Judo or Jūdō (柔道, jūdō?, meaning “gentle way”) is a modern Japanese martial art and combat sport, that was created in Japan in 1882 by Dr Kano Jigoro. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw one’s opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one’s opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an opponent to submit by joint locking or by executing a choke. Strikes and thrusts by hands and feet as well as weapons defences are a part of judo, but only in pre-arranged forms (Kata) and are not allowed in judo competition or free practice (Randori).

Shotokan is a hard style of Karate. These techniques range from powerful punches, kicks and sweeps, to intense Katas. Kobukan is a style of Judo which techniques range from throwing, pinning, strangling and joint locking.

Gōjū-ryū (剛柔流?), (Japanese for “hard-soft style”) is one of the main traditional Okinawan styles of karate, featuring a combination of hard and soft techniques. Both principles, hard and soft, come from the famous martial arts book Bubishi (Chinese: wu bei ji), used by Okinawan masters during the 19th and 20th centuries. Go which means hard, refers to closed hand techniques or straight linear attacks; Ju which means soft, refers to open hand techniques and circular movements.

      Major emphasis is given to breathing correctly. Gōjū-ryū practices methods that include body strengthening and conditioning, its basic approach to fighting (distance, stickiness, power generation, etc.), and partner drills. Gōjū-ryū incorporates both circular and linear movements into its curriculum. Gōjū-ryū combines hard striking attacks such as kicks and close hand punches with softer open hand circular techniques for attacking, blocking, and controlling the opponent, including locks, grappling, takedowns and throws.

Muay Thai (Thai: มวยไทย, RTGS: Muai Thai, IPA: [muɛ̄j tʰɑ̄j]) is a hard martial art form from Thailand. It is similar to other Indochinese styles of kickboxing, namely pradal serev from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and Muay Lao from Laos. Descended from muay boran, Muay Thai is Thailand’s national sport.

      Formal Muay Thai techniques are divided into two groups: Mae Mai or major techniques and Luk Mai or minor techniques. Muay Thai is often a fighting art of attrition, where opponents exchange blows with one another. This is certainly the case with traditional stylists in Thailand, but is a less popular form of fighting in the contemporary world fighting circuit where the Thai style of exchanging blow for blow is no longer favorable. Almost all techniques in Muay Thai use the entire body movement, rotating the hip with each kick, punch, elbow and block.

Kung fu or gongfu or gung fu (功夫, Pinyin: gōngfu) is a Chinese term often used by speakers of the English language to refer to Chinese Martial Arts. Its original meaning is somewhat different, referring to one’s expertise in any skill achieved through hard work and practice, not necessarily martial.

      In its original meaning, kung fu can refer to any skill. Gōngfu (功夫) is a compound of two words, combining 功 (gōng) meaning “achievement” or “merit”, and 夫 (fū) which translates into “man”, so that a literal rendering would be “human achievement”. Its connotation is that of an accomplishment arrived at by great effort. According to Shaolin Monk Shi Yan Ming, Gongfu also means “from early morning to late evening, sharpen your blade”.

      Originally, to practice kung fu did not just mean to practice Chinese martial arts. Instead, it referred to the process of one’s training – the strengthening of the body and the mind, the learning and the perfection of one’s skills – rather than to what was being trained. It refers to excellence achieved through long practice in any endeavor.  Before the 1960s Kung Fu was referred to primarily as “Chinese boxing”.

Core Interval and Strength Training

      This dynamic program consists of athletic-style exercises aimed at building muscular strength and improving cardiovascular fitness while maximizing fat burning potential.   The combination of cardiovascular intervals with resistance training techniques is one of the best ways to burn fat without causing your body to catobolize its own muscle tissue.

Classes are structured in circuits consisting of high intensity cardio intervals combined with strength and core training exercises.  These exercises are systematically sequenced to ensure a well-balanced workout that strengthens every major muscle in the body while simultaneously increasing aerobic endurance.  Since intervals and intensity can easily be adjusted based on your current fitness level, this class is great for anyone looking to make rapid gains in their physical fitness and body composition.  A massive variety of exercises including plyometric drills, intensified calisthenics, core conditioning exercises, and weight training techniques will minimize boredom and guarantee continuous challenges for lasting fitness gains.

Weight training is truly the best way for women to enhance muscle definition, reduce overall body fat, boost metabolism, and increase lean muscle density.  Furthermore, implementing proper resistance training routines into your fitness regimen is guaranteed to improve your overall energy, strength, and vitality.  Yet, most women avoid weight training due to the overwhelming task of understanding and properly implementing resistance training techniques and routines.

This all-out strength training workout consists of properly sequenced weight training exercises aimed at challenging each major muscle group by utilizing a variety of resistance training techniques.  Since every class is a completely different workout, regular attendance will provide the variety necessary to make major increases in strength by constantly shocking your muscles.  This is the best way to guarantee consistent fitness gains and reduce mental fatigue.  Within weeks, you’ll notice a difference in your strength, energy, and physique.  Classes will include the use of various pieces of resistance training equipment including barbells, dumbbells, resistance bands, and body weight exercises.

Pilates Plus—Total Body Sculpt

      A total body sculpting workout that will build lean muscle through a challenging and innovative sequence of Pilates inspired exercises aimed at evenly lengthening and strengthening every muscle in the body—with strong emphasis on the core—and enhancing flexibility,  spinal posture, and overall body awareness.  Each class will include a blend of stretching and core strengthening exercises, low-intensity cardio intervals, and resistance overload training techniques.  The use of numerous Pilates props including resistance bands, magic rings, stability balls, and dumbbells will ensure that you receive the maximum benefits from this workout.  This is a great total body sculpting workout for all levels.  Athletes will find it especially useful tool to increase core stabilization and flexibility for increased strength and power.

Hot (Intense) Yoga classes are held in a room heated up to 105 degrees.  Classic yoga positions and sequencing are used to create a tourniquet effect that pinches particular pressure points on the body in order to increases the flow of oxygenated blood to muscles.  Through this challenging practice, muscles are strengthened, flexibility is increased, and tension is released.  The heated environment also stimulates weight loss by warming muscles to burn fat more easily.  Regularly practicing hot yoga will improve stamina, increase energy levels, remove toxins from the body, raise metabolism, and dramatically improve flexibility.

This class incorporates elements from traditional yoga practices to create dynamic flow of poses aimed at building flexibility, engaging the core, improving balance, and creating greater mental focus.   Class will be taught in a room heated up to 90 degrees.  The heat will provide for a detoxifying sweat while you flow through an athletic sequence of postures.   The use of props will be encouraged to modify poses as needed.  Regular practice will produce rapid improvements in overall strength, balance, flexibility, core stabilization, and muscular endurance.  This class is great for both general fitness enthusiasts looking to round add variety to their exercise routines or athletes looking to improve performance and reduce the risk of injury by increasing their flexibility.

Looking for a new way to ramp up your fitness routine?  Why not look east…to India?!

Bhangra is a fun, high-energy folk dance originating from the Punjab (north-west) region of India.  Traditionally done by Punjabi farmers to celebrate the harvest season, bhangra is danced to the infectious beat of the dhol (a two sided drum) by utilizing moves that are reminiscent of those of the farmers.  Typical movements include quick series of jumps and hops with arms and shoulders bouncing to the beat intermixed with slower, graceful sequences of the feet, hands and head.  Today, bhangra is gaining popularity through Bollywood films and underground dance parties and its influences can even be heard in the most popular hip-hop songs on the radio.  No longer is it just done in the fields of Punjab, but by people of all cultures around the globe!

For all of our classes, no bhangra or dance experience is necessary.  Classes start with a warm up which will help increase flexibility and coordination, followed by a short lesson that will teach the bhangra basics that you can take from the gym to the nightclub!  After the lesson it is non-stop dancing for the rest of the class to the hottest bhangra songs to practice your new moves and get your heart rate up – with or without light weights for an added boost to your workout.  Once you experience the cardio and stamina-building sensation that is bhangra, you will realize why bhangra is the ultimate in fitness…and fun!