Local Karate School Growing in Size and Scope

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, please contact:

Sensei Jason Gould
Emerald Necklace Martial Arts
(617) 230-1973
Jason.Gould@karateinboston.com


BOSTON (Allston), Mass., August 20, 2008 — This fall, Allston's Emerald Necklace Martial Arts will be moving to a brand new facility: the 2,500 square foot standalone building located at 95 Everett Street. The building is directly across the street from the karate school's current address of 129 Braintree Street.

"Our new location will enable us to grow our membership and expand the services that we provide to the community," says Jason Gould, Chief Instructor at Emerald Necklace Martial Arts. "I hope to add yoga classes and a children's martial art program to the weekly schedule very soon after we complete the move."

Gould has been teaching karate and self-defense in Allston-Brighton since October of 2003. In addition to the adult classes taught at his Braintree Street studio, he has taught children at the West End House Boys and Girls Club, The Horace Mann School for the Deaf, and Gardner Pilot Academy.

Gould's definition of "self-defense" goes beyond physical techniques. Back in June, Emerald Necklace Martial Arts hosted a free public workshop on conflict resolution skills, and Gould hopes to hold similar events on a regular basis in the new space. He is also planning to give diabetes awareness and prevention presentations at local schools and health centers this fall.

"Our dojo (karate school) members have become a community that serves the community,” says Gould, who requires his students to participate in service projects as part of their belt testing process. “And we will continue to do things that benefit our neighbors. It's important that we do more at our studio than teach people how to block and punch and kick."

More information about Emerald Necklace Martial Arts can be found at www.karateinboston.com. Updates on the school's new location are posted at http://emeraldnecklacedojo.blogspot.com/.

Sensei Jason Gould can be reached at 617-230-1973.

Things Are Starting To Fall Into Place!

We're working on getting a couple of temporary (vinyl) banner signs up on the building. They should be in place by the end of the week. I also just ordered new marketing postcards, too, and they should arrive some time in the next few days.

I met with one of my students — a graphic designer — to create a color palette for the interior walls. I'm looking at furniture and equipment for interior, too. Very exciting!

Our next adult beginner's karate session starts on Saturday, August 6.

It will be the last group of new students to train at our current location! So, if you're reading this and have always wanted to try karate, now is the time to get started!

New Roof!

I drove past the building this morning and was excited to see a large truck and a dumpster in the parking lot: workers have begun replacing the roof at 95 Everett Street! This is just one of many improvements that are part of the new facility. Did I mention the two skylights that will be installed? It'll be great to have some natural light coming into the space!