This article
appeared in the April 16, 2003 Cambridge Chronicle.
Confronting
a confronter
By Susie Davidson /
Correspondent
Wednesday,
April 16, 2003
Cambridge
youth learn self-defense skills
Preteens in Cambridge are
honing their defensive reflexes this spring at the Frisoli Youth Center's
12-week personal protection skills program. The series, which will run through
June 6, is being facilitated by Alex Iglecia, a certified combat adviser who
represents Genuine Bussey Style in New England.
At the center, 61 Willow St.
in East Cambridge, youths aged 9-13 are learning protective skills, ideas,
movements and more, as part of the third leadership session of the year.
"Self-defense, Bussey
Style, founded 20 years ago by West Coast practitioner Robert Bussey, is an art
and a science taught to men, women, boys and girls who want to learn techniques
that really work for self defense," said Iglecia.
Iglecia has led sessions for
Biogen, Arnold Worldwide and Joslin Diabetes Center as well as community
workshops in Cambridge, Brookline, at the Wellbridge Athletic Club in Harvard
Square, and, following several incidents of violence in the North End, a
women-only workshop sponsored by the Improv Asylum. As part of Women's History
Month, Iglecia also donated four weeks of sessions for women in the Back Bay.
Iglecia's program increases
coordination, confidence and awareness, so that students learn to react to any
threat and fend off common assaults using hands, knees, elbows and feet.
Bussey's method identifies and incorporates "Fundamental Principles of
Combat Intelligence," which include "Hidden Motion,"
"Danger Recognition" and "Live Movement."
"Bussey Style is
unique, fun, challenging and inspiring, and brings a rich history going back to
when the ninja art came to the United States," Iglecia said.
Iglecia, who trained
directly under Bussey, has a bachelor's degree in engineering from Cornell
University. He was one of the first two instructors teaching Bussey methods on
the West Coast in 1994. He has taught the personalized method to children and
adults for nine years.
"What we do in Genuine
Bussey Style is try to make the art fit the person," he said.
"Everyone has attributes that we try to bring out."
If the client is small,
Iglecia will work on speed; if they are strong, he works on power.
"And we make those
skills work for them," he said, noting that the kids love the fun and the
energy, but in reality they are learning something which is infinitely practical.
"It doesn't take long for kids and adults to get really excited about what
they're learning."
"Bussey Style gives
people skills and a confidence that can't be shaken or taken away. It's just
like learning to swim - someone can learn to swim, and forever after, will feel
comfortable in deep or shallow water."
The Cambridge Youth Program,
fully licensed by the state's Office of Childcare Services and in existence for
more than 15 years, provides year-round social, recreational and intellectual
opportunities for approximately 1,000 area youth ages 9-19. Each center offers
classroom space, meeting rooms and access to nearby parks. The Leadership
Program is geared to serving the needs of pre-teens aged 9-13, while the Teen
Evening program focuses on older youth aged 14-19. A Boy's and Girl's Group,
where youth interact and communicate, is another integral program. Services
include assistance in the areas of employment, homework, literacy, life skills
and drug and alcohol prevention, and also feature guest speakers, community
service projects, recreational activities, sport leagues, trips and special
events.
For information on the
Leadership Program at the Frisoli Youth Center, visit
www.ci.cambridge.ma.us/~DHSP/youth/frisoli.html, or call Jeneen at 617-349-4497
or Iglecia at 781-405-1248. For information on Genuine Bussey Style, please
visit www.busseystyle.com.