12 - March 26, 2010
Tokyo Joe’s: A Home of its Own
Salute to
Ar e a Ne w s G r o u p
On any given day if you drive by the Nottingham Square shopping center on Lowell Road in Hudson, you’ll notice a hub of activity in the corner where Tokyo’s Joe’s Studios of Self Defense is located. Children and adults alike are seen excitedly moving toward class, all dressed in white or colorful martial arts attire. Instead of going home after school to play video games or chat online, the Tokyo Joe’s kids show up to learn “Statue of the Crane” or maybe a new jujutsu self-defense technique. Instead of spending a night on the couch in front of the TV, the Tokyo Joe’s adult kickboxers congregate at the studio, eager for another high-octane workout. The karate school is owned by Hudson residents Matt and Erika Babine. Sensei (which means “teacher”) Matt Babine is the driving force behind his karate’s school’s astounding success in Hudson. People meeting him for the first time are immediately taken by his broad smile, his energy, dynamism, and warmth. He has been studying and teaching martial arts for over 20 years. He holds black belts in both Kempo Karate and Tae Kwon Do. He has competed in men’s heavyweight sparring on both a national and international level, and is
the winner of numerous national and world championships. Erika handles the business and marketing end of the operation. Their daughter Karina, 12, has been studying martial arts since she was four years old, and recently won a national championship in black-belt girls’ fighting.
Sensei Matt Babine has a passion for martial arts and especially for teaching and motivating young people. He believes that the study of martial arts will help each of his students transform their minds, bodies, and spirits. His students seem to agree. Tokyo Joe’s Hudson started out in a small building on Lowell Road next to Suzie’s Diner, but quickly outgrew the space. Two years ago, they moved to a much larger space in the Nottingham Square shopping center, and after a short time, they realized they needed even more room and expanded into the empty space next door, doubling the size of the school. Tokyo Joe’s will soon be moving once again; this time, into a building of its very own. In December, the Babines purchased the building that once housed Susan’s European Café. Renovations have been underway over the last several months to transform the former restaurant into a beautiful, new
Ar e a Ne w s G r o u p
Business
Salute toBusiness
Little Ninjas Class
karate studio. Tokyo Joe’s will celebrate their new home by holding a Grand Opening in April. The event will be open to the public and will include raffles and fun activities for all ages. Tokyo Joe’s Studios of Self Defense offers classes for all ages. The Little
Ninjas and Advanced Little Ninjas classes (ages 3 to 5) are specifically geared toward preschool-age children. Little Ninjas serves as an excellent introduction for young children to the martial arts, but also teaches them many valuable skills as they prepare for kindergarten and beyond. The tiny students learn crucial listening skills and develop their focus, self-discipline, and self-control. Because their attention span is still somewhat limited, the class is fast-paced and extremely energetic. The Junior Beginners class (ages 6 and up) features exciting karate training for beginning karate students. Children develop confidence, self-discipline, respect, focus, and good fitness habits. Students learn the importance of valuing their minds and bodies, develop valuable self-defense skills, and learn to deal with bullies peacefully. The Junior Advanced and
Super Advanced classes instruct older children in more advanced techniques, weapons, and sparring. These older students learn leadership skills as they are encouraged to mentor younger students. Demo Team students develop self- confidence as they perform in front of audiences. The adult/teen karate class has become very popular. Tokyo Joe’s has also recently begun offering tumbling classes. One of the fastest growing classes is the adult Thai Kickboxing class. Many of the kickboxers are moms and dads whose children are karate students themselves. Thai Kickboxing combines instruction in martial arts- based self-defense with a body-transforming, extremely high- energy workout. As the class begins, fast-paced hip-hop and rock music pulses loudly, and students strap on their gloves as they line up in front of the kick bags. Babine comments, “The terrific thing about this class is that people at every different fitness level can participate. We have people who have never worked out before in their lives, as well as aerobics instructors and body builders. No matter what shape you’re in at the moment, in this class, you will see changes and results almost immediately. Whatever your fitness goals, we will help you get to the next level and beyond.”
Sensei Babine is supported by a superlative team of instructors: Randy Allen, Matthew Quinlan, and Mark Jacques, who are all black belts and experts in various aspects of martial arts. Babine credits Thai Kickboxing instructors Connie Lawrence, Sharon Dowd, and Samantha O’Neil with helping to make that class so wildly popular.
Babine is especially proud of
his school’s strong emphasis on community service. Every October, the school participates in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk for a Cure for Diabetes. Students and
Sensei Matt Babine and daughter Karina
Hudson Recreation
Over 35 Basketball
League Standings
Regular Season Final Standings
Harris Trophy M&N Sports Dunkin Donuts Boyers Auto Body D&R Plumbing Cahill’s Super Subs Vulc Tech Auto Repair JMA Consulting Hudson Recreation
W 9 8 7 5 4 4 4 2 2
L 1 2 3 5 6 6 6 8 8
Position Round Schedule
3/27- 10:00am 1. Harris Trophy vs. 4. Boyer’s Auto Body 11:15am 2. M&N Sports vs. 3. Dunkins Donuts 3/28- 11:00am 5. D&R Plumbing vs. 6. Cahill’s Super Subs, 12:15pm Loser 1/4 vs. Loser 2/3 1:30pm Winner 1/4 vs. Winner 2/3- 2:45pm 7. Vulc Tech vs. 8. JMA Consulting 4:00pm 9. Hudson Rec vs. 10. HS All Stars
staff covered the windows of the karate school with colorful paper sneakers representing all the donations they had collected, and then participated in the walk in Manchester. Three years ago, the Tokyo Joe’s Hudson launched their Thanksgiving service effort: “Project Turkey.” Students and staff worked to raise money to provide as many Thanksgiving meals as possible to homeless and needy local families. This past year, the students held a kick- a-thon, a pie-throwing fundraiser, and sold raffle tickets for an iPod touch donated by Babine. They raised over $4,000—enough money to provide 100 complete Thanksgiving dinners, each of which included a whole turkey in a roasting pan, cranberry sauce, cranberry juice, jars of pickles and gravy, stuffing, canned corn, yams, and green beans, apples, potatoes, dinner rolls, bread, and two pies! The students, aided by parents and staff, spent a Saturday assembling cartons overflowing with food to be delivered to area homeless shelters, crisis centers, and churches.
Sensei Babine admits he is on a mission to change lives, and to help his students reach their full potential. “Our kids love to come to class, and our parents are thrilled at the positive changes they see in their children after only a very short time. At Tokyo Joe’s, we teach our kids so much more than kicking and punching. Our goal is to make a positive impact in the lives of each of our students by sharing the importance of discipline, respect, and integrity in everything they do. We’re helping to shape future leaders here.” For more information on Tokyo Joe’s Studio of Self Defense, visit www.tokyojoeshudson.com or call 577-4560.
courtesy photos
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