Martial Way celebrates 20 years
By WENDY HATOUM
The Colchester Sun (February 12, 2009)
The Colchester Sun (February 12, 2009)
David Quinlan, known as Sensei Quinlan to his students, believes the study of martial arts gives kids much more than self-defense strategies, building skills they can use throughout their lives.
“For kids, it’s about the bigger picture, life skills rather than just the punch and kick,” said Quinlan.
When asked what values the study of martial arts can impart to his students, Quinlan had a long list: work ethic, perseverance, patience, respect, self-control, and the habit of a healthy lifestyle. Quinlan said students learn “discipline as a healthy quality – used toward building self esteem and self confidence, the ability to follow directions and complete a step by step process.”
Owner and head instructor of Martial Way Self-Defense Center in Colchester and St. Albans, Quinlan has 31 years in training in the martial arts. His business has been located in Colchester since he opened his doors in September 1988. Three years ago, he opened another center in St. Albans, managed by Kevin
and Karen Greeley, a husband and wife team.
Quinlan credits a childhood baseball coach as being one of the most influential people in his life.
“He gave me the understanding that I could succeed if I focused on something and stuck with it,” said Quinlan.
The school has between 125 and150 students throughout the year, and offers over 50 classes per week in Colchester for children and adults. For children, classes are divided according to age groups, including those as young as 3 years old. For ages 7-13 years, classes are divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Students who achieve a green belt and are at least 9 years old can join the junior leader program, where they become peer leaders for younger classes.
Adult classes are offered for beginners and advanced levels.
“Adults come here for two main things: fitness and self defense,” said Quinlan, explaining that he has a variety of students, from housewives who come to get in shape, to law enforcement personnel, who do itfor the self defense. He has also seen interest growing in the young adult market for mixed martial arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
The Martial Way website states very clearly, “We do not guarantee everyone a black belt.” When asked about this, Quinlan said that they don’t make that guarantee because of the commitment it takes.
Each school has its own set of requirements. “To earn a black belt at Martial Way, one first has to be in excellent physical condition and have a high level of technical skill,” explained Quinlan. “I’ve had dozens of people come in with a black belt, but they’re unsure whether they deserve it.”
The black belt at Martial Way will go to only a highly committed person.
On average the person has to be at the martial arts center twice a week. Quinlan estimates that of his students he has only 20 percent who make that time commitment of attending 100 classes per year.
“They want a real test. They want it to be tough,” explained Quinlan. The black belt takes at least four years, with supplemental training. “They have to work outside of what they do here. It’s more than just a hobby.” The black belt training culminates in a three-day summer camp held once a year, in summer.
“It’s still subjective,” said Quinlan. “There’s a certain amount of ego involved. I joke, ‘your job (as a black belt) is to make me look good.’ ”
Martial Way also offers Thinksafe, a self-defense program with a shorter time commitment, for men, women and children.
In addition, one-week camps for children are offered over February and April vacations, as well as throughout the summer. Camps cost $150 per week, with a maximum of 12 campers. Quinlan thinks the camps are an excellent way for a child to be introduced to Kempo karate. “By the end of the week the kids usually have a really good handle on it,” said Quinlan.
Quinlan enjoys watching his students progress over the years.
“The nicest thing about this for me, is I’ve had the opportunity of watching my students growing up, and it’s amazing,” said Quinlan, who explained that for most coaches kids move on after a year or two. “I now have kids of kids coming here,” said Quinlan, of a student who began with Martial Way in 1988, and is now a black belt and has a son studying martial arts at the center.
Quinlan lives in Milton, with his wife Kelly Rybicki, a chiropractor,his son, Liam, age 10, and daughter, Evi, 2½.
For more information about Martial Way, you can visit the website at: http://www.vtmartialarts. com/. Call 893-8893 in Colchester for more information. Martial Way is located at 25 Raymond Road in Colchester and in the Collins-Perley Sports Complex in St. Albans. For more information about the St. Albans center, call 527- 5141.
PHOTO CAPTION: A class for 8- to 10-year-olds is led by instructor Karl Ennis, who has studied at Martial Way since the age of 6.
