Ocala Karate and Fitness

Posts Tagged ‘Martial Arts School’

In today’s world with the internet, facts are much easier to come by now than ever before.  Years ago when I was growing up, it was literally impossible to check on a martial arts school’s back ground information.  But those days are over.  I can’t tell you how many stories I have heard over the years of this instructor saying that he is this rank or that rank.  That he has traveled here or there and studied under all these different “Legends” .  Only to be let down after sometimes years of training.  This happens more often than not.  I have to confess, knowing first hand how this feels, it is very important to check into what school you wish to train at, and what martial art you wish to train in.

The truth is that most all martial arts originated from the same roots and are all very, very similar.  After training for many years, the correlations between the different styles become more and more evident.  So here’s what is really important to anyone looking to get involved and possibly begin studying a martial art.

The most important thing when searching for a martial art is the “Teacher”.  A good teacher should be the most important thing ANYONE should be looking at when searching for a good school.  Many people list all these crazy accomplishments and titles and so forth, but the one thing that I have learned over the years is that many things can be bought or purchased for the right price.  Its an unfortunate side to the martial arts world but it is real.  Many organizations and groups have jumped up over the last 20 years and has really cashed in on this.  So don’t pay too much attention to all the titles and awards that people show off and brandish openly today.  You hear about national champions, and world champions and the list of these champions just continue to go on and on.   So what makes a good teacher?  Here are a few things you should look for when searching for a good quality school.  Because today, they are really hard to come by.

Character.  Go and talk one on one with the teacher of the school.   If you get a comfortable feeling after that, then that is a good start.  There is nothing worse than joining a school and then feeling really uncomfortable around the head instructor.  For what ever reason it may be.  If your not comfortable and feel welcome, you won’t enjoy your stay.

Students.  Take a look at the members that are already there and ask them how long they have been training and what their opinion about the school is.  There’s nothing worse than joining a school and finding out the person that you talked to about the school, doesn’t even teach the classes or has someone that you never got to meet teaching the classes for them. These are all problems that could be avoided if you had only spoken to a few current members.

This is the big one in my opinion.  Does the instructor LOVE what he does.  Really?  You can tell real quick if he truly enjoys his martial art.  If he really enjoys teaching people all that he’s learned over his/her lifetime.  Does this person take the time and STILL train.  Do they STILL travel to visit their instructors.

A good teacher NEVER stops training !

A good teacher NEVER takes on the attitude that they already know everything.  My Sensei once told me that the moment the student closes their mind to learning, their journey on the path has stopped.

Now the journey or path being referred to is a LIFE long path.  Okinawan Karate was designed to be practiced a LIFE TIME !  That is why in Okinawa, they have age requirements for rank advancement.  Most don’t realize that to achieve the rank of 7th degree and higher, one must be at least 50 years and older.  This what put into place to assure that the art remained a life long practice.

I hope if you have read this and are really looking to possibly make a change in your life, or just to give yourself a REAL challenge that will not only help you physically, but mentally as well that this has help give you something to think about.  Okinawan Karate has made such a difference in my life, that I can’t even begin to give it all the credit that it deserves.  I only wish that it had been available to me when growing up here in Ocala.  But I was always told that“ if you follow your heart, you will always succeed. “

And I couldn’t be more happier.

Looking forward to seeing everyone on the floor this week.

Robby

  Hope everyone is doing well as we cruze into March and 2010.  Ocala Karate & Fitness is plowing into 2010 with more programs and more excitement than any other Martial Arts school in the area.  We just celebrated our 1 year anniversery and couldn’t be happier with our members.  Not only are they all benefiting from all the cardio and muscle toning drills that we do, but they are also having the must fun they have had in a long time.  And if you don’t believe me, just ask them.

    Our New Self Defense class is not only showing everyone that anyone can do this class, . . . but . . . that anyone can learn how to really protect themself.  And I don’t just mean learn a few fancy tricks and then send you out into the world.  Oh no.  This program is designed to keep bringing you back for more so that you not only CAN defend yourself, but turn yourself into something that you will be proud of.

  If you have been sitting on the side line, the time has never been better to jump in.  This class is one of a kind, and we have no doubt that in the next year, will be one of the most highly talked about programs in Ocala.  Teaching True Self Defense from an easy to learn, tested and proven curriculum, this course is a HOME RUN for everyone.  So don’t wait any longer.  If REAL Self Defense is something that you have always wanted, call us now and save yourself a spot on this class.  The only thing you have to lose is time.  Ocala Karate & Fitness.  Raising the BAR one more notch.  CALL NOW ! !

 Hello Everybody,

  I just wanted to say how excited we are here at Ocala Karate & Fitness.  www.ocalashinbukan.com  Next week marks our FIRST official Year in business and man are we growing.  Ocala Karate & Fitness is Ocala’s Premier martial arts school.  If you don’t believe it just stop by anytime and see for yourself. 

  We offer more variety in our programs and have more to offer than anyone else in town.  We teach AUTHENTIC Okinawan Karate and Kobudo, but also offer if not the best, one of the best Cardio Fitness classes available.  New this year, Ocala Karate & Fitness has introduced its Self Defense Black Belt Program and what a class this has turned out to be.  www.ocalaselfdefense.com

  This class has really turned into a popular class as it hits on “real Life” self defense skills and situations that could really make the difference between a bad situation, and a really, really bad situation.  We’ve been going for 1 month now, and everyone in this class needs to really buckle their seatbelt, because next week we really start turning it on!

Ocala karate & Fitness Self Defense Program

  Our Juniors class now has hit about 12 members and is growing at a rapid pace too.  This class is for ages 11-13 and is really a fun class.  These junior guys and girls are not only benefiting from all the core principles that Okinawan Karate and teach, but also are beginning to learn some real Self Defense skills that will always be available to them if ever needed. 

    These are some of the life building skills and benefits that can only learned at first class martial arts training facility.  At Ocala Karate & Fitness we specialize in doing just that.  Teaching Karate and Fitness.  We are NOT an after school pick up or daycare center.  We take pride in doing what we do best, and that is teaching Okinawan Karate to those who truly wish to learn some of these amazing Life Changing exercises.

  So whether your looking to learn yourself, or to put someone you care about in class, call us today at 352-694-6304 and find out for yourself just how we can help you create something special. 

                                                                                                      Until next week

                                                                                     Robby and Jaime Bray

We just finished up another week here at Ocala Karate & Fitness and want to congratulate our 8 NEW MEMBERS that joined our program this last week.  Our goal with this class is to have all of our members seeing positive results for their hard work in the shortest amount of time possible.  And at the rate these men and women are going that’s not going to be a problem at all.  Our newest members range in age from 15 to 53, and have hit this class wide open.  www.ocalashinbukan.com. 

  Some are doing it to finally get back in shape so they feel better about themselves and to lose some weight, while some are in the off season from soccer and wish to stay fit and in shape, and possibly even have an edge over everyone else when the season starts back up.  The drills and exercises in this class are beneficial not only to over all health, but also build: coordination, flexibility, balance, muscle tone and explosiveness, and last but not least, over better CARDIO FITNESS.

  Our lessons are Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6:00 and Mon Wed Fri mornings at 9:30.  Both instructors,Robby and Jaime Bray, are licensed and Certified Fighting Fit instructors, so you know you will be getting some of the best exercise drills available.   Rotating theses drills is a huge factor in any program, and Ocala karate & fitness rotates these drills out with NEW FRESH drills every 3-4 weeks so the workout never gets boring. 

  Ocala Karate & Fitness is constantly elevating our level of customer service too, because we know better than anyone that by bringing YOU the best workout possible is what makes us different from everyone else.  This is what helps make us the “BEST” Martial Arts school in Ocala. 

   Ocala is growing every year, and as it does, an unfortunate side effect is the fact that crime will continue to grow as well.  And having realized this, Ocala Karate & Fitness offers our Street Self Defense Class right after the Cardio Kickboxing class.  Many of our members have already taken advantage of this by joining the class and rolling from Cardio right into this fast paced “REALITY” based Self Defense Class. 

This Self Defense class will not only teach you how to properly handle yourself in a bad situation, but also get your body used to doing what it will NEED to do in a bad situation.  Just one more reason why Ocala Karate & Fitness is Ocala’s Premier Martial Arts Fitness Center.  We are doing everything we can to not only get you in the best Physical shape possible, but the SAFEST state possible too.

   Give us a call at 352-694-6304 and come see how we can make you “better” than you ever thought possible.  www.ocalaselfdefense.com 

                                                                                                                            See everyone next week

                                                                                                                    Have a Great Weekend

                                                                                                             Robby and Jaime Bray

  Alright.  We’re half way through January 2010 here at Ocala Karate & Fitness and we’re full speed ahead.  Our programs are on fire right now with all the NEW and exciting material that we’re covering.  www.ocalashinbukan.com.  From our Cardio Kickboxing/circuit training fitness, to our brand NEW Self Defense Black Belt Program, Ocala Karate & Fitness has really raised the bar and demonstrating first hand why we are Ocala’s Premier Martial Arts Karate School. 

   Not only do we offer more variety, but all of our classes right now are lead and taught by either Robby or Jaime Bray.  I don’t think any other martial arts school in Ocala can say that all the classes offered are taught by the owners of the school.  Jaime teaches the morning Cardio Kickboxing classes that are held Mon, Wed, and Fri mornings at 9:30, and Robby teaches the evening Karate, Cardio, Weapons, and Self Defense Classes. 

   Just one more reason to make Ocala Karate & Fitness your choice for Martial Arts, Self Defense, or Fitness training.  Here at Ocala Karate & Fitness www.ocalaselfdefense.com we value our customers and treat everyone just like family.  We show up to class everyday trying to make today a better day than yesterday. 

Stop by and see us!

Together with our emphasis on proper mindset, focus, and attitude, we will see to it that our members not only get the absolute best workout, but get to work out in the BEST atmosphere and class settings available. 

    Ocala Karate & Fitness is celebrating its 1 year anniversary next month and would like to thank all of our members for making this possible.  Not only has it been one of the best years of our lives, but we’ve gotten to meet and make many, many new friends this year.

   Launching our new Self Defense Class has been an instant smash hit as we move into the end of January.  This fast paced, skill conditioning class is designed to have everyday people up and moving around with confidence and skill, but will sharpen any one’s skills who are in Law Enforcement, Security, or anything else of that nature. 

  All it takes is one class, www.ocalaselfdefense.comand you will see first hand all the benefits and skills that can be not only learned, but incorporated into your everyday life.  These are skills that not only will make you feel safer, but have everyone around you feeling safer too.  Ocala Karate & Fitness is Ocala’s ONLY licensed and Certified Self Defense Black Belt Program, so don’t waste anymore time wondering  just how much you could benefit from this class.  MAKE the choice, call us at 352-694-6304 and schedule your FREE class to try out. 

  That ’s how confident we are in our services.  What do you have to lose?  Absolutely nothing! ! 

                                                                       Stop by today and see how Ocala Karate & Fitness can change your life forever.

                                                                                             Sincerely

                                                                                                  Robby and Jaime Bray

Here we are winding he first week of 2010 down and logging it into the books and Ocala Karate & Fitness couldn’t be happier starting the New Year out running full sprint. We are Ocala’s Premier Karate/Martial Arts School and our really excited about all our programs this year.

And our new Street Self Defense Class, SDBBP, couldn’t have been any better.  We had a full class and everyone got exactly what they were looking for.  This 1 hour high energy class not only teaches all the basic skills needed to be able to defend yourself if ever needed, but also gets you in shape and fit at the same time.

You see, what most people fail to realize is that if you just show up for a 1 week course or something and learn a few basic things to do if anything were to ever happen to you, without training your whole body how to react efficiently, your really not getting anywhere.

Our unique curriculum has been developed with this in mind.  We train the body to react quickly, and strongly, to allow our members to benefit most from this.

And remember. . .  This is NOT MMA.  This is a Self Defense Class.  Do not confuse the two with one another.

Talk about a workout too.  I have to admit my shoulders and arms are a little tight after all the punching combination’s we went through with our partner drills.  These drills are once again easy and very straight forward to do. 

Once again they have been designed for normal everyday 9-5 people, mom’s and dad’s, grampa’s and grand ma’s that are really looking to get into shape and feel safe.  Especially in today’s world, you don’t have to flip very far on the LOCAL news to hear about some brutal, violent crime taking place.

From random assaults, to forced entry, today’s world is really getting crazy and we as a people need to be able to defend ourselves and not be prayed upon.  That’s what the SDBBP program at OCala Karate & Fitness is ALL ABOUT !

Making everyone safer and more secure.

C'mon Fellas It's a lot of FUN !

The other thing is the overall STRESS release that this class gives is phenomenal.  Everyone left both classes sweating, but smiling ear to ear.  This class is a fully accredited and licensed SDBBP school, so Ocala Karate & Fitness is the only place in town that you will be able to find this program.   www.ocalaselfdefense.com.

If this type of class is something you have always been interested in or wanted to try, don’t wait any longer.  We’re starting out 2010 now, so why not make a change for the New Year that you can really, really benefit from.

For more information call 352-694-6304

Until next time

See you on the floor

Robby Bray

  Alright everyone,

   We’re halfway through the first week at Ocala Karate & Fitness and we are starting 2010 out with a bang!  We’re as pumped up as all of our members going full tilt into the New Year.  Every one’s a little sore this week after taking the Holiday off, but its all part of the journey.  It’s always good when you look around the class and everyone is groaning and laughing together.  It’s what really makes you feel alive.  It’s like I tell all the members . . . ” Anyone can sit home on the couch and stare blankly into the TV.   But NOT everyone has the motivation to make a huge difference in their lives and get out on the Dojo floor and work out.”

     Besides, in today’s world everyone has DVR’s and Tivo so you can always watch it when you get home, AFTER you work out.  Trust me on this one, you’ll thank me for the advise in a few years.  We’re reved up and excited about the HUGE year we have coming up.  The new Self Defense Class, www.ocalaselfdefense.com , 5 days per week of Cardio Class, and 4 days per week of Karate.  What more could you ask for? 

Well 2009 is officially over, and its freezing cold outside right now.  Last night was no exception, as I think the Temperature got down to around 27 degrees last night.  Now that’s cold! !  But, one place in town it wasn’t cold was here at Ocala Karate & Fitness.  Last night marked the first class of 2010 and man did we go at it full speed ! !

All the classes were full last night as everyone poured in from their Christmas break, just itching to get back to business.  And that’s exactly what we did.  It didn’t take long at all to get every one’s heart rates up and respiration’s going.  After a nice, long over due stretch, we jumped into our basic punches, kicks, strikes, blocks, and combinations with an intensity that made me smile.

Everyone was going full tilt last night.  It was great to see everyone make it back to class and we have many, many New Faces on the floor starting the New Year of 2010 out.  All of our newest members are quickly finding out just why Ocala Karate & Fitness, www.ocalakaratefitness.com, is Ocala’s Premier Martial Arts school.  We offer more classes and a totally rounded program that will meet and exceed any one’s expectations.

Get Confident AND Fit ! !

From our Karate Classes, to our Cardio Kickboxing Circuit Training Classes, or even our New Street Self Defense Class that starts Tuesday Jan 5th 2010 at 7:00.  This new class is centered around developing the average person’s motor sensory skills and reflex’s to react and be able to properly defend that person in just about every situation conceivable.  www.ocalaselfdefense.com

This is a very serious class for adults only, that really want to make a change in their lives that will better prepare them for just about anything.  Just one more reason why Ocala Karate & Fitness is helping to make Ocala a better place to live.

Call now to reserve a spot in this EXPLOSIVE NEW self defense Class.  And if you call before Jan 15th, we’ll even knock off the $40 enrollment fee for the class.  Now that’s worth checking out.  So come out and watch or try a class and see for yourself what a difference Ocala Karate & Fitness can make in your life.  Call NOW ! ! 352-694-6304

Get in Shape and Learn to Protect Yourself ! !

Now this is FUN ! !

This is what it’s all about.  Classes here at Ocala Karate & Fitness are not only exciting high energy classes, but so much fun at the same time.  I think you could ask any of our members here just how great of a time they have, and how do they actually learn, and all would tell you with big smile.  A LOT ! !

    And honestly, the big smile speaks more than anything else.  That’s why we’re growing, and growing, and growing.   As more people are finding out about us here and what we are doing www.ocalakaratefitness.com , our student base continues to grow every month.

   When we first started our youth class, ages 10-13, 2 months ago we only had 4 members in the class.  As of last night we now have 10, and 3 more are joining classes the first of the year.  Why I think we are doing so well here is because we are giving everyone exactly what they want.  1.  REAL KARATE.  Not after school day care, where the kids play games.  We are teaching them REAL life building skills which include but are not limited to: Balance, coordination, strength, flexibility, confidence, stamina, focus, and the list can go on and on. 

    Wrapping up the 2009, Ocala Karate and Fitness will be closed from the 17th until Jan 3rd.  We will be taking phone calls though and answering any questions anyone might have about 1 or all of the many programs that we have to offer here.  So don’t hesitate to call us at 352-694-6304 or email us so we can get you started the first week of the New Year. 

    Also new in 2010, Ocala Karate & Fitness is showing once again why we are Ocala’s Premier Martial Arts School by kicking the year off with our Self DefenseProgram.  This new program is a non traditional class that deals with only REAL Street Self Defense situations.  It’s easy to learn curriculum makes it a great class for beginners off the street that REALLY want to learn how to protect themselves.  www.ocalaselfdefense.com  So check out the website and see for yourself why we are expecting this class to fill up very quickly, and be one of our most popular programs. 

    So do the research over the Christmas break and start the Year of 2010 off right at Ocala Karate & Fitness.  We ARE Building a Better Tomorrow . . . Today.