Pictured is instructor of Owego Martial Arts, Bill Doheny, along with family members and other youth who participate. Owego Martial Arts will hold child and adult classes beginning in March on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Joshua’s House located at 55.5 North Ave. in Owego, N.Y. For information, call (607) 771-6202. A new website and Facebook page will be forthcoming.
Beginning in March, the newly created Owego Martial Arts is slated to offer exciting programs in the martial arts, including karate and self-defense. Among the options will be popular programs such as “LiL Dragons” for children up to age seven, and junior and adult classes ages seven and above, along with adult self-defense classes. Classes will be held weekly on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Joshua’s House, located at 55.5 North Ave. in Owego, N.Y.
Instructor, Bill Doheny, a multiple black belt holder who has practiced martial arts for over 30 years, has a Masters belt in Tae Kwon Do, a first-degree black belt in Chinese Goju/Kung Fu, and has also accomplished twelve world titles in sport karate.
Doheny previously offered classes five-plus years ago known as Midstate Martial Arts in the upstate New York region. Doheny’s wife, Paula, herself a black belt, will be instructing LiL Dragons students, along with the Doheny’s daughter, Evah, who holds three NYS karate championship titles.
LiL Dragons is scheduled from 6 to 6:30 p.m. and junior and adult level classes are planned for 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
Doheny shared, “Family members can all come at the same time.”
Pictured is Moriah Relyea who kicks a pad that towers nearly a foot over her head, showing focus and flexibility that she learned from Martial Arts classes. (Provided photos)
According to Doheny, the high-energy Martial arts sessions are exceptional workouts both physically and mentally. In addition, the sessions build a strong foundation of every day life skills including respect and discipline, cooperation, focus and self-confidence, among others.
In coordination with the teen center facility, Joshua’s House, Doheny will also offer instruction to at-risk youth. Doheny believes that being involved with the community results in a safer community and overall, a better place to live. Involved in past years with a Binghamton chapter of Guardian Angels, an unarmed civilian defense group, Doheny combines his martial arts experience and sincere interest in helping youth, to Joshua’s House.
Doheny explained, “With our Martial arts programs, we’ll help build up the kids’ self-esteem and show them a good path.”
Doheny expects to be able to offer these classes every other Friday, which will promote anti-drug, anti-crime and anti-bullying themes.
Doheny shared, “If we can stop one kid from falling into a bad trap, then we have done our community and that child a valuable service.”
For more information on upcoming classes, contact Bill Doheny at (607) 771-6202. A new Facebook page and website is forthcoming.
