By Paula Scott

Jacomet’s Martial Arts, which is owned and operated by Tony Jacomet, hosted Mayor Richard Johnson and members of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce for a July 28 ribbon cutting celebration at the dojo located on the basement level of 121 S. Main Street.

The space has been transformed by Jacomet into a dojo–a place for immersive martial arts learning–with padded floors and walls, as well as bleachers. Jacomet says that he’s not done, with a twinkle in his eye that suggests he has more inspiration and enthusiasm on tap.

The school is currently registering students for its core martial arts program, Gen Yuan Kempo, which runs September through May with multiple classes that group students by age and skill level–from ages as young as 5 through adults. 

Three new adult/teen classes–Tai Chi, Jiu Jitsu and Yoga–will be offered during an August 8-24 “sample period” with registration due by August 4. The yoga classes will be taught by Tony’s wife Anna Jacomet. These classes provide slow and gentle exercise with many modifications to the basic poses.

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This will be the business’s third year. It is rapidly growing with the local response to classes. Jacoment says, “This is a wonderful community. We are really happy to be here.” Throughout the conversation, Jacoment referred to his teacher-mentors and the program advice that they have provided, including “let kids be kids” during the summer. While there have been a couple of summer refresher opportunities, he said, “If we give them a break during the summer, we actually have a higher retention during the rest of the year.”

The martial arts classes are designed to allow for flexibility with multiple time slots to help families fit class into their schedules. There are also classes where parents can attend with their older children.

Jacomet has studied martial arts for 18 years and has an international certification in the Art of Longevity, which includes Tai Chi and Shaolin. He has studied traditional martial arts in a Shaolin temple in China. As a result he knows the base of the practice, which he brings into his personal focus on the health benefits and a practical, safe approach to the art. He also has a certification in massage therapy.

How do martial arts relate to other sports disciplines? “A lot of sports have similar coordinated movements,” Jacomet noted. For his young students who have played soccer, he has drawn comparisons between a shot on goal and throwing a martial arts kick. He remarked that proper alignment of the body in the soft and hard martial arts has benefits in everyday life activities, reducing the likelihood of injuries as you lift, reach and move.

For more information on Jacomet’s Martial Arts, visit www.jacomets-martial-arts.business.site/ or call (567) 204-8142.