This article appeared in the April 16, 2003 Cambridge Chronicle.

 

http://www.townonline.com/cambridge/arts_lifestyle/arts_lifestyle/cam_artccconfrontationms04162003.htm

 

Confronting a confronter

By Susie Davidson / Correspondent

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

 

Cambridge youth learn self-defense skills

 

Preteens in Cambridge are honing their defensive reflexes this spring at the Frisoli Youth Center's 12-week personal protection skills program. The series, which will run through June 6, is being facilitated by Alex Iglecia, a certified combat adviser who represents Genuine Bussey Style in New England.

 

At the center, 61 Willow St. in East Cambridge, youths aged 9-13 are learning protective skills, ideas, movements and more, as part of the third leadership session of the year.

 

"Self-defense, Bussey Style, founded 20 years ago by West Coast practitioner Robert Bussey, is an art and a science taught to men, women, boys and girls who want to learn techniques that really work for self defense," said Iglecia.

 

Iglecia has led sessions for Biogen, Arnold Worldwide and Joslin Diabetes Center as well as community workshops in Cambridge, Brookline, at the Wellbridge Athletic Club in Harvard Square, and, following several incidents of violence in the North End, a women-only workshop sponsored by the Improv Asylum. As part of Women's History Month, Iglecia also donated four weeks of sessions for women in the Back Bay.

 

Iglecia's program increases coordination, confidence and awareness, so that students learn to react to any threat and fend off common assaults using hands, knees, elbows and feet. Bussey's method identifies and incorporates "Fundamental Principles of Combat Intelligence," which include "Hidden Motion," "Danger Recognition" and "Live Movement."

 

"Bussey Style is unique, fun, challenging and inspiring, and brings a rich history going back to when the ninja art came to the United States," Iglecia said.

 

Iglecia, who trained directly under Bussey, has a bachelor's degree in engineering from Cornell University. He was one of the first two instructors teaching Bussey methods on the West Coast in 1994. He has taught the personalized method to children and adults for nine years.

 

"What we do in Genuine Bussey Style is try to make the art fit the person," he said. "Everyone has attributes that we try to bring out."

 

If the client is small, Iglecia will work on speed; if they are strong, he works on power.

 

"And we make those skills work for them," he said, noting that the kids love the fun and the energy, but in reality they are learning something which is infinitely practical. "It doesn't take long for kids and adults to get really excited about what they're learning."

 

"Bussey Style gives people skills and a confidence that can't be shaken or taken away. It's just like learning to swim - someone can learn to swim, and forever after, will feel comfortable in deep or shallow water."

 

The Cambridge Youth Program, fully licensed by the state's Office of Childcare Services and in existence for more than 15 years, provides year-round social, recreational and intellectual opportunities for approximately 1,000 area youth ages 9-19. Each center offers classroom space, meeting rooms and access to nearby parks. The Leadership Program is geared to serving the needs of pre-teens aged 9-13, while the Teen Evening program focuses on older youth aged 14-19. A Boy's and Girl's Group, where youth interact and communicate, is another integral program. Services include assistance in the areas of employment, homework, literacy, life skills and drug and alcohol prevention, and also feature guest speakers, community service projects, recreational activities, sport leagues, trips and special events.

 

For information on the Leadership Program at the Frisoli Youth Center, visit www.ci.cambridge.ma.us/~DHSP/youth/frisoli.html, or call Jeneen at 617-349-4497 or Iglecia at 781-405-1248. For information on Genuine Bussey Style, please visit www.busseystyle.com.