Often times coaches and those not well versed in other Martial Art over-complicate the sport of Boxing. Boxing is not the most complex thing in the world. Defend and counter the punches. The limitation of legal techniques within the sport eliminates a lot of those strikes and combinations that might otherwise be utilized. Here at Calasanz Physical Art we create boxers from every day people in as little as 2 months and all focused on mastering the basics. Good defense, head movement, simple punches and building power. These are the foundational premises of being a good boxer and we train them here uniquely.
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If you’re going to open a martial arts school, please beware that you will have to deal with troublemakers. You know what I’m talking about. You’ve seen the martial arts movie where a karate teacher is busy teaching class for example, and all of a sudden, a bunch of clowns from a rival school show up and want to fight. If you think this scene only happens in the movies, you are sorely mistaken. It is not uncommon to have challengers come into a martial art school looking for a fight. As the proprietor of a martial arts school, I have seen troublemakers come in many forms, some subtle, some not so subtle. If you plan on running a martial art club, you really need to understand how this can happen and what to do about it.
We once had a rival school send a drug-crazed maniac who walked into a class with the purpose of hurting people. Another sent two women who openly wanted to challenge our female instructors. One of these women actually lunged at me! These people are dangerous intruders bent on violence. We have not hesitating in resorting to legal action by calling the police and getting our lawyers involved. As the head instructor, you are responsible for the safety of your students. Send someone else to call 911, while you try to calm the situation down before the police arrive.
Most troublemakers don’t come in packs like they do in the martial arts movies. Very often, a rival school or local street fighter registers as a student with your club and his primary goal is to challenge your students and pick fights. These people are not interested in forms, technique, or fitness. Martial art schools don’t like to turn paying students away, so I take a “wait and see” attitude. If a perspective student is so obnoxious, you are within your rights to reject him as a member of your club and tell him to go elsewhere.
Street fighters want to prove themselves. They are there to fight. I usually handle these people myself or delegate their training to an experienced fighter/instructor who will be able to handle him skillfully. I built my first school on local street fighters who came here for a challenge and ended up being loyal students. Individuals from rival schools are there to cause trouble. They are either sent by their instructors or are there on their own. Their mission is to check out your operation and cause disruptions. This comes in the form of challenges to you or your students. They will also berate your style or the way you do things. Again, I usually handle these people myself or pair them off with a skilled fighter/instructor. Whether it’s the blatant challenge or the Trojan Horse, always be vigilant. While the challenges are not as dramatic as they are in the movies, they do exist. This is a business that tends to attract this type of element.
Ask yourself these questions: Is stress consuming you? Do you feel as though you are sleep walking through life? When was the last time you did something for YOURSELF!
People in Fairfield County are considered to be some of the most successful and hardest working in the country. With this success however, comes a lot of sacrifice. I’ve had busy professionals walk into my school feeling as though they were in a downward spiral and too exhausted to crawl out. Interestingly enough, after several months of training I saw a dramatic change.
Do you want a change? I have taken over 30 years of experience in martial arts training and created a program that will help you re-focus and re-energize…Calasanz Executive Black Belt Intensive. The first step is re-focusing. You and I will set a goal. Do you want to earn your black belt, lose weight, and get stronger? You tell me what you want to accomplish. I will create the program to get you there.
Next we revitalize. You and I will put your program in motion. Please understand that this is not your average workout. This is an intensive program and it requires a great commitment on your part of at least 2 hours per week. I know it can be hard at first, especially if you’ve done little or no physical training in a long time. That’s why I’ll work with you to slowly build up your strength and stamina.
The program contains a variety of disciplines to suit your personal preference. If you want to take out your frustrations on a punching bag, I can develop a boxing program for you. For the ladies, if you want to lose weight and look good in a bathing suit, I recommend Aerobic Isolation™. If you’ve always been curious about Chinese Kung Fu, I can introduce you to the world of Wing Chun, the martial art practiced by Bruce Lee. If hardcore martial art training is what you’re looking for, the Calasanz Executive Black Belt Intensive program includes physical conditioning, martial arts training and one-on-one sparring. I have trained people in programs ranging from 3, 6, 9 or 12 months so we can develop a plan that works for you.
Bottom line is that this program works! It’ll work for you like it’s worked for so many who have walked through my doors. Whether you’re a new student or current student looking for a new challenge, let’s start today.
My station as a physical trainer and martial arts instructor is something I take very seriously. While I have a lifetime of experience to share with the world, my task with any new student is to help them to understand something about their bodies and about themselves. No matter how one arrives at our Martial Arts center it is important that I give them something influential to take home with them either through action or through word.
It is my primary responsibility to ensure that our students are taught well and taught how to avoid causing injury to themselves. This is my primary role here at my studio. It must be understood that the system taught here is so effective that it can be dangerous to the over-zealous. Over and over again I have seen students come in and learn a few of our unique physical arts exercises and just over-do it and burn out. Many of whom I have never seen again after only 3 months of training. They try to push too much weight without building their power or strength using lighter weights first. The mindset here assumes that to use more weight makes for better results faster. This is logical, and yes it makes sense. But in the long term it is not useful if it causes one to quit. While it is important to use increased weight to achieve super power, this is something that should not happen until one is ready. Believe me, I understand the desire, I had it and fully entered into it. I was the first victim. My joints suffered greatly from my over-zealousness. It is why it is so important to me that I warn others and keep them from injuring themselves and making the same mistakes I did.
Learn from my lesson. Our system is amazing and beautiful, but even the most beautiful things can be poisonous. Do not underestimate it and keep your wits about you. Be careful with your body. Understand that what we do is not just for the 2 months before swimsuit season, it is for development over a lifetime, take it as such, don’t rush it.
Many of you are having problems especially during these hard economic times. The stress and pressure that builds up in the mind and body prevents one from moving forward. My advice to you is to make sure that you stay healthy. You may not have control over the economy or what is the government is doing, but you do have control over taking care of your health. It is within your control to eat healthy, get adequate sleep and workout. There have been many times when we thought things were going to fall apart because of circumstances beyond our control. We then put our energy into those things we had some say over and slowly, we turned it around. Working out not only helps the body, but it gives the mind a break from worry so that you make room for more productive thoughts. Remember: body, mind and spirit!!!
Of all the martial art styles in existence, I would say that Wing Chun is perfect for most women. While women have excelled in many styles, Wing Chun is the one art that most utilizes a woman’s natural gifts. To appreciate Wing Chun training for women, it’s important to first look at its history.
Two hundred eighty years ago, the repressive Manchus ruled China. The Manchus outlawed all weapons and forbade the Hans, who comprised 90% of the population, to practice any form of self-defense. The Hans began to train a secret army of revolutionaries. The SilLimTemple became the sanctuary where masters of many ancient Martial Arts systems deliberated on how to create a single style that would be deadly enough to serve their revolutionary purpose, but which could be taught faster than the traditional form that took 20 years to master.
Five of China’s greatest grandmasters jointly created a new system, but before they could teach it to their secret army, the Manchus burned the temple and put the Masters to death.
Legend tells us that Ng Mui, a nun, was the only survivor of the original Grandmasters group. In secret, and in great danger, she taught the system to a talented young orphan girl whom she named Wing Chun, which means, “hope for the future.” The lineage and secrets of this extraordinary system were closely guarded for two and a half centuries.
What makes Wing Chun a fantastic martial art for women is that it equalizes the height and weight advantage that men have over women because it brings combat in closer to the opponent’s body. At close range, the length of the opponent’s arms or legs no longer matters. It is the ability and speed to attack that is important.
Because of the discrepancy in size between men and women, a female defending herself is not going to want to engage in a prolonged battle with a male attacker. Fortunately, Wing Chun does not require the use of brute force, but rather fast, flowing movements. Women are better able to grasp the concept of softness that allows for the efficient and effective flow of movement necessary to stop an attacker. Wing Chun teaches her to quickly defend and immediately attack.
I have also found that women are very good at developing the sensitivity needed to successfully engage in a Wing Chun practice called “sticky hands.” The purpose of “sticky hands” is to learn how to react quickly and efficiently depending on the opponent’s attack. It’s been my experience that the women I have trained over the years tend to master this practice a lot faster than their male counterparts.
In addition to helping women develop overall physical fitness, Wing Chun tones the hip, buttocks and stomach area where women tend to store fat. There’s no better way to develop “buns of steel!” Wing Chun generates explosive power from the lower body with the use of proper stances, shifting and leg and hip movement. Women tend to pick these techniques up very quickly and when properly trained, are amazed at how much power they can generate.
Ladies, if you’re looking for self-defense and a great overall workout, this art was tailor made for you! Find yourself a good Wing Chun school and see for yourself!
The goals of a good martial arts curriculum is progress. Regardless of the style you have chosen to study, all of them begin with the fundamentals and can take you to the level of mastery. Success however depends on two things: commitment on your part and a skilled instructor who not only teaches you the art, but also challenges you.
To some, progression in the martial arts is about earning another belt or stripe. The space between these belts and stripes however is where the martial artist makes his real gains. This is where all the hard work takes place. In addition to learning the new techniques required by your style’s curriculum, you will be tested physically and mentally.
Increasing your fitness level will be challenging, as you push yourself to become faster, stronger and more agile. You can learn thousands of techniques, but if you are not physically fit enough to execute them, they will be of little or no use. This is why it’s important for a martial arts curriculum to include conditioning exercises. Take them seriously because they’re part of the whole package.
You have to discipline yourself to get to the dojo and train hard on nights when all you want to do is go home and lay on the couch. You may want to eat healthier so you spend more time training and less time digesting! You will have to take all that your instructor has taught you and incorporate it into sparring or self-defense practice. While you’ve learned many attacks and counterattacks, you may find that you only use a few. This is where you experiment with what really works.
Now it’s time for your instructor to do his part. A good instructor will push you beyond your comfort zone. He knows that in order for you to go beyond where you are now, he’s going to have to make you work. He’s going to have to mix up the physical training so your routine doesn’t get stale. He may change up a workout that you’ve gotten used to. He may ask you to train with different classmates or to train alone. He may ask you to work on your least favorite techniques or learn a really hard form.
Don’t get upset if one day he walks into class and turns it all upside down. His experience tells him that a stale routine stalls your progress. The only way to get to the next level is to push past whatever is in your way. Work diligently on what is asked of you. The day of your test is merely icing on the cake. All the work necessary to progress is done between the belts!
There are many things to consider when choosing a personal trainer for fitness, martial arts, or both. One of the many considerations is having a personal trainer come to your home to take you through a workout. There are many benefits to having an in home trainer, but there is also some things for you to consider.
One of the benefits is the convenience. Think about it, no driving to and from the gym or studio, which also means no driving in traffic. No getting in your car sweaty, smelly, and dirty, in fact you can run right up stairs and take a shower in your own bathroom. That’s right, no more grimy locker room showers. Have a home office? How great would it be to respond to email, take important phone calls, or check stock quotes in between exercises or techniques?
Having a personal trainer come to your home also gives you the convenience of time. The drive to and from the gym can take 10, 20, 30, sometimes 60 minutes out of your day. Those are precious minutes that can be put to good use by stay at home moms who are running around all over the place for the family.
In home trainers are also great for people who like privacy and/or anonymity. There are those among us who at times prefer not to be in the eye of the public and there are others who would just like to keep their training and exercise regiment private.
The type of equipment you need in your home depends on the type of workout you plan on doing. There are some training regiments that need very little in the way of equipment and your trainer may even be able to bring these items with him/her. But if you are looking for a workout using weights and machines you may have to have a room dedicated strictly to exercise.
All in all, you can stay in shape, be more productive in other areas of your life, and enjoy a healthy activity in the beautiful home you’ve created!
Norwalk Boxing……is a place where anyone can be a boxer. Here we recognize that everybody has the ability to think like a competitor even if they never plan to compete.
Norwalk Boxing teaches anyone that if a situation is ever getting out of control how to throw themsleves in as the role of a peace maker, instead of throwing punches, while still remaining confident in the fact that they will be able to defend themselves from a violent outbreak. Again, the percentage of those who train to compete in a fighting sport is much smaller than the percentage of those who want to be prepared for an emergency situation and to be sure that they will be the one to come out on top.
Norwalk Boxing is unique in that we train people for both. It is pure boxing for those who want to learn to throw a devastating and proper punch, and it is traditional for those dedicated individuals willing to take the time to learn the minutia of the art and become truly superb, but above all Norwalk Boxing is unique.
What makes us truly unique is that we train in both realms. We train the body to be prepared for physical confrontations that might arise and we also train the mind to be prepared so that a confrontation won’t have need to come to a physical head. And that even if a fight should occur that both body and mind are in phase with one another to react perfectly in synch and without discordance.
Our training is based upon simplicity. Our system is easy to learn if self defense is your main concern as the principle philosophy is to defend and counter.
As an aggressor attacks it creates an opening in its own defenses which is then capitalized upon by the defender. The philosophy of this system makes it simple for a defender to exploit the opponent’s defensive pitfalls and devastatingly effective to an aggressor which in its blind rage cannot see the weakness in its own action.
Calasanz as the head instructor at Norwalk Boxing will develop your power, endurance, and control. You will receive instruction in his original creation dubbed Physical Art. You will gain insight into fighting theory. You will learn the secrets to chin conditioning, neck rotation and head movement. Our training staff will make sure you never leave without something new and useful under your belt.
If you’ve ever considered training in a martial art or are looking for a fun, exciting way to get into shape, the Calasanz Martial Arts and Fitness is a great place to start.
For over 30 years, Calasanz has been on the forefront of martial arts and fitness training in the Fairfield County area. The Calasanz System offers traditional martial art training, supported by a unique series of non-traditional conditioning exercises designed to offer a total body workout. Each session of this 10 week course, begins with an introduction to some of the key exercises outlined in Calasanz book, Creating the Body You Want. Calasanz training methodology incorporates the use of light hand weights and ballet bars into an effective program of resistance training, stretching exercises and deep breathing.
The martial arts component of this course begins with the basics of Calasanz Karate. This includes traditional kicks, punches, blocks and strikes. These basic techniques are then combined in the creative and expressive form of traditional martial arts training called kata. Kata is a simulated dance-like battle against an imaginary opponent. In this course, you learn an easy, basic kata and will see for yourself how regular practice of kata improves your balance, timing, coordination and cardiovascular health. Regular kata practice also helps strengthen the body and uplift the spirit.
Another piece of the Calasanz System is the study of Wing Chun. Wing Chun is a form of kung-fu practiced by the late film star, Bruce Lee. Wing Chun was originally designed for use by a smaller opponent against a larger one and emphasizes technique over brute force. Your instructor will teach you a series of Wing Chun hand drills that allow you to experience close quarter combat with a partner, in a safe, non-threatening manner. The practice of these drills includes the Wing Chun principles of simultaneous defense and counter attacks and the center line theory, which trains you how to avoid direct, head on contact with your opponent.
From Wing Chun, you will move on to the basic punches of American Boxing. Boxing training is a great stress reliever and an exciting form of exercise. You will learn how to throw a jab, cross, hook and uppercut and enjoy executing a mix of these techniques on focus mitts and striking pads.
This course also includes several basic self-defense techniques from Calasanz Street Survivor course. Calasanz originally designed the Street Survivor course for law enforcement and security professionals. Instead of requiring you to learn endless, complicated self-defense movements, Street Survivor focuses on mastering simple, effective techniques and aiming them at an opponent’s most vulnerable body parts.
The Calasanz System is unique and unlike traditional workouts. This total body conditioning system will not only get you excited about exercising, but will also gain valuable self-defense skills along the way.
