Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
For Vera Poole, it was the energy, the connection and the community support that brought her dream, “Energy Connection Health & Fitness Ltd.” come to life.
This, her business in Fort St. James, opened last November and Pool couldn’t be happier.
I’m doing what I love,” Poole says. “My passion is taekwondo and teaching. What better way to give back to the community. It was challenging finding a place at first, a good space that’s central, but then this happened and it couldn’t be better,” Poole said.
Poole now uses the space for various classes. It is located at 4-470 Stuart St., Fort St. James.
Why Taekwondo? For Poole, 48, it’s all about achieving personal goals, empowerment, discipline and about belonging to a family no matter who you are. Once you enter the “dojang,” all are one.
“This was something that I could do with my family all together rather than racing around to hockey games, skating and so on,” Poole says. “It was so stressful and expensive, but this was for the family, a healthy choice, physically and mentally, it just fit,” she said.
Poole also experienced health problems within her family. This made her realise that life was too short and that she should follow her passion and that passion was taekwondo.
Poole has been training for 11 years and has been teaching for seven. Her official title is assistant instructor and she is a 2nd dan black belt.
She competes regularly and in November she will participate in the ITF Caribbean North American Taekwondo Championships in Richmond.
Taekwondo is a martial art with heavy emphasis on “kicks”. “It relies strictly on the use of hands and feet. No weapons are used,” Poole said.
The main international organizational body for taekwondo today is the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) founded by General Choi Hong Hi in 1966.
“It’s great for kids,” Poole says. “It teaches them life skills, boundaries and expectations in life. It teaches discipline, respect for one another and self-confidence.”
Poole teaches a variety of classes: junior dragons who are 3-6-years-old, beginner taekwondo for 7-year-olds and up, family taekwondo, stretch and tone classes, morning fitness and boot camp classes. She is also a nutritional and fitness coach.
“I get to help people physically and mentally and I get to share my knowledge to the community,” Poole said.” I get to share what I love. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
To join a class or for more information call (250) 996-1300 or visit: vnsw@live.ca