The phrase Black lives matter has been very popular during the last half of 2014. To Malik Muhammad, owner and senior instructor of the Martial Arts Against Violence, LLC the phrase has been his mantra for many years.
As far as he is concerned all lives matter and he works hard at steering his programming to serve as an alternative to violence. Classes in the family oriented full service martial arts academy, according to Muhammad focus on teaching self-empowerment, respect for others; inclusive of authority figures and health and nutrition.
What originated from a sport he was introduced to at the age of eight, some 40 years later has developed into a full-time business. Crediting the sport of martial arts as molding him into the man he is today Muhammad describes the mission of his award-winning Taekwondo Academy as to improve the condition of urban youth by using the martial arts modern philosophy of spiritual insight, physical discipline and scholastic education in order to bring balance to oneself. “We teach martial arts as an alternative to street violence,” he says pointing out that it also teaches the knowledge and importance of one’s own self and the responsibly for one’s own actions.
With a roster of over 30 students ranging in age between four years to at least 50, Muhammad explained that classes at MAASV are offered at the levels of beginners, novice, intermediate and advanced in traditional martial arts and self-defense including Chun Moo Kwan and Taekwondo.
Since the summer of 2014, MAASV and the East Hills Residents Preservation and Development Corporation has been conducting a Karate Kids Camp for children ages seven to 13 residing in the neighborhoods of East Hills, East Liberty, Homewood, Lincoln-Larimer and Wilkinsburg. The camp, Muhammad says is training and preparing the students to participate in state and national championships. “Throughout the years the students and I have competed in and won numerous national, state and regional competitions. Most recently the Professional Karate Commission which encompasses Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia” he mentioned.
A strong believer in education, the Karate Kids Camp is also used as a tool to encourage students to do well in school. “Because of the current state of the public school system parents are looking for alternative ways of supplementing their child or children’s education,” Muhammad indicated. “We strive to empower children who face economic, educational and social barriers. The academy offers a safe and motivational environment for children and we encourage them to do well in school.” One of his goals for 2015 is to work with Duquesne University students to implement MAASV tutorial sessions for all the students.
Another plus of the Karate Kids Camp according to Muhammad has been the opportunity for businesses within the community to get involved. “That is what makes this program so special. Community and parental support is imperative.” He pointed out that Martial Arts is an expensive sport and that donations assist in purchasing uniforms and equipment for the kids to participate. “My goal is to make the program affordable for the youth to participate and to keep the sport authentic.”
A Penn Hills native, he says even though he was introduced to Martial Arts at a young age because he came from a low-income family that the equipment and resources were not affordable and readily available to him as a child. Like most young men, Muhammad says he grew up watching kung fu movies and enjoyed the Shaw Brother’s and Gordin Lui movies. “I always knew about Bruce Lee but did not start understanding what a remarkable person he was until I got involved in the arts.” His first experience, he recalls came at the age of 13 when he joined the Penn Hills wrestling team. Throughout the years he had different experiences and met people that helped bring him where he is today. He credits acquiring equipment and training in his home gym as the way he started working out consistently until he met the owner of a Mix Martial Arts gym that sold him equipment that enabled him to train his self and his children. He later began taking CHUN MOO KWAN and TAEKWONDO classes at the Kingsley Association and continues to hone his skills in Taekwondo, Tai chi, and Aikido. In 2010 he and Yusuf Owens opened a facility but effective August of last year the business went under a reorganization and Muhammad opened Martial Arts Against Street Violence.
Excited about the future of MAASV, Muhammad says he is preparing for the spring season and beyond. “Aside from working to get the tutorial program initiated with Duquesne University he and his advisors are aiming toward expanding programming for the students and striving to increase the number of students. On a long-term basis he says he would like to open MAASV locations in other areas throughout the East End. But in the meantime working out of the 6564 Frankstown Avenue location to develop and enhance the lives of his students he says will suffice.
(Classes at the studio are offered for youth and adults throughout the week. For more information Muhammad suggests calling 412-537-3210, checking their website at www.maasvpower.com or liking them on Facebook.)
