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PROGRESSIVE MARTIAL ARTS
THE STRAIGHT BLAST For the Students, Friends, and Families of
Progressive Martial Arts
SIFU’S CORNER MAY 2015
175-25 Horace Harding Expressway
Queens, New York 11365
Ph: 718.461.0700
www.ProgressiveMartialArts.com
Inside this Issue:
Here we are, almost mid-year and I can’t believe it! Where did the first
4 months go? I guess time flies when you are having fun so this must be a
good sign!
Last month was another spectacular month at the school. We’re seeing
a lot of new students coming in and the energy at the school is at an all time
high. With summer quickly approaching, I’m noticing how students are getting
more serious about their training and getting fit.
April saw a bunch of competitions for our students and coaches. Both
Coach Eddie Cummings and Coach James Guccione competed last month
as did some of our BJJ students. Congratulations to them all for their hard
work and sportsmanship. Win or lose, they all competed in high fashion and
represented themselves, their coaches and PMA at their best.
April also marked our 9th annual Kick-A-Thon for St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital. On Friday, April 24th, we hosted an awesome fundraising
event that raised over $2000 for this wonderful cause. Please read more
inside.
Sifu’s Corner
1
Erik Paulson @PMA
2
Updated Schedule
2
Student Spotlight
Eric Liu
3
Upcoming Events
4
YOUTH INSERT
Students of the Month:
Daniel LoPresti
1
Powerful Words:
Teamwork
2
St. Jude Kick-a-thon
Review
2
So, to the exciting news……
Enclosed in this newsletter is the NEW SCHEDULE for our ADULT PROGRAM. It’s about time for a
change in the adult program and after careful consideration and thought, we have made these alterations
to better the program and make some classes more accessible to all. Included in this newsletter is an
explanation of all the changes. But if you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask any of
the staff as they can assist you.
THE NEW ADULT SCHEDULE WILL TAKE EFFECT ON MAY 11th.
Finally, May is Mother’s Month and I encourage you all to
take this time to show your appreciation to all the mothers or
mother figures in your life. While this should be a daily
practice, use this month to really show how much you are
grateful for who they are!
And just as a reminder, we will be CLOSED for Memorial
Day Weekend from Saturday, May 23rd to Monday, May
25th. Classes will resume on Tuesday, May 26th.
Also, Save the Date for the Erik Paulson Workshop taking
place on June 6 and 7.
REVISED ADULT SCHEDULE
BEGINS MAY 11th! Details Inside..
ERIK PAULSON
MMA / STX KICKBOXING WORKSHOP
JUNE 6th & 7th
REGISTER TODAY!
PROGRESSIVE MARTIAL ARTS
MAY 2015
SENSEI ERIK PAULSON COMING TO PMA JUNE 6 - 7 Sensei Erik Paulson’s martial arts journey began in 1974, in Judo. From there, he went on to train
in the disciplines of Freestyle and Greco-Roman Wrestling, Boxing, Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts
(Kali/Eskrima/Arnis), Shoot Wrestling, and Brazilian JiuJitsu. Erik is world renown for his grappling, and
is considered a leading authority in MMA.
Erik is the founder of CSW (Combat Submission Wrestling) and STX Kickboxing (Savate-Thai
Crosstraining). Besides Heading CSW Training Center in Fullerton Ca., Erik does seminars worldwide
and has been noted as one of the top coaches among UFC athletes. Don’t miss out on this exciting
opportunity.
• Saturday June 6th - CSW (Sub-Grappling)
Sunday June 7th - STX Kickboxing
•
Early Bird Pricing Ends May 30th
UPDATED SCHEDULE BEGINS MAY 11TH Starting May 11, changes to the Adult Schedule will be taking place.
An updated schedule is included in this newsletter.
The Foundations Schedule has been adjusted in the following way:
•
•
•
•
Classes have been extended to an hour long.
BJJ Foundations has been added to the program.
Students can choose to train in either Striking or BJJ or both.
Students can also add Kali to their program.
Current Foundation students are enrolled in the striking program
alone. Those wishing to switch out to BJJ or add BJJ and/or Kali must
schedule a meeting to make these changes.
The Kickboxing 101 class now will be called STX kickboxing 201. This
will now be a more challenging program as the foundations program
will also now be a more intensive program of higher difficulty and
longer time.
We are reintroducing a public Sayoc Kali Program. It was one of the most sought out systems by the
special forces and Sifu Nick Sacoulas is one of most highest rank instructors in the system and in the
NY Metropolitan area. Those interested in adding this program must schedule a meeting with the
front.
All these adjustments have been made in order to make a more efficient training schedule for all the
students. Those with any questions are welcome to ask Sifu Nick or Kathy Sacoulas. We will be happy
to address any concerns you might have.
PAGE 2
PROGRESSIVE MARTIAL ARTS
MAY 2015
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: ERIC LIU It’s those quiet ones you have to watch out
for…..that’s what they say. Well, if that’s the
case, then you really have to watch out for Eric
Liu. Quiet and unassuming, you would never
know the power behind this guy.
Currently part of the striking and grappling
Combat Athlete Program, Eric trains
consistently each week, if not everyday at PMA.
A blue belt in the BJJ program under Professor
Brandon Bennett, Eric also regularly competes
in grappling competitions as well.
Eric started training in Wushu at the age of 16
and did that for about three years. “It’s just one
of those things that I felt I needed to do. “, he
says. He was first exposed to martial arts
through movies when he was a child. “Being
first generation American in my family, Jackie
Chan and Jet Li were the two names that
bridged the generation gap in my family. We
would watch their movies, both American and
Chinese, as a family.”
About a year and half ago, Eric signed on to be a student at PMA. He attended high school at
Francis Lewis so he would wait for the bus outside of PMA and it was the first place he thought of
when he wanted to start doing martial arts again. Since his start at PMA, Eric has seen his fitness
reach a different level. “I am able to utilize my whole body and I feel mentally stronger, which helps
in different parts of my life.” He goes on to say, “I really enjoy training at PMA because it has such a
friendly environment. The staff and fellow students are all very helpful in helping me achieve my
fullest potential.”
Eric’s goals in training are to simply continue to learn and become better. Using his training
partners as motivators, he often watches others in their training achieve certain levels and he
makes it his goal to get to their level. “I am fueled by my eagerness to become better. I have
always been challenged due to my size and that means I have to work harder. There is also so
much more I have to learn, and I don’t want to miss the opportunity.” he says.
Outside of PMA, Eric is currently a Junior at Baruch College and studying
Business Administration. He also enjoys watching and playing sports and just
being active.
PAGE 3
MAY Birthdays
5/2: Tristan Jackson
5/3: Kelly Prosper
5/4: Peter Pagoulatos
5/4: Derek Wilson
5/5: Andy Jiang
5/5: Megan Schaefer
5/7: Monica Alban
5/8: Sajed Hasan
5/8: Jensen Hong
5/8: Philip Li
5/10: Christopher Carlucci
5/11: Demetri Gatanas
5/12: Richard Segarra
5/13: Adam Malul
5/13: Nicoletta Venetis
5/14: Ari Bazigos
5/14: Cory Yuen
5/15: Ivan Choi
5/15: Javion Halbert
5/15: Joseph Rivera
5/16: Mariam Miah
5/16: Gabriel Pereyra
5/16: Arlo Starace
5/18: Nick Charalambous
5/20: Divine Chu-Zambrano
5/20: Paul Paisley
5/21: Ari Boudourakis
5/22: John Pingol
5/22: Eunice Son
5/24: Ryan Forte
5/24: Marco Ghiozzi
5/24: Philip Wang
5/25: Ayyub Khan
5/25: Armand Surban
5/26: Ayden Dancy
5/26: William Elliott
5/26: Christopher Gray
5/26: Marcel Hernandez
5/26: Brian O’Reilly
5/28: Kris Marie Loague
5/30: Hemanth Paranji
Welcome New Students
Jimmy Lalan
Edgar Phillips
Nicholas Trochez
George Morinia-Blocker
Isac Lee
Kyung Hoon Kim
Hemanth Paranji
Patrick Lewis
Jade Sorroza
Sierra Sorroza
Elias Sorroza
Dior Wright
Najay Edwards
Eternity Blake
Nicholas Aldridge
Joshua Zhirzhan
Jairus Davis
Sharlene Caamano
Brandon Lovo
Billy Sorroza
Chris Santiago
Eddie Diaz
Samarra Ortiz
Alden Ng
Javion Halverto
Shannon Crichlow
Julian Alban
Natalia Alban
Monica Alban
Timothy Branch
Danyal Saud
Joseph Witowski
Tristan Jackson
Anthony Medero
Jack Alban
Rosalia Alban
Ayyub Khan
Abbas Khan
Abaan Khan
Sidney Calice
Michael Lordan
Joseph Bello
Joel Bello
D’Angelo Pena
Eden Benhamo
Skylah Hassang
Antonio Cordoba
Felix Cordoba
Zakir Choudhury
Mariam Miah
Shammi Choudhury
Samantha Christian
Francisco Britez
Patrick Wallace
Glendaliz Pena
Christopher Simonelli
Inigo Peralta
David Markowski
Emmanuel Arevalo
Thank You…
Nathan Begim for referring Emanuel Mastov
Anthony Simonelli for referring Christopher Simonelli
Eric Rolon for referring Francisco Britez
Shane Telfer for referring Tristan Jackson
Derek Gao for referring Alden Ng
Steve Lujan for referring Eddie Diaz
Welcome Back!
Andres Goldenberg
Joe Gold for referring Brandon Lovo
MAY Calendar
➡ May 1: Explorer/Lil Dragon/Lil Warrior/Lil Warrior BBC Testing
➡ May10: Mother’s Day
➡ May11: NEW ADULT SCHEDULE BEGINS!
➡ May 23-25: SCHOOL CLOSED (Memorial Day Weekend)
➡ May 30: Warrior Testing
REVISED ADULT SCHEDULE BEGINS MAY 11th!