Great Locations for Kids:About Us
What makes our programs different from other karate schools? Most martial arts schools advertise confidence, focus, respect etc., but few have a carefully designed, proven system for bringing
about positive change in your child. Taking under consideration the different needs of different age groups, our curriculums are designed to not only give your child an education in classical martial arts, but to experience success and recognition for the efforts. With your help, we monitor your child’s successes and challenges at home and school and provide support in any way we can.
It is also noteworthy that our Instructors are uniquely qualified to provide such services: Charlie, Josh , Jim, Jim, and Paul have worked with children for years, Jim Harpe is a Masters Level Therapist specializing in children and families, Jim Hughes is a Masters Level and Licensed Clinician with post graduate training at the Jung Institute Child Studies Program and a Faculty Member of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Our team has the depth and experience that you can count on!!!
How do I get my child started? The best thing you can do is give us a call to set up your child’s Introductory Lesson. This includes: A Private Lesson - This will give you a chance to see for yourself how we will bring out the best in your child. In just 20 minutes your child will receive:
- The Importance of Focus - The ability to block out distractions and concentrate on one thing at a time. But be aware - you may not be prepared for the level of attention your child is capable of.
- The Quality of Respect - The act of showing kindness and courtesy to other people. Your child will learn not only when and where to demonstrate respect, but how. You will be amazed at how fast your child’s listening skills and manners will sky-rocket at home and school.
- 3 Self-Defense Techniques - 3 basic movements and a solemn agreement about appropriate practice and usage.
- An Official Uniform that your child will LOVE!
- A Unique Challenge and Goal - We don’t want to spoil it, but we guarantee an immediate improvement at home in your child’s conduct.
You Child’s Personal Development is our priority. We use the time-tested structure of the martial arts to develop the best in your child. We offer the personal attention which is unfortunately lacking in so many public schools. We build on success, and encourage your child to use these valuable lessons everyday at school and at home.
TESTIMONIALS
“I have been taking Tang Soo Do for several years and I
have been extremely impressed with what it is has done for me.
My strength, flexibility and endurance have all significantly improved.
I have been involved in many sports but this really has been great
for all around conditioning. Learning new physical maneuvers involved
in a new form gives a real sense of accomplishment.
Mr. McShane and his staff are experts at what they do and are very
understanding and patient teachers. The people that I have met
through karate have been the best. I look forward to going every
week.”
-Dr. Steven Green, Eastern CT Ear, Nose & Throat, P.C. and NMA Red Belt
“I am a student at Northstar Martial Arts. I am a first degree
black belt. Northstar Martial Arts has given me sense of direction
among other qualities. I feel there is no teacher better. Mr. McShane
teaches by example, not just in the arts of Tang Soo Do and Jiu Jitsu,
but also in life. I have grown physically, mentally, and most important,
spiritually. Northstar Martial Arts is a community where people care
about each other. Our school is much more than a place to work out.”
- Steve Lorince, Pipe Fitter and NMA Black Belt
R.E.D. (Respect Every Day) Assembly Benefits from Karate Instructors
Ask your children to jump and they say, “how high?” Well, it’s not often
that we get that kind of response, but martial arts instructors Charlie and
Josh from Northstar Martial Arts in Norwich came close when
demonstrating their version of respect.
On Wednesday, February 25, Charlie and Josh volunteered to give a
demonstration of drills that teach children attention, focus, respect, patience,
as well as some “cool” (non-offensive) moves. Older children were
encouraged to take home a “to-do” list which reminded them to use respect
at home and at school. Assisted by students from Preston Veteran’s
Memorial School who attend the Karate classes, Charlie and Josh wowed
the kids with their energy, discipline and moves. The karate teachers also
demonstrated the first rule of good training which was to ignore problem
behaviors and notice those who were trying hard.
Dear Charlie & Josh,
We want you to know how grateful we are for your demonstration last
week. It was a nice boost to our “respect” training. Allowing students you
have trained to display moves really gave them something to be proud of.
We were especially impressed with your ability to stay positive through out
the demonstration. That was a good reminder for all of us. (…)Once again
thanks so much and keep up the good work!
Preston Veterans Memorial School RESPECT Committee
Can’t beat this one. “Dear Mr. McShane + Mr. Hesser - You two are the
best karate teachers a kid can have. I would rather have no other teachers
than you. I hope you have a wonderful evening.” Tabatha (10 years old)
Paul Bratslavky and Carrie are simply the BEST!!! My child loves the class,
and I get a little extra time to do some things for myself while she takes
her lessons. Thankyou SuperKids!
-Bridget D.
“What Charlie has done for Tyler … One of
the most important things that I’ve seen is… watching the interaction that
Charlie has with the kids, the look in his eye, the patience he has when he
sees that they’re doing something that they shouldn’t be doing, the way he
addresses the issues. He doesn’t lose his cool. It’s something that has
impressed me a lot from a guy who’s not in his mid-thirties… He’s really
good with the kids.
The program itself is another thing. The Tang Soo Do discipline is not so
much hard-nosed and all about combat… it’s positive, with discipline and
structure and consistency of forms and achievement of goals. So everything
is good and positive. Thanks.”
-Adin Loewenstein (Father of Tyler, 10 years old)
“When my son first started at Northstar Martial Arts, he was four years
old. And now he’s six, and he’s actually moving up to the kid’s beginner
class. He’s focused, he’s intense, he tries, he doesn’t give up. He’s
disciplined. When he’s in school and he’s sitting listening to a story, he sits
up with his back straight, just like he does at karate. He doesn’t give up on
anything.
I think the program has really, really made him grow up. I owe it all to the
program. I think Mr. McShane is a wonderful teacher. I think Mr. Hesser
does miracles with these kids. They like him, he’s fun to have as a teacher.
They listen to him, they respect him. I know my son respects him. My son
looks up to Mr. Hesser.”
-Annette Wilcox (Mother of Bruce, 6 years old)
“My son’s name is Frankie. He is eleven years old in two weeks. He’s
been with Northstar Martial Arts for about a year. When he first came to
the school, he was very quiet, reserved, and shy. Since working with Mr.
McShane, Mr. Hesser, and Mr. Boutin, he seems to have come out of his
shell. He takes a positive outlook on life, and he is definitely working and
geared towards getting his black belt.
I like the fact that the school, the Northstar Martial Arts school, stays in
contact in his life when he’s not at the dojo. They contact him at home
when there’s a problem. They take input from his teacher, which helps him
in school to stay in line, because he knows the teacher is going to have input
in his promotions. They take a general interest in his activities and home
life.
It definitely helps keep him squared away and moving in a positive
direction.”
-Frank Galley (Father of Frankie, 11 years old)
“My son Xavier has been going to Northstar Karate for the last year and
three months, I’ve seen a definite positive change. He has built up his
confidence, his self-respect. He’s had issues, and we’ve been working on
that.
The biggest thing that I’ve found is that Mr. McShane and the instructors
there have been a great support system for me, as a single parent, to
reinforce certain things that I need reinforced through school or at home.
Positive things for Xavier to work on his character-building, to make him a
better person, and I really think that this has been a very worth-while and
positive experience for all of us…
I work in the school system, and I see there is definitely positive
reinforcement. (Mr. McShane) is not singling anyone out. He’s making
sure everyone is heard, and I think it’s very good.”
-Jackie Dunn (Mother of Xavier, 10 years old)
“The program at Northstar Martial Arts has been a great influence on our
daughter. She’s been there almost two years now and it’s carried over
greatly in her school work at the school that she goes to. She’s improved
tremendously. The teachers had recommended her to come into karate to
help her out with school, and it’s helped tremendously with her self-
discipline, her respect, her confidence level has raised tremendously.
She holds her head up high now. She never used to do things like that.
She’ll try new things all the time because they give her the confidence at the
school.
The teachers are phenomenal. They’re all the same, the things that they
teach, the character-traits that they teach the children are just awesome for
the school and in life. We just think it’s a great school and we would
recommend it to anybody.”
-Kelly Beattie (Mother of Taylor, 10 years old)
“I am the mother of two students, Tyler and Stephanie. Both my children
have been in karate for over year, and I am just extremely impressed with
the outcome that has been happening with their positive attitude and
excellence in manners, their discipline, their confidence level.
…Even the extra activities that Mr. McShane has developed for the kids,
the movie nights and the karate on the beach, has just given an incredible
positive attitude on my children and the family as well. There isn’t really
more that I can say, other than that I’ve just been so pleased, and I’m so
glad to tell anybody about the classes and what Mr. McShane has to offer
for their children and family. Thank you.”
-Lynn Riel (Mother of Tyler, 6, and Stephanie, 4)
“Since Logan has joined Northstar Martial Arts, we’ve noticed a big
change in his confidence level. And seeing that he’s only six years old, we
were a little nervous when he started at four years old. But we’ve noticed a
big difference between him and his classmates at Ledyard Center School.
Some of his classmates don’t raise their hands to answer questions.
Logan is one of the first ones to answer questions.
We’ve also noticed a big change in him with respect, not only to adults,
because he’s always been polite, but to his classmates. If someone is
having trouble in class, he’s the first one to always help out. If he sees that
… a child is not being included in a game, he’s the first one to call a friend
over to make sure that everyone in the class is included. So we feel that
just from his participation in the karate program, he’s definitely matured,
and definitely someone that we’re very, very proud of, my husband and I,
so thank you.
Mr. McShane’s teaching style we love. We love that although Logan is
having a lot of fun in class, Logan is there for a reason. He’s there for a
purpose. There’s always a lesson, every single week. We love that the last
four or five minutes is a talk about strangers, or a talk about good drugs
verses bad drugs, or a talk about your emotions or your feelings. We love
that there is always a lesson in addition to the physical aspect of karate.
We love that there is a mind lesson as well.”
-Michelle Hinton (Mother of Logan, 6 years old)
“I saw a lot of change in my son, for his behavior and self-discipline, and all
the thanks in the world to Mr. McShane and all his staff and the school.
My son is different than before, for his relationship with his friends and
school. Again… thanks to Mr. McShane and all his staff and the school.”
-Gamal Gurguis (Father of Meena, 12 years old)
“I’ve been training with Mr. McShane for nearly three years now, and I
followed him from the school in Saybrook where I began training with him.
I now travel from Saybrook to Norwich about three times a week to train
with him. The staff is terrific, the students are marvelous, and it’s because
of his training that I survived an attack.”
-Patti Osborne (Red belt, 39 years old)
“I like karate because it is fun. It’s given me a new hobby. It’s taught me
self-discipline and it’s made me more confident in myself and my abilities.
There are just so many great people doing karate. It’s just fun.”
-Pete Niles (Brown Belt, 14 years old)
“I’ve been a student of Northstar Martial Arts for the last four years. It’s a
good workout, great cardio-vascular workout. Great for stretching at my
age of 48, and it teaches self-discipline along with the self-defense. I highly
recommend it to anyone over thirty.”
-Ken Kelly, State Police Sargeant (Red/Black Belt, 48 years old)
“Garrett started about two years ago. He was very angry after our divorce,
and he needed some structure. I tried a lot of other different sports, but he
wasn’t into the team sport activities. I brought him in here, and they’ve
been working with him for two years and he loves it. He respects everyone
in here. You can see it in his confidence, and he’s very proud of what he
does…
Mr. McShane is excellent. He’s absolutely excellent. Garrett loves it when
he teaches… he really has a great respect for Mr. McShane.”
-Michelle Loubier (Mother of Garret, 13 years old)
“I like it because it has a lot of diversity. You meet new people. It builds
your confidence… (Mr. McShane) is strict, but he’s fun, and he gets the
message across and he teaches very well.”
-Carley Lobacz (15 years old, Black Belt)
“(Peter) absolutely loves coming. He just lives to come, but he has just
been so much more attentive. His listening skills are so much better. I
notice a big difference that way with Peter. (Mr. Hesser) is good with the
kids. He’s strict, firm, but they learn a lot from him. They absolutely learn a
lot from him. Mr. McShane of course is a lot of fun, so the kids like him. I
wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve been very happy with the program… They’re
consistent. They treat the kids all the same. That’s what I like.”
-Dee Reilly (Mother of Peter, 7 years old, and Nick, 14 years old)
“My son Christopher has been here for almost a year… I heard positive
things about this program, so we decided to try it out. We came for a trial
basis. Christopher loved it, and one of the reasons I really wanted him to
try karate is that he’s very small for his size, and just to boost his confidence
up and to make him more self-assured of himself, so I feel that it’s really
helped with that. He has great self-esteem, he always has, but just because
of his size I really wanted to encourage that, and I feel the instructors here
are wonderful, the way they work with the children. Christopher loves
coming.
I’ve seen even a difference in his schoolwork, that he’s more focused. And
even at home, the to-do lists are great because if he’s not cleaning his room
I can say “Oh Christopher, you need to check this off,” and he’ll run and do
it so he can check it off to hand it in weekly. I feel it’s just been positive for
school and home and just the way he feels about himself.
I think (Mr. McShane) is really great with the kids. He treats everybody
the same, and with respect. The kids love him. When he gets goofy and
does his chicken dance, everybody seems to love it, but he doesn’t cross
the line. He’s always got control of the group in general and they always
have a good time. I see that (Mr. Hesser) has great focus over the children
as well. Their teaching styles are different, but yet they each get the same
end result out of the children. Christopher just loves both of them. He has
a great time here. Mr. Boutin is always very friendly when we come in…
he’s very friendly, and whenever I have a question or a concern, he’s willing
to hear me out.”
-Denise Fleming (Mother of Christopher, 7 years old)
“Fred has been attending the class here for about six or seven months. He
has a speech impediment, so I think first and foremost, it’s built his
confidence in interacting with other kids his age, and also at home, he’s a lot
more organized. He cleans his room, there’s a lot more discipline. He’s
just so excited about coming to karate every single week. He’s really
focused… his grades have improved because he knows that if his grades
drop, he won’t be able to take karate, so I think that’s an added benefit for
me. So I’m very impressed with his enthusiasm, especially when he goes
from one belt to the next, or when he wins one of the games that they play,
he’s real pumped up. I’m very happy with the class.
I think (Mr. McShane) adapts to each kid’s learning ability very well, and
he’s a motivator – he motivates the kids to try to do better.”
-Fred Brown (Father of Fred, 9 years old)
“Since Peter started karate with Mr. McShane, he’s gained an awful lot of
self-esteem, and he really really enjoys coming here… He really enjoys Mr.
McShane. Mr. McShane is wonderful. He’s wonderful with the kids. He’
s a terrific guy. I don’t know if I’ve ever met anybody as nice as Mr.
McShane. His teaching ability is terrific. I’ve often wondered if he’s taken
psychology as well as karate. He’s got an awful lot of talents. My son
looks up to Mr. McShane.
Mr. Hesser is funny. He’s good with kids as well. I’ve seen him talking to
little kids, and he’s come down to their level, which is extremely impressive
to me… he’s just wonderful with his humor. His teaching ability is really
good too.”
-Pam Niles (Mother of Pete, 14 years old)
“In school, we actually just had a parent conference meeting, and they tell
me that he participates a lot in school, so he’s very comfortable in front of
people, and I know that that is due to (NMA)… He’s confident in himself,
and I know a big part of the school is believe in yourself, and like who you
are, feel confident in yourself, and I know Nicholas has grasped that.
(Mr. McShane’s) teaching style is great. He’s an excellent instructor,
excellent with kids, excellent with adults… He’s just phenomenal with the
kids. Mr. Hesser is another great guy… A great teacher, a very intent
individual. You know, really wanting to help that one person fix whatever
they need to fix. They focus on the whole group, and yet are very focused
on each individual person… I think the classes are structured very well.”
-Agur Baristain (Mother of Nick, 10 years old)
“(Joey’s) self-confidence has gotten a lot better. He listens, he’s not so
quick to mouth off. He’s doing better at home and at school. Joe responds
very well to (Mr. Hesser’s) teaching style.”
-Heidi Williams (Mother of Joey, 7 years old)
“I find that both (Mr. McShane and Mr. Hesser) as for teaching young
children, do a wonderful job. I find them very caring. Just the way they
teach classes and re-orient and redirect to get them to do the right things,
just … we’ve had a wonderful experience.
I think (Mr. Hesser) is absolutely wonderful with the kids. Wonderful. Just
like I said, redirecting them… they’re kids and they’re being goofy, he gets
them back on track and doing what they should be doing.”
-Jennifer Still (Mother of Adam, 10, and Olivia, 7)
“My son Colin has been doing karate for a little over a year
now, and in the past year, I know my wife and I have seen
incredible growth in terms of maturity, stuff he’s doing around
the house like helping out, taking on new roles, and actually
looking to help out. I think a lot of that comes from
responsibility and his desire to learn more for karate. So he
has started to set long term goals, and uses the role models of
Mr. McShane and Mr. Hesser…
Being a teacher, I think Mr. Hesser… does everything that a
good teacher does in a classroom. He does positive
reinforcement, helps build some great self-esteem, but at the
same time he’s able to curb those undesired actions through
the positives.”
-Matt Jacobs (NFA teacher and father of Colin, 5)
“My son George started almost seven months ago when he was three and a
half, and it’s been wonderful for him. His focus is much better, his discipline
is much better. He also definitely shows much more respect for the adults
around him. Mr. Hesser is great with him. He’s modified to meet his
needs, and has really helped him to grow and helped him become part of
the bigger kids program.”
-Megan Sechen (Mother of George, 4 years old)
“My daughter Allyson has improved with self-control. She used to be very
angry. She comes from a split-home, and she has turned her failing grades
in school to A’s and B’s… We don’t have to speak to her half as much as
we used to… Her confidence is better. She holds her head high, where
before she’d be looking at her feet no matter where she went. So I think
that this has been very positive for her overall.
(Mr. Hesser) is awesome. He’s very good with her. If he sees her being in
a down mood, he pays attention and that’s what she needs. I think he’s
very good with all the kids.”
-Shannon Ladd (Mother of Allyson, 10 years old)
“I have a six year old daughter involved in the program, and we got her
involved actually for self-confidence. Over the last few months… she’s
been involved, we can already see a difference in her, as far as being more
confident. She has much more body awareness as far as balance. She’s
more conscientious as far as her chores and her school work. She really
enjoys the program. She works hard, even at home. She’s mindful of
others. She’s less argumentative when you ask her to do things, as some
six year old kids can be sometimes. She really works hard, she’s proud of
herself. You can see her self-esteem really kind of picks up. She loves to
come. She would actually come five days a week if she was allowed to. I
can’t say enough about. She makes me want to actually take the program.
Actually I am very impressed with Mr. Hesser and Mr. McShane and how
good they are with the children, a lot of positive reinforcement. They get
down on their level and talk to them like they’re people and not down to
them because they’re kids. They’re always giving encouragement, always
taking time out to work one-on-one if necessary. Mr. Hesser is wonderful.”
-Nick Senuta (Father of Ciera, 7 years old)
“My oldest child last year had problems in school with bullies. With the self-
confidence and self-esteem he’s built from this program, he doesn’t have
that problem anymore. Now he faces his problems head on, and it’s just
done wonders for his behavior at school and at home. And his younger
brother, the same… I’ve never had problems with him because he’s
learning the discipline so early that there are no discipline problems with
him. (Mr. Hesser) is wonderful. He’s fantastic with the kids.”
-Sherry Lavoie (Mother of Tyler, 5, and Kyle, 3)
“Before Julie started karate… no confidence whatsoever, physically, no
balance… She was in karate for I guess three months before Christmas,
and we got her a snowboard, and she didn’t even finish opening the rest of
her presents. She was on that snowboard in a shot. And to me, that spoke
volumes. It had everything to do with karate class, and nothing to do with
anything she was doing at school or anything I was teaching at home. She
gets one free minute now, one free day, and she’s begging to come to
karate class… She’s constantly quoting things from class. Just leaps and
bounds… She’s fantastic. Grades in school have improved, respect at
home has improved. She helps her mother, she helps her step-mother. She
goes out of her way to help around the house now. Very few reminders,
and I know that is directly due to the teachings which you have here.
Nothing but good things to say…
I love the way that (Mr. Hesser) gets down to their level when he’s talking
to them. He talks to them like they’re adults, but still gets the point
across… I respect that, and I think they respond better if they’re treated
like little humans instead of little kids. So I think it’s great.”
-Thomas Browne (Father of Julie, 11 years old)
“Being at Northstar Martial Arts, I’ll never be down. No matter what
mood you’re in there is always a positive attitude here to bring you up. And
Mr. McShane and Mr. Hesser make this extremely family oriented, making
it fair to everyone. Mr. McShane and Mr. Hesser are always there when
you need to talk to them and are always there when you need to ask a
question.
Northstar Martial Arts is a great place of physical and mental fitness and
allowing a positive environment to greet new friends. We’re all like one big
family.”
-Michelle Deep (Black Belt)
CALL JANNIE AT 800 260 0981 to schedule an appointment for a trial lesson