Here are just a few of the many kind words people share about New Life Martial Arts and their overall experience and benefits of Martial Arts Training.  If you would like to share your story, feel free to fill out this form.

Since I have been in the Martial Arts I have seen a huge increase in my own self-confidence. I have learned how to handle things that may come up including my health issues at this point. Before, I would have just lost it. Now I know that with my training I can handle whatever comes my way. I have also lost 41 pounds and 5 dress sizes. Karate has taught me to be a much healthier person. I would recommend this type of training for anyone. Not only am I getting healthier but I am also learning valuable knowledge to help me in the event of someone trying to attack me. One’s age or physical fitness level should not stop them from training in the Martial Arts. Anyone can do it, and like I said, I recommend it for everyone.

- Danielle R.

Diane, Black Belt

I started my training when I was in my mid forties and had never been active in sports. Training at New Life Martial Arts and running has helped me to get in the best shape of my life: I lost weight, got stronger, and eliminated blood pressure and cholesterol problems. It has also given me more confidence in everything I do. I feel so much better and have more energy. All while having fun learning with others who have become good friends.

I am now in my 50’s and plan to be active and healthy for many years to come.

- Diane A.
Independent Avon Representative

I started my martial arts journey thinking I was only going to take a few classes over a month’s period to learn some self defense. It was a Mother’s Day special offered through the dojo where my children attend classes. I had always been active with various sports throughout my life but since college, of course, not so much. After participating in just a couple of classes I realized I was really enjoying the exercise and it was fun to learn something new. Both of my children have participated in other sports and activities for years with me sitting on a chair watching them feeling like a lump on a log! I decided that rather than do the same with their karate classes, this is an activity I could actually participate in and learn along with my kids. We have had a lot of fun learning karate together as a family. And just as important, I am getting back into shape. I feel more energized to help get me through my long days of work followed by kid transporting, etc. I believe I am stronger and more flexible than I have been in years because of my martial arts training. It has done wonders for my health, and when I feel healthy I have a more positive attitude and outlook on my life.

- J.C.

I have been taking martial arts for about eight months. I am 56 years old and I am doing things that I haven’t done in years. I am doing push-ups, jumping jacks, squats, crunches, and lots of other fun stuff. I am stronger, more flexible, have more self-esteem, and a much better outlook on life. I come to class at least three times a week. The people here are wonderful, full of fun, and Sensei Angie is a great teacher.

I thought I was too old at first, but I have learned so much in eight months. I will be testing for my third belt in a couple of days, which is so exciting. I am going all the way to Black Belt, because I am not giving up till I get there.

- Judy J.

My name is Shannon, a 39-year old wife of ten years and stay-at-home mom. I am a recent White Belt martial arts student at New Life Martial Arts. Since high school, I have been working out off and on, maintaining a personal program of cardio and strength exercises. I was always interested in karate, but never found the time or money to join a class. Then one day last month at the Kidz Dayz Festival in Port Orange, I received my chance. I won a 2-week trial karate lessons at New Life Martial Arts. After the first couple of lessons, I knew this is what I wanted to do.

I have been a White Belt martial arts student for about a month now. Already, I can see the benefits, both physically and emotionally, of karate instruction. I feel like I have more energy, flexibility, endurance, and improved self-esteem. I have learned many self-defense moves and feel I am better prepared to defend myself, if necessary.

As a stay-at-home mom of a 14-month old daughter, I have a lot of stress in my life. By taking a few hours each week to do something for myself, my stress level has significantly decreased. I also believe that taking karate lessons is helping me become a better wife and mother. I have a more positive attitude toward life in general and feel my improvement in the disciplines of patience will benefit my entire family.

Karate classes are so much fun and I have met some wonderful people. The students encourage you to get to the next belt level and we applaud each others successes. I feel so alive after the classes and proud to go home and show my family all of the accomplishments that I have achieved. My eyes are on that Black Belt, and I am not going to quit until I get there!

- Shannon C.

I wanted a new me at 50 — well it has taken a couple years longer than anticipated, so at the ripe old age of 52, I decided to give Martial Arts a try.

I have recently lost weight, began eating healthier and just wanted a better life for my husband and myself. I have been walking a mile at least 4 times a week for the last year and a half, but I wanted something more. As the weight was coming off and I was getting older I began to realize that my muscles and body were getting soft and mushy. I started to notice I was losing my balance a bit more frequently and my upper body strength in my arms was getting worse.

So, I met Sensei Angie at a Chamber function or two and we started talking about my concerns and what she had to offer. You see, I am not a gym/workout type person. I have gone that route before and it just got boring!! So, I decided to try Martial Arts.

I have found that this program is a total concept — mind, body and spirit — real focus, determination, relaxation, great exercise and a rewarding experience. In the few short months I have been taking Sensei Angie’s class, I have noticed a better sense of balance, my muscles are getting firmer, my body is toning up, and my ability to defend myself has given me a sense of security.

Going to class is a great stress reliever after a full day, and it is fun. You work with a group of others, and we all have a special bond while helping each other. Your sense of accomplishment is uplifting to the point that you feel you can do anything.

This Martial Arts class is one of the best decisions I have made. It has been a great motivator in my personal and professional life. Go For It!!

- Michele J.

By making one small step or choice in my life can make a large difference. At times, I found it more than challenging to work on physical fitness on my own. I believe there is strength in numbers, this is the main reason why I chose to join New Life Martial Arts in Port Orange. The reasons of friends, fitness, and developing fortitude got me started in developing mental and physical fitness through the Black Belt method.

For me, New Life Martial Arts provides friendship, support to overcome what “appears” to be insurmountable obstacles, and a sense of satisfaction of small steps of physical training to accomplish a larger training goal. Starting was not easy at first, but the way the school is managed, organized, and promoted is of the highest levels of honesty, integrity, and the highest standards possible in training and business.

Despite my obviously busy schedule, the classes are flexible enough to insert two training times a week plus a Saturday morning run.  I am proud of Sensei Angie for her focus, vision, and professionalism. She never pushes, always encourages and instills a sense of “I can,” one step and one day at a time!

- Katherine B.

When Sensei Angie first talked to me about taking classes at the studio, my immediate thoughts were “I have absolutely no time for this”; “There’s no way I can ever kick that high”; and “I’d be 80 by the time I get a black belt.”

Both of my children had been taking classes for a while and she was talking to me about trying it out for a Mother’s Day special. I knew I would never have time for it — I worked 8 hours a day, then spent another hour or two taking the kids to their extra-curricular activities, sat on two boards at church as well as being a youth adviser and was the den leader for my son’s cub scouts. The kids, of course, thought it would be really funny to have Mom be a lower belt than them. So, against my better judgment, I signed up for the special — what could it hurt?

The first class I took, my first reaction was a whole new appreciation for what my kids had been doing. It takes a lot of focus and I told them that — I would never again give them instructions from the sideline. It was fun at home — they helped me out when I forgot things and rolled their eyes at my inability to kick over my head like they could. But it taught them how to be teachers and it taught me how to be a better student and to be able to accept help from someone younger than me. They appreciated me more because I looked to them for help. I found that it wasn’t that hard to fit a couple extra hours in a week to take my classes, I also found that I really looked forward to it — that hour just for me.

That was a few years ago. Today I sit on the verge of getting my Red belt and entering Black Belt training. It’s an accomplishment I am very proud of. I’ll have my black belt before I am 50 years old.

I’m in the best shape of my life, I can actually run for three miles and not die, I’m more confident, and I think I carry myself differently. I’m more aware of my surroundings and I’ve learned to focus on the positive aspects of things. I’ve also found that if I’m really tired, taking a class gives me that extra boost of energy I need — even if I just run through my material at home.

My family runs together and we cheer each other on — even my husband, who does not take classes, is right there for us. Sure, I’m still a lower belt than my kids — they are incredibly awesome — but I’m right behind them and we’ll all be in Black Belt training together. How many other parents can say that?

My mother used to tell me “People make time for the things they really want to do.” I’m really glad that I did.

- Liz L.

I have been taking Karate lessons since the middle of December, 2009. I can honestly say that when I went to observe/participate in a class with a good friend of mine, I had NO intention of signing up for classes. It has been a wonderful experience and challenge for me over the last few months.

I have learned a great deal about Karate in a short time, but more importantly, I have learned a great deal about myself. I have always been a confident person, pretty sure of what I do, decisions I make and usually don’t anger easily. Through my studies in the dojo, I have learned how to be more self-assured, ways in which I can have a more positive attitude and many ways that I can de-stress after a tough day at school.

Karate has had a positive impact on my professional and personal life. I have more energy and can easily clear my mind of nonsense that might prevent me from doing my very best in all situations. I know that the health benefits are also helping me to stay focused on my path to learn more.

Whether I will continue all the way to Black Belt or not is not important at this time. My goal is to continue to work hard and to be a positive person. Through my hard work I will continue to achieve wonderful things.

- Margaret W.

Right from my first martial arts class two years ago, Angie Warga’s New Life Martial Arts has provided an approach to training that not only inspires confidence, but generates the results I was looking for in undertaking a new fitness discipline. I needed an effective program that fit my crazy schedule — wife, mother, grandmother and Coordinator of an After School program! I needed to not just exercise, but to exercise with gusto to relieve daily stress and to regain some lost energy that would enable me to keep up with all the children in my life! By studying martial arts, I have increased my overall strength and flexibility, as well as having gained knowledge and execution of new self-defense maneuvers that I hope I will never need!

From her years of experience as a Black Belt Champion and her experience running her own dojo, my experience with Angie’s New Life Martial Arts confirms to me that my family (myself, daughter and grandchildren) made the right choice in joining other families and friends to study martial arts with a true leader in the Port Orange community.

- Phyllis K.

So many families battle the constraints of time and resources when planning activities for their children. In an attempt to reduce the busyness of our family’s life, my wife and I brought our three sons to New Life Martial Arts in Port Orange. We reasoned that by replacing three different soccer team schedules and snack days with a single karate class we might minimize some of the chaos of managing the family’s calendar. This single change in our family did exactly what we had hoped for and much more.

Over a period of several months we began to notice our sons displayed the lessons in courtesy, respect and discipline that are taught at the dojo more and more frequently at home and at school. Our quietest son showed remarkable improvements in self-confidence and began showing leadership skills. The boys were getting solid physical training, positive and encouraging messages with every lesson, and enjoying the thrill of learning self-defense.

They were having so much fun, I declared to my wife that martial arts class would be a good bonding time with my sons and gave it a trial run. It didn’t take long to discover that the classes were a great way for me to relieve work stress and the exercises increased the flexibility in my 45 year old muscles and joints that I had forced behind a desk for much of the day. And, just like my sons, the experience at New Life Martial Arts is improving my discipline and helping me to perform at my best at work and at home.

- Skip