Prior News Letters

January 2010 - Happy New Year to all..

Now that we have the space set up, thanks  to many of your generous donations and gift card, we are now using that money to buy new equipment for the school to enhance your training. We have some exciting events planned for this year so 2010 should be the best year yet at IMAF. We are planning an in house sparring clinic &an  in house tournament. We have a stickfighting tournament  in
Jersey City on March 27th  run by GM Dong cuesta of  PIMA as well as  another in April in Co run by Master Steve Wolk. There are also BJJ tournaments coming up which we will be participating in again.

Thank you all again for your support and help during this move and I hope to see you all training in the coming weeks.

Sifu

Congratulations to all those students that tested for their new belts Friday Jan 29th. Everyone looked VERY impressive.

Oct 2009

Congratulations to the following students for receiving their BJJ belt promotions

• Harry Hunckin Jr  - Purple Belt

• Matt Kramer - Blue Belt

• Guillermo Riestra - Blue Belt

Also congratulations to Jessica Lewinter Jack Simon, Jaguar Wexelman and Cooper Grossman for being accepted into the IMAF Black Belt Training program!

Pictures to follow

August 2009

IMAF will be moving!

IMAF will be moving it's facility to a new and larger space. While the timing is dependent on how fast we can get our CO, we hope to be  in November!

The location is only a few blocks from our current location on Dorsa, right off of Eisenhower in Livingston.

We will be getting the space ready during August. Many student s have volunteered to help and all are welcome to participate in the move! We will post what we will be doing and the times.

We are looking forward to our new space as it will enable us to offer new programs. We plan on having a ring, hanging heavy bags etc.

We will be sending out an email to everyone as soon as we have more definite timing!

Thanks  - to Harry Hunckin Jr, his friend Scott, Sam Harris, Eric Pra Sisto, Linda & Gary, Kenny Gruber, Tish Das, Steve Grossbard, Juan Riestra and Amy Edwards for spending the day helping us at the new school. Because of you all were got an enormous amount done.

Congratulations to IMAF students on their Doce Pares testing.

July 2009:

Congratulations to JARED ARONOFF  for successfully testing for his Jr. Black Belt. Jared has trained many years for this day and displayed the intensity and determination necessary to achieve this milestone. While we are proud of Jared's performance we arte more proud of what a great attitude he has and the respect and courtesy he extends to others!

I also want to thank IMAF Jr Black Belts Joey Dellosso and Allix Chirls for helping Jared in his test.

Jared and Joey performing stick drills	Jared and Allix stickfighting
Jared and Allix kickboxing	Master Don with IMAF Black Belts Fared, Joey and Allix	Jared with his parents

June 2009 :

Congratulation to Matthew Agnelli for a great performance at the recent Grapplers Quest  BJJ tournament in Morristown. Also congratulations to his dad, Carl Agnelli for an impressive performance at the same tournament!

IMAF Black Belt and SWAT member Taylor Leen was thoughtful enough to bring in some candy for the children's class she is assigned to help as a SWAT member. Taylor has done an incredible job assisting in this class this year and has developed an excellent relationship with the younger children in the class.

Senior IMAF Student Steve Grossbard shared his knowledge of Akido with the class last Tuesday evening. Steve has a Black Belt in Akido and took the class through some basic fundamentals of that art that can applied in their current training. Steve did a great job and the class thoroughly enjoyed it.

Ron Balicki/Diana Inosanto Seminar - Thanks to everyone who attended this seminar last weekend. We had record attendance and the material and instruction was great. Hope to  see you all at the next one.See seminar page for more photos.

May 2009 -

May 28th - Congratulations to Randy Kansky and Oliver Lim for successfully completing their test for Black Belt in Doce Pares Eskrima! GM Dong Cuesta come down to conduct the test and put Randy and Oliver through the test  requirements. Thanks also to Juan and Diana for taking time from their busy schedules to come down and support them!

Randy during the Mano Mano section of the test	Oliver flowing through  Abesedario  drills
GM Dong Cuesta with Master Don Edwards and Guro's Randy Kansky and Oliver Lim	GM Dong with Guro's Oliver and Randy with Juan and Diana!

Doce Pares Black Belt conference, Las Vegas May 8,9,10 2009 - GM Diony Canete and GM Dong Cuesta were among the many Doce Pares masters and black belts that attended the second Doce Pares World conference in Las Vegas.

Master Don Edwards attended this event as part of a group of  Doce Pares Masters.  It was a great opportunity to  share information and techniques with other instructors in this truly magnificent art. GM Diony will be at IMAF Tuesday May 19th. Make sure to reserve a spot for this workshop. It is especially recommended for our black Belts.

Group participants at Doce Pares world conference

Doce Pares Grand Masters and Masters

GM "Dong" with some of his senior students ( R to L ) Master Steve Wolk, Master Don Edwards, Black Belt Gary Gabison and Master "Big" John Marquez.

Congratulations to all those students that tested for their belts this past weekend. Everyone worked hard and it showed by their incredible performance.

December 2008

Congratulations - to all those students that tested for their next Belt this past December 23rd.

Congratulations to Danny Gomez and Mark Pearlmutter for a great performance at Giguetos tournament. Dan took two first places and Mark took two seconds. Also congratulations to Mark Pearlmutter for his promotion BJJ Blue Belt by Gigueto.

Black Belt Club - The following IMAF students successfully met the requirements to be invited into the Black Belt Training Program.

Dennis Mojares

Sihan Wang

Demonstration at Livingston Mall  November 15th 2008-  IMAF's demo team performed again this  Saturday  at the Livingston Mall.  We again had  a packed crowd the the team didn't disappoint,  giving another  incredible displayed of skill for the packed crowd. . I want to thank all our team members and their parents and family for supporting this effort. If anyone has pics they want to give us of the demo please let me know!

Congratulations to Julia Chirls - Julia has been promoted to Junior Assistant Instructor. Julia, a Black Belt at IMAF and a SWAT member has worked consistently on instructor training. She has been helping in classes and has been given the responsibility of running segments of the class on her own. Congratulations to Julia for an outstanding effort.

BJJ promotion: Congratulations to Rich Newberry on his promotion to Blue Belt. All the hard work and sweat paid off! Way to go!

IMAF Halloween Party - Thanks to all the students that attended the IMAF annual Halloween party. As usual the costumes were great and everyone had a great time playing all the games. Check out the pictures and see what you missed if you weren't there.

Demonstration at Livingston Mall - IMAF's demo team performed Saturday Oct 25th at the Livingston Mall.  The team displayed an incredible skill level for a packed crowd. Their hard work and long hours in practice really showed off. I want to thank all our team members and their parents and family for supporting this effort. If anyone has pics they want to give us of the demo please let me know!

The next demo at the mall will be November 15th and 16th.

Thanks,

Sifu

October Promotions

Adult/Teen Testing - Congratulations to

• Diana Montes - Doce Pares Brown Belt - (Level 4)

• Steve Grossbard  - Doce Pares Brown Belt (Level 4)

• Juan Riestra -  Doce Pares Brown Belt (Level 4)

• Jeff Punzalan - Doce Pares GreenBelt  (Level 2)

• Dan Gomes - Doce Pares Orange Belt (Level 1 Advanced), JKD Level 1 Intermediate and IMAF Fighting Systems Level 1 Advanced - Orange Belt)

• Mike Lupo - IMAF Fighting Systems Red Belt

• Jack Wang - IMAF Fighting Systems Brown Belt

Children's Testing - Congratulations to IMAF students in successfully completing their belt testing this Friday. Blackbelts Allix and Julia Chirls and James Goldman tested for their Orange stripe on their Black Belt. They demonstrated some outstanding MMA skills, advance Doce Pares forms and drills and breaking. Special congratulations to Lindsay Rosenberg for attaining her Black Belt. This was a special moment as Lindsay had broken her leg practicing for an upcoming  demonstration. Lindsay had prepared for this test for 9 months and was ready in every way. We are proud to have Lindsay as a black belt at IMAF!

Congratulations also to the other students that tested Friday.

September 2008 Congratulations to Scott Norton - for being accepted into the SWAT  - Special Winning Attitude Team. This is a unique group of students that devote their time to helping the instructor in class. They learn leadership skills and develop a sense of responsibility that will aid them in their future activities not to mention school and eventually their work life! Scott worked hard all summer for this honor. Congratulations Scott!

July 2008 - GM Cacoy Canete who is about to celebrate is 89th Birthday in August, conducted a seminar at Sifu Joe Parkers studio in Absecon NJ. Joining GM Cacoy was his daughter Kitty.  IMAF students joining Master Don in attending the seminar was Steve Grossbard and Juan Reistra. GM Cacoy demonstrated and taught some excellent Eskrido techniques which is the hallmark of his unique system. Many thanks to Sifu Joe Parker for inviting us down to this event!

GM Cacoy at age 89 with daughter Kitty and Guro Don

GM Cacoy with Guro Don

Juan working with GM Cacoy		Master Kitty Canete with GM Cacoy and Kitty's daughter
Master Kitty, GM Cacoy, Master Don with "Bing" Canete, Steve and Juan		Master Don with Master Kitty

June 2008 - Congratulations to GURO  Keisha Aranjuez  who successfully tested for her Doce Pares Black Belt this Sat at IMAF.  Keisha, reached the ultimate goal at IMAF - successfully testing for her IMAF  Black Belt (last year) then successfully testing for her Doce Pares Black Belt. Keisha joins the elite ranks of Guro Big Mike and Guro Chris, both of whom are IMAF Black Belts and Doce Pares Black Belts.

Keisha displayed exceptional skill demonstrating the drills, forms and  fighting applications of Doce Pares. Thanks to Guro Chris Praml and Guro "Big Mike" for assisting Keisha  her test and to Keisha's family and the IMAF students who came down to support her.  We will miss Keisha as she leave for college this summer but we wish her good luck!

June 2008 - Congratulations to Taylor Leen, Gabe Stolar and Ethan Reisboard for successfully testing for Black Belt this past Friday. All three students were outstanding, completing this highly physical test which included 10 minutes of physical fitness followed by fighting 3 1 minute rounds each in kickboxing, stickfighting , 4 minutes of BJJ and 3 rounds of MMA in addition to performing their forms, Eskrima drills and board breaking.

Special thank to their parents for, as one student put it, spending "800 " hours in driving them to karate for nearly 7 years! These students started in IMAF's Tiger Cubs pre martial arts program at age 3 1/2 years old. Now at age 10 they have realized their goal.

Also thanks to those dedicated students that came down to help in this test. Scott & Lindsay, IMAF Black Belts James , Joey,  Julia,  IMAF adult students Harry, Oliver, Ken, Anthony and Simu Amy. Special thanks to Kim Goldman for preparing the program guide and ensuring they were done on time!

Taylor and Lindsey stickfighting	Gabe and Ethan stickfighting	Gabe and James kickboxing
Taylor and Lindsay grappling	Taylor and Ethan grappling	Gabe and James grappling
Ethan's flying side kick	Taylor stepping side kick board break	Gabe palm power break - two boards!
Julia, an IMAF Black Belt, giving Taylor advice	Some MMA action - Gabe and Ethan!

May 2008  - Zach Kramer was recently accepted into the IMAF black Belt Training Program. This program recognizes those students that demonstrate the desire, focus and drive to attain the goal of Black Belt.. Congratulations Zach!

Zach Kramer with Sifu Don

Belt Testing

Some of  IMAF students who successfully completed their belt testing Friday

Tiger Cubs graduating from the Wednesday class

Tiger Cubs graduating from the Monday class

April 2008

        April 26th 2008 - Congratulations to the following students for successfully testing for their next level in Doce Pares:

• Diana Level 3 advanced

• Juan - Level 3 advanced

• Steve - Level 3advanced

• Guillermo - Level 2 advanced

• Tish - Level 2

• Dave  -  Level 1 advanced

• Jeff - Level 1 advanced

Thanks to Guro Big Mike and Guro Chris as well as Oliver Lim for helping testing , and to Jack Wang for helping partner with some of the students testing!                                

Congratulations to Taylor Leen  for being accepted into the IMAF SWAT (Special Winning Attitude Team) program. SWAT program teaches leadership skills to children. The students act as class assistants to the class instructor and learns how to lead groups, develop teaching skills and self-confidence. This program helps children develop skills that will help them in all other activities including school. Congratulations Taylor.

IMAF hosted Carl and Sue Agnelli for a Kettlebell workshop. Carl is an experienced kettlebell advocate and trainer.  Both Sue and Carl took the class through the foundations for an incredible kettlebell workout. Thanks also to Dan Font who is an experienced kettlebell practitioner for assisting in the class.

March 2008 -

First Aid Workshop - IMAF student, & school nurse Laurie Dellosso and her husband Wayne, both  Livingston certified EMT volunteers conducted a first aid workshop for students Monday evening at IMAF. Students got an overview of appropriate courses of actions as they relate to a variety of first aid situations, the importance of 911 and how it works and got to tour an EMT rig.

I'd  like to thanks Laurie and Wayne and Ken Gruber who so graciously agreed to let himself be strapped in, bandaged etc so the children could see first hand some of the procedures and EMT would use. This was a great learning experience .

Belt Testing - Congratulations to all those students that tested for their next belts this past Friday March 14th. Also a big thanks to all those that came by to help conduct the test.

January 2008 - Congratulations to Big Mike Horn, Abe Zakhem, Harry Huncken & John Lodato, Mindy Raisor and Chris Davis  for successfully testing for their Blue Belts under  BJJ  American Top Team Black Belt  Andre "Gigueto" Soares.

December 2007 - Congratulations to Jessen Lim for successfully testing for his IMAF Black Belt. Jessen's test was an all encompassing test of endurance skill and knowledge designed to ensure the student is fully competent in the Integrated style taught at IMAF, Filipino Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts and Jeet Kune Do kickboxing. We are proud to have Jessen as part of our exclusive group of IMAF Black Belts.

December 3rd 2007 -Four of IMAF's Doce Pares students completed their level testing this past weekend.

Congratulations to

• Juan Reistra - Level 3

• Diana Montes -Level 3

• Oliver Lim - Level 4a

• Chris Davis - Level 2

• Randy Kansky - Level 4a

for a great job. Their hard work showed in their ability to demonstrate their understanding of the material. Thanks to IMAF Black Belt Keisha Aranjuez for her help in conducting the testing .

Congratulations to Lindsay  Rosenberg for being accepted into the Black Belt Club. Lindsay came to IMAF as a senior student from another school and worked hard to get up to speed in IMAF's diverse curriculum.

November3rd 2007 - Congratulations to Big Mike Horn, Chris Praml and Keisha Aranjuez for successfully testing for their IMAF Black Belt this past Sat morning. This test is a grueling test encompassing physical stamina technical proficiency in the three ranges we teach, kickboxing, Eskrima (weapons) and submission grappling. The test which ran from 10:30 to 1:00 challenged the students to the limit an provided an opportunity to display skills.  I was proud of each student as they demonstrated what one can accomplish with consistent training, in spite of other commitments (work, family, school).

Both Mike and Chris have already attained their Doce Pares Black Belt last year testing under GM's "Diony" Canete and "Dong" Cuesta as well as Master Don Edwards.

I'd also like to thank the students and family that came down to support them in this test and to Jesson Lim for assisting Keisha in her test and to Jack and Joey for assisting Sifu.

September 10th 2007 - Congratulations to Kayla Goldman for making the Black Belt Club. Kayla has worked very hard and displayed the focus and commitment necessary to achieve her goal of Black Belt.

August 10 2007 - IMAF's  Allamuchy bike trip turned out to be a fun if exhausting ride.. Thanks to Chris, Rich, Matt along with Sifu Don for a fun day. Rafting trip is next!

July 26th 2007 - Thanks for all those that came down to wish Anthony Salcedo farewell and good luck in his move. We will miss him..

July 17th 2007 - Congratulations to Guro Tom Walker for successfully testing for his Black Belt in Doce Pares. Tom, who has been training with Master Don Edwards for almost 8 years tested with Master Dong Cuesta. Guro Chris Praml and Steve Grossbard helped Tom in his testing while IMAF students came in to cheer Tom on.

June27th 2007 - Congratulations to Julia Chirls and Avishai Berman on their successful testing and promotion to Black Belt. Both students had to endure an extensive conditioning test followed by performance of their Black Belt empty hand form, demonstration of advanced Doce Pares stick drills, three rounds each  of  full contact stickfighting, kickboxing, MMA and 4 minutes of BJJ. All this was followed a series of advanced board breaking, and a reading of their essay. Both students, who had been with IMAf for 6 or more years,  performed flawlessly. 

Akiva Mattenson also tested for his first strip on his Black Belt performing an advanced Black Belt Form from Doce Pares, advanced MMA control, defensive techniques and BJJ sparring followed by an advanced board breaking sequence.

More pictures will follow.

June 27th - PIMA fighters came to IMAF's stickfighting training session this past Thursday. I want to express my thanks to all of them for making the effort to come in and train with us. Good friends are hard to come by and these guys are the best! - Sifu Don

April 27th 2007 - Congratulations to those students that tested this Friday night. As usual, everyone performed above expectations and showed the determination necessary to continue down the path to black Belt. Special thanks to Simu Amy and Sifu Anthony, and Black Belt James Goldman and Red/Black Belt Julia Chirls  for their help.

Ninja Students

Children/Jr Students

March 30th 2007 - Congratulations to those students that tested this Friday night. Everyone did a great job and showed determination and skill.

Some of the Little Ninja students that tested

Children's Karate students that tested

Tiger Cubs after their test!

March 2007-  New IMAF Black Belts

Congratulations to John, Chase, James , Joey and Evan for successfully testing for their black belts this past Friday. The students, who have been with IMAF  for 6 or more years had to test for 2 1/2 hours in a test that encompassed intense physical fitness goals, advanced empty hand forms, Doce Pares stick drills, followed by 3 rounds of kickboxing, 3 rounds of stickfighting , 4 minutes of BJJ and 2 rounds of  MMA. They ended the test with extensive board breaking routines followed by reading their essays. All students displayed the determination to succeed and overcome challenges. I would also like to thank all the parents for believing in our program. Also special thanks to Kim Goldman and Laurie Dellosso for helping in making this a successful and rewarding event.

Special thanks to Guro "Big" Mike, "Guro" Chris, Simu Amy, Sifu Anthony, Ken Gruber, John Lodato, Harry Hunckin and all the IMAF students that came and supported and assisted the students in their test.

Evan	Joey	James
Chase	John

James flying side kick over 4 students	Evan flying high - off the human staircase	Chase powerbreaking side kick
Joey - power side kick	IMAF  Black Belts with supporters and instructors	John's sidekick through 3 boards!

IMAF Adventure Trip - Allamuchy - Well it seems the

January 2007

 winter has brought out only thr strong and those that like the cold. Our second outdoors "character building" trip was attended by John and Anthony as well as Sifu Don. This time we climbed the back half of the "Teal trail" to the out look and back. We then hiked another trail further down the rooad which ultimately led to Deer Pond.  We are waiting for more snow for the next trip. nothing  like a little adversity to build character!

Tiger Cubs Promotion - Congratulations to our "Tiger Cubs" class who completed a new IMAF program which required all students to perform punching kicking combinations, a simple "form",  breaking a board and performing a variety of agility drills. The start of the road to Black Belt!

IMAF Promotions - Congratulations to all those students that tested this Friday, Jan 12, 2007. All those that tested worked hard and it showed. Everyone look crisp in their techniques and they demonstrated how hard work pays off. Special thanks to those senior students that took the time to help during the promotion. Joey Dellosso, James Goldman, Allix Chirls and Julia Chirls. It';s encouraging to see the senior students step up and make the effort to make these events successful for all.

December  2006

SWAT Team - Joey Dellosso was named to the IMAF SAWT program. The SWAT program is special program for those students that put in additional time assisting the instructor with class. Joey has consistently helped in the Little Ninja class even leading the class through the stretching routines. This program develops leadership skills in the students and helps prepare them for leadership positions in the future. - Congratulations Joey!

 IMAF Holiday Party

IMAF students (martial arts and fitness clients) were invited to celebrate the holiday in the annual IMAF holiday party. We had a great turnout and everyone contributed to a great time of dancing and partying. I would like to thank all those that attended (we unfortunately didn't get pictures of everyone) and to everyone who contributed food etc.  Have a safe and happy holiday!

November Black Belt Club Members

IMAF Belt Testing- October 27, 2006 - IMAF Students participated in an extensive belt testing Friday night. All students had to demonstrate proficiency in  JKD kickboxing, Doce Pares Eskrima drills and forms, submission grappling and board breaking. All students turned out an excellent performance and demonstrated how hard they trained for their exam. Special thanks to Keisha, who tested for her Black/Red belt (pre black belt - 3 rounds each of kickboxing, grappling and stickfighting non stop) and then help other students in their test!

IMAF Halloween Party - October 26, 2006 -  IMAF held it's annual Halloween party this past Wednesday and Thursday. All students and their friends had a great time and showed some great costumes. Thanks to all that came and we're glad you had a great time.

IMAF Hike- October 13th, 2006 - Debbie Edwards, Mindy Raisor, Anthony Salcedo, John Lodato and Amy Edwards along with  Sifu Don spent 3 hours climbing trails, rock scrambling and taking in some incredible views of the valley from lookout points in Allamuchy State Park. . The group had a great time and we are looking forward to the next trip. Below are a few pic's from the trip. Thanks to those that participated....

The Beginning - Big smiles	Group on the trail!	Group  - First rock	Debbie and Anthony	John and Mindy - rock scramblers
On top of the mountain - a great view	Anthony taking in the view.	Sifu Don	John finding his way	Amy after falling in the stream!!!!
Rear view of John - sliding down too many rocks!	The end - long trip but loads of fun

New Black Belt Club Members - October 2006

Press HERE to return to the Main Page