Local Business Spotlight Body Mind Systems

This Patch article is sponsored by Body Mind Systems.

Local businesses are the heart of our communities. Patch had a chance to talk with Igor Kaplansky, Assistant Regional Instructor, of Body Mind Systems.

Patch: Tell us a bit about your business or organization:
Igor Kaplansky: Body Mind Systems is the current generation of an ancient education system that has been translated for the modern American to not only learn and apply the benefits of martial arts, but how to perpetuate martial arts for the benefit of humanity in the future. Training utilizes 3 internal, 3 external and 2 weapon styles (Kong Su Do (Karate/Tae Kwon Do), Aikido/Hapkido (Chin Na), Yudo (Judo), Kung Fu, Bagua Zhang, Tai Chi (Taiji/Qi Gong), Kom Do (Samurai Sword), and Ship Pal Gye (traditional Chinese weapons training). These styles encompass the major martial arts and medicinal principles one needs to protect the human body at an above average level. Traditional training differs from the sport side of martial arts. Sport involves winners and losers and victory comes from defeating others. Traditional martial arts teaches one to overcome their weaknesses. The greatest enemy is one’s self. Success comes from overcoming yourself.

Patch: How long have you been doing business in town?
Igor Kaplansky: The Stoneham school has been around since February of 1988. It's the oldest Body Mind Systems school in the area. We also have 2 other schools located in Swampscott and West Roxbury.

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?
Igor Kaplansky: Every Body Mind Systems instructor starts out as a student. The longer you train, the more benefits you receive from training which deepens your appreciation. Some of the students decide to perpetuate the knowledge so that other people in the future can have the same benefits and those people become instructors. My own journey started in 2011 when I started asking myself how to create the life I really want to live instead of the one I am settling down for. Once I realized that all it takes is working on oneself, the answer became clear. Teaching at Body Mind Systems is not a job for me or any other Body Mind Systems instructor in a traditional sense of the word. Training helped me become a person that built a successful computer company, has a beyond average health, and is doing something with his time that he is not going to regret later. Every instructor's intent is that students master the success principles through training and create their own dream lives.

Patch: What's the most common piece of advice you give to customers?
Igor Kaplansky: Start now. Like everything that's alive in nature, you are either on a growing path or you are sliding down. There is no plateau, no magical "I am ok" level at which you can coast. So, keep moving. The best day to start training was yesterday. Today is the next best option.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?
Igor Kaplansky: Seeing people completely transform their lives through training. This is the main reason we do it.

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?
Igor Kaplansky: One of the differences between most martial schools and us is that we view martial arts as a tool for developing oneself to create the life we want and not just about learning some forms, losing a few pounds and getting a belt or even learning to protect yourself. For us the true measure of a student's success is how their life outside of the school improves as a result of training. We teach success principles that, if applied in any area of life, can lead to success in that area. So whether you are looking for financial independence, strong health as you age, better and more meaningful relationships with the people in your life, Body Mind Systems training can help you achieve your goals. The training itself is very individual because we are all different in terms of physical and mental abilities, age, health etc but we all can improve given the proper guidance. And that's what makes our training unique.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your work and business?
Igor Kaplansky: Visit us at https://www.bodymindsystems.com or email us at info_stoneham@bodymindsystems.com