Northstar Martial Arts

My name is Charlie McShane, and if you’re like most of the busy, professional guys I know, I can guess where you’re at.

You probably want to be in better shape. You’ve tried it before, running, the gym, martial arts, whatever. It worked for awhile, but you didn’t get the results you were looking for and it’s hard to stick with.

The only six-pack in your life is Diet Coke.

Discouraging, right?

Or, you’re looking for self-defense. Maybe you watch the UFC and think it looks cool, but you don’t necessarily want to jump in there and tangle with Tito Ortiz. The training seems fun but explaining the black eyes at work the next day would be tough. “First rule of fight club is…”

In short, you want to get in awesome MMA shape, be able to fight if you need to, and have a great time.

As someone who works, you don’t have a lot of time for yourself. So how do you get an awesome workout and real-life, hardcore self-defense training while balancing work and family?

I asked myself the same question.

You can work out at the gym, but it can get boring fast, and won’t help you learn to fight. Most “karate schools” won’t do it. You probably don’t want to do the “cardio kickboxing” thing because the workout is good but the self-defense is non-existent. There are true MMA schools around, but it’s easy to get hurt and we all have to go to work in the morning.

As a guy who’s been in martial arts almost 20 years, I had the same questions. I’ve done traditional karate, judo, Japanese jujitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, lifted weights, etc. They’re all good for something, but I still wanted more. I wanted to find a well-rounded system that was great for conditioning AND practical, real-life self-defense.

So I went looking, and it didn’t take long.

I caught up with a guy I had known for over 10 years named Paul Garcia. Master Garcia is highly regarded in martial arts circles, being one of the most decorated point-karate fighters in the American scene. His teaching accomplishments are even more impressive: he’s known as a “Teacher of Teachers”. He’s one of the most respected martial arts instructors in America.

When we got to talking, I told him where I was at; I wanted to provide my students with the best training they could get, a mix of awesome physical conditioning and real-life self-defense. No katas, no pajamas, no nonsense - but also safe and a lot of fun.

As I was talking, Master Garcia started nodding his head. When I was finished, he told me that seven years earlier, he had been exactly where I was: teaching traditional karate but not being satisfied. At that point, he had also decided to find the very best system to teach his students, and literally spent tens of thousands of dollars travelling all over the US to learn from the best Instructors.

Among others, Master Garcia trained with:

• Mike Lee Kanarek, founder of the F.I.G.H.T. system and former Israeli Commando…

• Shihan Moti Horenstein, NY area Muay Thai legend and UFC vet…

• Kyoshi Steve Lavallee, American martial arts pioneer.

Master Garcia took the best of what he learned and combined them into one of the hottest modern martial arts systems out there: the America’s Best Defense system.

At his school in North Attleboro, MA, hundreds of professional adults flock to his classes every week. From the second I saw his program, I knew it was what I had been looking for.

I’m excited to bring America’s Best Defense to Connecticut. This system is AWESOME. It combines the best striking techniques from Muay Thai and boxing with battle-tested Israeli military self-defense AND fitness principles to give you the best, most interesting workout you’ve ever experienced.

…Krav Maga. As one of the hottest adult martial arts out there, Krav Maga is a modern-day system taken directly from the Israeli military. The techniques of Krav Maga follow Bruce Lee’s philosophy: to paraphrase, “If it works, use it. If it doesn’t, lose it.” Krav Maga self-defense is easy for beginners to learn, and uses the body’s natural reactions to set up realistic and devastating fighting techniques. If you missed it, Krav Maga was recently featured on the History Channel’s “Human Weapon” series, and “Fight Quest” on Discovery. Just do a search on youtube for it. It’s easy, fun, and IT WORKS.

…Muay Thai Kickboxing. If you follow Mixed Martial Arts, you’ve certainly heard of Muay Thai, Thailand’s cultural kickboxing system. For striking, Muay Thai is one of the most effective systems available, and has gotten extremely popular in America over the last 5 years. Using the body’s 8 major weapons (both hands, elbows, knees, and feet), Muay Thai’s strikes are legendary. With America’s Best Defense, you get the best of Muay Thai without ever having to get in the ring.

… An Effective, Full-Body Workout that will leave you feeling accomplished, after every class. ABD improves flexibility, tone, endurance, and energy, and burns up to 900 calories per hour.

… Proven Self-Defense Principles designed to keep you safe. With ABD, our system is continually improved so you’re always getting the latest in martial arts tactics and development.

… The Motivation of a structured system to keep you seeing progress. This is where other exercise systems may have failed you. At Northstar Martial Arts, you have someone helping you, guiding you, and the support of other students just like you. In short, accountability. We help to build you from within, to create self-discipline so strong you won’t need anyone else to push you.

… A Friendly, Safe Workout Environment. We have great people training here at NMA, and a safe facility to keep you in “fighting shape.” Our students are comprised of Doctors, Police Officers, Nurses, Coast Guard and Navy personnel, Engineers, and all sorts of professionals.

… The Attention of Full-time, Professional Instructors. This is important - at Northstar Martial Arts, teaching is our only job. Our instructors are not distracted by dayjobs - this means better quality instruction for you.

… A Fun Activity for YOU. It’s time you can take for yourself, to vent frustrations and feel great, every week. You get to hit stuff HARD in this class. It’s difficult NOT to feel better afterward.

… A Way To Meet New Friends. You’ll surround yourself with motivated, like-minded people that will push you to try your best.

… Improved Energy. Working out keeps your body and mind balanced and gives you more energy at work and home. Would increased energy help you get more done?

… Goals, Short and Long-Term, with an emphasis placed on personal achievement. If you aren’t a goal-oriented person, would it help you to become one? Martial Arts is one of the best ways to learn the habit of Setting Goals.

… less of a waistline.

- 4th Degree Master in Pyong Hwa Kunin Tang Soo Do under Kwan Jang Nim Steve Voelker and Master Ken Jacobs

- 1st Kyu Brown Belt in Shio Karano Jujitsu

With over 19 years of experience, Mr. McShane has traveled all over the US and to England to study and compete in martial arts, as well as learn modern teaching and motivational techniques.

He has Captained 2 United States Competition Teams, one in Forms and one in Sparring.

Competitive Achievements:

Master McShane has also instructed the Hartford Police in unarmed techniques, as well as taught a self-defense course at the Navy Base in Groton.

Rickson Gracie and Charlie McShane, 2005.

Master McShane has been a full-time, professional martial artist for over 12 years, and has trained with instructors like Royce Gracie, Helio Gracie, Mike Lee Kanarek, Bill “Superfoot” Wallace, and Eddie Bravo.

Master McShane is a “Competent Communicator”, Awarded by Toastmasters International for public speaking. He also hosted the local TV show “Enter the Dojo.”

Master McShane is also available for one-on-one Self-Defense classes. Email him at northstar.info (at) yahoo.com.

Charlie McShane, Ganyao Fairtex, Josh Hesser, 2007
Ganyao is Royce Gracie’s Muay Thai Coach

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Head Instructor - Josh Hesser

- Internationally ranked grappling competitor (NAGA)

Mr. Hesser has studied martial arts for over 12 years and has been a professional instructor for 4 years. His specialties are teaching children, self-defense, and grappling.

Competitive Achievements

Mr. Hesser has competed in MMA, gi and no gi grappling, and has assisted in training the Hartford Police in unarmed combat techniques, and has trained with instructors like Royce Gracie, Rickson Gracie, Rodrigo Gracie, Kenny Florian, Shogun & Ninja Rua, Ganyao Fairtex, Eddie Bravo, and Rolker Gracie.

Royce Gracie and Josh Hesser, 2004