Advocate Correspondent

As a child growing up in California, Alex Iglecia took his first martial arts course at the age of 8. Soon the discipline became to him what sports were to other boys his age, and today, he heads POWER Boston, a personal defense training program for men and women. This past weekend, he led two free POWER. TO PROTECT introductory defense workshops in the North End at the Improv Asylum; more sessions are ongoing.

“We make the system fit the person, and give everyone the tools they need to feel safe and powerful,” he said, noting that the program is individualized to each client. “While simple self defense techniques are sufficient for some, others might want more advanced maneuvers, where for younger people, it can be a great way to stay active, safe, and still be cool,” he explained. The Improv Asylum first donated the space in August, 2002 following a wave of sexual assaults in the area. Iglecia also participated in a community play, “Sabrina,” and in the 2003 Fisherman’s Feast.

Along with his brother Gerry, Iglecia was trained by Robert Bussey, a nationally-known practitioner of a uniquely practical approach that lies between traditional martial art and self-defense methods. The brothers became two of the first West-Coast instructors of the Bussey style. After earning a degree in engineering from Cornell University, Iglecia came to Boston with a start-up company in business development and marketing, and worked for Raytheon and Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Since then, he has taught “POWER. TO PROTECT” courses at companies including Biogen, Arnold Worldwide, Fidelity Management Resources and the Joslin Diabetes Center. He has led a 12-week personal protection skills program for preteens at the Frisoli Youth Center in Cambridge, taught self-defense skills to homeless men and women at the Friends of the Shattuck Shelter in downtown Boston, and trained participants of an all-night walkathon for the American Cancer Society in Dorchester. He has also led workshops at Brookline Community Center for the Arts, Boston Center for Adult Education, Joslin Diabetes Center, the Wellbridge Athletic Club, CareStat in Back Bay, Brookline, Cambridge and Chestnut Hill, Fitcorp, Healthworks Fitness Centers for Women, Boston University, Emerson University, Alpha Phi Sorority and Delta Delta Delta Sorority at Boston University, and Omega Phi Beta Sorority and Lambda Theta Phi Fraternity at Cornell University.

Iglecia’s career shift toward self-protection may have been influenced by the pivotal strength and perseverance of his grandfather Henry Zeisel. “He fled Vienna in 1938 for Colombia with his wife Lily, just after his own father was arrested to be sent to concentration camps,” he said. Their original application through the Venezuelan consulate fell through; fortunately, they had only provided photocopies of their documents and still had the originals.

Years later, after surviving numerous hardships and starting a new life in Baranquilla, Zeisel, an engineer, befriended a coworker who knew the president of Colombia. He was able to arrange the authorization of exit visas for Zeisel’s parents and sister, but through the Swiss embassy, as Colombia had cut ties with Germany. His wife sold all her jewelry and possessions to pay for the three visas, but only Leo Zeisel, who had been in Dachau and Buchenwald, left Vienna within 24 hours, and boarded the last boat to leave Germany. “On the way back they grounded the boats,” said Iglecia. “The war had begun.”

Later, Henry Zeisel served as an Austrian consulate to Colombia. “It was only decades later that he was able to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah,” said Iglecia, who had his own in California.

The area has been very receptive to POWER Boston, according to Iglecia. “It’s an introductory course for some and an intense workout for others, always focusing on principles and techniques that are immediately relevant to our lives today.”

For information on POWER Boston, please contact Iglecia by calling 781-405-1248, E-mailing alex@powerboston.com or visiting www.powerboston.com.