Ancient Japanese Tradition Alive and Kicking in Barnegat

Several martial arts schools have opened and closed in the area in the last few years. At this point, Barnegat is home to two of them, whose owners say they plan to stick around.

 If you or your children ever considered karate as a way to boost self-esteem, learn self-defense, or stay physically fit and active, find out what makes each of the town's karate schools unique.    

SHOTOKAN KARATE

Address: 86 Memorial Drive, Barnegat

Owner: Sensei Tim Blumensteel, 42, of Bayville. In addition to teaching and operating the school, Blumensteel works for Bugbee Riggs Funeral Home in Barnegat, and for the United Parcel Service.

Blumensteel is 2nd Dan in Shotokan, and has been training in the style for more than 20 years. He is also has qualifications with International Shotokan Karate Federation and is qualified for 5th Dan with Japanese Karate Association.

Style and philosophy:  Blumensteel describes it as "traditional Japanese style that dates all the way back to Samurai training.

"Trying to offer authentic martial arts at an affordable price," is the way Blumensteel describes his school's philosophy. "All these other schools you see around, these schools are all MMA (mixed martial arts). What sets us apart is, we're traditional."

History: In addition to the Barnegat facility, which opened about a year a and a half ago, Blumensteel owns two other Shotokan schools, one in Bayville and one in Brick. "I like the area, it's easy way to the parkway," Blumensteel says, "and I just like the area and the location, really. There were no other schools in town when I opened mine, and we're still the only traditional-style karate in Barnegat."

For more information: (732)237-0791

This article is the first in a two-part series about the town's karate schools. Next week, look for a profile of .