Mr. Hounsell earned his Black Belt at Yong Studios. His dedication and rigorous approach, coupled with his enthusiasm and communication skills have made him a valuable asset to the Studio. He teaches both adult and children’s classes and is available to help students on an individual basis via private training.
Q: How has the study of martial arts changed your life?
When I first started taking Tae Kwon Do I was a rather shy and back of the room type of person. While I still do enjoy the back of the room from time to time it is no longer because I am fearful of the front. Through taking this martial art I was able to gain a great deal of confidence in myself as well as finding something that I really love to do. Martial arts made me a strong, wiser, calmer, and far more confident person than I originally was.
Q: What do you enjoy most about teaching martial arts?
My favorite part about teaching martial arts is when one of my students has been working hard for a long time and finally accomplishes something that they had found very difficult. It gives me a sense of triumph to watch them first learn and then perfect the techniques that we’re teaching them. However, teaching sparring classes to the kids comes in at close second!
Q: What keeps you here?
For me martial arts always presents a new challenge. Whether it is mastering a new technique or teaching a new student their curriculum, martial arts always provides me with an opportunity to improve myself and my abilities in one way or another. I also see my students facing the same challenges I faced in my first few years of training and then get to witness them overcoming these obstacles, which gives me a great sense of joy. Tae Kwon Do is also something that I will always love to do. It has helped me overcome challenges in my own life and I now can share it with others and hope it will provide the same benefits for them.