Category: Uncategorized Page 58 of 76

Joseph Stricker of Saginaw owns two martial arts studios that teach skills for life.

How long have you owned the martial arts studios and where are they located?

I have owned the Martial Arts Connection for seven years. The Saginaw school has been open for seven years and is located at 6285 Bay, Suite 1. The school in Bay City opened in August 2010 and is located at 207 Third.

In 2011, the Martial Arts Connections also opened up a company called Wing Chun Connection that makes martial arts supplies and sells wholesale and retail items to companies throughout the United States. Wing Chun Connection is located in Bay City at 519 Washington. Call 399-9925 for more information.

What do you offer?

We offer karate (for youth and adults, starting at age 3), kung fu, ju jutsu, Iaido, escrima, self-defense, a wide variety of fitness programs and many other additional programs. Personal training, group training and private lessons are also available.

How did you get involved in martial arts?

When I was a child, I used to watch my dad, Anthony Stricker, with his involvement in martial arts. It was from that point on that I realized that I had a passion for this and it was my dream. As I was growing up, others would constantly laugh at that fact that I was consistently dressed up in karate uniforms, ninja suits and Bruce Lee shirts.

Tell us about your family.

I am very fortunate to come from an immense family. Family has always been a big portion of my life. I enjoy the company and quality time that comes along with having a big family. I also try to have a family atmosphere within the Martial Arts School.

How many students do you have and what is the most important thing that you teach?  

Overall I have approximately 100 students and growing. These students are a combination of children and adults. With the vast majority of classes that I teach, I cannot honestly state one factor that is the most important. All of these classes that are offered help with self-esteem, discipline, healthy decision making skills, respect, commitment and confidence. I enjoy every class that I teach, and teaching others what I know has been my passion for life.

What are your other interests?

My biggest interest is continuing my education with martial arts and expanding my knowledge. I am eager to this day to learn new tactics and skills to pass on to my students. Other interests involve my religion, going to church, cooking, working out and relaxing watching a movie when time allows.

What are your plans for 2012?

My plans are to continue the growth of the Martial Arts Connection. I also look forward to the third annual Cinco De Mayo “Cinco K Run/ Walk.” All the proceeds that are raised through this event are donated to scholarships and juvenile diabetes awareness. The fourth annual “Battle in the Coliseum” Martial Arts Tournament, which is held in October at Saginaw Valley State University, is also something I prepare for all year long and look forward to immeasurably.

If you ask Master Paul Edwards how his day is going, he will most likely respond with an enthusiastic, “Outstanding!” That’s because the martial arts guru says a positive outlook promotes positive actions—a mindset he teaches his students atExceptional Tae Kwon Do in White Plains.

“Enthusiasm pulls everything together and training is about confidence,” said the Cortlandt Manor resident. “You have to do the best you can.”

Edwards trains all levels of Tae Kwon Do, with students ranging in age from 4 to 64. His after-school program is separate from his other classes and meets from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Other afternoon classes for kids start at 4:10 p.m. These sessions are especially beneficial because they raise self-esteem and keep them active.

“You can’t be lazy in martial arts,” he said. “It requires a lot of physical aptitude to jump, kick, and stretch.”

And the windows in the waiting room are no accident. Edwards says one way he helps his students develop confidence is by making it clear to them that they are being seen by others.

Edwards adds that a central point of martial arts is learning to strategize. That’s why even though each student has different physical capabilities, he reminds them there are other ways to excel.

“I always say to my kids, ‘I’m not made up of my failures, I’m made up of how I overcome them. If someone else is stronger, you have to be faster.”

Edwards points out that a lot of women come to class hoping to learn self-defense through Tae Kwon Do. He says the physical strength they develop is only a small part of the training because they must defend themselves by learning to stand strong, make eye contact and speak clearly.

“The first step to defending yourself is becoming someone of self-confidence and being the best you can be,” he added.

It is clear that Tae Kwon Do has stayed in the Edwards family. His wife Jennifer is a third degree black belt, twins Kiah and Kylie are both yellow belts and daughter Natasha is a high blue belt.

Harris Bonfiglio has owned Kajok TaeKwon-Do Training Center in North Branford for the past six years. Bonfiglio, who was born in New Haven and moved to Branford in 4th grade, has had three schools in Branford, has been studying the art for 40 years and teaching for 38 years.

Kajok offers Tiny Tigers for ages six to nine, intermediate for ages 8 to 13, adult classes and open classes. Classes coming soon include a women’s martial arts fitness program based on cardio kickboxing, which will be Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:15 p.m. and Saturdays at noon and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program, which is slated to begin at the end February and taught by a certified Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor.

North Branford Patch: How did you get interested in taekwondo?

Harris Bonfiglio: It was in 1969, I started off with a little bit of boxing and wanted something more exciting, I started training under Master Tae He Lee in Branford.

North Branford Patch: How is taekwondo different from boxing and other forms of fighting?

Bonfiglio: It’s more of a traditional, scientific system of martial arts. It’s based on speed, balance and Newtonian physics.

North Branford Patch: What are the benefits of practicing taekwondo?

Bonfiglio: It’s a good physical fitness program that will teach children discipline and improve their overall confidence and physical condition. It’s also a good a good sport that you can use to further yourself in other sports. It makes you good at everything. It combines mental with physical, it’s really hard.

North Branford Patch: How have you seen taekwondo impact your students?

Bonfiglio: In the past, I’ve taught kids with learning disabilities and the patterns have been known to improve Tourette’s and ADD. I had a student with Tourette’s who could not stand still for a moment and by the time he got to green belt, which is about halfway through, he was reduced to just a couple ticks, no more outbursts. The ability to be able to control himself for one minute through these patterns, he recognized those patters and used them.

North Branford Patch: What’s your favorite part of the job?

Bonfiglio: Meeting people and taking someone who’s not physically sound or has physical problems and maybe be able to improve their balance and confidence and overall condition.

North Branford Patch: Do you attend any competitions?

Bonfiglio: Yeah, there’s a big one coming up in Toronto in July. There’s competitions in Sardinia, Russia, Cyprus. I compete, but I also give seminars there, too. I’m an international instructor so I’m able to give rank, do promotions overseas–I tested four gentlemen from Ukraine and promoted them to 4th-degree black belt. There’s a world class event every year and every two years there’s a world championship, which will be in Cyprus again next year.

North Branford Patch: What is something you would like our readers to know about you and your business?

Bonfiglio: I love it. It’s a good way to meet people. I have friends who I’ve known for 40 years. We’re all a close-knit group, it’s nice. I’m at a point now where I had students years ago who were children that I trained and they became black belts and now their children are here training. I’m that old *laughs*.

North Branford Patch: Where might people see you around town when you’re not teaching?

Bonfiglio: Well, I work full-time, then I do this at night and I think I need to sleep after that.

In light of the recent car jackings that have been happening on the east end of Slidell dating back to early December, many local citizens are wondering what they should do in order to steer clear of the perpetrator.

According to owner of Rick Weems’ Martial Arts, Jude Grayson, a fourth-degree black belt and seven-time National Champion in Tae Kwon Do—the key to dealing with a bad confrontation such as a car jacking is to be alert and not fearful.

“When things like that happen, force down the fear,” said Grayson. “The time to be afraid is maybe after it when everything is over with. The time to be alert is when you are in danger.”
Grayson has been teaching at Rick Weems gym for years and believes everyone should attend at least one self-defense class because it not only helps build knowledge in physical defense, but also helps people become more mentally proactive.

“Always carry you keys between your knuckles because they can become a weapon, most importantly even if it’s not at my school, everyone needs to get into a self-defense class,” said Grayson.

According to Grayson there are several things young women can do to avoid a situation with a perpetrator before a weapon or confrontation has begun including: choosing a remote parking spot, having company out in public, carrying a cell phone, and being aware of where they are.

The particular suspect who has been committing abductions in Slidell seems to hide in-between cars and catches vulnerable women in the early 20’s off guard late at night.

“This is a time that I think is a time to not be careless. No one should be shopping at night right now. Wal-Mart always has police detail. If you have to shop, be smart about where you shop, be smart about where you park, park underneath the light,” said Grayson.

Also, Grayson recommended anyone who is leaving a grocery store or shopping mall at night should be walked to their car by a store employee, clerk, or manager.

These are all steps that can be taken before a robbery occurs, but Grayson also had advice for those wanting to know how to defend themselves upon meeting armed intruders including concealing a stun gun in.

“Everybody should have a taser,” said Grayson. “It’s a legal thing and you don’t have to pay attention to your real feelings on gun control. Tasers are safe, just keep them in your purse.”

Grayson’s gym will be hosting a street self-defense class starting Thursday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Rick Weem’s Martial Arts gym on 2145 Gause Blvd. The event is free to the public.