PMA Newsletter APRIL 2015 - Progressive Martial Arts

PROGRESSIVE MARTIAL ARTS
THE STRAIGHT BLAST For the Students, Friends, and Families of
Progressive Martial Arts
APRIL 2015
175-25 Horace Harding Expressway
Queens, New York 11365
Ph: 718.461.0700
www.ProgressiveMartialArts.com
SIFU’S CORNER Inside this Issue:
We have weathered quite a winter and things are starting to look like Spring
will soon be coming our way. OK, I know it’s been a rough one so, at least, I’ll
be hopeful about it! Who knew winter was going to be so rough?!
Despite the weird weather, March was really awesome at PMA! So far, this
year we are experiencing some great moments at the school and I hope to
keep the momentum going throughout 2015.
Firstly, I want to congratulate all those who competed at Long Island Pride
earlier in the month and at the NJBJJ Tournament on March 22nd. All PMA
Team Members did a great job and represented the school with great
sportsmanship. The team is only getting better and growing stronger with
each competition.
Most especially, I am really happy about the Guro Inosanto Seminar that took
place on March 14 and 15. Thank you to all the students who came out and
participated in this event. It was largely attended and all those who came
brought great energy and really witnessed mastery in
action. This weekend is always a special time of the
year for me as I get to spend some quality time with my
teacher and mentor. I cherish each and every moment I
get to share with him and I’m so honored that he comes
to so this annually. Inside please read a detailed review
of the seminar.
Sifu’s Corner
1
Guro Inosanto
Seminar Review
2
Student Spotlight:
Mark Sgantzos
3
Upcoming Events
4
YOUTH INSERT
Students of the Month:
Allan Fabara
1
Powerful Words:
Gratitude
1
St. Jude Kick-a-thon
2
Finally, in March, I was invited to Basulto BJJ Academy
in North Carolina to do a one day workshop in Sayoc
Kali. It is always my mission to grow the art of Sayoc
Kali and the tribe that has given so much to me in the
way of training and in all aspects of my life.
Upcoming in April, Coach James Guccione will be
fighting once again. For tickets and info on the fight,
please see the front desk. Let’s all go and support our
Coach and team member.
Also, we will be hosting our annual St. Jude Kick-athon on April 24th. Our youth students are encouraged
to participate in this event and bring a buddy for the
Buddy Night that will take place right after the kick-athon. For our adult students, please donate at the front
desk to this very special cause throughout the the
month of April.
ST. JUDE KICK-A-THON!
APRIL 24TH!
REVISED ADULT SCHEDULE BEGINS APRIL 27th! Details Coming Soon
PROGRESSIVE MARTIAL ARTS
APRIL 2015
GURO INOSANTO SEMINAR 2015 - A REVIEW Seminars are invariably long days filled with a lot of
information but a seminar with a living legend like Guro
Dan Inosanto is like none other. An experience like this
can be written about or even talked about but until you
experience it for yourself, you cannot really know the
magic of learning from such a man.
The seminar began registration around 9:00am early
Saturday morning at the Gujarati Samaj. This is a cultural
center located 2 blocks west of PMA, a convenient location
that allows us to be close to the school while also giving us
the space that we needed for such a largely attended seminar. Participants from as far as Maryland
came strolling in the from the rainy outdoors. Despite the crazy weather, everyone was pretty much
early or on time. PMA staff was ready for the barrage of incoming people and got them registered and
prepped them with an information sheet regarding seminar protocols and amenities in the surrounding
area.
Guro Inosanto and Guro Joel Clark arrived, accompanied by Sifu Nick Sacoulas around 10am. After
greeting many of the participants, Sifu Nick introduced Guro Dan and instructed the participants on
some of the logistics for the day. Guro Dan then took over and started the seminar with some
shadowboxing for a warm up. After some stretching, Sifu Inosanto started with some Jun Fan
Kickboxing with elements of Panantukan. Teaching to various levels, Sifu would show at least 5
combinations and would remind beginners to stick with just one or two. The morning continued with
more Jun Fan and then moved to some trapping, Wing Chun, and Panantukan. After breaking for lunch,
Guro then moved on to the Kali portion where he started with double stick and assessed the group by
having them perform the one two pattern on both sides. He then moved on to the 6 count. Next was the
abcedario with the different followups. He ended the day with this but using daggers and mismatched
weapons. In between each section, besides instructing the group on techniques, he gave a history on
his Filipino Martial Arts background. His historical account of Filipino Martial Arts and culture was
astounding in its depth and detail. His father had taught him all about Filipino culture and introduced him
to his instructors, the escrimadors who then lived in his hometown of Stockton, California. Learning the
history and evolution of his training really gave students insight into the why of their training and really
just gave them a deeper understanding into Guro Dan and his evolution in the arts.
Day 2 started at 10am or a little thereafter and had that lazy Sunday morning feel. Still reeling from all
the information from the day before, participants straggled in and were excited to learn more. While
Saturday was filled with technique, Sunday was jam-packed with information and history. Guro Dan
started the day with Panantukan, at the request of Sifu Nick. Again, we got to learn about the history of
the Filipinos in the martial arts and the different regions and tribal contributions to the arts. His respect
for each and every teacher he has met was evident, as he never said one style was better than the
other and encouraged the students to learn from everyone. This was a lesson he had learned from his
dad: to keep quiet and listen and learn. He showed various Panantukan combinations along with some
Silat. The second half of the day was more Kali and ended with sumbrada.
His demonstrations were graceful and seamless and it was hard to believe that this man is soon to be
79 years young. He would often be self-deprecating, saying he was a slow learner and not as fast as his
teacher, Sigung Bruce Lee. But it was so easy to see that he was so the opposite, that he was genius in
his martial arts and a natural at it. But this was the magic of the seminar, to watch this humility in action.
To watch a teacher be so generous with his knowledge. To watch a man who yearns to continue to learn
and grow and is in essence….JKD.
PAGE 2
PROGRESSIVE MARTIAL ARTS
APRIL 2015
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: MARK SGANTZOS There are those students that walk into the school
and you look at them like family. Mark Sgantzos is
one such student. He’s a great guy who also
happens to be an awesome student, dedicated each
and every week to come in at least 3-4 times in the
Muay Thai and Kickboxing classes.
Mark has been training at PMA for a little over 3 year
now. For him, this has been his first experience
training in martial arts. He had always wanted to do
so and his friend, Paul Kapassakis was training at
PMA at the time and asked him to train with him. He
hasn’t stopped since.
Since his start here at the school, Mark has seen so
many results. “I have improved my balance, flexibility,
reflexes and cardio. I have overall better health.” His
instructors have also noticed his improvement and
Mark has developed into quite a skilled kickboxer.
His stamina, fitness and technique have all markedly
improved over his time at the school. And the best
part about Mark is that he is always willing to learn
and always wanting to get better.
PMA has become a great training ground for Mark. He says. “The best part of the school is the
consistency of the school’s superb technical expertise by having knowledgeable, qualified
instructors. I also like the bond formed by the fighters trying to get better.”
Mark’s goals within training are to improve every aspect of his training and to achieve excellence.
His consistency is really admirable and despite his busy schedule at home and at work, he makes
training a priority. With 3 kids and business of his own, it’s pretty amazing that he comes in as
much as he does. His secret? “I have never been a quitter. My consistency stems from the fact that
I feel alive when I train and I never want to slow down.”
Mark used to work for the patent office in Washington, DC approving patents for jet engines. Now
he owns restaurant and manages properties. Outside of martial arts, Mark helps to coach his son’s
basketball team and spends time with his kids.
We love having Mark at the school and I think I can speak on behalf of
everyone at PMA, it’s a pleasure training with him as well. His energy is
always positive and he always brings everyone’s best out, too.
Keep being awesome, Mark!
PAGE 3
APRIL Birthdays
4/4: Michael Maldonado
4/5: Gene Fang
4/6: Kathy Garcia
4/7: Michael Kouroupakis
4/7: Aizarel Pepin
4/7: Michaelangelo Tenorio
4/10: Alon Fetaya
4/10: Leonardo Martinez
4/10: Thony Revelo
4/12: Gilliane Alinea
4/12: Veronica Blanco
4/14: Eric Rolon
4/16: Lea Bazigos
4/17: Jessica Netto
4/17: Gus Sacoulas
4/18: Sabit Abdullah
4/19: Joseph Herrera
4/19: Nathan Shamuilov
4/20: Huascar Fernandez
4/24: Penelope Caceres
4/25: Erick Reyes
4/26: Bryan Arias
4/27: Samuel Honderman
4/30: Kyle Lai
4/30: Luca Mucciardi
4/30: John Romero
Welcome New Students
Gilliane Alinea
Marcien Eugene
Henry Pena
Erin Posner
Justin Estevez
Giancarlo Garcia
Aizarel Pepin
Alexis Woodland
Eli Murray
Katrina Gorres
Joe Polackovich
Katerina Garcia
Logan Juntereal
Amir-Jameek Roberts
Gregory Reid
Daniel Llanos
Harvey Kwong
Jessica Netto
Leonardo Martinez
Mason Ricaurte
Andrew Rossin
Santiago Sanchez
Joseph Spedale
Elaine Tanel
Ryan Forte
Anastasi Steto
Peter Pagoulatos
Lingxiao Li
Edwin Atiencia
Flora Qu
Anthony Simonelli
Brendon Grabin
Joshua Villodas
Joseph Villodas
Daniel Vidal
Megan Pereira
Anthony Hyde
Nathalie Klein
Isabelle Aminov
Avraham Aminov
Pablo Vacacela
Nesha Rampersad
Krzysztof Sennik
Akshay
Chikkaveeraiah
Ronnie Shakerdge
Celeste Sorroza
Welcome Back:
Cormac Cullinane
Thank You…
Joanne Abordo for referring Katrina Gorres
Tyler Reid for referring Gregory Reid
Roberto Espinales for referring Santiago Sanchez
Sarah Leibowitz for referring Nesha Rampersad and Nathalie Klein
April Calendar
➡April 10: Explorer/Lil Dragon/Lil Warrior BBC/Lil Warrior Testing
➡April 24: St. Jude Kick-a-thon and Buddy Night
➡April 25: Warrior Testing
➡April 27: UPDATED ADULT SCHEDULE
REVISED ADULT SCHEDULE BEGINS APRIL 27th!
Details Coming Soon