Frank Versagi traveled to China in 1995 to train in the martial arts at the Shao-Lin Temple in the Henan Province. After returning home, he founded Shao-Lin Center for Martial Arts in North Olmsted, Ohio in March 1996 so he could begin to share what he had learned with residents of Northeast Ohio. Frank returned to China in 1998 and again in 2005 where he has lived in the mountains with the Shao-Lin monks and Taoist Priests while continuing to study. Master Sifu Frank Versagi has earned his 5th Degree Black Sash in Chinese Martial Arts, 3rd Degree Black Belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate, and has trained in Shao-Lin Kung-fu, Yang Style Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Bagua, Xing-Yi, Iron Palm, and Iron Body. We met with Sifu Frank recently, and listened as he provided this overview of Shao-Lin Center for Martial Arts' offerings;

Shao-Lin Center for Martial Arts is a martial arts school offering classes in meditation and stress reduction, Tai Chi Chuan, Shao-Lin Kung-fu, Northern Style, women's self defense classes, and children's classes. We focus not only on physical skills, but also on the mental, emotional, and spiritual development of our students. We provide group lessons in the evenings Monday through Friday, and private lessons on Saturdays and Sundays.

We work with students ranging from 4 to 105 years of age. Our meditation and Tai Chi classes teach our students to calm their minds and relax while slowly bringing their bodies into shape. Kung-fu classes teach body conditioning, controlling the emotions, how to use weapons and take them away from others, how to get tackled and avoid getting tackled, punching, kicking, and a wide variety of self defense techniques. We stress that fighting should be the last option considered in any situation, but strive to provide our students with the ability to successfully defend themselves in real life situations.

We offer seminars in women's self defense for the North Olmsted Police Force and various other groups throughout the city, in addition to providing women with self defense instruction in private, one-on-one sessions. Women who are victims of domestic violence are usually not comfortable attending a self defense class with twelve other women. While they are typically too embarrassed to tell anybody about their situation, they still need help and appreciate the opportunity to learn techniques that will ensure their safety.

Our approach to the martial arts is based on practical techniques that, while extremely effective, do not require advanced gymnastic skills. Once a student has become familiar with basic self defense concepts, we begin to introduce them to the spiritual side of martial arts. The Tai Chi Chuan and Shao-Lin Kung-Fu taught at our school are taught in the traditional ancient Chinese manner. This means that in addition to teaching physical skills, we also seek to affect our students' entire behavior. We teach self-respect, respect for others, confidence, and achieving calmness of spirit and inner peace.

Shao-Lin Center for Martial Arts is a 4,300 square foot center with plenty of room for everyone. Class sizes are small which provides each student with plenty of attention. Classes are taught five days a week, no contracts are required, and we have very reasonable monthly rates.

Shao-Lin Center for Martial Arts focuses on each student's mental as well as physical development. Call Shao-Lin Center for Martial Arts today, and don't forget to tell them The Berea, Ohio Community Advocate sent you!

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