Hi-YAH!! Your sweat drips in your eyes, and you can feel your heart pounding in your ears. You raise your iron fist and motion to your opponent to give it their best shot while time slows. Your opponent moves quickly, his leg at the level of your eyes, but with a swift CRACK to the knees, he begins to fall, screaming in his native language and---that’s just you dreaming about being in The Matrix again. Where you ARE is another story- though no less exciting.

Sensei (a word meaning teacher or instructor in Japanese) Howard Turoff, former head of the martial arts program at the Hoboken YMCA, is offering FREE Goju-Ryu karate lessons every Wednesday (weather permitting) evening from 7-9 PM in Elysian Park. Goju-Ryu, allegedly a display of the oldest martial arts traditions, is a form of physical, intellectual, and moral education that combines hard and soft karate techniques. What does this mean for us newcomers? According to www.gojuryu.net, “The system is based on a concept that just ‘hard and stiff’ [movements] are not good- soft and gentle can be equally powerful. The two should complement each other.” In other words, follow Sensei Turoff and learn an art said to be among the most graceful, flowing, and disciplined, while getting a toned and protected body!

Everyone is welcome to join the evening practices- no previous experience or equipment required! Sensei Turoff only asks that you wear comfortable clothing and arrive in an open, positive state of mind. These lessons are an incredible opportunity not to missed- it’s not everyday a Sensei shares his secrets for free!

Visit www.kogumadojo.com, call 201-724-6787, or email SenseiHT@kogumadojo.com for more information.