Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed Martial Arts or “MMA” is the fastest growing sport in the world today. MMA is a combination of the most effective techniques and strategies from martial arts around the world including karate, Jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, wrestling, and boxing. This amazing program provides the practitioner a fantastic fitness program and well rounded package of self-defense skills. Whether a beginner or experienced martial artist, the Okinawan Karate School’s MMA program will challenge the student both physically and mentally!
Students learn a variety
of striking skills with
target drills.
Ultimate Fitness
As a fitness program MMA improves strength, flexibility, cardio vascular capacity, endurance, lean mass, and coordination. A typical class includes:
- Warm-up drills such as calisthenics, running, rope jumping or falling drills
- Abdominal exercises like crunches and medicine ball routines
- “Target” training to develop kicking and punching combinations using striking pads or punching bags
- Clinching, takedown and throwing exercises
- “Ground and pound” drills for striking on the ground
- “No gi” grappling for positioning and submission training
Students report lower stress levels from these awesome workouts and the simple satisfaction of “smashing” things. Students also report enjoying better overall relaxation and sleep!
Defense . . . Defense . . .
Instructor Connie Flynn (right)
practices a dependable throw.
Mixed Martial Arts training is an excellent self-defense program. The combination of diverse moves drawn from several different martial arts provides the practitioner with an awesome package of self-defense skills. Students are prepared to defend themselves on their feet or on the ground. The direct approach taken in these classes also provide a “fast track” learning curve that provides an accumulation of skills at an accelerated pace. Although improved physical condition is a byproduct of this training, much of the material learned does not depend on strength. Consequently, it enables a smaller person to defend against a much larger person.
Competition
Although the majority of students training in MMA will probably never compete, some are interested in this extreme sport. The Pittsfield Dojo trains and corners Mixed Martial Arts fighters. Fighters undergo intense training in preparation for MMA competition. Students interested in fighting MMA should expect to work extra long and hard before a fight!!
Left: An OKS student (bottom) finishing his opponent with Guillotine Choke.
Right: Student Edwin lands a low kick during an MMA bout.
History
An ancient Greek pottery depicts a Pankration or MMA competition.
The history of MMA extends back to prehistoric times with crude fighting arts developed for war. Some ancient civilizations developed fighting arts to a high degree. The Vikings, Greeks, Romans, Japanese, Mongolians, and Chinese are known to have developed highly effective fighting arts for example. During feudal periods around the world, fighting arts became more organized and specialized. In addition to weapon arts, Europe saw the development of boxing, kickboxing, and wrestling while parts of Asia developed kung fu, chin na, jujitsu, and karate. In many areas, these arts were reserved only for certain classes of people. Besides being tested on the battlefield, fierce competitions (sometimes to the death) between rival schools of arts were not uncommon.
A painting portraying samurai
warriors in battle.
With the end of the feudal era, these arts became more available to the general public. Most of these fighting arts, originally developed for war and individual survival, were made safer and less competitive for the masses. In general, more emphasis was placed on training for the purpose of fitness and peace of mind. In modern times, competition also took a more humane approach. Boxing developed the “Maques of Queensbury” rules, and Judo competitions replaced much of those for Jujitsu. In some areas of the world, competitions were softened to minimize injury to the participants, but a “No-holds-barred” format was still used. In some countries, like Brazil, a Vale Tudo or “anything goes” format continued. This lead to the preservation and development of an MMA format in those areas.
In the present day, the mixed martial arts have enjoyed an explosion of popularity in the civilized world. Some believe that this was partly inspired by video games and movies which featured an MMA format! However, the creation of the Ultimate Fighting Championships or UFC in 1993 definitely introduced the idea as a sport and activity into the mainstream.
Modern day gladiator Royce Gracie (bottom) in UFC III.
The UFC was actually created by a Brazilian fighter and businessman named Rorion Gracie. His brother Royce, also a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu fighter, dominated the first four UFC competitions. In its current form, MMA is a combination of the most effective techniques and strategies of martial arts from around the world (within the boundaries of relative safety.)
Class Schedule
Adults
(Ages 12 and Up)
- Wednesday: 7:30PM - 9:00PM
- Thursday: 8:45AM - 9:45AM
Friday: 7:30PM - 9:00PMON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE- Sunday: 9:00AM - 10:35AM
- Monday: 8:30PM - 9:30PM (Fight Training)
