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  • Why BZW One-Legged Drills Are Essential

    Why BZW One-Legged Drills Are Essential

    Incorporating standing-on-one-leg drills into fitness routines is not merely a recommendation; it is an essential practice for maintaining balance, stability, and overall health. Every class at OKCC Blue Zone Fitness & Wellness (BZW) includes this vital exercise, reinforcing our commitment to helping participants enhance their physical well-being. The importance of this exercise cannot be overstated—no one wants to experience the life-altering consequences of a fall that could lead to serious injuries such as hip fractures, shoulder dislocations, or even fatal accidents from descending stairs. During each session, we focus on standing on one leg with the opposite leg lifted ....

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  • What is Okinawa Karate?

    What is Okinawa Karate?

    Karate is a traditional Okinawan culture and art in which we can take pride. It is a martial art that promotes peace and etiquette. Originating in Okinawa, karate aims to develop a strong body and an indomitable spirit through rigorous training. It also contributes to forming a personality that values peace and politeness. Karate focuses on honing mental ability, known as "Shin Gi Tai" (training body, mind, and spirit), and disciplining the state of mind. This is the essence of karate. Okinawan karate embodies the spirit of Okinawa, known in the local dialect as "Ichariba Chode" (though we meet but once by chance, we are friends for life). It is considered a treasure that we have ....

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  • Why choose Blue Zone Wellness?

    Why choose Blue Zone Wellness?

    Are you looking for ways to stay young, healthy, and beautiful? Consider joining OKCC Blue Zone Wellness , where Master Folta offers a unique approach. Drawing from years of experience and training in Asia and around the world, Master Folta tailors his teachings to each student's individual needs. Get out in front of illnesses by preventing them in the first place and curing them forever instead of simply reacting to illnesses after they occur and covering up symptoms. The latter is not good because, in contrast, the real cause of the illness remains! His classes feature gratifying stretching, acupoint stimulation, and exercise routines that are easy to follow and highly ....

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  • How to lose weight using the Okinawa Blue Zone Wellness (BZW) food philosophy?

    How to lose weight using the Okinawa Blue Zone Wellness (BZW) food philosophy?

    Okinawa Blue Zone Wellness (BZW) philosophy emphasizes natural and holistic approaches to health, particularly through diet and digestion. The people of Okinawa are known for their longevity and low rates of chronic diseases, partly attributed to their unique dietary habits. They consume foods rich in natural probiotics, which support a healthy digestive system : kimchi cabbage live yogurt miso pickles kombucha natto Additionally, green tea, a staple in their diet, acts as a powerful antioxidant, boosting metabolism, reducing bloating, and preventing the storage of excess carbohydrates as body fat. Foods like avocado, walnuts, mangos, and papaya are integral to ....

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  • What is Blue Zone Wellness (BZW) at the OKCC?

    What is Blue Zone Wellness (BZW) at the OKCC?

    Blue Zone Wellness (BZW) at the OKCC will teach you to stimulate pressure points for health, use kinesiology for a strong core and body strength, breathe properly for meditation and boosting the immune system, and perform dynamic drills for energy flow.We have mastered the art of exercise in a unique, beneficial, and intriguing way. Get in touch with your body. Learn points to stimulate and movements that enhance your health and wellness. Master Folta says, “Lubricating the joints is key to staying young.” Blue Zone Wellness classes will get you in shape with challenging yet doable exercises that will get you to exceed your expectations. You'll be motivated and enjoy ....

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  • What is Martial Arts Philosophy in Traditional Karate Uechi Ryu

    What is Martial Arts Philosophy in Traditional Karate Uechi Ryu

    Martial Arts Philosophy in Traditional Karate Uechi Ryu is having the ability to use both mental and physical soft and hard elements accordingly and freely while maintaining the state of gansei shusho. Thisis the philosophy of Uechi-ryu. Gansei refers to the ability to accurately capture the movements, feelings, and energy of others, while shusho is about responding swiftly, comfortably, confidently, and appropriately to others. It is essential to balance both hardness and softness in Uechi-ryu, as hardness is not just an element of strength but also includes the element of softness. Flexed muscles, holding a full breath, and a racing mind are examples of hardness, while relaxed muscles, ....

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  • More than Martial Arts at the OKCC, Chantilly - Sea Turtles!

    More than Martial Arts at the OKCC, Chantilly - Sea Turtles!

    Martial arts isn't the only thing we have in our karate center. We also have an Okinawa cultural center. On dispay, we have Okinawa Hawksbill Sea Turtles courtesy of Mrs. Anne (Freimuth) Stratland, who grew up in Okinawa and donated 2 Sea Turtles to the cultural center here in Chantilly, VA. I has the pleasure of interviewing Mrs. Stratland and the transcript of her story about the Sea Turtles follows. Interview Notes with Anne (Freimuth) Statland about Okinawa Hawksbill Sea Turtles by Nestor Folta 5-14-2024 I have two turtles from Okinawa that were presented to my dad before we moved to the US in 1966. One hung in our family room in Annandale, ....

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  • What is 'The Mind' in our Martial Arts - Karate Mind

    What is 'The Mind' in our Martial Arts - Karate Mind

    Okinawa is worldwide recognized as the “Birthplace of Karate.” However, the government of Okinawa recognizes only three styles of karate as original to Okinawa.Uechi Ryu is one of them! Master Folta teaches, “The mind controls everything. TM ”The focus is to build your mind to be sharp like a knife. Your disciplined mind strengthens your body with self-conditioning beyond your personal limits. Your strong mind can endure hardship and difficult training, even a tremendous amount of body conditioning, and transform your person into a weapon. By conditioning your mind, you can withstand attacks, leaving your opponent feeling defeated. Uechi Ryu trains ....

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  • Morning Ritual Part 2- Hot lemon water

    Morning Ritual Part 2- Hot lemon water

    Instagram: masterfoltasays As a dedicated Martial Arts Instructor, health is vital. The old Karate Masters in Okinawa and around the world all have special rituals they make part of their everyday living to stay slim and trim and ensure their body organs can function precisely. Here's a helpful tip. Instead of a coffee right when you wake up…try starting your mornings with a warm cup of lemon water! One fresh squeezed lemon in 4oz of hot water. Nothing before and nothing after for 30 minutes. 🍋Lemon is rich in vitamin C, which supports immune function and aids in digestion 🫖The warm water helps to stimulate the digestive system and hydrate the body after a ....

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Matthew Persil

Master Folta is a fantastic teacher that really cares about his students' progress and their wellbeing, and is very enthusiastic about imparting authentic traditional Uechi-ryu karate from Okinawa, Japan to every person that comes to train.

Mark Salum

I started my Uechi Ryu Karate training in Okinawa and am now continuing under Sensei Nestor Folta. The training he gives is exactly the same as I received when I trained in Japan; challenging, powerful, effective, and authentic. True to its Okinawan roots.

Kelly Legos - Confidence

We recently signed up both our children (ages 8 and 10) at Okinawa Karate and Cultural center and could not be more pleased. Master Folta strikes an amazing balance of patience, motivation, education and discipline. They are learning so much and I’m already seeing changes in their confidence. Looking forward to seeing where they go from here:)

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