Staff photo / Bob Coupland Master Darrin Warren, left, instructs Brayden, 14, in taekwondo inside one of the rooms of Mimi’s Dance Studio in Newton Falls where New Wave Junior Taekwondo School moved into spaces at the dance studio in January.

NEWTON FALLS — A longtime dance studio in the village now shares its space for teaching the ancient Korean martial art of taekwondo, and its instructor is reaching out to help youth under county supervision.

Master Darrin Warren of the New Wave Junior Taekwondo School, who started teaching in Newton Falls in January, has spread the message of discipline and integrity to clients weekly at the Trumbull County Children Services facility in northeast Warren.

“Not all of the youth there have taken to the art, but there are a few that have really caught on, and we are working on a way to get them to come here to the school in Newton Falls for more lessons,” said Warren, who hosts taekwondo classes inside Mimi’s Dance Studio in the village limits off South Canal Street.

Warren said his school teaches taekwondo, an art form that combines physical fitness, spirituality and mental toughness.

Children services residential administrator Nikki Hazlett said her agency “is incredibly fortunate” to have worked with Warren at the facility for the last four years.

“His patience, compassion, consistency and the life skills he teaches are crucial to the healing of the kids in our care,” Hazlett said. “We encourage all our children to participate in the weekly program for at least six weeks.”

Hazlett said about 75 percent of the children services clients have chosen to remain active in the martial arts.

“We believe it is because of their relationship with Master Warren,” she said.

Taekwondo has taught the children self-protection, self-control and how to enjoy and be successful in a social group, Hazlett said.

“Some have begun setting goals to earn their belts,” she said.

SPECIAL BOND

One client, named Brayden, has developed a special bond with Warren.

“The marked growth in self-esteem, healthy coping skills and the simple joy that Brayden is showing is due in large part to their bond,” Hazlett said about the relationship between teacher and student.

Brayden, whose last name was withheld because of children services policy, said Warren has taught him self-discipline and how to follow the rules.

“He has helped me learn to talk to others when I am sad. I love going to class, and I love him,” he said.

Hazlett said she is looking forward to some of the children services kids traveling to the Newton Falls studio for lessons.

PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL

Taekwondo is the Korean form of martial arts characterized by punching and kicking techniques, with emphasis on head-height kicks, spinning jump kicks and fast kicking techniques, according to common definitions. In addition to the defensive technique and competitive elements taught to the student, Warren said he integrates into his classes the spiritual aspects of the arts.

“We teach them how to develop their mental strengths as well as give lessons in morals and ethics,” he said, noting there is a certain etiquette when approaching the art as well as respect and obedience to authority, such as in the case of youth toward parents and teachers.

According to the teaching manuals, taekwondo strives to develop the positive aspects of an individual’s personality: respect, courtesy, goodness, trustworthiness, loyalty, humility, courage, patience, integrity, perseverance, self-control, an indomitable spirit and a sense of responsibility to help and respect all forms of life.

NEW FOR FALLS

In the corners of the three rooms of the studio hangs a South Korean flag next to America’s Stars and Stripes.

“We have been sharing the rooms with the dances, but on Friday nights, we get it all to ourselves,” Warren, a 20-year martial arts teacher, said. The dance classes now are run by Warren’s sister.

Warren said the building had seen a lot of uses over the years, including a Prohibition-era speakeasy, but he said he has about two dozen students enrolled at New Wave, which currently operates three days per week.

For years, Warren said he had studied the arts and taught under Master Justin Taylor at his Junior Taekwondo schools in Boardman and Chardon.

One of the school’s teachers is John Barhoover, a former Trumbull County sheriff deputy who recently took four first places in Amateur Athletic Union competition in board breaking.

Barhoover, who now has joined the Newton Falls police force as a part-time officer, broke 10 boards in six seconds in the speed hand contest. In kick breaking, he broke 10 boards in seven seconds and using power foot and axe kick moves, broke 21 boards at once. He also broke 21 boards using a hammer fist.

This is Barhoover’s fourth straight AAU national championship dating back to 2019.

On April 9, he will be competing at the AAU state competition in Akron for a chance to go on to national competition in Las Vegas this July.

Barhoover, who also has trained under both Taylor and Warren, said he will be qualifying for a second-degree black belt in the coming months.