June 22, 2012 By Bill Parry
For many years, a sleepy 99 cent store operated out of 44-12 48th Ave.
Since May, that tired old store has been replaced by Edge Tae Kwon Do Academy, which is run by Sandy Arias and his wife, Norma Hernandez.
Arias is a 27-year-old tae kwon do master and instructor who hails from the Dominican Republic and lives in Astoria.
Prior to opening his academy, Arias had worked for eight years teaching tae kwon do classes in Woodside and Flushing. Most of his students were from Sunnyside and Woodside, he said, so he decided to open his studio on 48th Avenue.
Arias said that he has more than 30 children as students, and he’s been signing up more each day. He’s been able to assemble a travel team who will take part in a national competition in Dallas in late July.
Pedro Galindo, who takes his children to the academy, said “I bring Eli [his son] for discipline and it sure is better than sitting at home playing video games.”
In addition to tae kwon do, Arias is offering jiu-jitsu, judo and kickboxing for all ages. A zumba class is becoming increasingly popular in the evenings.
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14 Comments
It would be best to check his credentials first. But although he may seem legit. I question the values he teaches his kids. Because on the tournament circuit, he is very unsportsmanlike, he is disrespectful to the his athletes, other athletes, coaches, referees, judges and anyone else running a legit tournament. He would berate his athletes, show disrespects towards the opponents, etc. Just in general he can get downright nasty. is that what you want your kids to follow as a mentor?
27 year old grand master? o_O
Master Sandy it’s a wonderful person not only he pays attention to all the students but he becomes a friend … Very friendly and family oriented academy students and parents Are very involve with their students tkd 😉 gracias my son was very indiscipline (very hard to admit) since he started in edge there has been an enormous change and my son is only 3 .5 years old… The negative comment are obviously from an other academy because they have not experience the school first hand ..
This school provides all the training like:
private karate lessons, after school martial arts program.
Wow! you are doing a great job.
Webley is right. Besides, TKD is a sport. Also, any place where a kid gets a black belt in 6 months is BS
“I wonder how much of these ‘karate’ shops are properly teaching kids?”
Stop wondering. Perform your own independent investigation. Perhaps Sunnyside Post will allow you to post your findings on this site.
Otherwise, you’re simply smearing a business and a person who you know absolutely nothing about. Reminds me of all those here who automatically assume that Asian masseuses are all whores.
Or, ignore the above and re-read Conrad’s response.
Rex, where are you located, I think I may be interested. And, umm, will you be going to the male dancer night at Arriba Arriba?
Best of luck to the newest local business.
Webley.
Exercise is good for kids, so is discipline and teamwork.
Sure, there are “McDojos” out there, but what is your proof that this place is anything but legit?
BTW…are you currently raising any kids?
You all should come down to my studio where I teach my own style of Rex Kwon Do, developed from my experience in the octagon. You will bow to your sensei!
1) It’s Taekwondo, not karate
2) There’s no mention of breaking (boards)
3) How is a national competition not legitimate? Do you even know what competition they’re participating in? And what does your leg lifting statement even mean?
4) They’re children — what “other skills” do you want them to learn? Do you want parents to send their eight-years-olds to technical school? Or a military school to “come back a psychopath?” That statement, by the way, makes you sound as woefully ignorant about the military as you are about martial arts.
5) Martial arts, whether TKD (or Brazilian jiu jitsu, wrestling in school, etc) do teach students discipline and hardwork, despite what you apparently believe. They’re working with their peers, being social and learning skills (even if they aren’t for a specific profession). They also learn self defense and earn self confidence. Everyone I’ve known who’s a martial artists is NOT the kind of person who thinks they can go out and start beating people up, and has no desire to do so anyway. They’re comfortable with themselves, well adjusted and not insecure. This also helps keep kids in shape in the face of overwhelmingly rising childhood obesity and is a much better, active alternative to sitting at home playing video games, as the father states.
That said, there are certainly some “mcdojo” facilities that are basically paying for a belt, but I don’t see why you’d have any reason to believe this about Mr. Arias’ school, apparently knowing nothing about it. It’s a rare storefront in this neighborhood lately that’s turned into something other than a nail salon or 99 cent store. How are you not HAPPY about this? Honestly, you sound like a miserable person. Good for these kids and I wish them Mr. Arias luck.
That is fantastic for the kids that live on the south side of greenpoint blvd.. What happen to the self defense school down the block from bill hartz plubing and anarac democratic club on the same side of the street
I wish them the best of luck plus he got the neighbohood to find him that was great.. kids all talk to each and must be affordable..
Great story by this site…expecially with summer comming up kids need a place to go and stay out of the heat and not get into trouble..
Best of luck to them…
I wonder how much of these “karate” shops are properly teaching kids?
As for the “national competition”, every kid is a winner of something as long as they can lift their legs.. I have seen so many of them, do not waste your money.
Let your kids learn some other skills that will actually help them when they grow.. Or if you want true discipline, send them to military school, they will come back either a psychopath or truly disciplined individual. Better than thinking they can beat someone else just because they chop paper-thin boards.
Oh, and stop buying belts & trophies.