Soon to be Middle ground martial arts!
Martial arts
​
“if we must fight, we have no excuse for not fighting well.”
- TE Lawrence
​
We offer Kickboxing and Judo for for fitness, self defense and competition. Although fitness is an crucial factor in all martial arts, our primary goal is to teach people to fight and defend themselves with reliable techniques and realistic training. Classes are open to ages 16 and up. Students are expected to maintain good hygiene, and abide by the principles of mutual benefit and mutual respect.
Interested in Fitness (non-contact)? Conditioning Classes provide non-contact martial arts-based fitness
Interested in Self Defense or Competition? Kickboxing and Judo classes involve controlled contact and practice against resistance. These are absolutely essential elements in realistic self defense training.
​
We also host Staunton Kendo, Iaido and Jojutsu, which offers classes in authentic Jojutsu (Japanese short staff) and Iaido (Japanese sword). Please contact them directly with inquiries.
​
There is no such thing as non-contact self defense training.
Self defense skills take time to develop and regular practice to retain.
Occasional classes or cardio kickboxing aren't sufficient.
The best approach to learning self defense skills is ongoing training in martial arts/combat sports
that offer regular live practice (against meaningful resistance).
​
​
​
Class Descriptions:
​
KICKBOXING
Monday and Wednesday 7:15 pm, Saturday at 10 am. Our Kickboxing program integrates offensive and defensive skills from the striking arts and sports with a focus on self defense. Students learn and develop comprehensive striking skills from long range to clinch fighting through technical work, conditioning, partner drills, and rounds on the bags and mitts. Live sparring is open to intermediate-advanced students. This isn't "cardio kickboxing", but students can expect to burn 600-800 calories per class! Training involves controlled contact.
​​
Required personal equipment: (loaner gloves are available for a trial class)
-
12-16 oz gloves, hand wraps
-
Shin guards, mouth guard
-
CLEAN wrestling/boxing shoes if needed, barefoot is otherwise required for kickboxing
JUDO
Monday, Wednesday at 6 pm, Saturday at 9:00 am. Judo is a complete grappling martial art and combat sport known for its powerful throws, takedowns and fast-paced ground work. Judo's techniques are ideal for taking opponents to the ground while staying on your feet, transitioning seamlessly from throws to pins and submissions, and defending standing holds and clinches. This combination of skills has made it a foundation for modern self-defense, MMA and BJJ. Classes include gi and no-gi variations of throws, standing grappling, newaza (ground grappling), and include live randori (Judo sparring). We train along the lines of classic and Freestyle Judo in order develop the full scope of Judo techniques (.ie.,longer time in newaza and leg grab throws). This class operates under the oversight of Field Spicer sensei. .
​
Our Judo students have competed successfully in local and state level gi and no-gi jiujitsu and submission grappling tournaments, bringing home multiple gold and silver medals.
​
Judo involves body contact and falls. Students must demonstrate/learn good falling skills before participating.
​
​
Required personal equipment:
-
Judo or BJJ gi, clean t-shirt or rash guard
-
Mouth guard recommended
​
CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS
Tuesday and thursday at 5:30-7 pm. Taijiquan (Tai Chi), Xingyiquan, and Baguazhang are the primary arts studied and taught in our program. We explore each of these in turn, and adjust the intensity of our training according to the seasons. Nei Gong (qigong) exercises are a foundational part of our practice. Taught by Grayson Pritchard of Blue Heron Healing Arts. Participation requires membership with the North American Tang Shou Tao Association.
​
CONDITIONING
Tuesday and thursday at 7:15 pm. Fitness is an essential requirement for any martial art. These classes are designed to enhance endurance, power, speed, quickness, strength and recovery. Bag work, calisthenics, kettlebells, jump ropes, battle ropes, maces and clubs and more are combined in circuits that challenge every system of the body and promote mental focus.
​
​
OPEN MAT
Saturdays 9-11ish. Sharpen distancing, timing, targeting, attack and defense against resistance in technical drills and sparring. Participants can review the week's material, spar with combined striking, throwing and ground work, or drill specific techniques and scenarios. Class is not open to drop-in participation- participants need to be gym members or contact the instructor beforehand.
​
9:00-10 is Judo and grappling only, 10-11:00 is striking and mixed arts.
Required personal equipment depending on your focus:
-
14-16 oz boxing gloves, hand wraps
-
7 oz MMA gloves
-
Shin guards, mouth guard, cup
​
"HE laughs last who hits hardest."
- jack dempsey
​
​
​
​
​
In memory of Robert Miller