Martial Arts Dojo Opens in Plainfield

Written by Brock A. Stein 

With summer break just around the corner, parents looking for an outlet to channel some of their kids' pent up energy should consider a visit to Chikara Martial Arts Academy in Plainfield.

The recently opened martial arts school, 24316 W. 143rd St., offers kids and adults a place to hone their self-defense skills and gain other lessons to help them in life.

After teaching self-defense courses at various temporary locations around the Plainfield area, including the YMCA and HomeTown Fitness, the martial arts academy has finally found a permanent home for its dojo in the same building as Eich's Sports.

A native of Long Island, New York, Sensei Ross Greenberg, a fifth-degree black belt, moved to the Plainfield area in 2007, bringing with him his love for the martial arts.

His enthusiasm for teaching young and old alike comes from his own eternal quest for finding new things to learn about the sport.

"I'm an eternal student," said Greenberg. "I'm always going out there and getting new information," he notes, adding, "The journey for me never ends."

With teaching partner Sensei Terre Theis, the pair teaches Chikara Budokai, a form of jujutsu with a focus on physical and weapons techniques.

Unlike some forms of martial arts that focus on learning forms, the pair uses "self-defense oriented" techniques to drive their lessons for students.

"You have to understand the application," Greenberg said, describing the learning process as being like building with Legos.

"You put them together to make a larger thing," he added. Those pieces include a focus on physical abilities, but also on building self-confidence to stand up for themselves.

"It teaches confidence, balance in life.  It teaches more than just the physical aspects of it," he said.

The approach gives students the ability to succeed in other aspects of their lives, not just their study of martial arts he said.

"We work on focus, concentration, and accomplishing goals," he said. At the end of class, Greenberg gives students a homework assignment, asking kids to help clear the table at dinner time, or focus on keeping their bedrooms picked up, all as part of the overall approach to improving themselves.

"I tell them all the time about being on time, and being early," Greenberg said. 

The school's methods also draw from pop culture touchstones like the "Star Wars" movies in order to draw the interest of young students as well. The school's youngest students, ages 4 to 6, are called the "Mighty Jedi" and students often engage in light saber "battles" at the end of class to hone their sword techniques.

The school offers classes Monday through Friday and on Saturdays as well with options for every level from preschool to adult.

More information about Chikara Martial Arts Academy can be found online at Chikaradojo.com or by calling 1-888-517-FIST.

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Editor's note: This article has been corrected from an earlier version that stated Greenberg was a sixth-degree blackbelt. He is a fifth-degree blackbelt. We apologize for the error.