I came here to Calasanz looking for Wing-Chun lessons, believing that it was a soft and slow martial art. Today I impress myself when I’m teaching other students who throw really hard kicks and punches and I block with such ease that nothing connects!

-Dennis Grimaldi

I’m amazed when people tell me I have such beautiful, elongated muscles. I want to ask them if they ever saw my “before” pictures???   Do you know how depressed I was in this condition until I met Calasanz? Today I can say with pride,  “I am a new Dolly!” Thanks Master!

-Dolly Williams

I came here to exercise. I never thought that I’d one day be teaching and making a career out of the martial arts.  Thanks Calasanz!

-Jeff Prescott

I’ve been involved in physical activities all my life, but I felt very awkward when engaging in anything that involved coordination of the body, mind, and spirit complex.  Training at Calasanz has helped me integrate myself in respect to my own martial arts journey and what I can teach to others.  I learned to box without the brutality and have become a better fighter.  I don’t believe that there is another school that can do what Calasanz has done for me.

-Gavin Barker

I was going to give up on the martial arts because I was getting hurt.  I learned in one month of training with Calasanz that the other instructors I had trained with were not tailoring the art to my needs.  I have been able to continue my training and now enjoy teaching others how to work out.

-Renee Fortin

I came to Calasanz to exercise at the same time I started dieting for weight loss.  With Calasanz help, I lost a large amount of weight and became one of his main trainers in The Perfect Fit, Calasanz home training program.

-Rebecca J. Lyon

What I like about the Calasanz System is its practicality.  I never thought that I could do what I did when I stepped into the ring, although I don’t consider myself a ring fighter.  My reason for training in the martial arts is for self-defense purposes.  I think this is the only system that could bring you to that level without a brutal training regime that could cause serious injuries.

-Peter Valis

I like to exercise and that was my goal in signing up for The Perfect Fit, Calasanz at home training program.  I never knew that I would fall in love with martial arts and that I would one day become a black belt!

-Sharon McNeal

I got more than I expected training here at Calasanz.  I am stronger and more flexible than ever. At my age I never thought I’d be able to do get to this point. Calasanz, I now believe you when you say that your school has martial arts for everyone!

-Francis Smith

My doctor told me that I needed to get some exercise. I was doing tai chi, but it was not enough for me. I needed something more rigorous, so I came to Calasanz.  Today not only do I feel so much better, but also I am also an instructor.

-Edith Harris

Six years ago, my doctor told me that if I didn’t do something drastic that I would be dead in 3 weeks.  I was in such bad shape when I came to Calasanz that I had to drive my car into his warehouse dojo in order to get into the school because I had a hard time walking.  Calasanz taught me how to train from a chair and I am here to tell about it six years later.

-Edna Terry

I can’t believe how much my breathing has improved. I am impressed that a guy as large as me can learn martial arts.

-Roger Terry

I never imagined that I could exercise sitting in a chair.  Calasanz has a whole program for those of us who are wheelchair bound or have a hard time standing.  I have been training this way for seven years and am enjoying life more and more because I’m physically active.

-Laura Demms

I remember seeing this guy jogging barefoot up and down the Post Road.  I learned later that this man was Calasanz. I was surprised when he walked into one of my college classes. I said, “Hey that’s the guy who jogs around town!”  I have known him for years and have had the pleasure of training under his guidance.  The one thing that strikes me the most about Calasanz is his ability not to dwell on a problem, but devote his energy to a solution.  Over the years, I have modeled his behavior when things didn’t go my way and I need to get out of my head. It is the most valuable lesson I’ve learned from him and it had nothing to do with kicking and punching.

-Grace Luppino

I was training with someone who didn’t have the right skill to help me. While I did learn some things from my former instructor, training with Calasanz changed everything.  He advised me take a few private lessons before I went into a group class.  After an hour with Calasanz, I was able to go into the group class. Calasanz taught me how to know my limits and train smarter.

-Phillip Teuscher

I was doing martial arts for a while, but every time that I trained, I would blow out my knee.  I came to Calasanz and he worked on making me stronger physically so I could continue martial arts training.  My knees are getting stronger and I’m keeping up with all my classmates.

-David Laxer

I have a lot of problems with my back. Calasanz taught me how to train within my own limits.  Not only am I rehabilitating my back but I’m also learning how to understand myself.  I feel very good today and my confidence level has drastically improved. I have felt so good that my own mother became a Calasanz member. She’s training in his special chair program for seniors.

-Nancy Greenfield

I saw how good my daughter was starting to feel so I decided to join Calasanz.  I can’t’ believe the workout I get from sitting in a chair. I’ve already started spending some time doing the exercises in a standing position.

-Marcia Greenfield

What I like most about training at Calasanz is that you can go at your own pace.  I work as a security guard and my confidence has improved a lot since I started training.

-Christopher Demms

Consistency is the key with martial arts training.  I started training on a regular basis and I earned my black belt within a reasonable amount of time.  I still am as excited about training as I was on the first day I started.  Calasanz is pretty happy about that because he believes in doing martial arts for the rest of your life!!

-Henry Davidson

I started training in the Calasanz System through Wilton Continuing Education. I signed up for 8 sections and knew that I wanted to stick with it.  I understand the practical aspects but also appreciate the beauty, balance and grace of the system. I love it.

-Beverly Ward

My job is to fix people’s bodies.  I never thought that Calasanz could help me as much as he did.  What I’ve realized that many schools teach the martial arts, but Calasanz teaching you to improve your life.  Even if you get down once in a while, the martial arts helps you get out of it a lot faster!  I’ve become a better person because I am stronger and healthier.

-Jane C. Jacob

I came to Calasanz believing that at my age, all I could just do was tai chi or Wing-Chun. The more I learned about the Calasanz System, the more I realized that I was able to practice anything that Calasanz was teaching.  Today I have my black belt, my strength and coordination improve 100%, thanks Calasanz

-Joel Singer

I’ve been shy all my life.  After four years at Calasanz, I can’t believe what this has done for me. I love to help other students and explaining the benefits of the Calasanz System.

-Paul Hedrick

My friend, Cathy Cash, recommended me to Calasanz.  I just wanted to exercise but as I got into the training, I knew that this place was serious.  It is very hard for me to even explain what the Calasanz System has done for me.  My strength and coordination has improved tremendously.  I’m so glad I followed my friend’s advise.

-Bruce Beaty

I’m training just like everyone else here at the dojo. I’ve learned my limits and how much work I have to put into my training to create the body I want.  The most important thing is that I feel better every day and that alone is wonderful!!

-John Zappala

I am not rushing it. I understand that consistency is the most important part of the martial arts. I have been physical all my life, but since I started training with Calasanz, I feel that even when I train with weights, I can see how much more I can push myself. I owe that to Calasanz.

-Stephen Walner

I loved tournaments, but what I loved most was representing the school.  I work in law enforcement and my training at Calasanz has helped me with what I have to confront out on the streets.

-Roger Mayer

I learned a lot from Calasanz and although I’m not a ring fighter, I’m just happy that I could help others learn how to survive.

-Rodney Louis

I will be here for a long time.  Calasanz likes for us to stick to the basics. Why? Because that’s all you’ll be able to remember on the streets when the adrenaline is rushing.  Calasanz lets me get a little creative as long as I remember the basics!

-Kaukuton Millier

It’s taken me some time to really understand the Wing Chun but it’s all coming together.  I think that if you’ve practiced other martial arts like I have, it takes some time to integrate the new art into your mind and body.  Now that I’ve gotten to that point, I’m advancing a lot faster in Calasanz Wing Chun system.

-Bob Rouch

I learned discipline in the martial arts by watching my dad, Gerry, train here at Calasanz.  I know that I will be involved in the martial arts for a long time to come.

-Tom Manning

I was never really into exercise but now I’m excited when I see how much I’m doing for myself.  My goal is to be a black belt.  I started when I was really young and as a woman, I have been training ever since to become a martial artist.

-Maura Mullally

Training in the Calasanz System has helped me with many different aspects of my life.  The most important part of my training is stepping back from a stressful situation and looking at it with clarity.  Martial arts help you see the bigger picture.

-Jessica P

My goal was to lose a lot of weight. Calasanz instead asked me to focus my attention on exercises that would help sculpt my body with a strong, sleek, feminine look.

-Lesley

I enrolled my husband for private lessons with Calasanz, but instead, I took over his lessons because he wasn’t too into it.  I thought I was going to learn karate, but much to my surprise, I found out that there was a lot more to it.  The best part was the conditioning exercises.  I also love the martial arts part. It’s almost like dancing! I thank my friend Bruce for introducing me to Calasanz.

-Trina

My name is Vito Laselva Jr. I am currently residing in Woodstock, Ga.  The first 27 years of my life were spent in Norwalk, CT were I met and trained with Calasanz. I sparred many times with Calasanz and fought a very tough exhibition with him at his school back in the early 90’s. During the exhibition I was hit with two of the hardest punches I ever felt and in my boxing career and I was hit a lot from men much bigger than Calasanz. The other thing that impressed me was  how difficult it was to move him from his stance he felt like he was rooted in the ground.

After moving to Atlanta I have gotten involved with Gracie Jiu Jitsu obtaining my black belt with professor’s Fabio Costa, Alexandre Dande, Marcio Feitosa and Master Carlos Gracie Jr. All being present in Louisiana this past September 2009.  This was one of my greatest accomplishments after 10 years of continuous training. That’s why I respect anyone who has put a lifetime of effort into something  they love. Calasanz has done that, his gym and continued success are testimony to this and his devotion to constantly learn new things and adapt them to his style. This will be passed on to his students who will get out of martial arts exactly what they put in. Time and effort will be rewarded by better health and the security of being able to defend yourself at all costs if need be. There is no perfect style, a true martial artist can defend himself no matter what situation he is put in this was Bruce Lee’s belief and Calasanz shares this belief. If you can humble yourself to accept this the reward of training with him will pay off tremendously in all parts of your life.

- Vito Laselva,  Gracie Barra Georgia

I went to Calasanz at a time when I felt that I had no direction in life. I didn’t know who I was or what I wanted to become.  Calasanz offered me the ability to explore my interests and find myself as a martial artist.  As a matter of fact, he does this with all of his students. I remember older classmates who were there just to get into shape.  Others wanted to train for tournament fighting, while others wanted to take a more traditional route by learning empty hand and weapons forms and studying classical techniques.  There was also a man there who had injured his arm and was there for physical rehabilitation. While our goals were very different, the one thing we could count on is Calasanz support in reaching our goals.  He gave us the resources and the skills we needed in order to reach our objectives.  It is definitely not a one-size fits all school.

- Jeff Nixon

I’ve been a student of the Calasanz System for 23 years. I’m now 65 and still have plenty of competitiveness left in the tank.

What I can tell anyone who asks about Calasanz and his evolved system of Goju and Wing Chun is that it provides a student with multiple skill sets. If one is simply interested in the more basic aspects of self defense, one will find that within the System. If one is interested in a deeper understanding of one’s own innate spirit – as expressed in physical dynamics – that too is available to a serious student.

Calasanz – more than any instructor I’ve ever known – understands his students’ capacities for advancement. He works with all body types, all age groups, and he pulls from each student a stronger, more secure, better grounded person – no matter the level of immersion that each wishes to pursue.

Wherever I’ve traveled in the world – all over Asia and the Pac Rim, I’ve brought the System with me. I’ve trained at Fairtex in Thailand – at age 62. While I wouldn’t claim to be able to overcome the national and international champions there, I can tell you that my kicks and punches, my endurance and my general abilities raised many an eyebrow amongst the veteran Thai fighters. Not only did I gain their respect, but I also demonstrated that – even in my 60’s, the training that I’ve received from Calasanz provided a broad range of skills and an ability to execute those skills – even in as divergent a system as Muay Thai is from traditional karate.

Had I studied Tai Kwon Do or simply limited myself to Shotokan Karate (studied earlier in my career) I’d have had far less ability to stand in the ring with these veteran champion Muay Thai warriors who were mostly less than half my age.

- Gerry, Westport, CT