Not My Day Job: Out of the Classroom, Onto the Mat
Once a week, Dr. Melissa Barfield-Works’ students ages 6 to 12-years-old are eager
to learn judo and jujitsu skills. The associate professor of sociology is a tang soo do (Korean karate) instructor for Guardians Martial Arts Academy at
the YMCA in east Belleville, Ill.
Melissa learned martial arts in 1998 as a graduate student in Starkville, Miss. She
practiced consistently for four years, earning black belts in taekwondo in 2001 and
jujitsu in 2002. She later trained in aikido and judo while teaching in California.
“I did my black belts and graduate work at the same time. They really complemented
each other,” she recalled. “In martial arts you learn persistence and you learn to
stick with things - to work toward a goal in small increments. You learn you can do
more than you thought you could.”
Like breaking boards, for example. “It’s all about technique,” she said. “It’s a lot
easier to do with a kick than with a punch. And you have to pick the right kind of
board.”
She finds the concentration a natural stress reliever. “Martial arts command all of
your attention so it’s a good way for me to deal with other stuff in my life. I can
get immersed in it. Martial arts require a lot of focus. You have to focus on doing
technique correctly, to think about all different parts of your whole body. You have
to pay attention to a lot of things. It’s therapeutic; you have to devote your attention
to it.
“I think a lot of people think they can’t do it. When I started doing martial arts,
I was anxious about some of the stuff I saw the more advanced students doing. But
you don’t get there overnight. It takes time. You gradually attain those things.”
Practicing martial arts “gives you a sense of control over your body and your movements.
I feel much safer when I’m doing martial arts.”
In addition to self-defense and better balance, she has found other benefits as an
instructor. “I enjoy getting to know the kids and I really get a sense of community
out of that. I feel more connected to my community.”
