Hurricane Tiger Tones Mind and Body Through Tae Kwon Do

Colored belts and the ability to break wooden boards are traits commonly associated with martial arts, but the road to a black belt is one filled with lessons of both mind and body–lessons tae kwon do Master Elliot Rodriguez knows well.

Himself a fifth-degree black belt, Rodriguez teaches Olympic-style Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido self-defense at , his school at 21924 23 Mile Road in Macomb Township.

Growing up in what he describes as a "bad neighborhood," Rodriguez turned to martial arts to "learn how to deal with confrontation" at a young age.

Twenty-seven years later, Rodriguez is passing on to his students the lessons he learned in confidence, concentration, endurance and flexibility.

"Fighting is strange to us," Rodriguez said. "When you train in martial arts, you learn how to deal with confrontation. You get more in control and can talk your way out of a fight because you know how to deal with confrontation."

But however skilled his students are at kicking, striking or target breaking, Rodriguez said confidence is the key trait acquired by a student of tae kwon do.

"Confidence is No.1," he said. "Self-control and exercise are also very important."

A competitive school, Hurricane Tiger students, who range in age from 4 to 64, compete in competitions across the county and around the world.

In recent years, Hurricane Tiger students have competed, and medaled, in competitions in South Korea, Canada and the Bahamas.

But for all the trophies and gold medals his students have earned over the years, Rodriguez said the greatest proof of his success as a teacher comes in the form of respect from his students.

"They have a lot of respect for me," he said. "They all achieve their goals and become black belts. Respect is the No. 1 thing they can give."

More than 20 classes per week are offered at Hurricane Tiger, with each led by an instructor who is black belt certified.

Rodriguez' training curriculum complies with the requirements for the World Taekwondo Federation and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

For more information on Hurricane Tiger classes and hours, visit the website.