Whether they're using their hands to pray or split a plank of wood, students of Jesse Infante's martial arts class are going to keep busy.
Chet Susslin / The CitizenJesse Infante demonstrates a move on a body opponent bag at his new dojo in the Finger Lakes Health Center.
The Auburn High School Spanish teacher is set to begin teaching martial arts at the Finger Lakes Health Center on Tuesday, Aug. 5. Though the lessons will start as small selections, Infante hopes to eventually build them into a six-day-a-week business.
“My goal is to make this into my full-time job,” he said.
Martial arts will be a major focus of Infante's instruction, but the time he spends with students will encompass more than fast hands and footwork. Strengthening character in students young and old is his priority. Seeing children swear and carry themselves without respect is a source of motivation for Infante.
“You should go out and show people who you are,” he said.
With the soaring popularity of the UFC and mixed martial arts, Infante is hopeful he'll help aspiring fighters hone their skills in more specialized classes. Infante is himself highly skilled in tae kwan do and tang soo do, both Korean martial arts. Growing up in Nebraska, he began learning martial arts at the age of 12 with his brother and brother-in-law. Infante credits his study with improving his confidence and later helping him recover from a hip injury.
Areas ranging from striking to submission holds, joint manipulation and pressure point mastery are potential subjects of instruction in Infante's classes. Among the benefits are conditioning and confidence.
“You can walk around knowing you're prepared and can talk yourself out of it,” Infante said.
In addition to martial arts, Infante's classes will eventually grow to include computer time for building study skills and free arcade time after lessons for light fun. His own martial arts studio is the hopeful site of these activities.
Tying everything together is a Christian bent that Infante believes will distinguish his instruction from others. The religious element will be neither forced nor overly emphasized. It will also turn outward in the form of charity, such as shoveling snow at senior centers or collecting items for shelters.
Aside from praying prior to lessons, occasional guest speakers will cover topics like abstinence and drugs. Students may also be asked basic questions during testing for belts.
“Instead of me asking how to say 'roundhouse' in Japanese, I might ask how many books are in the Bible,” Infante said. “But you don't have to be Christian to come to school, the door's open to anyone.”
For students are unable to pay for lessons, Infante is open to the possibility of them paying off their study through small jobs in the studio before or after classes. Infante's imperative to impart positive lessons on his future students is not a business, but a calling.
“I think I have a gift to reach out to kids,” he said. “To speak life into people.”
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
If you go
What: Martial arts classes with Jesse Infante
When: Beginning 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5
Where: Finger Lakes Health Center, 2115 W. Genesee St. Road, Auburn
Information: Call 224-6711
“My goal is to make this into my full-time job,” he said.
Martial arts will be a major focus of Infante's instruction, but the time he spends with students will encompass more than fast hands and footwork. Strengthening character in students young and old is his priority. Seeing children swear and carry themselves without respect is a source of motivation for Infante.
“You should go out and show people who you are,” he said.
With the soaring popularity of the UFC and mixed martial arts, Infante is hopeful he'll help aspiring fighters hone their skills in more specialized classes. Infante is himself highly skilled in tae kwan do and tang soo do, both Korean martial arts. Growing up in Nebraska, he began learning martial arts at the age of 12 with his brother and brother-in-law. Infante credits his study with improving his confidence and later helping him recover from a hip injury.
Areas ranging from striking to submission holds, joint manipulation and pressure point mastery are potential subjects of instruction in Infante's classes. Among the benefits are conditioning and confidence.
“You can walk around knowing you're prepared and can talk yourself out of it,” Infante said.
In addition to martial arts, Infante's classes will eventually grow to include computer time for building study skills and free arcade time after lessons for light fun. His own martial arts studio is the hopeful site of these activities.
Tying everything together is a Christian bent that Infante believes will distinguish his instruction from others. The religious element will be neither forced nor overly emphasized. It will also turn outward in the form of charity, such as shoveling snow at senior centers or collecting items for shelters.
Aside from praying prior to lessons, occasional guest speakers will cover topics like abstinence and drugs. Students may also be asked basic questions during testing for belts.
“Instead of me asking how to say 'roundhouse' in Japanese, I might ask how many books are in the Bible,” Infante said. “But you don't have to be Christian to come to school, the door's open to anyone.”
For students are unable to pay for lessons, Infante is open to the possibility of them paying off their study through small jobs in the studio before or after classes. Infante's imperative to impart positive lessons on his future students is not a business, but a calling.
“I think I have a gift to reach out to kids,” he said. “To speak life into people.”
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
If you go
What: Martial arts classes with Jesse Infante
When: Beginning 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5
Where: Finger Lakes Health Center, 2115 W. Genesee St. Road, Auburn
Information: Call 224-6711
