MARTIAL ARTS: A SPORT FOR ALL AGES.

Byline: Rick Coca Valley News Writer

While the thought of little Susie or Grandma Elsa taking a kick to the ribs would make most people cringe, the blow might do some good in a controlled, nurturing environment.

At various martial arts studios in the San Fernando Valley, instructors, parents and students praised the mental and emotional benefits of the training as much as the physical rewards.

Yaneth Llerenas of North Hollywood said she has seen a marked change in her daughter, 6-year-old Brianne, who trains at the JK Tae Kwon Do Academy in Burbank under the tutelage of Jin Ki Lim, a former international tae kwon do champion.

``She wasn't really socializing in school,'' Llerenas said of her daughter before she began training about a year ago. ``She's gotten really good. She talks more. She's got more confidence in herself. (Her) scores in school have gone up.''

At a recent evaluation session, where students demonstrate what they have learned with an opportunity to elevate their belt level, Brianne more than held her own in a sparring session with a young boy. Llerenas said beside the improvement in school, the training has had an effect that any parent would appreciate.

``She does chores at home,'' Llerenas said. ``She doesn't want us to help her.''

Daniel Lim of Burbank, 17, the son of ``Master'' Lim, is the 2004 Junior Olympic tae kwon do form champion.

``It's great for the body, mind and teaching kids,'' Lim said.

As far as training under somebody who is as accomplished in the sport as his father, Lim offered a balanced view.

``He's very strict, but he's very understanding,'' Lim said.

At the San Fernando Karate Club in San Fernando, director and ``Sensei'' Sonny Barnes, 60, born in Kobe, Japan, the son of an American father and Japanese mother, said his non-profit program stresses discipline as well as academic excellence.

``I don't bend no kind of way,'' said Barnes, explaining how he doesn't waive the club's academic requirements the students must meet in order to participate and continue in the program. ``I have to see the kids' progress reports.''

The Sylmar resident said the club has been around since the 1970s, when it was known as the LAPD Foothill Karate Club. A large man with a barrel chest, Barnes said his own abilities fall into the master range, but as an instructor, he doesn't put much faith into belt categories.

``Degrees and belts don't make a man,'' Barnes said. ``(If a person says), 'I'm a third-degree black belt. I'm a fourth-degree,' well, what does that mean? What about your students? Fighting skills are one thing; teaching skills are another.''

In class, Barnes offers constructive criticism and praise in equal measure, encouraging students to put forth their best effort at all times.

Explaining his teaching style, Barnes shared his key to happiness, learned from years in dojos, Japanese training academies. ``You apologize and admit your errors, keep your temper and don't blame others,'' Barnes said. ``Once you start blaming others, you're putting yourself a little higher, and that's one thing we don't do. Don't put your needs before others.''

Barnes' wife, Linda Root-Barnes, who is also an instructor in the program, said since some of their students are 3 and 4 years old, it can be difficult keeping the children focused. Still, even for the young, there are benefits.

``It's fun at times to see the progress, especially the little ones,'' Root-Barnes said. ``(Not) the way they punch, but the way they're acting.''

There are plenty of benefits for adults, too.

Many adults have cited its ability to help them lose weight, get into shape, manage stress and even deal with personal loss or tragedy.

Sheri Adelman, 38, of Calabasas began training three years ago at the Simon Rhee Tae Kwon Do Training Center in Woodland Hills. Like many others, Adelman initially was looking for a good workout.

``The more advanced belts you get, you get into it, trying to move up,'' Adelman said.

Beside practicing her tae kwon do on her husband at home and taller people in class, particularly her pal, Garth, the mother of two said she enjoys the empowerment she gets from the training.

``It's a hidden confidence that you have,'' Adelman said. ``It's a secret you carry around with you, that you can defend yourself. (You) look at some of the people (in class) who are black belts, and you wouldn't know it.''

Sixty-one-year-old Ellen Stead fits Adelman's description. Stead is an instructor, or ``Sifu,'' at Kris Adrian's Advanced Academy of Martial Arts in Mission Hills, where they practice American kenpo karate.

``I've got my third-degree black belt,'' Stead said. ``I love karate. I just love it.''

Stead began training along with her son, Mike, 41, of Castaic, 11 years ago, and the two frequently pair up at the academy to practice against one another. Mike is also an instructor and enjoys the discipline's emphasis on good balance between hands and feet and inside fighting, where the fight takes place in close quarters. He also said the sport helps him relieve stress.

He said he is impressed by master instructor Adrian's ability to work with hyper-active kids.

``He can turn a ping-pong type boy into a disciplined young man,'' Stead said.

Gregg Fisher, 51, of Burbank, began training at the academy two years ago. He said the style is adaptable to all ages and abilities.

``It creates good health in older people,'' Fisher said. ``I've had two back surgeries, and I'm out here rolling around.''

Fisher appreciates how martial arts can help people deal with myriad life challenges.

``Any issue that anybody has gets taken care of out here on the mat,'' Fisher said.

Martial arts academies and training centers typically have a creed, vowing to treat the sport, self and opponent with respect, kindness and humility. To see Adrian's academy's creed at work, look no further than the 1994 USA International Heavy Weight Champion's family.

``I call him the most ethical man I've ever met,'' said Cindy, Adrian's wife. ``I believe that's because of his 36 years in the (martial) arts.''

Kristiana, his 8-year-old daughter, like all martial artists, has her own reasons for engaging in the sport.

``(I do it) because my dad does it,'' she said. ``I want to be just like my dad when I grow up.''

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Daniel Lim of Burbank soars as Andrew Budde (pictured above) of North Hollywood attempts a ground-level attack at the JK Tae Kwon Do Academy in Burbank.

Rick Coca/Daily News

(2 -- color) Theresa Berry, left, enjoys her first day at the Simon Rhee Tae Kwon Do Center in Woodland Hills.

(3 -- color) Master Jin Ki Lim, seated center in back, with instructors and students at the JK Tae Kwon Do Academy in Burbank.