Fighting the Hudson Valley

In the last few years the mixed martial world has exploded and it touching small towns across America. There is a martial arts dojo in almost every small town in the Hudson Valley. In some towns there are two. SUNY New Paltz is no exception. It, too, has its own martial arts thing going on, though I am not sure what it is. In Kingston there is the Ulster Budokai. The Dojo is a hole in the wall with bruised and broken wood paneling, stained ceilings, and very little space. Yet, the club boasts a memebership of over fifty people, some of which have been with the club for as long fifteen years. The owner is Sensei Mark Roosa. He is a retired physics tecaher who has been teaching Judo for over thirty years. The club is located off of Broadway on a sidestreet...that is too easy to miss. So why do people stay with this club that is falling apart? The sense of family, an awesome work out, and the ability to do self defense. The club meets on Monday at 730/ Thursday at 830. There are also kids classes. The club focuses on Judo, which the is the national sport for Japan. It is known for its throwing, take downs, arm bars, pins, and choking. It is not for the faint hearted, but anyone can do it...if they choose to.