Martial arts studio opens in Niles

Published 9:22 am Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT/SUBMITTED Mark Ewasuk, Norm Alexander and JP Long are the certified master instructors of Legend Martial Arts, a new business that opened in downtown Niles late last year. The instructors offer lessons in Taekwodo, Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts.

Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT/SUBMITTED
Mark Ewasuk, Norm Alexander and JP Long are the certified master instructors of Legend Martial Arts, a new business that opened in downtown Niles late last year. The instructors offer lessons in Taekwodo, Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts.

With more than 70 years of combined experience in martial arts, the master instructors at Legend Martial Arts in downtown Niles have at lot of knowledge to offer.

“We would like to think we offer something for most everyone if you want to feel better about yourself and do your body a favor,” said instructor Mark Ewasuk. “People who are feeling better make a better community and this is a community that deserves better than it has been handed. Plus, the more vibrancy on Main Street, the more people will contribute to its resurgence.”

Ewasuk, Norman Alexander and JP Long lead expert instruction at Legend Martial Arts, which opened late last year at 111 E. Main St. in downtown Niles.

Classes take place during the evening beginning at 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

Ewasuk said they offer a wide range of martial arts instruction, including in traditional Taekwondo, Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

They are also considering offering classes in women’s self defense and instruction for children under the age of 16, depending on the demand.

In addition to the obvious physical benefits of martial arts training, Ewasuk said those who enroll often experience improved discipline, attitude, mental health and self-confidence.

“We train people to be dangerous while being more at peace with themselves and others,” he said. “We train to fight effectively so we don’t have to fight — unless of course it is in an organized ring as some wish to do. Competition is not always about contact. We came up competing in kata and point fighting — all ages 6 to 70. It is fun for those who desire it.”

Classes typically cost $60 a month with a discount for people who enroll in multiple regimens.

“Even though we offer the absolute best quality instructors with documented lineage and results to back it up, we aren’t out to get rich — we want to be affordable to everyone,” Ewasuk said.

Ewasuk is the longest trained of the three instructors having started in 1972 in the International Taekwondo Federation near Detroit. He has held a Black Belt rank for almost 40 years.

Alexander is a professional MMA fighter who has a black belt in Jiu Jitsu and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He has been training people for more than 18 years.

For more information, visit Legend Martial Arts Niles on Facebook or call the business at (574) 217-3438.