Having fun & learning self-defense

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Sensei Jamie Livergood
gives instruction during a class at Family Martial Arts Center in Bowling Green. (Photo: Enoch
Wu/Sentinel-Tribune)

Judo is the only martial art that requires two people to practice – not just one person and a punching
bag.
That fact, coupled with the belief of teaching an opponent instead of harming, is what drew in Jamie
Livergood 41 years ago.
Now, Livergood teaches children and adults alike the art he fell in love with at his Bushido Kai American
Family Martial Arts Center in the Woodland Mall.
“It’s truly a martial art – you can adapt that art to fit your body,” he said. “You can make it your
own.”
He’s been making it his since arriving at the Mall in 2000 and moving to his current mall location in
2005.
Respect is a key player at the Center and students show it by bowing to the pictures on the wall and to
each other.
“Bowing is the equivalent of shaking hands,” he said. “We also do all our commands in Japanese.”
One command that doesn’t need to be spoken is judo’s tap-out policy.
If an opponent doesn’t feel comfortable, he or she can always tap out to instantly end the match – no
questions asked.
“You have to know what you can and can’t do,” he said. “It’s not about winning or losing – it’s about
having fun.”
Having fun, while learning some good self-defense, is exactly why Marianna Mitova enrolled herself and
her son Mason Mitov, 8, for Livergood’s classes.
The duo practices together during the children’s class twice a week.
“It really helps me to help him. He’s learning as I learn,” Mitova said. “We’ve worked a lot on his
confidence and martial arts played a big role in that. It’s a good bonding experience.”
For Mike Walters, judo is a family affair.
After his son Bob Walters, 11, started taking classes, his little sisters wanted to join in.
Now, Alice Walters, 5, and Rose Walters, 8, know how to flip adults more than half their size.
“I wanted them to learn if someone grabs you, this is how you fight back,” Mike Walters said. “Here, it’s
so hands-on. They do a lot of work with self-defense.”
Paul Moore started teaching with Livergood seven years ago after being a “judo parent” for his son.
Aside from the great exercise it provides, Moore appreciates the philosophical aspect.
“There are connections outside of this like improving oneself and taking care of each other,” he said.
“There’s such a life aspect to it. Sometimes we’ll just stop class and talk.”
Eventually, the flips and kicks become second-nature and Moore can teach his students to focus on
something else.
“It’s about going out and challenging yourself,” he said. “When it’s you and someone else, you’re facing
a risk and putting yourself out there. It’s like life.”
Livergood accepts students as young as five. Throughout the years, he’s taught people in their 80s and
state champions.
“I like when they meet their goals and challenges,” Livergood said. “It’s amazing.”

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