My interest in martial arts actually came early when in fifth grade I watched a local Judo class.  I ended up enrolled in a boxing program taught by my schoolteacher Rollie Pier, an educator and professional boxer.

I began karate because of being bullied and beaten up. When I was sixteen I suffered at the hands of a neighborhood bully and was traumatized both emotionally and physically by the experience. It was a few months after this episode that I watched my first martial arts class and knew that this was for me.

Since 1969 I have trained with many great instructors and in many martial arts systems. My first teacher was a Philippine man named Jose Deguzman who would whet my appetite for martial arts training. He ran very tough and demanding classes that would tax any beginner or advanced student.  He took a liking to me and would invite me to train privately with him at his home on the weekends. I always showed up and trained hard. He is gone now but he set a great example of how I should conduct myself as a martial arts teacher.

I am a Senior Master Instructor

My mission is to create a better world filled with people who are happy, healthy, confident and successful, benefiting in life from a unique martial arts experience.

We now teach our instructors the principles of success psychology, motivational techniques and child development. These concepts enable us to teach the life skills our martial arts program is famous for.

The Mike Bogdanski Martial Arts System is a blend of traditional and modern martial arts that offers an effective self-defense program along with personal development. This formula for success makes it easier to handle the pressures of every day living.

Children learn to concentrate and focus their energy constructively, which results in better schoolwork and grades. Teens and adults love our program that focuses on physical health as well as building character and respect. Our modern style of martial arts training provides a comprehensive and unique course encompassing effective karate, judo, boxing, Kali, jiu jutsu and ninjutsu techniques. It is  state of the art in martial arts systems, renowned through the world for developing well rounded and effective martial arts students.

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Over the last fourty years I have trained with:

• Jose Deguzman – Kyokushinkai karate, arnis, balisong, malriz karbat (Philippine karate)
• Armando Carandang – Arnis, Tae Kwon Do, Shorinji Kempo
• Paul Arel, Dwight Scherban – Kyokushinkai karate and Kokondo Karate
• Bob Cheezic – Tang Soo Do
• Felix Vazques – Ninjutsu, ju jutsu, kobudo weaponry
• Bill Wallace – Kick boxing
• Joe Lewis – Kick Boxing
• Gary Wilcox – Judo
• Bob Liedke – Aikido
• Herb Perez – Tae Kwon Do
• Carlos Newton- BJJ
• Billy Blanks – sparring
• Dave Sgro – Mu Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do
• Rickson, Renzo and Relson Gracie – Brazilian Ju Jutsu
• Joe Maffei – Jeet Kune Do and Brazilian Ju jutsu
• David Meyer, John Will, Brian Johnson– Brazilian Ju jutsu
• Larry Hartsell- JKD, shoot wrestling
• Dan Severn, Frank Shamrock- MMA
• Darren Levine - Krav Maga
• Ron Balicki – JKD
• Leo Gaje- Kali
• Roland Pier and Lenny Stavrou – Boxing
• Eris Breuer- Rossi Kuntao, Chun Kuk Do
• Alex Ottiano (Olympic Team Member)- Judo
• Nick Cerio - Kenpo
• Dwight Scherban - Kyokushinkai, Bando
• Grandmaster Mariano Estioko- Tang Soo Do
• Kwan Jang Nim Song Ki Kim - Tang Soo Do

Competition was a big part of my martial arts career. I have competed and won on a national and international level. I have won gold medals at the World Cup in Hungary, Team Captain on the winning U.S.A. sparring team – Moscow (Olympic sports complex), World cup gold medalist- Michigan, Won five first places in Australia competition (twice), Nationally rated competitor in forms and weapons by Professional Karate League, Winner of CT. Martial Arts Federation Tournament of champions, winner of New England Grands (invitation only), numerous 1st, 2nd, 3rd place trophies and tournament Grand championships including winning a trip to Bermuda. I guess that’s why I know so many people around the world.

My blog address is http://bogdanskismartialarts.blogspot.com/

Please visit our fitness center website www.midtown-fitness.com or our gym blog http://midtown-fitness.blogspot.com/

Visit www.mikebogdanski.com to read about my anti bully program.
Because of my own bullying experience I realize that bullying is an international epidemic and that I can make a difference. I have traveled all over New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Canada and Virginia speaking to kids about the problem of bullying and how we can deal with it nonviolently. It is my goal to speak in every state in order to spread my message. My anti bully program is called H.E.R.O. and stands for Help Everyone Respect Others.

check out our photo gallery or this shutterfly site for more photos
http://mikebogdanskismartialarts.shutterfly.com/action/
Member- World Dang Soo Do Union