This press release was provided by Warrior Bridge. The Club Industry editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content.
This January, lower Manhattan becomes home to a new kind of martial arts studio. Warrior Bridge, which offers a curated selection of the best in Eastern disciplines, will open in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge. The school and community center, in the South Street Seaport at 275 Water Street, was founded by Aikido Black Belt Gary Snyder, whose mission is to teach strong, wise and compassionate “modern warrriors” through Aikido, Tai Chi, Jiu Jitsu, yoga and meditation.
Warrior Bridge will host an open house with presentations and demonstrations on Saturday, January 17, two days before launching with a full schedule on Monday, January 19.
“Warrior Bridge is home to world-class instructors of Eastern practices which train mind, body and spirit,” said Snyder. “The martial arts, yoga and meditation we are presenting is accessible to men and women of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.”
Gary Snyder, founder of Warrior Bridge, has taught Aikido for over 30 years. He is also known as an art dealer who has had numerous galleries in New York City.
Overview of Warrior Bridge Classes:
Aikido: Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art that teaches coordination of mind and body. Aikido techniques can be effective without harming the attacker, presenting ethical self-defense as an ideal. Gary Snyder Sensei is a seventh degree black belt student of the founder of Kokikai Aikido, Sensei Shuji Maruyama, one of the first Aikido instructors to come from Japan in the 1960s.
Tai Chi: Tai Chi Ch’uan is a centuries old Chinese “internal” martial art. Millions of people around the world practice it daily for its many health benefits. As a martial art, its strategy is to overcome an opponent’s speed and strength with stillness and softness using a relaxed and connected body. The Tai Chi taught at Warrior Bridge is Grandmaster William C.C.Chen’s 60 movement form. Master Chen has devoted his life to the study of body mechanics and the use of Tai Chi for self-defense and health. He has been a teacher since 1952. In 1965, he established William C. C. Chen Tai Chi Chuan in New York City’s Chelsea area. Students with over twenty years of experience with Master Chen will be teaching at Warrior Bridge.
Yoga: Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice that aims to transform body and mind. Sean Langhaus heads the Progressive Ashtanga program, which emphasizes aligning breath and movement as well as balancing strength and flexibility. While honoring traditional practices, classes will also introduce more advanced postures such as arm balances and integrate movement from outside the traditional sphere of Yoga Asana. Sean completed his initial Yoga teacher training with Yoga to the People where he learned their Vinyasa and Traditional Hot practices. He has completed additional training in Rocket Yoga, Budokon Yoga, Acro Yoga and Thai Massage.
Meditation: Meditation is a practice that trains and quiets the mind. Joseph Mauricio will lead the Warrior Bridge meditation program. Joe has over three decades of experience as a meditation instructor, and has studied with Pema Chodron and Sakyong Mipham. A senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist Tradition, Joe began his studies at Karma Choling Buddhist Meditation Center in Vermont.
Jiu Jitsu: Jiu Jitsu is a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting. Jiu Jitsu promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using proper technique, leverage, and most notably, taking the fight to the ground. Dan Covel, a Black Belt in both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo, is an active competitor and can regularly be found on the podium at the top level. He trains weekly under the renowned Marcelo Garcia.
Warrior Bridge will offer over 30 classes a week in its intimate “Zen-styled” ground floor space. A monthly fee allows members to take all classes offered, and class packs can also be purchased. Warrior Bridge will offer a number of community classes each week for $10 and will also offer scholarships based on need, character, commitment and contribution.
More information on Warrior Bridge and the open house on January 17 can be found at www.warriorbridge.com. To schedule an interview with founder Gary Snyder, please contact Shawna McGregor at 917.971.7852 or [email protected].
ABOUT WARRIOR BRIDGE:
Warrior Bridge is an upscale martial arts studio offering a curated selection of the best in Eastern disciplines including Aikido, Tai Chi, Jiu Jitsu, yoga and meditation. Founded by Gary Snyder, a Seventh Degree Black Belt in Aikido, Warrior Bridge is a school and community center that trains mind, body and spirit through martial arts, yoga and meditation. Located at 275 Water Street, the studio is on a beautiful landmarked ground floor space situated in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge. For more information, visit www.warriorbridge.com.