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News Articles
Are martial arts on the same level as reading, writing and
math?
Watch the news or read the newspaper and it becomes apparent that we are a
society that is becoming more and more violent. Crimes against children, adults
and senior citizens are on the rise, plus the constant threat of terrorism here
and abroad.
Unfortunately people are not safe anywhere and that everyone should know some
sort of self-defense is becoming increasingly obvious. Some parents may feel
that learning how not to become a target can be just as important as any
curriculum taught in public schools.
The wife and husband team of Maria and Richard Lanza, plus their son Richard
Jr. have been involved with the martial arts for more than 25 years. They know
first hand the benefits karate helps provide. Life values of confidence,
self-esteem, motivation, character and goal setting are the everyday skills
which build the foundation of a successful life. By embodying these principles,
Lanza's Martial Arts has developed proven teaching methods that
will help students achieve their goals. In the children's programs, students are
taught to be role models and to believe in themselves. To be leaders not
followers. This focus will give a child the confidence and self-esteem that is
essential to improve his or her study habits, concentration as well as their
performance in all other activities.
As master black belt instructors, the Lanza's are well trained, skilled and
totally committed to each student's development and safety. They will lead a
student through each technique step by step, carefully explaining and
demonstrating each movement. These award-winning programs and high-energy
classes will make a student look forward to each and every class.
Lanza's Martial Arts teaches much more than punching and
kicking. They make their students aware of community needs by hosting yearly
food drives annually donating as much as four tons of food to the food bank to
help families less fortunate, organizing a 911 Kick-A-Thon to raise more than
$10,000 to help the families in the area that were affected by the tragedy. The
school also holds self-defense seminars for the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts
teaching them awareness and how to avoid bullying and situations which are
threatening.
Martial arts represents the most important values, total body fitness,
confidence, motivation, goal setting and self-defense. Lanza's Martial
Arts is located 3681 Route 9 North, Freehold.
For more information call (732) 845-9200.
Martial arts is this family's passion
As a fourth-degree black
belt, Richard Lanza Jr., 24, said he still is learning after
nearly 20 years of involvement in martial arts
New and changing techniques has kept karate interesting for him
through the years, Lanza said.
But sharing that knowledge is what compels him to drive from his
full-time job in Jersey City each day to help teach at his
parents' Freehold-based martial arts school,
Lanza's Martial Arts on Route 9.
"I love passing that knowledge on," he said.
That attitude, comparable to that of his mother, Maria, also a
fourth-degree black belt and father, Richard, a fifth-degree
black belt, is what has allowed Lanza's Martial
Arts to thrive for the past 11 years.
The three Lanzas, all residents of Manalapan, advanced to their
respective black belt degrees last month at a three-day training
camp in Orwigsburg, Pa., run by world-renowned martial
arts master George Dillman.
"Rank is important to me, but it's not the be all, end all,"
said Richard Lanza, the first in the family to get involved with
martial arts. "The opportunity to give back what I
have learned is my driving force right now."
More than 20 years ago, Richard Lanza, who had considered
himself an athletic person, decided to take up martial
arts for a "new challenge."
It wasn't long before he was hooked, and his wife, Maria, soon
followed.
"At the time I thought he was crazy," said Maria Lanza, one of
fewer than 10 women to be promoted to fourth-degree black belt
by Dillman. "It took eight months for me to go watch him in a
class, but I signed up that night and I knew then that I was
going to be a black belt."
Since they opened their own martial arts school,
the Lanzas all said the most rewarding part of the job is the
progression of their students, both young and old.
"We teach them to be role models and leaders, not followers,"
Richard Lanza said.
The Lanzas said it is common for kids enrolled in their program
to improve their school grades. One of the requirements to be in
the program is to maintain a B average. Also, if a child makes
the honor roll all four marking periods during a school year,
they treat them to dinner.
"Do we teach punching and kicking? Yes. Do we teach
self-defense? Yes? But it is so much more than that," Maria
Lanza said. "We build their self-esteem and make them feel
better about themselves."
For more information on Lanza's Martial Arts, call
(732) 845-9200.
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Martial-arts studio throws karate chop in
hunger fight
| Maria
Lanza knew the food drive at her husband's martial-arts
studio would be successful when she saw parents drop their
children off for classes and come back with groceries when they
picked up their children. |
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"People actually would go
food shopping and come with the bags right from the market,"
said Maria Lanza, 49.
Richard Lanza, also 49, is the owner of Lanza's
Martial Arts studio on Route 9 in Freehold Township.
He said his 200 students, ranging in age from 4 to 60, already
have collected 2,000 pounds of food and other necessities for
the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties in Neptune.
The drive, which began about Memorial Day, will continue through
August. The studio has collected mostly food but also many
toiletries, including toothbrushes, soap and shampoo, and other
necessities, such as diapers.
"Literally, we've been dropping stuff off once a week," Richard
Lanza said. "They think we're the greatest thing since sliced
bread. I thought a nice goal would be a ton. I had no conception
of what 2,000 pounds is."
He said he was prompted to help the food pantry when workers
there told him donations are scarce in the summer.
"People tend to be me more generous at holiday times," Richard
Lanza said.
He said the drive not only has helped the poor but also has
taught his students the values of community service.
"We want to teach them to be leaders, not followers," Richard
Lanza said.
Jigesh Parekh, 11, of Freehold Township said he donated 53 cans
of food.
"I wanted to help out the needy," he said. "All I felt is how
they'd feel if they get the food."
Richard Lanza said trips he made to the food bank helped him
eliminate any preconceived notions he had about who receives the
donations.
"People getting this food are no different than you and I," he
said. "They're just having a rough time."
Sandra Vilanova, 12, said she was happy to participate in a
drive like this in a place other than school.
"We can do it anywhere," the Howell resident said. "Sometimes
people have real problems."
Mark Feldstein, 14, of Manalapan said he was eager to take part.
"I'm (more) fortunate than other people," he said. "I feel bad(ly)
for them."
Jesse Cermac, 9, of Howell also counts his blessings.
"There's a lot of hungry people out there who can't afford
anything," he said.
For each donation, participants receive a raffle ticket. Richard
Lanza said he will draw winners for four $50 and two $25 gift
certificates for use at the Freehold Raceway Mall, as well as
four tickets to an upcoming New York Yankees game.
Lanza's Martial Arts, 3263 Route 9 North, is
moving to an expanded location at 3681 Route 9 North in the
Freehold Mall shopping center in Freehold Township.
For more information, call (732) 845-9200.
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