First Class Martial Arts Moves to Mill Street

First Class Martial Arts, formerly at 1456 Berlin Turnpike, has moved to Berlin. Now located at 158 Mill Street, First Class Martial Arts has been in business for 15 years. Classes are offered for men, women and children.

“We can start teaching children as young as three years old.” said owner and Master Instructor Dean Beckstein. “We have one half hour classes where we begin by teaching motor skills and coordination.

Berlin resident Beckstein, who is a 5^th Degree Master in Tae Kwan Do, was the 1995 National & New England State Sparring Champion.  He was also in the 2004 USA Martial Arts “Hall of Fame.” Beckstein earned his black belt at age 21. He noted that his interest in martial arts was perked by his cousin and a friend who did Karate. The friend opened a Karate school in North Haven and Beckstein realized that was something he could also eventually do.

First Class Martial Arts has five teachers and assistant teachers. It offers a variety of classes for everyone. For children ages 4 to 6 years, Little Ninjas might be the right choice for parents of little ones to consider. The children learn respect, self-control and confidence. They are taught teamwork through an organized game plan. As the Little Ninjas brochure states, eight major skills are taught – focus, teamwork, control, balance, memory, discipline, fitness and coordination.

For more than ten years, Berlin Resident Tina Pac has been Program Director at First Class Martial Arts. For information regarding classes, call between 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. and talk to Pac about enrolling in classes. She is totally knowledgeable and can give you information on any of the classes listed below.

Beginner and Intermediate Kids classes are for ages 7 to 14. Beginner Kids earn a White to Orange Belt and Intermediate Kids earn a Purple to Blue Belt. Advanced Kids can earn a Brown or Black Belt. Kardio Kick Boxing is a fitness program and is for ages 18 years and up.

Intro to Little Ninja classes is for 3 year olds and is from 5 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Little Ninjas, 4 to 6 years, is at 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.

Beginner Kids classes are 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. on Monday, 6:15 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday and 5 to 6 p.m. on Friday.

Intermediate Kids classes are from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, 6:15 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, and 5 to 6 p.m. on Friday.

Advanced Kids classes are from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, and 5 to 6 p.m. on Friday.

Adult classes are from 6:15 to 7 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday, 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, and 5 to 6 p.m. on Friday

Kardio Kick Boxing is from 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday thru Thursday.

For more information call (860) 828-4266.