Corey’s favorite thing about the martial arts is how it relates to the outside world.  He says that people think the training makes you want to fight, but it actually makes you want to fight less. He adds that, the more control and discipline you learn in the dojo, the more you apply it outside its doors.  (Well said, and I’m glad to hear Corey feels that way.  Have you ever met Corey?  If you haven’t, he has a very muscular build.  He’s a power lifter, and he once told me that he did a competition and had three different lifts to get a maximum weight.  In just three lifts he was able to reach 1905 pounds.  Add to that his agility and flexibility, and, well… let’s just say I’m glad he’s a peaceful person!)

Corey believes that martial arts training helps him to be more well-rounded as an athlete.  (He’s a football player, too.)  He says that he sometimes prefers the Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu workouts to other forms of exercise as they are lower impact, but they are just as much of a workout.  As far as core training, body control, and concentration, Corey says that martial arts training helps him improve in these areas and in his other sports and athletic activities, which include circuit training, stretching, football, power lifting, racquet ball, and hand ball.

We’re very glad that Corey is with us, and we also send a “congratulations” out to him, as he just earned his blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Outside of the dojo Ronzel enjoys painting and photography.  He’s also active in his church.  When asked how he would make the world a better place, he responded that he would let the world know about God through martial arts and photography.

He enjoys the movement and the progression of his Kung-Fu training and likes how his body learns and adapts to the forms and the workout.  Ronzel also enjoys the friendships he has gained through training, and he noted that he has found another family at Plus One.  (Thanks Ronzel, that’s a huge compliment, and it is part of our mission.)

When asked about how Kung-Fu compares to other forms of working out, Ronzel expressed that the Kung-Fu workout is more intense than going to the gym.  He also advised that his strength has developed substantially more with Kung-Fu than with gym training.

We are very blessed to have Ronzel with us.  He is a solid student and a wonderful person.

Both Thomas and Hannah were asked about what they liked most about their training.  Thomas responded by saying he likes kicking the most, and Hannah noted that she likes everything. 

Thomas, who has been training with us for one year, enjoys watching television in his spare time.  When asked about how he would make the world a better place, he responded that he would teach people how to be nice.  He said that the martial arts have helped him obtain self-control.

Hannah, who has been training with us for eight months, said that one of her favorite activities outside of the dojo is going to school.  She said that she would make the world a better place by recycling, and she noted that martial arts have definitely helped her to become more confident.

Both of these kids are excellent examples of strong and healthy children.  They are solid students at the dojo; they attend classes regularly, and they obviously practice at home… and sometimes at Home Depot! (That’s a story for a different section.)  We are super proud to have Hannah and Thomas with us at Plus One.  Keep up the great work!

Both Aidan and Jordan enjoy participating in sports outside of the dojo, and they both enjoy computers.  Aidan is into computer animation, and Jordan likes to play video games.  (It would also be noted that Jordan is on our competition team at the dojo and recently competed in a karate point sparring tournament.)

When asked how they would make the world a better place, Aidan responded by advising that he would help the homeless, and Jordan would work toward world peace and stopping hunger.

Both McGee boys are well-rounded individuals and credit their martial arts training with helping to build their discipline and focus.

1. What made you want to get into martial arts?

I’ve wanted to train in martial arts like kung fu and karate since I was six years old and finally got the opportunity. [Brian is ten years old.]

2.  What is your favorite thing about martial arts?

It teaches me how to defend myself if the situation comes around.

3.  How long have you been training?

Five months

4.  What do you enjoy doing outside of the dojo?

Hanging out with my cousin

5. If you could make the world a better place, how would you do it?

Make an organization to help the homeless or litter prevention

6. How have the martial arts helped you in your life?

I feel more confident when approaching situations.

(Interview completed by Billy Lavallee.)

Visit www.bjj.teamplusone.com for all things Jiu Jitsu!

This website contains blogs and instructional videos and was recently released in an effort to provide students with an area dedicated to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  The website was fashioned by Sonny Parlin.  (Thanks, Sonny!)  If you are interested in writing a blog on the site, please see Darin Reisler.  Happy rolling!

Some days cover positions; other days cover transitions between positions, and some days cover submissions. The literature follows a structured process, covering stretches and fundamentals to start. “Helpful Hints” and “Tactical Tips” are provided to help you along the way. By the time the reader reaches the final page, he or she will be well into some advanced techniques and will have a greater understanding of the primary elements in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: positions, transitions, and submissions.

If you would like to see some excerpts from the book, feel fre to visit www.moveadaybjj.com.  (The publication is also available for purchase as an e-book for $9.99.)  Call 860-922-5343 for further information or to purchase.

 Upcoming Seminars and Events (In Order of Occurrence)

July 9th, 2011

We send our thanks out to Rob Kahn for his recent seminar.  Rob was here on July 9th and gave a fantastic BJJ and MMA seminar.  29 participants were here, and we had people travel from New York and Massachusetts to attend the event.  Thanks, Rob!

 May 1^st, 2010 

2pm to 5pm- Francisco Carlos Pinto Sa “Sazinho” Brazilian Jiujitsu seminar (Marcus Aurelio’s instructor).  Marcus Aurelio is Marco Delima’s instructor.  This should prove to be a great seminar.  Cost is $60 if pre-registered and $75 at the door.

May 8^th, 2010 

2pm to 3pm- Nunchaku 102- the second in a series of weapons training seminars that Sisok Billy is doing on the nunchaku. Cost is $40.  Pre-registration is required.  This seminar will likely fill-up and is limited to the first twenty people to register.

May 15^th, 2010 

2pm to 3:30pm- We will be hosting our fifth annual “kick-a-thon” as a fundraiser to help continue the Doug Beale III Scholarship Program.  This program was put in place to honor Doug, who was one of our most dedicated students, and was tragically killed in a traffic collision on March 25th, 2006.  The program helps underprivileged folks in our community take martial arts lessons.  Last year we rose over $2200, and we were able to provide financial assistance to our students in many ways, including housing related expenses.  We’re looking forward to helping others in our community through the arts!  You don’t have to be a member of the dojo to join in… all are welcome! 

June 12^th, 2010 

2pm to 5pm- Brazilian Jiujitsu Testing will be held.  Testing in this discipline only happens twice a year.  The exam itself is free.  However, cost is $100 if you receive a belt promotion and $60 if you receive a stripe promotion.  Pre-registration is required so that we can determine if you are ready to test. 

July 10^th, 2010 

2pm to 5pm- Rob Kahn Brazilian Jiujitsu seminar.  Rob is an incredible fighter and he has several fighters currently in the UFC.  Don’t miss this seminar!  Cost is $55 if pre-registered and $75 at the door. 

August 13^th and 14^th, 2010 

Kyoshi Robert Austin (Sensei Reisler’s instructor) is coming to Plus One in August. He will be running seminars and officiating on the Board for the black belt testing. The schedule while he is here is as follows:

August 13th– 6:30pm to 7:15pm– Seminar for kids ages 5-12 Cost: $30

August 13th–7:30pm to 9:00pm– Seminar for students over 12 Cost: $40

August 14th- 2:00pm to 5:00pm– Sho Biyn Jiu black belt testing.  Come watch Michael Golden, Billy Lavallee, Kyle Cherry, and Matthew Joseph test for their 2^nd Degree Black Belts.  Fresia Morales will be completing her required adult black belt exhibition (as she is currently a youth black belt).  This event is FREE!  Unless you’re testing… then you will definitely pay.

*Cost for seminars is for “pre-registration.” Registering the day of the seminar is $10 more expensive.*

Happy Blogging! 

The blog: http://shoheiryuct.wordpress.com/ 
Blog e-mail: shoheiryuct@gmail.com 
Facebook Page: Shohei-Ryu CT 
Twitter: ShoheiryuCT

You may be asking yourself, “What is Z-Health?”  I found myself asking the same question. 

Our very own Michael Golden is a Master Instructor Candidate with Z-Health.  This approach to training and mobility is working wonders.  Basically, the Z-Health approach works with your body’s nervous system to make immediate changes in speed, strength, flexibility, balance, motor learning, and pain.  It’s vastly different than any approach to performance enhancement and rehabilitation that I have ever seen.  We have had many students participate in private and group training sessions with a focus on utilizing the Z-Health methods.  A number of them are seeing gains in performance and a decrease in pain.  Some participants are finding that pain they have had for years has simply vanished.  I know it sounds a little radical.  It looks a little radical, too… but it works! 

If you have a question or a comment about Z-Health, please feel free to leave it. 
Specifically, feel free to leave a testimonial!  Many people who train with us experience pain in their joints or a lack of mobility.  Let’s get the word out that the Z-Health system, and our certified trainer with Z-Health, Michael Golden, may be able to help them! 

Also, if you are interested in purchasing any Z-Health products, you can click on the banner below.  (We’re a Z-Health affiliate, so please don’t order anything from the store without clicking through via the banner below… or we won’t get the credit.)