Cedarhurst dojo shifts online in Covid-19 pandemic

The need to be active is vital in normal circumstances and now with a majority of people confined to their homes because of the coronavirus pandemic quarantining, it is more necessary than ever to get up and move.

Warren Levi Martial Arts, a dojo in Cedarhurst, is moving its workouts online during the Covid-19 health crisis. Levi and his staff found teaching in the virtual world requires much more planning. Adapting quickly, he says that they have been successful and received compliments from the students and their parents.

“[I’m] using a fighting spirit and my years of karate training to help us tackle the hardship which we are experiencing to over come the altered reality of daily life, so as to adapt to these difficult times,” said Levi, who has a degree in physical education, a 7th degree black belt and world karate champion multiple times. He is known as a “shihan” which is Japanese for master instructor.

The online workouts, which have had a global reach, are designed with the goal to keep everyone physically active. Levi said there has been surge in enrollment from local students to across the U.S. and countries such as Canada, Israel and South Africa.

Before the pandemic struck, Levi and some of his instructors and students visited Japan to hone their martial arts skills and attended an international seminar in Tokyo. “It is also very motivating on a personal level to keep in shape knowing that you might have to fight anyone from any of the over 100 countries in attendance,” he said.

David Stern and his daughter, Arielle, 17, are both students at the dojo. David, a volunteer Woodmere firefighter noted that “Confinement, as part of the national effort to isolate Covid-19 has compressed life’s usual routine to the absolute minimum. Having access to Warren Levi and his team of instructors helps us maintain our fitness and martial arts levels and provides a thin tieback to life on the other side of Covid.”

Lexi Koss and her two daughters take part in the virtually training. She said she appreciates the manner in which Levi and the other senseis (teachers) have adapted to the online workouts. “My girls and love Warren Levi Martial arts virtual karate,” she said, “it’s keeping us fit and very focused while we can’t come to the real dojo.”

Levi said that is the type of impact he wants to make with his members, adding that, “Martial arts and fitness is a fantastic outlet for kids to not only be active but learn a discipline. They also learn about the Japanese culture for example how to bow to show respect. Bowing for karate students when greeting is normal without a handshake. They learn to count and respond in Japanese.” 

There are Zoom classes for all ages and levels. It includes a free weekly fitness class for all elementary children, karate training techniques, instructional lessons on the Facebook member- only page, examining and testing of students and the awarding of virtual belts, weekly fun challenges, kicking drills, water bottle punching drills and more.

The family special for all family members of the house is two weeks for $19.99 and includes a free family introductory lesson and one uniform. To join, call (516) 569-0808 or go to www.warrenlevikarate.com.