Family Business is More than Just Martial Arts

Tucked away just off Kinderkamack Road overlooking the Oradell Reservoir on one side and the historic Blauvelt Mansion on the other,  has become more than merely a dojo for students to learn martial arts and self-defense skills over the past 30 years.

Now the family-owned institute led by Richard Faustini has begun to focus more on the big picture of fitness by including: kettlebell training, yoga/pilates, strength and agility training for young athletes and will be instituting a program for special needs students in the coming months.

"We're more than just a martial arts school," Faustini said. "We look at the big picture and how to help people strive for and accomplish their goals. The stronger someone is, physically, mentally and spiritually, the better prepared they are to take on any curveballs that life throws at them."

Kettlebell classes can be split between men and women or taken together so participants can have one-on-one training to focus on specific core muscle groups. While the youth athlete program is co-ed and pits each child against one another in competitions as they work to increase speede, agility, muscle conditioning, and body strength.

Among the new programs is an early morning yoga and pilates class taught by Nicole Faustini, one of Richard's daughters.

"It will help people feel connecte with their body," Nicole said. "Flexibility, relaxation, but also to help strenthen the core and abs. They are small, intimate classes so that primarily women can have an outlet."

Another new program that just started is a martial arts program to benefit children with special needs and taught by certified special education teacher Brianna Faustini and the elder Faustini.

"It will be for children with ADHD, those on the autism spectrum, those with physical disabilities. There will be lower and high functioning classes and be based on the Applied Behavioral Analysis program with a 4:1 student to teacher ration," Faustini said.

Children will learn how to improve their coordination, physical fitness level, concentration, confidence, self-esteem, discipline, motor development, balance, agility and general attitude towards themselves.

A women's self-defense class and massage therapist have also been added recently. The self-defense class is offered for women of all ages and meets once a week, while Lynn Brennan, the massage therapist will work with a variety of patients.

For more information about Faustini's visit the school at 660 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell; call 201-261-1780 or email FIMA660@aol.com.