Date: Thu 13-Jul-1995

Author: TOMW

Illustration: I

Full Text:

Scott Kneeland/Karate

BY TOM WYATT

When he was twelve, Scott Kneeland found something that would enrich his life

forever. He didn't find it on a street corner or in a bottle washed up on the

beach; he found it in a karate dojo.

Now 24, Kneeland, one of Newtown's newest entrepreneurs, wants give back to

the sport of karate what it gave to him.

At his new karate school, Karate Connection, at 97 South Main Street (behind

Ricci's Salon), Kneeland plans to live out his dream and teach the martial

arts. "This is something I want to do more than anything else in the world,"

Kneeland says. "I enjoy teaching adults, but I really love to work with

children. This is my own school, a place that's devoted to martial arts, it's

own home. And being here full time I can offer my students a place they can

always come to."

Kneeland opens his doors early in the morning and currently teaches Shoshin

Ryu Karate and Kenpo Karate to nine classes each day in four age groups;

Children (4-6), Juniors (7-12), Teenagers (13-17), and Adults (18-and-up).

Adults may also opt for Jujitsu, the art of immobilizing a person by

manipulating his joints.

"Shoshin Ryu Karate, which we teach here, is not a competitive karate,"

Kneeland explains. "It focuses on looking out for each other and achieving

goals together. Shoshin Ryu means truthful heart. It's a traditional Japanese

karate style whose power comes from aligning all the parts of your body to

maximize your body's potential.

"Kenpo Karate's origins are Chinese and Japanese. Kenpo is a very fast karate

art, focussing on speed. Chinese karate is fast, while Japanese is known to be

powerful. Kenpo is a mixture of the two, the best of both worlds."

Upon graduating Eastern Connecticut State University with a degree in physical

education, Kneeland leapt right into business opening a karate school in

Manchester. Unfortunately, though, his choice of location had been poor and

when the mall in which he was based went out of business so did he.

Scott then went to work at a successful karate school, learning more about the

business while he researched areas in which to open another.

"A friend from Brookfield told me what a great town Newtown was," Kneeland

remembers. "Then, when I was buying my girlfriend an engagement ring, I was

telling the jeweler about my plans and it turned out that she was from

Newtown. She told me about the Sand Hill Plaza and, while going there, I saw

this spot. The rest is history."

Kneeland started advertising at the end of last winter and opened Karate

Connection on April 3 with a big red banner out in front of the plaza.

Already, he has six students testing for their yellow belts.

"I can't imagine what my life would be like without martial arts," Kneeland

says. "Confidence, self discipline, and respect are only a small part of what

you learn. The boundaries are limitless."

With the violence in today's society, especially in the school systems,

Kneeland stresses the importance of being able to defend oneself.

"Being a kid is so tough today," he said. "Even in grade school there are

situations that make you feel so insecure, be it standing up in front of the

class, or interacting with some kid that doesn't like you. When you know that

you're good at something, like karate, you learn not to be intimidated. You

know that you can't be bullied and it gives you a special confidence in

whatever you do."

"Teenagers benefit the most from martial arts," he added. "The pressure on

them is ten times worse. There are fights every day and instead of just duking

it out, like the old days, people carry weapons. When you know karate, you're

like a honey bee. People respect you and leave you alone."

Kneeland recites statistics on female violence, and drug abuse, both of which

he claims are greatly diminished through the knowledge of martial arts, but

goes on about ways in which karate aids people in other sports.

"I've always loved soccer," he said. "I was a fullback and always wanted to be

a striker. Martial arts not only helped me to focus my mind on the goal

better, but it improved my kicking tremendously as well. Martial arts

techniques, such as falling down for example, can help you in every sport."

Students who sign up at Karate Connection get three introductory lessons,

one-on-one with Kneeland, to determine whether or not they like the school,

the sport, and the instructor. It also gives them the basic knowledge of

karate for when they join in with their classes.

There are no seasons with karate, so individuals or families may begin at any

time. There are also no contracts to sign at Karate Connection. Signups are on

a monthly basis, with Kneeland offering special discounts to multiple family

members. Kneeland personally teaches every class at his school, with his

fiance Maria Amat helping out with the telephone and the office work involved.

"I'm very busy, but I'm happy," he says. "Because I know that this was the

right thing to do. I teach because I want to. If students want extra lessons,

they get them. I take pride in my students progressing. Martial arts will

enrich your life if you want to get involved with it. You have to dedicate

yourself, but it comes quickly."

Call Scott Kneeland at 426-7006 or stop in and visit his school at 97 South

Main Market Place, behind Piccolo Mondo on Route 25 in Newtown.