Special Classes may be ongoing, a few weeks in length, or Tournament and grading preparation.

Weapons classes are age and belt appropriate.  Membership in the Black Belt Club is necessary for weapons classes.  We currently offer four types of weapons training:

Bo Staff - is a long staff usually made of tapered hard wood or aluminum. The basis of bo technique is te, or hand, derived from kung fu and other martial arts that reached Okinawa via trade and Chinese monks. Thrusting, swinging, and striking techniques often resemble empty-hand movements, following the philosophy that the bo is simply an extension of one’s arms.  Bo Staff classes are our most popular weapons classes, being the easiest to handle as a beginner, and suitable for a wide range of ages.


Sai - is a pointed, rod-shaped baton, with two long, unsharpened projections (called yoku) attached to the handle.  The sai is typically used in pairs, with one in each hand, and practice includes a variety of blocks, parries, strikes, and captures against attackers from all directions and height levels.


Nunchaku - A nunchaku is two sections of wood, metal, or almost any plastic or fiberglass material (commonly covered with foam to prevent self-injury or the injury of others), connected by a cord or chain.  The use of nunchaku can help students improve their reflexes, hand control, and other skills.



Sword - This class combines the study of traditional Korean Haidong Gumdo with the practice of
Japanese-style swordsmanship made popular by modern day cinema. Class content consists of :

Gumdo etiquette – formal and semi formal bow-in / bow-out and how to handle a sword

Cuts and blocks – the fundamental offensive and defensive techniques using a sword

Sword one steps – short combinations of offensive and defensive techniques put in sequence

Sword forms – both Haidong (in keeping with tradition of our Korean martial arts style) and
Japanese-style (samurai) for demonstration and competition

Advanced sword techniques including jumps, spins, and kicks with the sword, as well as manipulations and release moves.  A bokken (wooden sword) is recommended for beginning practitioners. As students advance in skill, aircraft aluminum swords are used for mastering advanced techniques such as sword releases.


Fitness Classes require separate registration, and vary for the two main studios - please see the schedules for more information.


Our Challenged Classes (for special needs) take place in our Naugatuck studio on Fridays & Saturdays (please see the Naugatuck schedule for times).  This model program is relatively unique, and has trained challenged martial artists for many years.


Tournament Preparation

There are four Federation Tournaments throughout the year, and participation is encouraged.  There are many other competition possibilities available through the different circuits if you have the desire to compete more frequently.

When Tournament time or gradings draw near, classes will emphasize the more formal aspects of training, and offer an increased concentration of the skills necessary for the upcoming event.

One of the favorite class activities of this time period is board breaking practice.