It’s not about the yelling.

It’s not about the ability to kick a person in the chin.

It’s about learning self-confidence and discipline.

Josefa Perez, one of nearly two dozen high school students in Billy Swinney’s martial arts class at Coastal Bend College, wasn’t sure what to expect when she decided to sign up for the six-week class.

She had taken similar classes at her high school in Odem.

But that was nothing.

“As much as we have fun, there is so much discipline,” Josefa said. “If we forget a stance, then there is 10 pushups.

“He told us in the beginning that we would have to do them but I really didn’t think he would make us.”

She was wrong.

She and the other Upward Bound students were in the college gym working out Tuesday evening.

Billy called the orders and the students stood motionless with their arms bent at their sides.

His commands were in Korean but the students knew what they meant.

In as near perfect unison as beginners can be, the students went through their routines.

“Low, middle high,” Billy told Ashley Hadwin as she practiced her punches. “Always cross the body.”

While martial arts is about form, they are learning more.

“We know what to do when someone is grabbing or holding you,’ Josefa said. “As girls we have learned which moves to do that will really hurt the wrists and shoulders.”

Knowing how to defend herself is just one aspect of building self-confidence.

It is this self-confidence that Billy says he is trying to develop.

Billy, who has 25 years experience teaching Taekwondo and Hapkido, said that the self-confidence Josefa is feeling is what he hopes all of his students develop along with “self-discipline and self-respect.”

“The class consists of more than just a physical workout, but also exercises for the mind. Students learn discipline, self-control, courtesy and integrity which are vital for living in today’s world,” he said.

“It is about them being able to maintain themselves in the world.”

“Students learn to make correct choices in a world where peer pressure, anxiety and attitudes can surely change the course of anyone’s life.

“Learning the ability to think before speaking or taking action in a situation that could turn for the worse is essential for young people taking their first steps into a sometimes dangerous world.”

Swinney said he has already noticed a change himself in the students.

“Since we have started, they learn a little more in school. They listen more and they are quieter. It is already showing its marked effect.”

As their workout Tuesday evening wore on, the students kept their excitement despite what appeared to be exhaustion setting in.

Billy walked between the lines of students critiquing each on form.

“Don’t lock your elbow,” he tells one students.

“Widen your stance,” he tells another.

With about 20 students enrolled in his class, Billy is pleased.

“My favorite thing about teaching a class like this is that these young people will carry this experience with them for the rest of their lives,” Billy said. “And my hope is that they will use these new tools to better themselves mentally and physically for all the challenges they will face in their pursuit of a beneficial future.”

Heather Anderson, Upward Bound G.O.S.T. (George West, Odem, Sinton and Taft) coordinator, said that the students elect to take the martial arts course, choosing it over one of several other activities.

She chose to offer martial arts to the students because she knew that many might not have the opportunity to take the class otherwise.

“All of the students are either low income or first generation college,” she said.

Overall, the goal is to enrich the lives of the students.

“The goal of the program is for all of our students to go on to college and receive at least a bachelor’s degree.”

Jason Collins is the editor at the Bee-Picayune and can be reached at 358-2550, ext. 121, or at editor@mySouTex.com.