Sonora MMA offers Bully Prevention and Self Defense Class

04/02/2013
Hours: 5 - 6 pm
Location: Sonora MMA, 78 S. Washington St, Sonora
Contact: Coni Chavez
Sonora MMA will host a FREE bully prevention and self defense class for kids of all ages. Self defense training can increase options for personal safety with confidence building exercises. We will focus on awareness, assertiveness and verbal confrontational skills. This class will include some hands on techniques for self protection.
Walk-ins are welcome, however reserving a spot is recommended at 209-533-3505.
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance that is used against another person.
Bullying is a threat to a persons' physical and emotional safety. The best way to address bullying is to stop it before it starts. Bullying can be prevented when the power of the community is brought together. Bully prevention classes can help identify and support children who are bullied, redirect the behaviors of children who bully, and change the attitudes of those who tolerate bullying
behaviors. (stopbullying.gov).

Sonora MMA - for Kids, Women and Men

Sonora MMA offers classes in kick boxing, Jiu Jitsu, and more.
For more information visit their website at http://www.oakdalemma.com/

Sonora MMA
Style	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu		6-7 PM		6-7 PM
Kid's Jiu-Jitsu		5-6 PM		5-6 PM
Kickboxing	6-7 PM		6-7 PM
Open Gym		6-7 PM		6-7 PM
Women's Kick Boxing	5-6 PM	4-5 PM	5-6 PM	4-5 PM
Kid's Kick Boxing	4-5 PM		4-5 PM

Sonora MMA offering training/classes in Kajukenbo

Kajukenbo was founded in 1947 at Palamas Settlement on Oahu, Hawaii. It developed out a group calling themselves the "Black Belt Society", which consisted of black belts from various martial arts backgrounds who met to train and learn with each other. This was the beginning of an evolutionary, adaptive style designed to combine the most useful aspects of the arts.

Sonora MMA - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art indigenous to Brazil. It was founded by the Gracie Family beginning with Carlos Gracie, who learned Jiu-Jitsu from an immigrant Japanese family gardener and judoka named Maeda.
The art's roots are derived from pre-war kodokan judo, western wrestling, and Maeda's own insights into combat. From the beginning this great art was modified and adapted by Helio Gracie, the brother of Carlos.
Helio, who was smaller than his brothers, had to adapt the art to make better use of leverage and positioning. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stresses bringing an opponent to the ground and relying on grappling techniques to subdue the opponent.The sportive aspect of BJJ is embodied in BJJ tournaments. Competitors wear Judo "jackets" and pants just like their judo counterparts but the rules favor strategies and techniques more oriented toward combat effectiveness.

To learn more click HERE.

Sonora MMA - Martial Arts Training with honor, respect and confidence

Finding himself the recipient of a violent mugging at the hands of a couple angry, armed thugs at the young age of 16 proved to be the impetus for Tom Theofanopoulos to learn, and eventually master, the art of self defense.  Pulling away from his family’s restaurant business to start out on the journey to becoming an 8^th degree professor was, at the time, a difficult decision, but one that he has never regretted. 

 Now with 35 years of martial arts experience behind him he enjoys his chosen path in life. “I enjoy every aspect of teaching, empowering people with self confidence” and helping people to become physically fit. “This can be life changing for some people” Tom said, pointing out that confidence is the cornerstone to daily life, ie: in the workplace, in relationships, at home, in sports, etc.

With classes held for ages as young as four years old to well in their 60’s and 70’s, Sonora MMA offers something for everyone. When asked the age range, Tom broke into a grin that lit up his face and said, “We are having a celebration soon in Oakdale to promote a woman in her 60’s to Blackbelt.” He did emphasis that in the classes for the younger children kick boxing and striking moves are discouraged. He believes in a “fun-based” way of learning self defense.