Judy Pline met in Taekwondo class.
Chris was the instructor, Judy the student. Their relationship went from martial to marital. The two met, married and brought up a family of black belts. Now, they instruct others in the ways of Taekwondo through their ATA Black Belt Leadership Academy in Traverse City.
The family packs a lot of punch. Chris is a sixth-degree black belt, and Judy is a third-degree black belt. Daughter Kira Boyd earned a fourth-degree black belt and is an instructor at the school, as is her husband Jeff Boyd, a first-degree black belt. The Plines' son Cody is a second-degree black belt and daughter Hayley, 16, is a first-degree black belt.
"It's one of the few sports families can do together," said Judy.
At 18, Chris started learning the martial art form as a way to get in shape. It crossed his mind that the activity could some day become a career. He taught downstate, including at a school in Portland, Mich., which he later sold.
The Traverse City academy teaches children as young as 3, who meet in classes called "Tiny Tigers." They've also worked with a student who started Taekwondo at age 69 and earned a black belt at 72. About 120 students currently take classes.
"Everyone succeeds to their own level," said Chris.
The activity develops discipline, concentration, fitness and teaches self-defense as well as goal setting.
"We teach life skills as part of our program," Judy said.
Taekwondo keeps the family tight. They travel to competitions together and work with each other. During a recent evening at the academy, several family members guided barefoot youngsters through techniques. Pupils responded in unison to instructions with a "Yes, ma'am."
Hayley takes classes twice a week at the academy. Her dad is her current instructor. She plans to continue with lessons at least until she leaves for college.
"The two biggest reasons that parents bring their kids to Taekwondo are self-confidence and self-discipline," Judy said. Those character traits seeped into Hayley at an early age.
"Since I grew up in this school ... it's already a part of my life," she said.
For more on the academy, visit the Web site, www.traverseata.com.
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