Bochner's Studio: Women's Fitness And Family Self-Defense (Jiu-Jitsu) — Local services in Cranston

This may seem like "just" a review...but I wanted to use the power I get from words and make this sound as important as I feel it.

I am currently on week 7 of kickboxing. I went through a 6 week challenge which completely uprooted all of my comforts! As an autist, I am a creature of routine that can have almost debilitating results if it's disrupted. I had to change my morning routine to include weighing myself, having clothes to take with me to work (and remembering them!), and making sure I ate and\or brought breakfast. To do this as well as stick to the diet plan, I had to shop differently which was a whole process for me. I was no longer coming home from work 3 nights and was instead going to do physical activity that I had not attempted in years due to a myriad of reasons mainly including depression and (only recently diagnosed) fibromyalgia, in addition to some very recent and very traumatic life events. I had someone checking in with me that I had to reply to!

Marc and the coaches are nothing but supportive. I was immediately comfortable and at ease in a very foreign and scary new venture and place. I was actually encouraged to modify! They would help me on the spot during the workout and not after which meant that I was still effectively moving and learning how to help myself in the moment. I never felt uncomfortable asking for help. Not once. I never felt judged at all by them or anyone else participating in the class.

I pushed myself further than I ever imagined I could. And I just committed to continuing. I showed up. I worked out tired and stressed and sad. I feel better than I can describe...but specifically, I'm proud. Yes, I have lost weight. Yes, I have learned value on how to eat better and not just sticking to a script of food. I have learned that I can still have a bad day but pick myself up and do better next time. I have learned that doing something is better than nothing and that I can stop or change what I'm doing because I'm at least still doing it.

The best part for me was seeing the little things change. Being able to put my socks on without falling over because I could lift my leg high enough now. Being able to go up a flight of stairs - and several times on a row - without feeling like I couldn't again or almost tripping on the tread because I couldnt lift my feet high enough. I can kick a roundhouse higher now as I'm seeing my flexibility increase. I can almost touch my toes!! I haven't done that since high school! My stride has lengthened and I am no longer walking in almost a waddle trying to swing my hips to propel myself. There's more but those are on the top of my list!

Joining Bochner's was my break in life that I'd needed for a long time. Marc got me the jump start and the help I needed to confidently commit to a change that may have been fleeting for some to decide, while being and seeming practically impossible for me. For me, it's not just kickboxing, it's not just eating differently, it's not just moving some things around in my schedule. So for those who are scared - terrified - to make the change, I encourage you to do it. It can absolutely seem huge but they will take care of you! They will be there for you for every step and all the questions and the doubts and celebrations!

I cannot express the gratitude I have for Marc and the coaches and even the others I have classes with. They are all genuinely kind and caring and want you to succeed. They want to help you get better and better yourself. Turn your life on it's head if you have to, but know that it's worth it and you CAN do it. You will have the...

I learned about Bochner’s Realistic Self Defense Seminar for Women through my physical therapist, as I saw a flyer in the waiting area. I discovered Marc Bochner is a therapist there, so, I knew I could trust him to teach a terrific class as all the therapists are outstanding. I was totally spot on and made a great decision to take this seminar as an observer, since my injuries (hence physical therapy) prevented me from participating. Despite not being on the mat with the rest of the class to learn various moves and techniques, I saw this course as an opportunity to learn as well as invest in my personal safety.

This class was held in a jiu-jitsu dojo with Sensei Marc and his two helpers. There’s plenty of parking. This dojo is quite spacious with lots of mats and also well-lit including beautiful sunlight streaming in the front windows. As our class was small, maybe seven students including me as an observer, each lesson was one-on-one with Marc or one of the two helpers. Everyone had multiple opportunities to practice each technique with each other and the training team. And, from my observer perspective, I saw all the moves and techniques practiced from all possible angles.

Our class started on-time. Marc’s friendly, relaxed demeanor immediately put us all at ease. He’s extremely articulate and excellent at demonstrating moves and techniques, as well as building upon each step to show us how we could link them together to defend ourselves. Marc took a serious topic about life threatening scenarios and reconstructed it into small manageable steps we could easily digest and make our own. He stressed how important it is to practice these techniques so when an unfortunate situation arises, we can act immediately rather than think about it.

This class was an absolute blast! Lots of smiles, laughter, humor and movement. Marc broke our seminar into three distinct categories: 1) trust our intuition. 2) be aware of and present in our surroundings. 3) ERT (emergency response technique). I really appreciate how he linked these things together as I’m now aware I haven’t been practicing the 2nd step. I tend to look down or away from strangers, which could make me appear to be a timid and weak prospective target. Knowing what I learned from this seminar and applying it to daily life is priceless — the lessons are far more valuable than the negligible cost of this course. I definitely got my money’s worth!

This course and training team is upbeat and positive. Lots of support, encouragement and training. Marc played the target and his helpers played the bad guys or vice versa in our exercises. In one of our lessons the focus was eye contact and you really had to be there to fully appreciate the hilarity followed with hysterical laughter. As humorous as this was, this lesson truly conveyed the seriousness of how we, as women, present ourselves to the outside world — passive potential victim walking about inside one’s own head, or, as a fully engaged alert person observing their environment while making eye contact. While there’s far more appearances beyond this dichotomy, I learned to be the latter and pay attention — my life may depend on it. Take this course with Marc — it could very well...

The short version...sign up now. Just do it. You will never regret it.

The longer version goes something like this...

I began training with Soke Dai Marc Bochner in about 2005. I fell in love with the system right away. It was direct and to the point. Realism was the focus, not competition. Get in, be as violent as the situation requires (quickly), and get out...and home safely. That’s it. Marc never held back. He shared information as quickly as you could learn it, and I was a sponge. He was in love with teaching and sharing, not milking you for every last buck. 13 years later, his mission has not changed, and I always respected that.

Anyway, the system (on its own merit) is what got me in the door and engaged in training. I was the frustrating guy who had questions about everything, and a healthy skepticism for techniques. Marc was never shy about addressing them. He would just hurt me. I would come away impressed and come back for more everyday. Over the years we became great friends while he was kicking me, choking me, and throwing me around. Like brothers in the back seat right? Haha. Some of the best memories of my life took place in that dojo. My heart is there even when my body isn’t, sincerely.

Along the way, I met some truly wonderful people. Peer coaching was an integral part of training. It wasn’t mandated or anything, but it was common. That was just the culture in the dojo. I give Marc a lot of credit for that, but it takes a village right. We had great people around us all the time. Everyone was friendly and helpful. Some relationships were brief, but memorable. Others will last a lifetime. I walked through the door to learn self defense. I kept walking through them for 10+ years to be around an amazing group of people that I will forever consider family. I honestly cannot say enough kind things about Marc and the rest of the gang. They mean a lot to me. All of them.

NO THIS IS NOT A PAID REVIEW! NO I DO NOT WORK THERE! NO I AM NOT AN INVESTOR!

I did invest many years of my life there, however, and it was one of the best investments I have ever made. I believe in the philosophy of people helping people, and that is a pillar of Bochner’s Self Defense. I learned self defense there, of course...but I learned a lot about myself and a good bit about life too.

JUST JOIN UP AND DON’T LOOK BACK!

If you regret it, ask Marc for my address and come throw me a beating. That seems fair...and I’m...