Item Photo By OWEN O’ROURKE
Sebastian Delios practices kicking moves during class at Saugus Karate Kung-Fu.
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — Jason Scaduto, owner of Saugus Karate Kung-Fu, is offering a free week of karate classes to Saugus students.
Scaduto said the promotion is an effort to expose children to an art that could prevent bullying, empower them, help build confidence and strength, reinforce respect and self-control, and reduce stress.
“One big thing is confidence,” Scaduto said. “We teach self defense, but the main thing we stress is, that only as a 100 percent last resort, do they ever use this. They can walk away with self-confidence and respect.”
Instructors at the studio go beyond teaching self-defense and focus on the bigger picture, he said.
“Research has shown that one of the most effective ways to prevent bullying is through martial arts,” said Rose Luongo, who teaches kickboxing at the studio. “Martial arts empowers children, helps build confidence and strength, and reinforces respect and self-control. Practicing martial arts can be an incredible way to reduce stress.”
“We talk about bullies and also about being a bystander,” he said. “A lot of kids don’t know how to react when someone is being bullied. We talk about how important it is to be able to tell a teacher or a principal. If they’re not getting what they need, they should go to the superintendent. Keep climbing the food chain.”
“Most bullies have been bullied,” he said. “I read something that said nearly 85 percent of bullies were once bullied.”
Scaduto said there are also many health and fitness benefits to martial arts.
“We use positive reinforcement,” he said. “Unlike other sports, if a kid isn’t as experienced, isn’t as coordinated, he’s not sitting on a bench. Karate is an individual activity.”
Saugus Karate Kung-Fu has offered free classes through the school system in the past, but has not in several years. When it did, approximately 30 children took advantage, he said.
“We get a lot of walk-bys,” he said. “A lot of kids come in, they want to take karate classes, but say their parents can’t afford it. I’ll offer them a voucher for a free week and try to give them as much as I can in a short time.”
The classes will focus on the most functional skills first so the students can build their talents from there, even though they may not continue with classes, he explained.
“I teach the class ,anyway,” he said. “If you can help somebody, you should. I’m a strong believer in good karma.”
“We really believe that this is an important initiative for our town to support in the development of healthy, safe, and confident children,” Luongo said.
Children can attend classes at Saugus Karate Kung-Fu, located at 304 Central St., up to three times during the week, Scaduto said. Flyers will be distributed in each of the town’s schools to advertise the free week of karate.
Children and parents can use the free week at any time by bringing in the flyer, which can be obtained from the child’s school or from the Saugus Karate Kung-Fu Facebook page. They can also simply reference the advertisement to receive the free week of classes, Scaduto said.
“I’ve done it in the past with a lot of success,” he said. “I’ve been teaching full time for 28 years. I want to get people through the door, but they have no obligation to continue.
“I’m always giving out a free week,” he said. “I’ve been in business a long time. I’m not going anywhere. I just want to help as many people as I can.”
Classes are available for children ages four and up.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected].