MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The sound of the students’ “keeyah” echoes through the instructional class area as they execute strikes during the Tae Kwon Do class at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Youth and Teen Center, Monday.

 The hour-long class is available to children 4 to 17, or 18 years old high school students. The program is open to Department of Defense family members, as well as retired military, every Monday at 5:15 p.m., according to Monica Romero, assistant director of the Miramar Child, Youth and Teen Programs. The cost is $35 per month, not including a $65 fee for the uniforms and patches.

 The program began when the center, along with Grand Master Seung Yang, the instructor of the Tae Kwon Do course, wanted to meet the need for low-cost activities for children in the community, explained Romero.

 The course is tailored to every child’s needs, according to Yang. Not every child learns as quickly as others, so the course allows children to learn at their own pace.

 An art requiring an increased level of physical discipline, Tae Kwon Do offers children the chance to learn and develop fundamentals of board breaking, striking and blocking, according to Yang, who has been an instructor of the course for more than 10 years. As a result, the fundamentals increase physical conditioning, coordination, balance and flexibility.

 Children have the ability to advance in belts as their proficiency increases, explained Yang. As a student becomes more proficient and mature, they have the opportunity to test for a new belt level.

 Belt levels range from white to black. When a child earns a black belt, their name is added to the World Tae Kwon Do Federation’s black belt list, allowing them to compete in Olympic-style tournaments.

 In addition to the physical requirements, the mental requirements are just as important, explained Yang.

 Tae Kwon Do emphasizes moral development and physical development, said Yang. As kids progress through the course, they understand the importance of self discipline and respect for others, two qualities from which a strong moral foundation is built, added Yang.

 “The biggest thing I want my child to take from this is respect,” said Hermosa Perez, the mother of 5-year-old white belt, Niko Perez.

 For more information on the class or to register, call 858-577-6959.