Carmel Residents Receive Black Belts in Tae Kwon Do

CARMEL - Students from United Martial Arts Centers in Carmel; Warwick, NY; Briarcliff Manor, NY; Ridgefield, CT; and Whippany, NJ, spent the weekend of the 29th, 30th, and 31st experiencing martial arts at a level most students never see. They traveled to Milford, PA, to spend the weekend delving into a higher level of martial arts training and self development.

Friday night, training was led by Grand Master Edmund Ciarfella and his wife, Master Teresa Ciarfella in a session that focused on being present in the moment as well as team building exercises, both physical and mental.

Saturday morning, adult students rose to do early morning meditation and flexibility training while the children experienced a hike where they also meditated and focused on their surroundings. After breakfast, students chose from 4 seminars including Grappling with Master Anthony Melella, Forms with Masters Paul Melella and Joseph Badini, Bo Staff training with Grand Master Ciarfella, or Extreme Kicking with Master Ryan Silberquit.

Afternoon session were focused on the mental aspect with seminars including Goal Setting with Master Badini, Traditional Tea Ceremony with Grand Master Ciarfella, Conditioning you mind for Success with Master Melella, and How your mind works with Master Chris Berlow who oversaw the childrens program in the morning. Saturday night concluded with a bon fire where students and parents shared their weekend experiences and thoughts with the group.

Sunday morning students demonstrated their martial arts skills before a panel of Masters and Grand Masters. Students demonstrated their prowess in technique, forms, self-defense, sparring, and breaking.

Students who graduated from the Carmel location are as follows: 1st Degree Black Belt - Michael Torres, Michele Torres, Brian Quezada, Sean Hughes, William Crawford, Martin Hogan, Drew Schnaudigel, Emily Yoo, Ryan Donnolly, Rosemary Honigsberg, John Gomez, Joseph Keane, Daniel Castrovinci 2nd Degree Black Belt - Ronnie Castrovinci, Jason Leake 3rd Degree Black Belt - Craig Castrovinci, Eric Sommers, Lisa Sommers 4th Degree Black Belt - Daniella Leifer. Students also testing for Certified Instructor were Mike Parisi Sr and Craig Castrovinci.

Mr. Melella is owner of a 6th degree black belt.