TAKING HOLD HIGHLAND'S STUDENTS CAN LEARN MARTIAL ARTS.Byline: KAREN MAESHIRO Staff Writer PALMDALE -- There are two things most high school kids don't like -- getting up early and going to P.E. classes. But at Highland High School Highland High School or Highlands High School may refer to: In the United States:
jujitsu Martial art that employs holds, throws, and paralyzing blows to subdue or disable an opponent. It evolved among the samurai warrior class in Japan from about the 17th century. class is drawing 46 students to a course that just might be the first of its kind in the state. The elective course Noun 1. elective course - a course that the student can select from among alternatives elective course, course of instruction, course of study, class - education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings; "he took a course in basket weaving"; "flirting is teaches about the Japanese form of wrestling, a Brazilian form of jujitsu and other types of martial arts This is a list of martial arts, broken down by region and style. African martial arts Eritrea
``I thought it would be interesting, considering it's one of the first schools to have it. Mr. V
Mr. V, real name Victor Font, is a house music and latin music producer and rapper. is a cool teacher,'' said junior Jorge Bloch, who was born in Brazil and moved to the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. in 2000. ``I really like martial arts. It's a cool class. You learn a lot about self-defense.'' Jujitsu is a Japanese system of wrestling in which knowledge of anatomy and the principle of leverage are applied so that the strength and weight of an opponent are used against him or her. Judo is a type of jujitsu. Viramontes, a former football coach at Highland, said he decided to do the jujitsu class after the state several years ago approved self-defense as a part of the P.E. curriculum as long as the instructor is qualified. Viramontes has 15 years of martial arts experience, is a certified instructor, and has a purple belt in jujitsu, which is two away from the highest level of black. ``My class might be the first ever jujitsu class in the state of California. I did some research, and no one seems to have it,'' Viramontes said. ``There's one high school in Northern California Northern California, sometimes referred to as NorCal, is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The region contains the San Francisco Bay Area, the state capital, Sacramento; as well as the substantial natural beauty of the redwood forests, the northern , but they are just a club.'' A state Education Department spokeswoman said there was no way to confirm Viramontes' claim. Viramontes said the class does jujitsu on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, and mixed martial arts For the fighting styles that combine different arts, see . Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a combat sport in which a wide variety of fighting techniques are used, including striking and grappling. , boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and karate karate: see martial arts. karate Martial art in which an attacker is disabled by crippling kicks and punches. Emphasis is on concentration of as much of the body's power as possible at the point and instant of impact. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with an emphasis on women's self-defense. Students also learn martial arts etiquette etiquette, name for the codes of rules governing social or diplomatic intercourse. These codes vary from the more or less flexible laws of social usage (differing according to local customs or taboos) to the rigid conventions of court and military circles, and they and the history of jujitsu, a ``gentle art'' that originated out of Japan several centuries ago, Viramontes said. Viramontes also covers Brazilian jujitsu, which developed after Japanese immigrated to Brazil many decades ago. ``It's kind of different. It's more of a street self-defense,'' Viramontes said. ``It helps smaller people fight a bigger opponent. It's great for young girls to learn.'' The class has proved to be popular with a waiting list of 100 students. Despite the early class time, students are eager to learn, Viramontes said. ``They are highly motivated, and they want to learn something in physical education other than playing basketball and playing football,'' Viramontes said. ``It's really good. We stretch, and we are awake and ready for our other classes,'' Bloch said. Students are required to dress for the class in traditional jujitsu gi, which a Palmdale martial arts school sold to students at a discount. Students also must wear mouthpieces and martial arts or wrestling shoes Wrestling shoes are active wear used in competition and practice for the sport of wrestling. Generally extremely light and flexible, they try to mimic the bare foot with slightly more traction and ankle support and less chance of contracting a disease or hurting someone with your . Viramontes said he thinks the class will help students academically because it teaches discipline and how to stay focused. ``They know they can walk away from a fight. They know what they can do. It's not about being a man or being a woman. They know what they are capable of doing so they can just walk away from a potential threat,'' Viramontes said. karen.maeshiro@dailynews.com (661) 267-5744 CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1) Highland High School students Samantha Sturgill, top, and Taylor Radtke practice a jujitsu hold during their class. (2 -- 4) Highland High School physical education teacher Esaul Viramontes, above, watches Stefan Medina, top, and Mathew Zavala practice in his jujitsu class. At top right, Viramontes demonstrates a jujitsu hold with student Florentino Santiago, 17, who practices a jujitsu kick, at right. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer |
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