James Henry helps student Tharun Svetanant, 4, get into position as other students and parents watch the youth-level class at Henry's TaeKwon-Do & Combative Training Center in downtown Christiansburg. Students looking on are Thinna Svetanant (right), 7, and Tyler Bond (background), 8.

Above: James Henry (center), who is a fourth-degree black belt in tae kwon do, leads his students in stretching exercises at the beginning of a youth-level class.

Photos by Matt Gentry | The Roanoke Times

Sandra Bond (left) executes a kicking drill with sparing partner Marshall Chew. Bond has two sons who also practice at the center. "It's fun. They like seeing their mom up there doing what they're doing," Bond says.

| Allison Chopin

allison.chopin@roanoke.com, 381-1677

CHRISTIANSBURG -- Students and parents at Henry's TaeKwon-Do & Combative Training Center say the school is one of the best places in the area to learn martial arts.

The school provides both a family-friendly and competitive environment for beginners and competitive students of all ages to train in tae kwon do, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts.

James Henry, a fourth-degree black belt in tae kwon do, has been an instructor since 1996, when he opened his own school. Formerly on Radford Street, his business has operated at 7 Roanoke St. since October.

Tae kwon do, a system of martial arts that originated in Korea, is best known for its high, fast kicks.

Henry also teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which focuses on ground fighting and grappling, similar to wrestling, and mixed martial arts, which combines various fighting styles.

Henry's students say there is something unique about the way he teaches tae kwon do.

Jessica Martinez, 30, who started tae kwon do for the first time with Henry in 2007, said the program is thorough because it teaches several kinds of self-defense and fighting techniques. She said it also focuses on discipline and respect, while "other schools may gear their programs more towards games or calisthenics."

"[I have] observed some students who have come in from other schools and can see how superior Mr. Henry's knowledge and all around program is compared to some other schools," Martinez said.

"Mr. Henry isn't out to make a quick buck. He truly cares about his students and what he teaches them."

Ron Brewer, father of 10-year-old Seth who has a black belt, said his son tried a few other schools in the area when they moved here from Tennessee before picking Henry's TaeKwon-Do.

Brewer and his son were impressed with Henry's program because it teaches a wider variety of forms and incorporates discipline.

"It teaches more of the overall aspect of tae kwon do," Brewer said.

The energy it takes to teach this level of discipline is evident in the way Henry conducts his youth class. He shouts out commands and his students respond promptly and loudly with "yes, sir."

Henry, who is from Christiansburg and learned tae kwon do locally, said he picked up these techniques from his own instructor.

"If it's five guys ... or a hundred guys, he yells just the same," Henry said.

Martinez said the school is great for beginners, even adults who have never seen themselves as athletic.

"Mr. Henry is a very patient and knowledgeable instructor," she said, "and in two and a half years, through many countless hours ... I have accomplished something I never thought possible."

Adults and children are both welcome.

He has about 100 students, evenly split between children and adults. Henry teaches students as young as 3 in his "Little Dragons" class.

The school even attracts families who want to start tae kwon do together.

Sandra Bond takes the adult class after her two young sons finish their youth class. She had never tried the martial arts before and decided to learn when her sons got involved.

"It's fun. They like seeing their mom up there doing what they're doing," Bond said.

Henry said most of his students come from referrals. "It's a close family," he said. "We have a lot of camaraderie. We're more of a big team."

For those who get to more advanced levels, Henry sends several of his students to competitions around the world.

Two of his students, including Martinez, have been given spots on the U.S.A. team that will compete in the World Taekwon-do Championships in St. Petersburg, Russia, in October.

This will be the eighth time Henry has competitors going to the world championships.

Ten students also recently competed in Ottawa, Canada, where they won 12 medals. Henry's teams have also participated in cage fights in Virginia, Tennessee and elsewhere.

Students were scheduled to compete in the North American Grappling Association tournament this past weekend in Charlotte, N.C.

Henry's contributions to the community reach beyond his studio and the competitive world. He holds fight nights every year as a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Some of his students will be performing a demonstration at the Steppin' Out festival in Blacksburg in August and the Kiwanis Wilderness Trail Festival in Christiansburg in September.

Most classes are held twice a week on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday for 45 minutes or an hour. The "Little Dragons" class for 3- to 6-year-olds meets on Fridays. Classes run all year long, and new students can sign up at any time.