KARATE

Andrew Bakoledis(40) is the owner and Chief Karate Instructor. He has been actively training for 20 years, beginning at the UConn Karate Club in 1990 with Sensei Robert Jacobs(6th Dan) and Margaret Thomas (6th Dan). He achieved 4th Dan in July of 2004. Sensei graduated from Master Mori's "A Level" Instructor Training program in New York City last summer, having graduated from the "B Level" Course in 2001. Additionally, he has world wide Certification as a JKA Instructor, JKA Examiner, and JKA Tournament Judge. Bako Sensei is a 2-time regional kata champion and twice "Best Overall Competitor." He is captain of the Men's Team Kata national champions. Additionally, he is a 3-time member of the U.S. National Karate-Do Team, competing at the 9th and 10th Funakoshi Gichin World Cup Karate Championships in 2004(Tokyo) and 2006(Sydney). He recently qualified to compete at the 11th Funakoshi World Cup in Tokyo in 2010.

The head kickboxing instructor, Mr. Bakoledis has a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Mathematical Sciences from UConn and Master's Degree in Education from Sacred Heart University. He was a high school teacher for 11 years, 9 years in Westbrook where he coached the soccer, baseball and math teams. He is now in his 4th year teaching math at Tyl Middle School in Montville. He resides in Oakdale with his wife, Deborah, who runs her own horse training business - Total Equine. Andrew and Deb also have 2 children.

John Seifert(42) is Montville's Senior Instructor and has been training for 21 years. He began his training at UConn in 1989 where he is also an instructor, and achieved his 4th Dan in 2003. He is also an assistant instructor for Maragaret Thomas(6th Dan) at Karate Spirit in Mansfield and Coventry. Sensei John is a 2-time member of the U.S. National Karate-Do team, competing at the 6th and 10th Funakoshi Gichin World Cup Karate Championships in 1996(Osaka) and in 2006(Sydney). He is a 7-time SKDI men's kumite champion. Sensei completed Master Mori's Instructor Training Program in NYC in 2007 and is now an "A Level" instructor. Mr. Seifert has a Bachelors Degree in Engineering from UConn and is a mechanical engineer in charge of automated systems for a large bio-medical company. He is also running his own consulting company.

Johnny Listorti(42) is a 3rd Dan assistant instructor. He has been training for 22 years and began his training at UConn in 1986. Sensei is a science teacher at Killingly High School with 16 years experience teaching. He is also a student in the art of fencing and a practicing clarinet player for a local orchestra.

Joe Vincente(25) is a 3rd Dan assistant instructor. He is a regional men's kata champion and has been training for 11 years, 5 years at the University of Connecticut where he earned a B.S. in Chemitry and a Masters in Education. Now a high school teacher in New York City, he trains with master Mori at the headquarters dojo and is in the "B Level" instructor course. Joe is a part-time karate and kickboxing instructor at Karate Endeavors. Joe was an alternate on the U.S. National Karate-Do Team in 2006(Sydney) and made the team in 2008, qualifying for the Funakoshi World Cup in Tokyo in 2010.

Mehrdad Hagpassand(42) is a 2nd Dan assistant instructor, training for 11 years. He is a chemist at Pfizer.

Abby Barrera(26) is a 2nd Dan assistant instructor, training for 9 years. She is a biologist at Pfizer.

Allen Duplantier(42) is a 1st Dan assistant instructor, training for 9 years. He is a chemist at Pfizer.

Bob Randall(53) is a 1st Dan assistant instructor, training for 8 years. He is a computer scientist.

Bako

John

Johnny

Abby

KICKBOXING - Andrew, Will, Dave and Nancy bring years of karate and kickboxing experience to each class. You have got to meet this group of people!!

Andrew has been practicing and teaching KB for 7 years. He likes to jump over the bags and teach people how to not die from being choked. He is also a big fan of head slaps, burpees, and "100."

Will Spahn has been practicing for 10 years and teaching for 5. He's worked for 31 years at a nuclear power facility. You will be radiating from his classes. He's also very particular about working both sides of the body the exact number of reps. And please, no whining in Will's class :)

Dave Merio practiced karate for 5 years and made 1st Dan black belt. He has been practicing KB for 7 years and teaching for 3 years. Dave works for Faria, the leading experts in gauges, in Montville. Dave loves the inside round kick, ab killers, spandex, and Macs. And he puts together a mean cardio section of class. There is little rest for veterans, though there is some sympathy.

Nancy Randall has been practicing Karate for 6 years, and KB for 9 years while teaching for 3. She is high energy right from the start, and delivers a well-balanced workout every time. All this depsite being a fan of the oldies. People don't get much better than Nancy.

Will

Dave

Nancy

TAI CHI - TED LAFEMINA

Sifu Ted has been practicing martial arts since 1986, and has been teaching for nearly 20 years. His focus is no Tai Chi Chuan, Chi Kung, and Tai Chi Fan. Ted is an instructor for the Bow Sim Mark Tai Chi Arts Association / Chinese Wushu Research Institute in Boston's Chinatown. He has been a student of Master Bow Sim Mark since 1987.

The curriculum for this program includes: Chi Kung, Yang Style, Combined Style, and Tai Chi Fan.

YOGA / PILATES - VANESSA REYNOLDS

Vanessa began her professional training in 1972. She has taught ballet for years - with an extensive backgroud in ballet performance and education; along with modern dance, liturgical dance, yoga, and pilates. She has trained with The Hartford Conservatory, Trinity College, New Haven Ballet, Himalayan Inst., Balance Body, Phi Pilates, along with many others.