Calasanz

Modern Wing Chun

calasanz — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:39:01 +0000

Calasanz Modern Approach to the Traditional Art of Wing Chun

You can learn the entire system of traditional Wing Chun but it’s useless if you don’t know how to apply it practically. Even Bruce Lee modified his traditional Wing Chun and Chinese Boxing training into his own system known as Jeet Kune Do, realizing the need for some practical changes to his formal martial arts education.

The Calasanz System approach to Wing Chun is all about bridging the gap between traditional practice and real fighting. Calasanz offers a program that incorporates the basics of Wing Chun with practical fighting techniques. You will learn Wing Chun’s traditional wooden dummy and weapons forms, as well as the three forms that focus on the basic techniques of the system:

Siu Nim Tao develops a good, strong stance, basic hand movements, introduction of the center line theory, concepts of Yin and Yang, and breathing techniques.
Chum Kiu emphasizes footwork, as students learn to shift and charge in a grounded stance and make contact with the opponent.
Biu Tze teaches the practitioner how to regain his or her center once it is lost in the course of combat. It also teaches foot sweeps, finger attacks, and elbow strikes.

In the early 80′s, Calasanz expanded on the traditions of Wing Chun, creating modern training systems for the purpose of getting a group of students ready for tournament fighting within a very short period of time. The two most innovative approaches are only available at Calasanz:

20 Arm Wooden Dummy-a device designed by Calasanz along with its companion form that blends traditional karate, Wing Chun, and kickboxing stances, blocks, and strikes in a simulated fight that has you moving in five different directions. It’s an incredible way to gain balance, coordination, flexibility, endurance, and strength.

Leg Chi Sau on Wooden Dummy- Calasanz inspired close quarter kicking form created on the traditional wing chun dummy that strengthens the shinbones and teaches you how to fight your opponent in close quarters. Perfect for kickboxers, MMA fighters, and self-defense enthusiasts.

Calasanz is currently offering Wing Chun classes! Start training your training by calling 800-414-9544.

Get in a Wing Chun workout at any time, at your convenience with Calasanz Patron Pass!

Check out our Fitness Center Tour Video! You can also supplement your training with Calasanz book

Creating the Body You Want as well as its two-part DVD set companion, great for travel or home training.

Strong Martial Arts Stance

calasanz — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:33:37 +0000

Take a Stand! Building a Strong Martial Arts Stance

The first thing to look for when evaluating martial artists is the stance. Is it shaky, wobbly, and ready to collapse or a strong, sturdy foundation? Stance work can be very boring. Unfortunately, the biggest mistake new martial artists make is to learn their stances very quickly and never pay attention to them again!

Traditional karate and kung fu practitioners who train the old-fashioned way love to see how long they can hold a horse stance and will do so until their legs literally started to shake. They know the value of good stance work. Over time, this builds rock hard legs.

Martial artists who “work” their stances don’t need to spend a lot of time conditioning by doing squats, leg curls, or leg extensions in the gym. If you practice martial arts the right way, there is no need for all this equipment. Calasanz incorporates martial arts fitness training into an exercise system known as Calasanz Physical Arts.

If you’re a serious martial artist, Calasanz and his personal trainers have a few more reasons to take your stance work seriously:

Grounding – You make it a lot harder for your opponent to knock you down when you have a good grip on what’s beneath you.

Conditioning – Basically, your legs get harder! As a result, you improve your chance of hurting your opponent and not getting hurt when they kick you! This is also great for self-defense preparation.

Support – Good stance work teaches you how to grip the ground when necessary. You learn how to be “rooted” enough so you can deliver your strong kicks with precision and balance.

Control – Attention to stance work improves your katas/forms. Strong legs make for strong and smooth transitions from one movement to the next and as an added incentive; you have more control over your legwork in sparring.

Peter Valis, one of Calasanz most accomplished fighters, attributes the reason for his success to his proficiency in Chinese Boxing and training in Calasanz Physical Arts. “The grounding and power that is generated from my Chinese Boxing training is tremendous.”

Calasanz is currently offering a wide range of martial arts classes to satisfy your training needs! Start training by calling 800-414-9544. Serving Fairfield County, Southwestern Connecticut, and New York.

Get in a workout at any time, at your convenience with Calasanz Patron Pass! Check out our Fitness Center Tour Video! You can also supplement your training with Calasanz book Creating the Body You Want as well as its two-part DVD set companion, great for travel or home training.

Calasanz Goju Ryu

calasanz — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:09:46 +0000

The Beauty of stances under the Calasanz system ..

I choose to master style of Goju Ryu, mostly because of it’s beautiful techniques and ancient yet modern application of distinguishing yet overlaying soft and hard techniques. What is actual application of soft and hard techniques?

For both combat and health, Goju Ryu requires that the body achieve a state of physical and mental balance based on the distinction between hard and soft, fast and slow, heavy and light, erect and angled – in short, Yin and Yang; subtle yet strong distinction between these extremes is what creates the enormous power. The science behind this power is quite simply – the ability to produce flexible, fluid, constant power by way of training the body to issue sureness of movement in a variety of cadences, angles, and speeds. And it is through form practice what is difficult to master, but highly practical, this high skill is achieved.

For both combat and health, Goju Ryu requires that the body achieve a state of physical and mental balance based on the distinction between hard and soft, fast and slow, heavy and light, erect and angled – in short, Yin and Yang; subtle yet strong distinction between these extremes is what creates the enormous power. The science behind this power is quite simply – the ability to produce flexible, fluid, constant power by way of training the body to issue sureness of movement in a variety of cadences, angles, and speeds. And it is through form practice that is difficult to master, but highly practical, this high skill is achieved.

While mastering forms on daily base, such training develops the explosive power of flexible strength. It is best revealed when the body achieves the relaxed, controlled, yet natural ability to move efficiently between the forces of soft and hard – Yin and Yang. Mind learns a logical use of self-consciousness and feelings in inner self. It creates a real understanding inside and outside own physical body thus the universe.

Calasanz Recreational Boxing

calasanz — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 22:34:22 +0000

Next time you’re flipping the channels and see a boxing match on TV, stop and look at the physical condition of the boxers: fit, strong, and powerful!

Calasanz Recreational Boxing incorporates the basic boxer’s workout into a practical exercise program designed to get you into shape and accelerate your boxing and self-defense skills in a very short time. Calasanz has been training professional and amateur fighters for over 30 years and it’s this experience that has led him to condense what he’s learned over the years into a powerful conditioning program for anyone interested in getting fit!

Get fit with Calasanz physical conditioning system that builds strength, endurance, grounding, and flexibility.
Learn boxing fundamental’s: punches, combinations, defensive moves,
footwork, and the rules of the ring!
Build powerful striking techniques along with fast head movement
through professional coaching by qualified Calasanz instructors.
Develop effective self-defense skills that help you survive on the streets.
Improve your confidence level as you start feeling better about
yourself!

Workout with people who have similar interests and with Calasanz Patron Pass, you can train at any time that’s convenient!
Participate in safe, supervised sparring competition. This program is great for men and women of all ages and physical abilities. Most people who take part in the 3 months program end up continuing their boxing training in Calasanz Fight Club!

For those of you who want a slower paced boxing program with a more classical approach, try Calasanz Traditional American Boxing Invest in your health and well-being!

Calasanz is currently offering boxing classes every day of the week! Start training your training by calling 800-414-9544 for a Free Private Training Session

Check out our Fitness Center Tour Video! You can also supplement your training with Calasanz book Creating the Body You Want as well as its two-part DVD set companion, great for travel or home training.

Intro to Calasanz Martial Arts Teaching Techniques

calasanz — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 22:32:15 +0000

Intro to Calasanz Martial Arts Teaching Techniques

In the original movie version of the Karate Kid, a boy named Daniel is being bullied at school. He befriends an Asian karate master who teaches him martial arts through very unconventional workout methods. Instead of “doing karate,” he spends his summer painting his teacher’s house and fence, sanding his deck, and waxing his car. When Daniel complains about his strange training regime, his teacher admonishes him and tells him to “Wax on, wax off.” In other words, shut up and keep working. This is how martial arts were traditionally taught in the East and how they are still taught at Calasanz. Eastern Training Methods, Western Workout If you’re going to study with Calasanz, it’s a good idea to keep 3 things in mind before you step into your first class.

#1 Don’t ask questions! When it comes to learning techniques, the Eastern teacher demonstrates and you imitate the teacher, no questions asked. This methodology doesn’t always sit well with the American student, who tends to take a more consumer related approach to training.

#2 Workout! The reason you have chosen to train in the martial arts is probably to get a good workout and learn self-defense. If you spend a lot of time chit chatting, asking questions, or listening to a teacher ramble on, you are wasting time. You are here to sweat!

#3 Learn naturally! Don’t obsess about how you’re going to learn all this new material. As your mind, body, and spirit comes into balance,
so will your training. Every day you train, you learn something new, whether it’s a punch, block, kick, Wing Chun technique, or a few new boxingand kata moves. Within 30, 60, or 90 days, your training repertoire grows in a slow, progressive, natural way.

It All Comes Together
By the end of the movie, Daniel learns that what his master was doing is employing traditional teaching methods of training not only for the body, but also the mind and spirit. By the end of the movie, Daniel not only has the technique, but also the inner strength to face his fears and defeat his foes. Somehow, magically and naturally, everything comes together, if you give yourself to the process.

Check out our Fitness Center Tour Video! Start your training by calling Calasanz at 800-414-9544 .

Calasanz Offers Unique Teaching Techniques By Nana Smith
This essay is my own interpretation of Calasanz’s teaching..

Calasanz Pau Fa Yoga

calasanz — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 19:18:14 +0000

The Best Kept Secret:Calasanz Pau Fa Yoga!
A group of students assemble in the upper level of Calasanz Calasanzdojo to participate in one of the school’s best kept secrets, Calasanz Pau Fa Yoga. As they warm up and settle into Celestial Stretch, they find themselves appreciating the subtle effects of this workout as well as its amazing results. Many of them swear it’s one of the best physical fitness programs they’ve tried in a long time. Uniting Physical Fitness and Mental Relaxation The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root word yuj that means union, or balance. With this concept in mind, Calasan main objective in creating Calasanz Pau Fa Yoga was to unite the principles of martial arts and yogic meditation to create a dynamic physical conditioning program that has long been a favorite of his private and group fitness clientele. Calasanz Pau Fa Yoga combines exercises and practical martial arts applications, known as bunkai, with the style, grace, and fluidity of yogic stretching techniques and the serenity of meditation.

Calasanz Pau Fa Yoga offers:
Self-Defense-You practice a series of movements where you fight an imaginary opponent using the martial art techniques you’ve learned and delve into their practical self-defense application.

Meditative Movement-You cultivate the principles of yogic meditation and concentration by emptying your mind and confronting your imaginary opponent with slow, deliberate, and invigorating movements.

Training Variety-You will be constantly challenged with new, and exciting movements selected from the katas of karate, kung fu, wing chun and Chinese boxing, as well as the Calasanz System

Core Training-You strengthen the stomach, lower back, pelvis and hips, and muscles that surround your spine.

The end result of Calasanz Pau Fa Yoga is a balance:a physical fitness program, a mental release, and an understanding and working knowledge of the practical application of self-defense techniques. You can also supplement your training with our Calasanz Pau Fa Yoga video practice series, great for travel or home training.

Check out our Fitness Center Tour Video!
Start your physical conditioning in Calasanz Pau Fa Yoga by calling
Calasanz at 800-414-9544.

Calasanz Traditional American Boxing

calasanz — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:02:42 +0000

Calasanz Traditional American Boxing
White collar boxing has become very popular exercise alternative. The reason is obvious. Next time you see a boxing match on TV, stop and look at the physical condition of the boxers. They are fit, strong, and powerful!

Calasanz Traditional American Boxing incorporates the basic boxer’s workout into a slow, steady paced, 6 month program centered on a more classical approach to boxing. This program is in sharp contrast to Calasanz Recreational Boxing, which is designed to get you into shape and develop heavy punching power in a very short time.

Calasanz has been training professional and amateur fighters for over 30 years. He began his boxing training in Gleason’s Gym, working with a private instructor and invited to compete in professional bouts. Calasanz has trained Golden Gloves champions, Tarvis Simms and Travis Simms, who both have used his physical arts training to get into fighting shape in a relatively short time. The same system is available to you! As a member of Calasanz Traditional American Boxing, you will:

Get fit with Calasanz physical conditioning system that builds strength, endurance, grounding, and flexibility. Great for men, women, and especially kids who need to learn structure and discipline.
Learn the classical boxing fundamentals’ ¦ punches, combinations, defensive moves, footwork, and the rules of the ring!
Build powerful striking techniques along with fast head movement through professional coaching by qualified Calasanz instructors.
Develop effective self-defense skills that help you survive on the streets.
Explore the mental, physical and spiritual aspects of yourself asyou progress through the program!

Workout with people who have similar interests and with Calasanz Patron Pass, you can train at any time that’s convenient!

Participate in safe, supervised sparring competition .

Invest in your health and well-being! Calasanz is currently offering classes every day of the week! Start training your training by calling 800-414-9544 for a Free Private Training Session

Check out our Fitness Center Tour Video! You can also supplement your training with Calasanz book Creating the Body You Want as well as its companion, great for travel or home training.

Christopher Schrade – Managing Instructor

calasanz — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:06:57 +0000

After a successful high school and college basketball career, Chris turned to the martial arts to correct old injuries and continue the high level of conditioning that he was used to. “I have tried every strength and conditioning program that has surfaced over the past 17 years and not one of them compares to the benefits you receive through the martial arts and The Calasanz System.”

Chris believes that there is more to conditioning a human body then free weights and machines can provide. “A healthy, well conditioned body must be able to do more then just lift, push, or pull a large amount of weight. Strength is just one benefit of training in a martial arts program; flexibility, balance, coordination, agility, speed, grace, and body awareness are some of the other attributes you will improve by training martial arts.

Chris is the owner and head instructor of the Calasanz Westport Studio and has experience working with a wide range of clients with different abilities and interests. Chris is a connoisseur of different exercises modalities and blends The Calasanz System, conventional bodyweight exercises, and unique conditioning exercises seamlessly for his clients. He also loves teaching the fighting and self-defense aspects of boxing, kickboxing, and MMA as well as flowing forms involved with karate and kung fu.

Jeff Prescott – Managing Instructor

admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:56:08 +0000

Having spent years in weight training from his early teens to mid 20s, Jeff was looking for something “beyond” the average, run of the mill workout. He found this type of training with the Calasanz Physical Arts. The combination of traditional martial arts with modern sports technology is an exciting and effective way to get and stay in shape, as well as dramatically improve the quality of life.

Jeff has trained with Calasanz for over nine years and received his black belt in 2000.
He has been a certified instructor in the Calasanz System for more than 8 years and was the manager of the Norwalk Headquarters for three years. Currently Jeff is serving as manager and head instructor of the Calasanz Physical Arts satellite in Wilton, CT.

“I fully embrace the Calasanz System’s philosophy and I am capable of working with students on all levels of fitness and training. Truly “enjoying” my work, I approach each student with enthusiasm, professionalism and structure.”

Spirit

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:22:13 +0000

Spirit is tasteless and silent, but you can feel it. You can feel someone’s presence when they’re near and it lingers after they’ve gone. Without speaking a word, without knowing anything about a person, you can estimate if they’re strong, stressed, healthy, guilty, joyful, arrogant, tired, or confidant. What’s your spirit like?