Tiger Day at Otto Specht School
A New Partnership
On a cold, November day, a group of very excited students from Otto Specht School and Endeavor 21+ entered Tiger Schulmann’s Martial Arts Headquarters in Elmwood, NJ, admiring the equipment, the framed magazine covers and photos of champion fighters trained by TSMA. They sat down on the benches and took their shoes off and waited for one of the trainers to take them to the mat for training. Each student had an opportunity to learn one on one, and the students and the instructors had so much fun getting to know each other. Once everyone had an opportunity, the whole group participated in a fun-filled movement class. They stretched, did an obstacle course, and played games. Students were focused, engaged, and smiling. Trainers were enjoying themselves immensely as well, smiling, laughing, and keeping the class moving at just the right pace. Everyone left a little sweatier than they came, relaxed, happy, and feeling strong, capable, and successful.
A Lasting Friendship
In the 1990's, while living and working in NYC, I trained at Tiger Schulmann's MMA which, at the time was located on 19th street. Responding to a need for creative movement classes for young children, I worked with my instructor to enhance and revamp the Tiger Cubs program. This program focused on tumbling, running, balancing and imaginative movement through story and imagery. The children moved at their own pace in the context of an experience designed to be successful, fun and self-confidence building.
As the course of my life's work changed and brought me to Chestnut Ridge in 2005, I left behind the successful Cubs program in the hands of many capable instructors. While that chapter of my working life came to a close, my connection to the organization has remained strong. This year, as TSMMA celebrates its 35th year as the east coast's premier martials training organization, they have chosen the Otto Specht School as the charity they are supporting. Both organizations bring to the world a way of working that is not based on material gains, but rather strengthening the human capacities that are both unique to each individual, and universal to all. The OSS is honored to be the recipient of such a generous gesture and looks forward to continuing this partnership into the future.
Tiger Schulmann’s is asking for contributions of $15 to raise funds for the Otto Specht School. As a thank you, donors will receive a commemorative 35th Anniversary TSMA T-Shirt featuring our newly updated logo. Donate today and get your T-Shirt at: https://tsk.com/product/otto-t-shirt/
