Lucie Spicar never planned to open a martial arts studio, but that path was paved when her husband, Adam, enrolled the two in taekwondo classes in 2003 when the couple still lived in Kentucky. “My husband came home one day and told me that he signed us up for taekwondo lessons,” she said. “I didn’t know what taekwondo meant at that time at all. My first question was ‘What do you mean ‘us?’” Fifteen years later both Lucie and Adam have fifth-degree black belts. They opened Spicar’s Martial Arts in 2008, and Lucie later opened Spicar’s Taekwondo in 2017. Both studios offer lessons for children, teenagers and adults, teaching a combined total of 420 students. Many forms of martial arts, including karate and taekwondo, have a belt system to measure progress, Lucie said. Students often begin with a white belt and work through other colors before obtaining a black belt. Contrary to some misconceptions, martial arts is more than punching and kicking others, she said. “Everybody can hit hard,” Lucie said. “It’s about the finesse of basically being able to be quick and outsmart your sparring partner. … We do light contact, so it’s all about being fast without hurting the opponent.” Beyond physical prowess, martial arts allow participants to socialize, build confidence and learn discipline, Adam said. Spicar’s Martial Arts offers inclusive programs to all ages, Lucie said. For children, especially, it can be a formative experience as programs promote respect and good sportsmanship while teaching students to set goals. “With each belt they learn different things,” Adam said. “They are trying to accomplish something a little harder, more difficult, and so when they accomplish it, it’s something amazing that happens inside the child [whose] confidence grows.” Spicar’s Martial Arts 2120 E. Southlake Blvd., Ste. B, Southlake 817-488-6009 www.idokarate.com Hours: Mon.-Fri. 1-8 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-noon, closed Sun. Exact class times vary Spicar’s Taekwondo 1125 Davis Blvd., Ste. 300, Southlake 817-329-2255 www.idokarate.com Hours: Mon.-Fri. 1-8 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-noon, closed Sun. Exact class times vary