Martial Arts Studio Opens On South Main Street

By Kaaren Valenta

Neither Mike Meyer nor Chris Glenn originally foresaw themselves in a career of teaching the martial arts. But like many others before them, what was begun as a hobby soon became a passion.

And when the two certified black belt instructors opened the 30th Connecticut location of Steve DeMasco’s United Studios Shaolin Kung Fu in the shopping plaza at 87 South Main Street in Newtown recently, they saw a community that had already begun to embrace the non-violent, character-building training that appeals to children and adults alike.

“Everything we do here teaches non-violence,” Mr Meyer said. “We want to positively motivate everyone that comes through these doors.”

United Studios is known for its Kids for Life Foundation, the 20-year dream of founder Steve DeMasco. Raised in poverty by a paraplegic single mother in New York’s Spanish Harlem, Mr DeMasco transformed his childhood experiences into tools that effectively challenge both young and old to deal with their hardships and realize their full potential.

Mr DeMasco became the East Coast president of United Studios of Self-Defense, a 130-studio chain. His work with at-risk inner city youth brought him an appointment by Gov John Rowland to the State Commission on National and Community Service, and he was personally invited by Colin Powell to the President’s Summit for America’s Future. In 1998 he was one of 10 teachers honored nationwide with the John Stanford Education Heroes Award by the US Department of Education. Mr DeMasco also has been recognized by the Shaolin Temples in China as their ambassador to the United States.

All of Mr DeMasco’s instructors are required to complete a two-year program at the Instructors Academy of Martial Arts in North Haven and to train monthly under a head master. Many also make the trip to China to train at the Shaolin Temples.

“Kung Fu is Chinese, karate is Japanese,” Chris Glenn explained. “The Shaolin Temples are considered to be the birthplace of martial arts.”

The children’s program emphasizes character development through respect, self-discipline, and self-control. In a fun and nurturing environment, the certified black belt instructors strive to make each child’s experience with the martial arts a safe, positive, and productive one. In each class the children work on improving their balance and coordination, and their listening and comprehending skills. The classes are structured to improve each child’s sportsmanship, leadership, and confidence.

The adult classes provide a cardiovascular and flexibility program in addition to Shaolin self-defense training. This can improve circulation and promote overall good health, Mike Meyer said.

Mr Meyer, who operates a studio in Ridgefield, selected Newtown as a good central location for a second site to establish with Chris Glenn, another United Studios instructor. A Southington resident, Mr Glenn is married to the former Susan Fields, who graduated from Newtown High School in 1990, and they have a six-month-old daughter, Alexandra. Mr Meyer lives in Stamford with his wife, Janice, who is a nurse anesthetist intern at Bridgeport Hospital.

Classes at United Studios are divided into “little dragons,” for children four to six; preteens, for seven to 12 year olds, and adult classes for ages 13 and up. In addition to the East Coast schools, there are another 125 in California and other western states.

“All schools teach the same exact material, so if you move from Newtown to Long Island, you’d learn the same material in a school there,” Mr Meyer said. “The number of schools is increasing quickly. We’re opening five to seven more in the next year or two.”

Students as young as four can enroll in United Studios’ “little dragon” classes. “We break the information down into terms they can understand,” Mr Glenn said. “Like how self-discipline is doing things you know you are supposed to be doing, and trying your best.

“They tell us stories – they really get into it,” he said.

“We set little and big goals, and achieve them in a positive way,” Mr Meyer said. “We raise their confidence levels to achieve the goals.”

Events like Star Week and Ribbon Day help to motivate and reward the students. “On Ribbon Day, which is an annual tournament, everyone gets a first-place ribbon. As long as you try your best, you win. It’s not competitive like soccer, baseball, or basketball. Here everyone is judged individually, on their own level. It’s based on your own ability, and you are competing with yourself to achieve your goal.”

The studio also offers birthday parties for children, consisting of short classes and games, on Saturdays. They also are planning a Haunted Dojo Party – a free Halloween party from 1 to 4 pm, on October 28. Open to the entire community, the party will include games, prizes, and a costume contest.

The school’s programs are fun but they also are part of an effort to teach lifelong skills – character development skills, Mr Meyer said. “Growing up is not an easy thing to do,” he said.

The focus of the program is different for adults, who take the classes to promote their health, to lose weight, for self-defense, and a variety of other reasons.

“Whether you’re looking for increased self-confidence, a sport perfect for all ages and activity levels, a mental edge in business, or a great way to develop increased strength and stamina, United Studios has a program for you,” Mr Meyer said.

For more information about the program call 426-4227 or visit the Web site at USSDNewtown@aol.com.