Award winning martial arts instructor provides release during pandemic

An award winning martial arts instructor is providing an avenue for people, young and old, to find some self-confidence and normalcy during the pandemic.

Martial arts instructor is providing an avenue for people, young and old, to find some self- confidence and normalcy during the pandemic.

Wtva's matt st.

Jean joins us in the studio with the story.

Phillip lee is close to his sixtieth year practicing martial arts out of corinth, mississippi.

He's taught and competed all over the country, his travels included consulting on various movies and attending arnold swarzenegger's martial arts festival, aptly named, the arnold sports festival.

He's met the governator.

Recently he was given the legend award from the american martial arts alliance, which is hosted by.chuck norris.

He's also survived open- heart surgery and two hip replacements, but he's never seen a year quite like this one.

(phillip) no, never had one like this (track) phillip lee owns crossroads martial arts in corinth.

(nat) (track) where people of all ages come to practice martial arts.

A discipline lee says is necessary more than ever during the pandemic.

Naturally there's been some changes to the practice.

Lee's wife is a nurse, so she knows the drill.

Each participant gets his or her temperature taken at the door.

Masks or face shields are required.

Which has been an adjustment.

(phillip) they don't like it, they don't like to wear the mask of course.

I talk to them about a lot of things as far as emotions are concerns and so i talk to them about being respectful and my thing is, it's not about us, it's about the other guy.

(track) lee talks about teaching respect, self-confidence, patience, all lessons helping his students get through these hard times a little easier.

Patience, all lessons helping his students get through these hard times a little easier.

(lee roy) it's very meaningful, it's a good release, it's an excellent workout and it makes you really relax after every session (walker) i've been learning respect and stuff and it's been easier to do karate during the pandemic because there's been no school.

(track) school.

For a lot of these kids, school is a big question mark, according to sierra parsons, practicing karate is the perfect stress reliever.

(sierra) doing karate is helping a lot, you can spread your emotions and talk, it's not just the moving around and everything but he also talks to us like really well (track) lee has expanded his teachings to virual classes during the pandemic as well.

To him, martial arts is his life's work, but at it's core, he just wants to provide a positive experience for his students.

(lee) of the sports i was in, this had more of an effect on me of the sports i was in, this had more of an effect on me because it brings out your inner strengths.

It's something positive for the kids to go to, this and church, is one of the top things, in my opinion that kids can go do.

Lee also teaches adult classes at his practice in corinth.

Lee also teaches adult classes at his practice in corinth.

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