New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Considering taking up martial arts for its well-known benefits? Want to get in better shape, but can’t find an exercise regimen that holds your interest? Have you had a physical altercation and now want to learn to defend yourself? How about simply find martial arts intriguing? These days the benefits of taking up martial arts are manifold and we all know someone who has made positive life changes through them.
One of the problems you may encounter once you’ve made the decision, is to choose one out of a dizzying variety, e.g. karate, kung-fu, Krav Maga, boxing, MMA, kickboxing, Kenpo. It doesn’t get any easier when looking around to find a good, quality, reputable instructor who teaches at a clean, modern facility. Where do you start? Ads are ubiquitous and by their nature don’t allay any concerns you may have.
Like most people, you ask around or hear an anecdote from friends or family. People enjoy sharing their positive experiences to anyone who will listen. It’s likely that you have heard the name Lance Soares in those anecdotes. While co-owners Lance Soares and wife Anne Soares only opened the doors of Lance Soares’ Family Martial Arts Center in 2010, they quickly went from old mill complex to brick and mortar stand-alone building in the same year.
Then, they outgrew that space two years ago and moved to their current location in North Dartmouth in August of 2014. However, Lance has been teaching his favorite discipline since 1992!
Passionate, intelligent, caring instructors; credentials
That’s no surprise to anyone who takes class there: the academy is led by passionate, intelligent, caring instructors who are dedicated to sharing the positive impact they have experienced through martial arts with the community. Lance who is also the Director of Training, along with Anne who is also the Director of Student Relations are accompanied by Carolyn Andrade who serves as Assistant Program Director and Assistant Instructor.
What kind of credentials do they have? Mrs. Soares, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Bridgewater State University. She has worked with families as the Board Treasurer of Habitat for Humanity and recently started Lab Tales, an organization dedicated to helping animal rescues with fundraising and building awareness about pet adoption. She is professional, caring and compassionate and always finds herself in fields where those traits are pivotal. It’s no wonder she found herself as Director of Student Relations.
Mrs. Andrade, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth where she graduated Cum Laude as well as Lettering in Field Hockey and Softball. In addition to being a 1st degree black belt in Ed Parker Kenpo she is also a Licensed Social Worker Associate, a Trained Educational Advocate; an advocate for special needs children within the DCF system with numerous school districts and is certified to teach First Aid and CPR though American Heart Association. Before becoming the Assistant Program Director at Lance Soares’ Family Martial Arts Center she worked as Licensed Social Worker for Kennedy-Donovan Center Intensive Foster Care and Support and Stabilization Programs where she implemented Clinical Treatment Plans to stabilize a child in foster care and/or with the biological family to avoid state removal or facilitate reunification of the child from foster care and wrote behavior plans for children in foster care or with DCF involvement.
Lance currently holds the rank of 5th degree Black Belt and the title of Associate Professor of the Arts in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo and holds an instructor certification through the American Kenpo Senior Council (AKSC). The center has the unique distinction to be the first (of only two) martial arts schools in Southeastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island or Connecticut licensed by the Parker family to teach the Ed Parker System of Kenpo.
As a Nationally Registered Paramedic, he currently holds or has held instructor certifications in CPR, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Pediatric Education for Prehospital Professionals and International Trauma Life Support. As a member of the Army National Guard, where he was a Non-Rated Crew Member Medical Flight Instructor, he instructed crew members in external rescue hoist, sling load and night vision goggle operations as well as medical tasks aboard medical evacuation aircraft. He was honorably discharged in 2009 after 10 years of service.
Finally, as a member of New Bedford Emergency Medical Services, in addition to his duties as a staff paramedic, he was also a preceptor to paramedic students doing their ride time with the services. He is more than qualified to instruct not only martial arts, but over a wide variety of disciplines.
Lance’s inspiration comes from when he himself was a child and based in something that drives many kids to the martial arts: he was frequently picked on as a a child. Martial arts is looked at for good reason when it comes to kids in this type of situation – it works. Not necessarily in the ways that people think. While one can and will learn to defend themselves, you quickly learn that there are more valuable traits that are picked up, like self-confidence, honing of social skills, respecting authority and authority figures, increased focus and attention, learning to relax and perform under stressful situations and a whole host of other positives.
Personal development, learning to defend yourself, positive impact
These values helped Lance develop as a martial artist, but more importantly, as a person. He fell in love with the art and developed a deep rooted passion. When he saw kids and adults who were in similar situations or could have benefited from the martial path that he took, it was a no-brainer to share. The mission at Lance Soares’ Family Martial Arts Center is to provide self-defense and positive personal development in an atmosphere that is conducive to learning, and free from negative peer pressure. They are looking to inspire others to success through the living examples at the center – the large number of black belts and higher ranked martial artists that serves as excellent role models.
Contrary to what people think, Kenpo is not just for kids – adults can reap all these benefits as well. It’s an area Mr. Soares elaborated on: “Many times I hear adults tell me, ‘Oh, I’d love to do martial arts, but I’m (you name the excuse) to get started.’ They are intrigued with the notion of practicing the martial arts but are too afraid of embarrassing themselves.
We use a saying at our school,’you don’t have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.’ When I was a beginner, in one of my first classes I learned to do a side kick. I chambered my leg, threw the kick, and because of my poor balance, I fell. I did it over and over with the same result. My teacher at the time told me to go home and practice. I did. Here I am 30 years later, a 5th degree black belt. I guess the point is, if I can do it, anybody can do it. All you have to do is try.’
Like to know more, but not sure where to start? Think that credentials are find and dandy, but want to see with your own eyes or meet the instructors face-to-face? On Saturday September 24, 2016 from 9:00am to 1:00pm Lance Soares’ Family Martial Arts Family will be hosting an Open House/Buddy Bash for ages 5 through adult.
There will be Introductory Karate classes, magic shows by the Awesome Robb Show, balloon twisting by Casper the Spectacular, face painting, Andy the Armadillo from the Texas Roadhouse and more. As part of this event they will also have a Chinese Auction and the proceeds from the auction will go to benefit Odie’s Place Animal Rescue, a publicly recognized non-profit organization pursuant of IRS Section 501(c)3 in South Dartmouth. They will be collecting gently used towels and blankets to donate to Odie’s Place.
Furthermore, you can read the glowing reviews or watch the demonstration video. If that doesn’t pique your interest, then stop in to this weekend’s Open House/BuddyBash or any old day of the week. Once you see the passion and dedication of Lance and the staff at Lance Soares’ Family Martial Arts Center and the sheer joy that the the kids and adults get under their tutelage, you’ll want to start kicking and punching your way to a new you!
331 State Road
Suite D
North Dartmouth, MA
Phone: (774) 992-0797
Email: lsfmac.com/contact/
Website: lsfmac.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/Lance-Soares-Family-Martial-Arts-Center-126345567415460/
