Hudson Valley Martial Arts More Than Karate at Precision Mixed Martial Arts

Jul 012013

Precision Mixed Martial Arts in the Hudson Valley: Compliments and Expands Upon Karate Training

Hudson Valley Martial Arts

Every martial artist in the world starts with a base or “core-style” which they must then build off of. Few who become passionate about the martial arts will train in one style alone throughout their life; most will branch out and experiment with other arts. While the Hudson Valley area of New York does offer a variety of different styles in which to train, like most parts of the United States and perhaps even the world, Karate and its multiple sub-styles is generally the most common. I myself got started in Kenpo, Karate at age eight and continued with it up until I attained my second degree Brown Belt at age fourteen. Like many, I wanted to try out other arts and went on to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and later other styles. Though Karate certainly has its strong points, in general many of its sub-styles neglect ground grappling as well as takedowns and the key elements of boxing head movement and footwork, as well as others. Precision Mixed Martial Arts in the Hudson Valley teaches a number of styles which can compliment and expand upon the Karate background of many students who walk through our doors.

Hudson Valley Martial Arts

As a young martial artist growing up outside the Hudson Valley area I trained daily in Karate. For whatever reason, this style has gained perhaps more notoriety over time than any other and tends to be most frequently the style which young martial artists start off with. While I enjoyed this training and found that it greatly aided my flexibility and kicking ability, I also had certain gripes with it. For example, even as a kid I innately realized that the lack of full contact sparring inhibited my reaction time to attacks. We did include sparring, but the only legal target was the body, and this sadly was not enough for me to learn to apply my techniques in real time. I wanted a martial art like boxing or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu which would stress full body awareness and reaction time so I would be prepared for attack. After attaining my second degree Brown Belt in Kenpo, Karate at age 14, I stopped and within the next few years became involved in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after seeing the great Royce Gracie use it to win the first Ultimate Fighting Championship. I quickly realized how many areas my former style of Karate training had neglected. I had no idea how to defend myself on the ground, nor did I know how to defend myself against takedowns. After a year or two of BJJ I began to grasp these elements for the first time. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is, of course, one of the main arts which Precision MMA in the Hudson Valley focuses on. This is quite fortunate for any Karate stylist who decides to train with us. Even the most effective Karate Black Belt will be helpless against a trained Jiu-Jitsuka, or for that matter even an entirely untrained attacker, once the fight hits the ground. The grappling techniques which Precision MMA teaches its students will enable all former Karatekas to expand upon their core striking style so they can defend themselves either standing or on the ground.

Hudson Valley Martial Arts

Now, if you happen to be a Karate practitioner you may be saying to yourself “if I am ever attacked I want to be able to use my core martial art to defend myself, and would rather stay on my feet than go to the ground.” This is a reasonable stance, and Precision MMA in the Hudson Valley can accommodate this mode of thinking as well. The last range of standing combat, which occurs before the fight must conclude on the ground, is the takedown range, and in order for any Karate practitioner or striker to use their art they must be able to defend the takedown. The two best martial arts for defending against takedowns are wrestling and Judo, and both of these are taught at Precision MMA in the Hudson Valley. We have division one wrestlers who help with our no-gi Jiu-Jitsu classes as well as a world class Judo black belt who aids us in our Gi classes who can show you all the necessary methods for defending different types of takedowns and keeping the fight standing. Indeed, this strategy is quite well known in the world of Mixed Martial Arts today and is often referred to as “sprawl and brawl”. We at Precision of course also teach all around Mixed Martial Arts classes which combine striking with wrestling and Judo, so we can show you how to mix up your striking attacks with your takedown defense and offense in these classes in ways which will expand upon our wrestling and Judo classes as well. However, any Karate stylist who attends Precision in the Hudson Valley will want to be sure to make it to our wrestling and Judo classes so that they can acquire the takedown defense necessary to utilize their prior training. A Karate expert with top notch wrestling and Judo would be a very dangerous opponent for anyone as they would have the tools to keep the fight standing against nearly anyone and use their Karate background, and if they should find themselves on the ground they would also have our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques to fall back on.

Hudson Valley Martial Arts

Still, Karate as a martial art does not have all of the answers for self defense against standing attacks either and the person who’s entire background consists of what they learned at their local Hudson Valley Karate studio will be lacking when it comes to certain fundamentals common to boxing. Boxing is just one of several martial arts taught at the Hudson Valley’s Precision MMA, but our instructors know how to teach this art in such a way that it will compliment all other styles the student might know. One of our boxing coaches, Jon Russo, has himself also trained in styles such as Taekwondo and Jeet Kune Do, which have quite a few similarities to Karate. As such, he is especially adept at combining his knowledge of these styles with his boxing technique and helping Karate practitioners to add boxing fundamentals to their game. Karate tends to focus on parries and moving blocks as opposed to head movement and footwork to get out of the way of punches like boxing does. While Karate’s defenses can work at times, they are limited when facing a skilled striker and knowing boxing’s methods for defense is very important. Not only this, but as mentioned before, boxing is an art which is almost exclusively done in “real-time” and honed in serious sparring sessions. Therefore, the concern of many former Karate stylists like myself that we may not have developed the proper reaction time to defend strikes is addressed in boxing training and perfectly compliments a Karate background. Likewise, though Hudson Valley Karate schools are likely to teach a number of interesting hand strikes, such as back fists and reverse punches, they are not likely to train their students in the useful punches taught in boxing such as the jab, hook, cross, lead and back hand uppercuts. All of these are addressed at Precision Mixed Martial Arts in our boxing classes and add to the former Karate stylists’ repertoire. Essentially, the boxing classes allow a Karate student to sharpen a weapon they already posses.

Hudson Valley Martial Arts

Finally, the martial art of Muay Thai Kickboxing as it is taught at Precision Mixed Martial Arts in the Hudson Valley by undefeated 7-0 AKBF champion Karl Nemeth, is the perfect style to compliment a Karate background. I should know as I have found my former Karate training to give me a bit of learning curve when it comes to learning the kicks unique to the Muay Thai style of striking. Though Muay Thai’s kicks are unique from Karate’s, especially in the fact that the striking surface is usually the shin bone rather than the foot, many of the kicks are similar in their motions, particularly the round house and front kicks. As such, former Karate students like myself will not feel completely lost when learning these moves and will simply have to make small adjustments for these kicks to work for them. Also, much like Muay Thai, Karate training tends to greatly stress stretching and leg mobility in order to be able to throw head kicks with ease. My prior Karate training is the reason that I can now achieve a full split, and this has greatly aided me in my ability to fluidly perform the Muay Thai kicks I have learned at Precision MMA in the Hudson Valley. Of course, Muay Thai greatly expands upon Karate training and helps the martial artist to go beyond what his capabilities would have been with the former art alone. For one, Muay Thai training has a very heavy emphasis on clinching techniques which includes both offense and defense against knees and elbows from close quarters, as well as trips. None of these movements are taught in Karate and would make a Karate practitioner very vulnerable in this scenario if fighting a Muay Thai stylist. Also, the Muay Thai clinch is the range of fighting which comes between the punching range and the takedown range, and as such, any former Karate student who wants to learn to defend the takedown and keep the fight standing to use his martial art will need to learn these tactics. Even with the takedown defense acquired from our wrestling and Judo classes and the boxing techniques we teach, a Karateka could be taken down or out struck if he is unable to defend himself in this intermediary range. With Muay Thai clinch training, along with all these other areas we at Precision MMA offer, the former Karate student should have all the tools necessary to compliment his core art. Muay Thai also teaches devastating leg kicks and defense against them, including shin conditioning, which is not taught in Karate. However, anyone who attends Karl’s Muay Thai classes will learn these skills, and a Karate background should make them easier to pick up on. Finally, we put the techniques of all our styles together in our Mixed Martial Arts classes, so if the former Karate student also attends those he will become a truly complete fighter.

Hudson Valley martial arts

Karate practitioners find a home at Precision Mixed Martial Arts in LaGrangeville, New York. Training at Precision MMA not only compliments existing Karate training techniques, but also adds new martial arts dimensions. With all this in mind, Hudson Valley Karate students who transition over to training at Precision MMA need not fear that they have set themselves back by studying a different martial art. To the contrary, Karate has many benefits and can give the Precision student a learning curve when it comes to learning new skills, especially those from Muay Thai. What is paramount is that the new student be open minded and realize that Karate as a style is limited in comparison to the multitude of styles offered at the Hudson Valley’s Precision. If the Karate student recognizes this, he can then move ahead in his training and become a dangerous and multi-dimensional fighter in no time.

To get started with your 30 FREE Days of Hudson Valley martial arts classes visit http://www.poughkeepsiemixedmartialarts.com or call 845-392-8495

About the Author:

Jamey Bazes is a lifelong Hudson Valley martial artist. Jamey holds a brown belts in both traditional Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A regular competitor, Jamey is one of the Hudson Valley’s most decorated martial arts athletes including world titles in the North American Grappling Championship. In addition to his martial arts training Jamey is a graduate of the State University of New York at New Paltz holding a master’s degree in English. To train with Jamey be sure to check out Precision Mixed Martial Arts!

Hudson Valley Muay Thai at Precision MMA: Renovations Add More Training Space

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May 302013

Few gyms in the Hudson Valley area of New York offer the eclectic and effective striking art of Muay Thai kickboxing. Fewer still have a facility which accommodates serious striking training. Believe it or not, many martial arts’ gyms do not have proper equipment, lack heavy bags, pads, and most do not even have a ring to train in. At best, these gyms are lacking in some quality training tools, and at worst, they can be overcrowded, chaotic and at times, unsafe. Many of these problems are due to lack of training space. Precision MMA in Hudson Valley, New York was already the premier Muay Thai gym in the area, but now that we have added 500 square feet of mat space, we are better than ever before.

The Hudson Valley area of New York has plenty of martial arts’ gyms which claim to offer effective striking, but very few offer the authentic Muay Thai which Precision MMA in Lagrangeville has. The few that do, do not have the amount of mat space that we have, a

kaensak muay thai in poughkeepsie

nd perhaps see no need for increasing it. Precision MMA originally had a very adequate 3,500 square feet of training space which we have increased to 4,000 feet just to accommodate our students. Other Muay Thai gyms which lack the space we have can actually be dangerous. It is difficult for multiple sparring sessions to go on at once in a tight space because different groups of training partners can accidentally collide with each other leading to injuries. No one wants this and yet, some schools refuse to make renovations to lessen the chances of this happening. Instead, if they perceive that multiple sparring sessions at once may increase the chances for injury they may only allow one or two groups to spar at once, which wastes the training time of all those sitting on the sidelines waiting for their chance. Or otherwise, they may allow multiple groups to spar at once without taking the hazards into account, and this could create disaster. Precision’s Muay Thai program in the Hudson Valley has a spacious 4,000 square feet of mat space for our strikers to utilize, which includes a 20 by 20 foot boxing ring, something that many other schools do not offer.

The extra mat space also allows our Muay Thai students the room to make use of our many different training tools which include a maze bag, an uppercut bag, a heavy bag, a speed bag, a bob bag, a double end bag and a long bag. We also have a great assortment of focus mitts which get a great deal of usage, as well as multiple jump ropes, a crash pad for practicing takedowns, and a foam roller to help us deal with muscular aches after our hard Muay Thai sessions.

Clearly Precision MMA’s Muay Thai program in the Hudson Valley has been streamlined for success. We are never satisfied with the bare minimum and are constantly striving for improvement. Our extra training space has even given our instructors more new ideas for how to increase the quality of our product. Keep an eye on Precision in the Hudson Valley because there’s more to come in the way of accommodations.

Precision MMA is currently offering a 30-Day FREE trial for new members. If you’re interested in learning self-defense, getting into shape, and training with the best in the area, then stop in at 1097 Route 55, Lagrangeville, NY or call us at 845-392-8495. Don’t forget to ask about our free trial and intro lesson!

Jamey Bazes is a lifelong martial artist holding a brown belt in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kenpo Karate. He also holds a master’s degree from SUNY New Paltz. He is a student of Precision Mixed Martial Arts in LaGrange, NY (near Poughkeepsie) and a decorated competitor including a Delaware Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu State Championship and a NAGA World Title. To train with Jamey in Poughkeepsie NY check out Precision MMA http://www.poughkeepsiemuaythai.com

Hudson Valley Kid’s Martial Arts Classes – Precision Mixed Martial Arts

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Mar 182013

kids-martialarts Growing up isn’t always easy. Just as the adult world is fraught with all sorts of competition, whether business related or otherwise, so too is a child’s world full of social obstacles. From a young age each child makes particular friends, which often distinguish him as a part of a social “clique”, at whatever school he attends. Being outside these cliques often subjects a child to bullying, which can be physical and/or verbal. Kids can be very cruel at times and will pressure each other in different ways and not all parents are able to provide their children with the necessary tools to defend themselves against bullies. However, if a child becomes involved in martial arts, such as those offered at Precision MMA in the Hudson Valley, they can learn to take matters into their own hands and become more confident in dealing with bullying and social pressure. When children learn to defend themselves physically they change from the inside out: they become more confident and this confidence shows in the way they hold themselves and conduct themselves daily. The reasons for enrolling ones’ child in martial arts at the Hudson Valley’s Precision MMA are nearly endless, and it’s something every parent should strongly consider.

The first thing to consider before enrolling one’s child in a martial arts program, such as those offered by Precision Kid’s MMA in the Hudson valley, is which style the child is interested in. A parent should have his child watch one of the kids’ classes ahead of time and let him choose which class he would like to attend so he feels from the start as though he himself is the one in power. Forcing ones kids to partake in an activity rarely provides the best emotional outcomes, and when the child later sees the progress he has made and remembers that it was he himself who chose to partake, it will make him feel all the more empowered. Once the child has chosen a martial arts class, such as either Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Muay Thai kickboxing, all are offered by Precision Martial arts in the Hudson Valley, they will see from the start that this sort of training isn’t always easy. In fact, while the training should be fun, it should also be challenging so that the student knows he has accomplished something when he makes it through a difficult class. Especially if started at a young age, the child will be able to see his musculature develop as he grows and this will give him a greater sense of self-confidence. At school his peers will notice the physical changes taking place in him and they will most likely also notice him carrying himself with more confident body posturing as a result of the hard training. This should in general help a young martial arts student from Precision MMA to avoid being the victim of bullying. Kids generally tend to look for their physically weaker classmates to pick on, as well as those who appear to lack in self-confidence, and so young martial artists will not be the greatest choice of victims.

As a child grows into his teen years and pressures mount, if he has been doing martial arts for years at an esteemed school, such as Precision MMA in the Hudson Valley, he will at this point be quite confident in his skills to defend himself physically should the need ever arise. Of course, violence is always best avoided at all costs, but that is why martial arts training is all the more effective for preventing bullying, because when one knows how to fight, they are less likely to feel defensive and more likely to stay out of trouble as a consequence. Just as lack of self confidence shows in body posture, and makes a child more likely to be a victim of bullying, so too does lack of self confidence breed defensiveness, and this defensiveness often leads kids to become bullies themselves. If a child or teenager feels that they are lacking in some area they are likely to want to take their frustration out on others and become a physical or verbal bully. Hudson Valley martial arts students gain the confidence necessary through their training to overcome these feelings of defensiveness so they will be just as unlikely to become the school bully, as they are to become a victim of bullying. The constant training in techniques based in real world self defense will give them the peace of mind to know that they can handle physical attack, and so if a bully threatens them, either physically or verbally, they will be more likely to laugh it off than actually engage and risk injury, school expulsion or other consequences.

Moreover, martial arts training at Precision Mixed martial arts in Hudson Valley, New York, breeds discipline. Students know that if they want to improve they are going to have to make sacrifices and work diligently. They will see that if they do not properly apply themselves they will not get the results they want and this will likely cross over to other areas of their lives. They may see that if they don’t finish their homework ahead of time they will not have time to attend their martial arts classes, and so as they grow to enjoy them they may learn better time management to get their assignments done early and become better students as a result. And in this way, not only do young Hudson Valley martial artists become more confident because of their physical abilities, but also because of their overall life success. Precision MMA instructors also stress respect for oneself and ones’ peers, so a martial arts’ student at Precision is not likely to victimize or ostracize his classmates or engage in any form of bullying. In addition, Precision in the Hudson Valley often acts as a “home away from home” for many young kids looking for something to do after school or on the weekends. Martial arts training generally keeps kids busy so that they don’t have too much idle time to get into trouble.

In summation, bullies tend to stay away from winners, realizing that the other kids who are highly successful will not be the easiest targets. Martial arts training at Precision MMA in the Hudson Valley helps make kids into winners, not only on the mat or in sport competition, but in school and in life as well.

Get Your Child Started at Precision Mixed Martial Arts Today! Make sure to ask about our 30-day FREE trial!

visit http://www.lagrangemartialarts.com or call 845-392-8495 to get started

Jamey Bazes is a lifelong martial artist holding a brown belt in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kenpo Karate. He also holds a master’s degree from SUNY New Paltz. He is a student of Precision Mixed Martial Arts in LaGrange, NY (near Poughkeepsie) and a decorated competitor including a Delaware Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu State Championship and a NAGA World Title. to train with Jamey in Poughkeepsie NY check out Precision MMA http://www.poughkeepsiemixedmartialarts.com

Poughkeepsie kids and children’s martial arts

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Mar 142013

Precision Mixed Martial Arts Poughkeepsie Kid’s program is focused on building strong martial artists that have success on and off the mat. Precision MMA has a life skills program that ensures that as kids progress through the martial arts they are also keeping up with their school work, being respectful at home and working to improve their communities. Poughkeepsie Kids enrolled at Precision will become confident martial artists who have the tools to defend themselves and the self esteem to keep them from being targeted in the first place.

Don’t take our word for it though – parents across the Hudson Valley are seeing the results of Precision’s kids martial arts program. Travis Outwater has two of his boys enrolled and had this to say about the training his sons are receiving at Precision Mixed Martial Arts:

My name is Travis, we’ve been training at Precision MMA for a couple years now, my sons Aiden and Tristen. Training here is probably the best decision we ever made. The kid’s school work has improved tremendously, their behavior has improved tremendously and physically I can tell they are much stronger and they love it here. The coaches are great, the staff is great all the training partners are fantastic. Aiden, he’s 10 and he even comes in on Sunday when there’s all adults here and everybody makes time for him so he can work things and practice stuff and really all around it has just been a great experience. So if you’re considering enrolling your kids in a martial arts program I would have to say that Precision MMA is far and away your best choice in this area.

-Travis Outwater

Hudson Valley Kids Martial Arts

If you’re interested in enrolling your child in the top Poughkeepsie kids martial arts program in the Hudson Valley contact Precision Mixed Martial Arts at 845-392-8495 or visit http://www.lagrangemartialarts.com

Poughkeepsie Kid’s Martial Arts – Children’s Martial Arts in Poughkeepsie

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Mar 042013

Study after study has shown that training in martial arts can augment a child’s self-confidence. For many, becoming more certain in one’s own abilities and worth is of critical importance, and martial artists such as Jiu-Jitsu blue blood Rener Gracie have successfully applied their expertise to “bully-proofing” these vulnerable boys and girls. But what about children who aren’t being victimized daily by the school pest? Can kid’s martial arts training benefit them even if they already have average or even high self-esteem?

The answer is that of course it can!

Children’s martial arts training doesn’t just build inner strength, but actually encourages students to take pride in positive attributes. After all, a child can be self-confident because he thinks of himself as too cool to care about academics or even because he’s a bully himself. What children learn in martial arts gyms on the other hand is that failing school and using unprovoked violence aren’t anything to be proud of. A good martial artist values discipline, respect, perseverance, and humility. She strives for success in mastering math tests with the same enthusiasm with which she tackles belt tests. She treats children outside of the gym with the same dignified consideration that she shows her Precision MMA instructors and fellow students.

Honing a skill such as Poughkeepsie Jiu-Jitsu or karate also gives children something concrete to take pride in. Each perfected move and belt promotion is an opportunity for a student to set a goal, practice self-discipline, and reap the benefits of his own hard work. His knowledge of his ability to do this, in turn, will give him confidence to meet challenges in other areas. This aspect of martial arts training is particularly beneficial to young girls and boys because as they enter adolescence and eventually adulthood, they will come across many new, unfamiliar situations. They’ll unfortunately meet people who might criticize them unfairly or call into question their basic worth. Being able to recall not just general praise (“you’re so good at sports!”) but a specific achievement (“I was awarded a black belt because I worked so hard for years towards this goal!”) can give someone the boost they need to persevere in a difficult situation.

Poughkeepsie kid’s martial arts training also instills a sense of teamwork. This may seem counter intuitive because martial arts aren’t team sports, but in reality lessons of cooperation are just as easily picked up at a gym as on the soccer field – if not more so. Under the guidance of a competent adult instructor, such as those at Precision MMA, students quickly learn that individual success depends on having a good sparring partner and the willingness of others to helpfully critique one’s weaknesses. The system of belt rankings instills an atmosphere within the gym where students learn from those more advanced than themselves and proudly pass on their knowledge to children with lower-rank belts. And when it comes down to it, few scenes evoke as deep a sense of camaraderie as a group of martial artists from the same gym passionately cheering on their friend during a match.

Finally, Poughkeepsie kid’s martial arts training can benefit all children because it promotes physical fitness. Students stand to gain health benefits including better cardiovascular health and a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases down the road. Studies have also shown that unfortunately people who are in good shape (even young boys and girls) tend to be perceived and treated more positively by others. Because restrictive dieting and weight training are inappropriate for children, practicing a sport such as a martial art is uniquely capable of spurring healthy, valuable life-long habits without destructive side effects.

The self-confidence gained from training coupled with adult support at home, in school, and at the gym can help children extricate themselves from terrifying, demeaning, or perhaps even dangerous bullying situations. The ability of Poughkeepsie kid’s martial arts to make an impact on the lives of children struggling with mental anguish or physical violence can never be understated. In addition, martial arts training builds positive values, gives children a concrete sense of accomplishment in their own hard work, encourages cooperative competitiveness, and can serve as a foundation for a lifetime of physical health. These benefits are available to all children, including those who are fortunate enough to already have high self-esteem.

Start your child on the martial arts journey that will change their life. Precision Mixed Martial Arts is the premier kid’s martial arts school in the Poughkeepsie area. Give us a call at 845-392-8495 and make sure to ask about our 30-day free trial. Precision MMA is located in the Freedom Business Center at 1097 Route 55, Lagrangeville, NY 12540. Visit our website at http://www.lagrangemartialarts.com

Kid’s Karate Classes Teach Life Lessons to Hudson Valley Youth

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Jan 302013

Jamey Bazes is a lifelong Hudson Valley martial artist and senior student at Precision MMA in LaGrange, NY. Here he recounts how his early experiences in Karate classes and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu taught him valuable life lessons.

To give your child the gift of martial arts call Precision MMA today and start your FREE 30 Day Trial at 845-392-8495 or visit www.LaGrangeMartialArts.com

Hudson Valley Kids Karate Classes

How Training in Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Classes as a Child Impacted My Life as an Adult

I still remember being eight years old and my reaction to seeing The Karate Kid for the first time. “I want to do that”, I said to myself. And so it began. Four days a week of training at my local Hudson Valley Karate classes. I actually remember the very first technique I ever learned: a defense again a stranglehold consisting of two elbows and a hammer fist. I remember getting back from that first class and practicing the move in my backyard under the hot July sun. I remember feeling empowered that I actually knew how to perform a martial arts move.

Hudson Valley Karate Classes

Little did I know that that day in the Hudson Valley Karate class would begin my life long love affair with the martial arts and that this training would bring about many positive changes in my life as I got older. However, even as a child I would soon find out that this path would not be an easy one. It took me much longer to earn my first belt than most of my peers. I clearly remember wondering why students who had begun training after me were being awarded their belts first. Even as a young child I remember thinking to myself “is my Sensei testing me? Is there some reason he wants to make me wait longer before giving me that next belt?” To this day I am convinced that my Sensei was trying to teach me the lessons of patience and perseverance. Karate classes would test me more than anything I had faced at that point in my life. When I finally did get my first belt I would find that the next few did not come much more easily.

Earning the right to take a “belt test”, as they were referred to, was not easy and I remember that once during karate class I asked my Sensei whether or not I was ready for the “test” yet that he responded “don’t ask me when you are ready for your next belt test, I will tell you.” I never asked again, but it was very difficult to resist the temptation to do so. However, whenever I would be told I was ready for my next test and the date would be set for me to prepare, I would become jubilant. Knowing that the end was in sight and that I had a goal to work towards inspired me at this young age in a way that tests or papers in school could not. When the tests would finally happen, they would be emotionally trying. My instructor would stand there, stoic faced with a pen and clip board in hand watching my movements and marking things off. I could never read his expression and would wonder the entire time “how am I doing? Am I going to pass?” And then when the test would finally end and he would walk towards me, hand out stretched to shake mine and say “congratulations, you passed the test” the feeling of achievement would be incredible.

The most important memory I have of my early training though was when I took my 1^st degree brown belt test. Looking back, what stands out was not the karate class where I received the belt or even the moments where I was doing well. Rather, it is the experience of getting punched in the stomach and knocked down during a sparring session with one of my more advanced peers. I remember that after falling I locked eyes with my instructor. As I did he looked down at me with a slight smile and a “knowing look”, as if he knew that this was an early test of my manhood and that my passing would be dependent upon my getting back to my feet again. Of course, I did, and I passed the test. It might seem like a small moment, but afterwards I felt like the toughest man in the entire Hudson Valley.

I only stayed in Karate class for one more belt mainly because I wanted to learn the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Much like my early years in Karate classes, belts did not come easy. Likewise, it had been my goal for years to take first place in a Jiu-Jitsu tournament, a task that would be years in the making. But when it did occur, and I won 2 tournaments in the span of 3 weeks, the victory felt that much sweeter because of how long it had taken me. Three years later I would win another two tournaments in only one week’s time. The lessons of patience and dedication I had learned as a youth in my Hudson Valley Karate classes served me well once again.

The end result is that the martial arts training I had as a child taught me patience and perseverance. When I would take exams in school I would usually be one of the last to finish, but I would simply smile to myself when other students would rush up to turn in their exams in only half the time, knowing that in the end I would probably do just as well as them, and I usually did. When I worked on a farm for one summer in my adult hood and certain tasks took me longer than others, who would be quick to criticize me for being slow, I would never acknowledge their remarks, and in the end I would be praised by my boss for my attention to detail.

I am convinced that in every martial arts instructor and every truly good teacher that I have had since my days in Karate that there has been present in each just a little bit of my first Sensei. The lessons he taught me about persistence have stood the test of time and crossed over into these other areas of my life. I have actually come to enjoy being made to work harder to achieve my goals, because I know that the end result will be that much more deserved. So now when a certain endeavor takes me longer than it might take some, or I am made to wait for some reward that I am working towards, I do not lose faith or become impatient. In fact, I would not have it any other way.

To start your child in Karate classes in the Hudson Valley contact Precision MMA at 845-392-8495 or visit www.lagrangemartialarts.com and ask about our FREE 30 Day Trial

http://www.lagrangemartialarts.com/

Poughkeepsie Family Martial Arts

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Dec 132012

Obesity in America has been called an epidemic by many. Often times the habits and behaviors of adults are the habits and behaviors their children will adopt. Obesity has become a problem for many families because a parent or both has not practiced healthy habits in either their diet or exercise routine. Poughkeepsie Family Martial Arts is a great place to change this lifestyle. Poughkeepsei Family Martial Arts provides an opportunity to change these bad habits in the adult and let them become a the role model their child needs.

Poughkeepsie Family Martial Arts

Poughkeepsie Family Martial Arts offers classes to both children and adults. Poughkeepsie Family Martial Arts is open seven days a week and it’s schedule is built with the needs of families in mind. The consistency with which you can attend classes is very important, it leaves no excuse to not train. Time, as simple as it may seem, is one of the most important ways to express yourself and your views. Time spent at a gym or going to a gym shows the kind of importance with which an individuals views fitness. If you spend more time idling at a fast food drive thru window then you do at a gym your child will notice, even if it is not on a conscious level. They will begin to have priorities that will be nearly identical to your own. These priorities need to be rearranged. Poughkeepsie Family Martial Arts can become a way to convey to your child how important physical fitness and overall health is.

Poughkeepsie Family Martial Arts offers classes that are not like your typical gym experience. The classes are interesting and challenge you in ways that keep it interesting and in some sense evoke a kind of playfulness and sense of wonder that isn’t easy to find. The classes at Poughkeepsie Family Martial Arts are intellectually stimulating as well. They provide you with the opportunity to learn real self-defense techniques and potentially the chance to compete. These other goals complement overall fitness goals and can be a real boost when the more exercise oriented parts become draining. I have personally never been able to lose weight, and perhaps more importantly keep it off, without Poughkeepsie Family Martial Arts. The type of service provided by Poughkeepsie Family Martial Arts is second to none and is what you need to get on the track to healthy living.

Come in and try our FREE 30 day trial and private lesson. Give us a call at 845-392-8495, email us at precisionmma@gmail.com or go to www.lagrangemartialarts.com.

Lagrange Martial Arts for Children

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Dec 062012

Lagrange Martial Arts for Children is a program designed specifically with your child’s needs in mind. Lagrange Martial Arts for Children can help develop important life skills while teaching self-defense techniques. Lagrange Martial Arts For Children has instructors who strive to give your child the most valuable martial arts experience they can. Our schedule is made with the needs of a school age child in mind and will never interfere with important things like homework and studying. Lagrange Martial Arts for Childrenis the perfect complement to the skills that a child learns in school.

Lagrange Martial Arts for Children

Lagrange Martial Arts for Children has created a program that teaches martial arts. Our instructors are qualified in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art centered on patience, timing and the proper application of leverage and techniques. The qualities that make Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu different from other martial arts is it supreme dominance in self-defense scenarios, the application that the lessons it teaches you in other areas of your life and the camaraderie that in engenders with your fellow training partners.

Give Lagrange Martial Arts for Children a call at 845-392-8495, email us at precisionmma@gmail.com or go to lagrangemartialarts.com. Ask about our FREE 30 day trial and private lesson.

Kids MMA Classes at Precision Mixed Martial Arts in LaGrange, NY – Poughkeepsie region

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Dec 042012

At Precision MMA kids training is never stale or boring. Our kids learn the most cutting edge techniques in the sport of mixed martial arts on a regular basis. In this video, Precision MMA student 10 year old Richard works with Poughkeepsie’s AKBF Muay Thai champion Karl Nemeth.

Richard is working on muay thai front and round kicks as well as a fake kick into a flying, or “Superman” punch. This is the same technique utilized by George St. Pierre in his UFC title fights. Precision MMA is the only Poughkeepsie kids martial arts school that teaches these sophisticated techniques.

Poughkeepsie Kids martial arts classes at Precision MMA

At Precision MMA we think its important to give kids realistic techniques that have been tested and proven at the highest levels. You will know that your child can defend himself against in any situation and that he is developing the athleticism and training of a professional level athlete. Above all though – we keep the training fun!

To give your child all the benefits of mixed martial arts training call Precision MMA in Poughkeepsie today 845-392-8495 or visit http://www.lagrangemartialarts.com

Martial Arts for Kids in the Poughkeepsie Hudson Valley Region

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Dec 032012

Hudson Valley Kids Martial Arts

Martial Arts can do wonders for your child’s self esteem, confidence and physical and mental health. However, there are so many martial arts schools in the Hudson Valley and each claims to be the best, what should a parent look for?

Here are a few tips to make sure you’re choosing the best martial arts school in the Poughkeepsie area

#1 – Accomplished and Reputable Instructors

If someone in the Hudson Valley is claiming to teach your child how to defend themselves, make sure they can prove they know what they are doing. Have they ever stepped into the ring and put their skills on display? Have their students used their techniques successfully against other trained martial artists? Or is the instructor inexperienced and just looking to turn a profit by taking advantage of uniformed consumers? Do your research, watch competition footage and ask around.

#2 Testimonials

Sometimes the best fighter is not the best coach. Look for testimonials from parents and students in the Hudson Valley who have been with the school for am extended period of time. If the students have nothing good to say they its is a big red flag. Look for personal endorsements from Poughkeepsie parents such as this:

#3 Quality Facility

A top of the line Hudson Valley Martial Arts facility shows that the instructor is investing in their students. A dedicated school will make sure their students are receiving their money’s worth – beware of cheap “hole in the wall” facilities. Often times these are fly by night gyms that close quickly after getting their member’s hard earned money. Make sure that the school has been around for a number of years and is here to stay.

#4 Guarantee

A real business stands behind their product or service. Only invest your money in a Hudson Valley Kids Martial Arts School that offers a Money Back Guarantee.

So where in the Poughkeepsie / Hudson Valley area can you find a school that stands up to this criteria?

Precision MMA in LaGrange, NY has the areas most accomplished fighters and trainers and the largest martial arts facility in the Hudson Valley. Precision MMA is also the only Kids Martial Arts School that offers a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee as well as a 30 Day FREE Trial and most importantly all our students love it!

To get your child started with 30 Days Free call 845-392-8495 or visit http://www.lagrangemartialarts.com

Precision MMA – The Best Hudson Valley Kids Martial Arts

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