AIKI ACADEMY OF SELF DEFENSE, LLC

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ASK ABOUT OUR GREAT BIRTHDAY PARTIES!!

 

Includes:

2 Large Cheese Pizzas

1/4 Sheet Cake

100% Juice

Paper Goods & Cups

90 Minutes Instruction/Games

Special Cake Cutting Ceremony

Up to 15 Kids*

$300

$50 Deposit Required To Secure Date

 

*Will provide quote for additional children.

 

 

 

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Our Programs

Visitors are welcome to watch a class. Please contact us at 203-484-2020 if you have any questions about our programs.

Check Us Out: New Haven Independent Article

Adult Martial Art Programs Adult Fitness Programs Youth Programs
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Russian Kettlebells Teen Sambo
Sambo Wrestling Thai Kickboxing Youth Sambo
Combat Hapkido   Little Ninjas
Boxing    
Muay Thai    
Judo    
Adult Programs

Russian Kettlebell Program

"Dennis is a great instructor. He trully cares about his students and their own personal goals. Dennis always has a smile on his face and makes working out what it is supposed to be, FUN! The kettlebell program has done wonders for my physical health but also my mental health. I have become more productive at work and it is showing in my pocket. If you have a chance come down and meet with Dennis. I am sure once you do you will be down in the lower suite lifting those kettlebells to the sky right next to me. Thanks Dennis! I owe you one! Chris - Branford, CT "

"Can working out be fun? I never thought so till now! The time I have spent under Dennis Hill's instruction has been less like working out and more like having fun. I have tried the "typical" gyms with personal trainers before and have never gotten the workout and results as I did under Dennis's Kettlebell workout program. Dennis's instruction and motivation leaves you feeling great and wanting more! Drew D. - Wallingford, CT"

"I've been training with Dennis Hill for 1.5 years in Muay Thai, Hapkido, and Sambo. Since being introduced to kettlebells by him through his self defense school, my strength has increased as well as my physical endurance. The knowledgeable instruction offered by Dennis encourages his students to want to continue their kettlebell training for their own personal enhancement but also to perform well in the other areas of their training. Dennis' teaching skills are superb. Correct form and technique is always looked at to be sure his students train under the best possible conditions. In the past I used to weight train with traditional weights and exercises...nothing compares to a kettlebell workout especially when you are training under Dennis Hill at Aiki Academy! JoAnn Piscitelli - East Haven, CT "

"In integrating kettlebells into the martial arts curriculum, Dennis Hill has created an extremely well-rounded exercise program. He is an outstanding instructor whose skills, teaching expertise and motivational abilities bring out the best in everyone. I have found that the kettlebells provide amazing results and are surprisingly fun; the time goes by quickly and the routine is never the same. This has been important for my martial arts training and overall fitness, as well as having great muscle definition. Dennis Hill treats each member as an individual and is extremely intuitive in helping each one reach their personal goals and their potential. Dennis Hill is the best instructor and fitness director that I have encountered; Aiki is a special place because of his dedication to excellence and for his consistent personal strength and warmth. He is outstanding and thoughtful in his quest for improving his offerings for his members, and I am so glad that he has introduced us to kettlebells,which are an important and novel way to work all of our muscles. Inger Schoelkopf - Madison, CT "

"My two teenage children and myself use the kettlebells at Aiki in addition to Thai kickboxing. We all feel stronger and much more toned since using the kettlebells. I used weights in the past but see a better overall result with the kettlebells in a much shorter time. Dennis Hill changes up the kettlebell routine for us to follow on a weekly basis and it never gets boring. He is always encouraging and fun making working out at Aiki a better experience overall. Vanessa Bergevin - East Haven, CT "

"I have been a student of Dennis Hill's for about 2 years now. When Dennis first told me about Kettlebells I was excited to learn because I have always like to lift weights. Dennis has made this exercise routine so enjoyable to take and the results are great. I'm a 57 year old grandmother and I have never felt or looked better or been in better shape and I owe it all to Dennis Hill. Thank You Dennis Donna DiNatale Johnson - Branford, CT "

"Dennis Hill has established a superb fitness program based on Russian Kettlebells. The classes are fun, the schedule is convenient, and the results are among the best I have ever achieved from any program. David - Branford, CT USA "

 

The Russian Kettlebell is an extreme handheld gym. A kettlebell or girya (Russian term) is a traditional cast iron weight that looks like a cannonball with a handle. It comes in a variety of sizes from 9lbs to 106lbs and is the ultimate tool for all-around fitness. The kettlebell replaces: barbells, dumbbells, belts for weighted pull-ups and dips, thick bars, lever bars, grip devices and cardio equipment. Kettlebells are highly effective for building strength, endurance and improving body composition. The extreme kettlebell workout would have remained the exclusive domain of Russian spec ops, had former Spetsnaz instructor Pavel Tsatsouline not immigrated to the U.S. The elite of the U.S. military and law enforcement instantly recognized the power of the Russian kettlebell, ruggedly simple and deadly effective.

ACE FitnessMatters Article on Kettlebells - Twice the Results in Half the Time?

 

We offer kettlebell classes alone or as part of our martial art programs. Please check our schedule and come try out one of our classes. You will walk away feeling amazed at what you have been missing while having more energy and more trength to get more done in your day.

Go To MuscleDriver To Buy Kettlebells

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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, also known as BJJ, is a martial art the primarily focuses on grappling, most notably ground grappling. It was derived from the Japanese martial art of Kodokan Judo in the early 20th century. The founding principle with BJJ is that technique prevails over strength when fighting a larger opponent.

Royce Gracie popularized this art during the inception of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the 1990's. BJJ emphasizes taking an opponent to the ground and utilizing ground grappling techniques and submission holds which involve joint-locks and chokeholds. The idea behind this powerful art, which makes it ideal for women too, is that while a large opponent can dominate a fight with superior reach and more powerful strikes, these factors are more pronouncely negated on the ground.

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Judo

Judo was founded in 1882 in Japan by Jigoro Kano. Professor Kano was a student of many Japanese Jujutsu styles and it was his vision to create a martial art that incorporated the best techniques of Japanese Jujutsu while eliminating their hazardous techniques..

Judo began to replace Jujutsu in Japan and through the efforts of Professor Kano and his students, it spread throughout the world. Judo was the base of many other martial arts including Russian Sambo and Brazilian Jiiu-Jitsu. Judo is one of the few Eastern martial arts that became an Olympic sport.

Arguably the best Judoka that has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is Karo Parisyan. Anyone that has seen Karo compete in the UFC can see how effective Judo can be in MMA.

Our Judo program is overseen by Master Sid Kelly. Master Kelly is an incredible teacher and highly respected in the Judo community.

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Combat Hapkido

The Combat Hapkido system is a comprehensive martial art program specifically designed for adults.  The focus of our program is on both fitness and self defense.

Our core Combat Hapkido program emphasizes self defense through punching and kicking techniques along with an array of joint locking techniques (Combat Hapkido's specialty).  In addition to our core program, Combat Hapkido offers training in grappling (both standing and ground) along with throwing techniques and weapon defensive training.

Our academy is licensed by the International Combat Hapkido Federation as an official Combat Hapkido Training Center.  Our Chief Instructor, Dennis Hill, is a fully certified instructor in the Combat Hapkido system.

Combat Hapkido is continuously enhanced to insure that it is on the cutting edge of self defense.  Combat Hapkido has been described within the martial arts community as the "Science of Self Defense" and as "the Ultimate Self Defense Art."

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Sambo Wrestling
An acronym for “SAMozashchita Bez Oruzhiya” or “self defense without weapons”, Sambo was created in the the former Soviet Union during the early twentieth century. Being a hybrid martial art and the third discipline of wrestling, it's considered to be one of the most complete and effective systems in the world. Sambo training covers takedowns, throws, and submission wrestling. You will learn how to fight standing and on the ground. The training will prepare athletes for all types of grappling competitions or simply increase the average persons "real" fighting ability. Sambo is one of the most intense martial arts around and its training will increase speed, strength, endurance, and flexibility in its practitioners. Sambo continues to grow and evolve in both its sport and combat variants. In 1981 the International Olympic Committee recognized Sambo as an Olympic sport.

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Thai Kickboxing
Are you bored with your current workout routine? Thai Kickboxing is anything but boring. This class will get you in the best shape of your life. You will strengthen and tone your body PLUS learn self defense skills.

Our workout is superior to other kickboxing programs. We use heavy bags, kick shields, medicine balls, jump ropes and focus pads to work all the major muscle groups in your body. We also use strength and conditioning techniques to burn fat and tone your body. Our classes are full of high energy and will keep you motivated to reach your fitness goals.   Everyone is encouraged to go at their own speed and no prior experience is needed.  If you are out of shape, this program will get you IN shape, all while having a blast.  Some classes focus solely on bag work, while others focus on using kick shields and focus mits.  You will be surprised at how fast that hour goes by! 

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Muay Thai

Our Muay Thai program focuses on this incredible fighting art with punches, kicks, knees and elbow strikes. A full range of punches are used such as straight right/cross, jabs, hooks and uppercuts. Kicks include Thai roundhouse kicks, side kicks, push kicks and spinning back kicks. Elbows are used as deadly stricking weapons and students are taught the proper way to rotate their body while performing these techniques. Knee techniques include straight knee jabs and flying knee strikes. Also practiced is clinch work. During class, thai pads, focus mits and heavy bags are used to help students learn the techniques and improve their timing and punch combinations. Sparring is done with students wearing protective gear.

Just as we do not wear traditional martial art uniforms in our MMA program, we do not wear the traditional Muay Thai shorts during practice. Our students typically wear their MMA shorts and a school t-shirt during class. Shinguards are used to protect the legs during training as well as belly pads and headgear. Training is rigourous and students without prior martial arts experience do not participate in this class until they have gained experience in pad holding and learn control in punching and kicking.

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Boxing

Known as the "sweet science," Boxing is arguably the best martial art to study for punching effectiveness and evasiveness. Boxing focuses heavily on physical conditioning through drills that develop strength, speed, and stamina. Although the overall arsenal of a boxer seems limited over other martial arts, it is a key component to the MMA Athlete looking to improve striking ability both standing and on the ground.

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Youth Programs

At our academy, we strive to be much more than a kick and punch school.  We are always looking for ways to enhance your children's learning experience.  Your child deserves a full curriculum that helps to develop them socially and cognitively as well as physically.  In order to achieve these high standards, we incorporate the POWerful Words Character development system in our martial art curriculum.  Developed by Child and Adolescent Development Specialist, Robyn J. A. Silverman, PhD, this program provides a multitude of resources to the families of our school for the betterment of our children.   Powerful Words provides easy to follow lessons specifically designed for children ages 4 and older.  Each month our students have the opportunity to be positively recognized for completing a POWerful Project.  These projects are age appropriate, very educational and fun to complete.  You'll also notice during every class our students get to take part in a POWerful Mat Chat that will help them to solidify their understanding of the POWerful Character Word of the Month.  Such a character education program used within the context of our organized martial arts lessons, invites students to listen, share, discover and reflect on ways to become upstanding members of our community as well as confident individuals. 

Teen Sambo


The Teen Sambo program is for children between the ages of 13 and 16. The curriculum for the Teen Sambo class is

based on Combat Sambo and includes strikes, joint locks, throws, and ground fighting. The program also includes wrestling and strength training with the objective of building self-defense skills, confidence and endurance. The class requires grappling shorts, wrestling shoes, and SAMBO t-shirts.

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Youth Sambo

 

The Youth Sambo curriculum is reserved for children between the ages of seven (7) and twelve (12).  Our Youth Sambo program is a comprehensive martial art education that develops the following:

  • Character Education
  • Physical Martial Art Skills
  • Social Skills

The Youth Sambo curriculum is comprised of a total of twelve (12) belt levels.  As with any endeavor, the more one practices, the greater one can excel.  Therefore, we strongly encourage that Youth Sambo participants attend at least two (2) classes per week.

The Youth Sambo curriculum teaches the foundational physical skills of Sambo Wrestling and Hapkido Karate along with a full-spectrum of lessons in proper manners, anger management, goal setting, public speaking, teaching, and team building. 

 

 

We also offer a girl's only class for Youth Sambo. Girls are welcome to participate in the co-ed classes and/or the girl's only classes. Iif you want to provide your child with an edge in life, please contact Dennis Hill (Chief Instructor) to schedule an introductory lesson.

Please note this video is footage of a girl's only class and a coed padded weapons class.

 

 

 

 

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©Inger Schoelkopf

Little Ninjas

The Little Ninjas is an exclusive preschool program (children ages 4 -6) for learning life skills. There are eight main life skills

that are taught in the Little Ninjas Program: Focus, Memory, Teamwork, Discipline, Self-Control, Fitness, Balance, and Coordination. Let us help enhance your child's mental and physical development in a fun, positive, and motivating way.


 

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Please Contact Us if you have any questions about our programs or would like to know about other programs that may not be listed here.

 

Copyright Warning

No part of these DVD's may be produced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including dubbing, recording or any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from Aiki Academy of Self Defense, LLC

Copyright 2008, Aiki Academy of Self Defense, LLC

     
© 2006 Aiki Academy of Self Defense, LLC. All Rights Reserved
203-484-2020