Modern Self Defense Training: Stand for Life ^*

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Our next free seminar on self defense and physical conditioning is Friday, September 24 from 6 - 9 PM. Our summer term started on June 21 2010. It is a little late to join in this particular term, but we invite you to try it out next term, which starts on September 27 2010.

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Physical Conditioning ~ Self Defense ~ Traditional Ethics
Martial Arts & Sports ~ Weapons Training ~ Life Skills

Carefully developed over several years, Via Potentia offers training in these areas:

• Physical Conditioning: Exercises to help you improve or maintain your range of motion, flexibility, strength and endurance. Most martial arts programs exercise in a way that causes or predisposes one for injury, but we've arranged them in a way that you still get great benefits, can go at your pace, and have a much lower chance of injury; joint conditioning and dynamic stretching at the beginning of class, and calisthenics and static stretching at the end. Physical conditioning is a formal part of the classes, and takes up about half of our class time.
• Self Defense: Via Potentia was developed specifically to teach basic unarmed self defense skills from all ranges, upright or on the ground. Dozens of specialized drills help you become aware of, avoid and de-escalate dangerous situations, and fight to escape if necessary. The techniques include palm strikes, hammer fists, elbows, knees, low kicks, clawing, headbutts and others; the goal is develop powerful, injury-causing combinations. The general targets are eyes, ears, neck, liver, lower abdomen, groin, knees and feet. There is a lot of work with partners and heavy bags. We also strongly encourage the use of improvised and conventional weapons, especially pepper spray and handguns (adults only, obviously). We train with sticks in class. No uniform or special equipment purchases are required; a mouthpiece is recommended (and a cup for men).
• Martial Arts: Forms, board breaking, no- and light-contact sparring, advanced kicks, strikes and acrobatics, discipline and awareness training for self improvement, demonstration and competition. Martial arts training is an individual pursuit, is touched upon in our basic program, and available in more detail for children and those who are less interested in the self defense or sport facets of Via Potentia. Adult and youth participants are encouraged to work on martial arts skills as they progress. All martial arts have about 90% of their techniques in common. Via Potentia is different in that our techniques are introduced in a carefully-researched order, our forms are much more challenging (and include acrobatics at later stages), and we do not charge for tests. Those who wish to pursue Via Potentia as a martial art should get a uniform.
• Martial/Combat Sports: Contact kickboxing, Pankration/MMA-style sparring and submission grappling (no striking) for friendly competition and personal fitness. Like martial arts training, martial sports training is touched upon in our general classes but secondary in Via Potentia. Informal, supplemental classes are available to those who have the necessary fitness and interest. Those wishing to pursue kickboxing or MMA-style matching need to acquire their own sparring gear. Those who desire more intense MMA training specifically for sport should contact James Bowers of All Heart MMA. His program meets in our gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:15-8:15. He can be reached at 971-241-9011.
• Weapons Training: Classes include basic stick training. We use sticks of different sizes to simulate various improvised weapons that might be used for self defense (including knives). We also provide gun safety training for adults who are new to handguns or wish to acquire a concealed carry permit.
• Life Skills: Participants are encouraged to complete training in CPR and First Aid with the Red Cross or equivalent organization (training is offered through Via Potentia on a limited basis). We also offer handgun safety training to adults by appointment.

All training takes place within the context of respectful friendship and traditional ethics that uphold the dignity of human life.

Select the topic of interest from the menu at the top of the page, or answer the questions, below, for some specific advice to help you get started.

I seek training for...

a child (age 7-13) a youth (age 13+) an adult multiple family members me and some friends

The most important outcome is...

Self Defense Skills Self Discipline Improved Physical Condition First Aid & CPR Training Self Confidence Non-violent Alternatives Weapons Skills Traditional Martial Arts Competition Skills Ranks, Certificates or Trophies

The level of past experience in martial arts, boxing or wrestling is...

Little or No Past Experience Some (1-2 years) Extensive (3+ years) Mixed (usually for families)

The physical condition is...

Excellent Average Poor

My abilities are limited due to disabilities, injuries or other medical conditions

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Our Pledge to You

• You may watch as many classes as you want and ask questions. Everything we do is "in the open." (Please realize that, in watching any particular class, you are only seeing a small fraction of what we do.)
• Beginners may try out the classes for up to two weeks without any obligation to see if they are right for you. Membership payment is requested/expected only if you continue past your first two weeks. (The best times to start are January, April and October, but you can start in the summer, too.)
• You will be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of your age, condition or abilities.
• Via Potentia exists to serve and assist you, not separate you from your money or make you conform to a foreign program. We will never dismiss someone from Via Potentia purely for failure to pay the membership fee. We will never fabricate and charge you for training or tests that don't actually benefit you.
• The training will be adapted to your abilities; we will challenge you to push yourself, but you can go at your own pace and do not have to "keep up" with anyone else.
• You will never be pressured to buy uniforms, equipment, pay silly test fees, or sign long term contracts. The only document we'll ask you to sign is a waiver of liability.
• You will learn self defense principles and skills that could save your life. The principles and rough basics can be learned in the first term. It usually takes 2-3 terms to develop effective skills.
• You will improve your physical fitness -- strength, flexibility and endurance. Most people experience measurable improvements in the first term, with gradual improvements each term thereafter. Some people lose substantial weight.
• Assuming you consistently participate in the program, practice/exercise outside of class at least once per week and manage other areas of your life like diet, sleep and stress, we commit to the above, and will refund your tuition for the term in question if we fail.

Survey

We are presently collecting survey information in regard to our classes in McMinnville. If you live near McMinnville and are interested in participating, we invite you to take the survey; all participants will be eligible for half off of their first term of instruction.

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We welcome comments, questions and suggestions for improvement.
Via Potentia, 608 NE Highway 99W, McMinnville OR 97128
503-437-3450

Copyright Via Potentia. All Rights Reserved. Consult your doctor before beginning an exercise program; consult a lawyer before making a legal decision. All information provided on this web site or otherwise by Via Potentia is provided for educational/informative purposes only, is subject to correction, and should not be considered legal, medical or other professional advice. Use at your own risk.