May 18, 2017

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THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2017

VYTIS Mixed Martial Arts Unifies Mind, Body and Soul

BY ALEXANDER FATOUROS

he eastern shores of Lake Michigan offer extensive in Washington and in New Buffalo. The classes for women fitness activities that promote overall mind-body helped them learn to feel confident and establish a system for wellness. Located on historic North Whittaker self-care should their safety be compromised. This can also be just steps from a vibrant marina and beach, a very healing experience for the women,” said Petravicius.

VYTIS Performance & Athletics is New Buffalo, When it comes to community involvement, Petravicius Michigan’s gateway to original physical activity opportunities not only lends a hand to those around, but also extends a you may never have imagined. The martial arts school offers message of connectedness. “I grew up in New Buffalo. My karate, boxing, kickboxing, grappling, yoga, and barre-fusion family has been a part of the community since 1979. It’s a workouts. great community where folks know each other and look out Get to know the highly regarded sports instructor and after each other. I have such wonderful childhood memories owner Erik Petravicius. His breakthrough approach to highof safely exploring. Even after being gone twenty years the performance living not only imparts students with clarity, but community still embraces me. It’s a great happiness to return also the self-defense tools for reclaiming sovereignty over their here with my young son and see him discover its natural lives. Petravicius takes great pride in excellent work and spells beauty and community,” expressed Petravicius. Having out what sets the VYTIS experience apart from other types of embarked on adventures near and far, Petravicius describes physical fitness programs: “My teaching methods work for all his travels abroad: “Seeing many different styles of living has different types of people, bodies and learning styles regardless taught me that we are often more similar then we might think! of size, strength or stature. Training and It sounds cliché, but it is true.” learning with the best of the best, elite On the origin of VYTIS, he continued, and high performing athletes nationwide adding, “VYTIS is the Lithuanian has provided me [with] a thorough and code of arms and translates to ‘The Chaser,’ as he is a knight emboldening extensive knowledge base. And, I’m the warrior spirit. Vytis is known for passionate about sharing this stuff,” chasing away enemies of Lithuania. expounded Petravicius.

Our logo is actually taken from one of Wise and heartfelt advice really makes my grandfather’s (Viktoras Petravicius) a difference. Petravicius shares his life renditions of the Vytis knight. For experience as a Sergeant in the U.S. training I do like to make things fun as Army: “Fulfilling leadership roles in the military included training other soldiers. well as educational. There are a lot of I trained both small and large groups. It pressures and stresses in this world.

Little Warriors and Kids Karate was my job to make sure the skills they When you embrace that being in good were learning would save lives. As one can imagine, the levity physical shape makes these stresses manageable things fall of this challenge forced me to clarify and fine-tune my training into place. It’s all about balance,” explained Petravicius. techniques. The importance I place on my training doctrine and methodology at VYTIS reflects this intensity. Which isn’t etravicius gives a shout out to those who have to say we don’t have some laughs at VYTIS, it’s just that I want had a hand in guiding him on his journey: I’d my students to have the best,” explained Petravicius. like to thank my coach James Foster, my karate He continued, adding, “One favorite model from the military coach Vince Balluff who also heads up our employed is, ‘crawl walk run.’ Before you can walk you learn adult karate program, Matt Johnson the NBHS to crawl, and before running you walk. This breaks things Athletic Director, Treese Cortese, Tim and Cathi Rodgers, down into steps that are easily learned. On a personal level, Andrea Brown, Dino Fatouros, my parents and brothers as my experience serving in the military taught me discipline, well as the community as a whole. They are the ones who calm and focus. I went through some pretty grueling training encouraged and helped me to start Vytis here in the New myself! These are aspects I enjoy helping others find.”

Buffalo area,” said Petravicius.

Stories spark curiosity, are memorable and are proven The VYTIS team includes American Karate Association teaching tools. Practitioners of karate—the most well known member, Vince Balluff; Liz Walker, Pilates and Barre form of martial arts—learn to focus their power and to exert Fusion instructor; and Doreen Stelton who “joyfully assists highly effective offensive and self-defensive postures. During people at all levels of yoga to find their best physical karate practice, Petravicius confers meaning to the karate alignment.” The friendly and attentive staff strive to make belt-ranking system: “One of the stories behind the tradition getting in shape, weight loss and self-defense preparedness for the colors of the belt is that [when] an individual first fun. Balluff earned a Shodan in Shorei Goju in 1982 and started training the uniform and belt were brand new, white, has forty-five years of training in the martial arts. Not to pristine and very clean. Through the years of training—sweat be missed is Liz Walker’s Pilates Barre Fusion Class, which and dirt from rolling or getting kicked or tossed—both the is held Fridays from 4-5 p.m. Walker is an ACE Certified uniform and belt start collecting dirt, sweat and blood so Personal Trainer and Barre Above Certified. “This Fusionthe belt starts fading. It goes from being white to yellow to style class will sculpt your body, focus your mind, add bluish and progressively turns to brown and then black. This flexibility, balance and improve posture,” said Walker. was how [one] could determine how long someone had been If you’re considering getting additional training or simply training,” said Petravicius. The ranking system, with its series want to move like a champion, look no further than VYTIS of levels, measures students’ progress.

Performance & Athletics. Your willingness to invest in your The unmistakable art form wields high-impact punches, long-term goals will pay off. “We’ve got a lot planned as we kicks, and open-hand techniques to say nothing of elbow grow from grappling and boxing seminars to boot camp and knee strikes. VYTIS students embrace the new direction style workshops,” explained Petravicius. Little Warriors in their lives as liberating and exciting. Pam Braithwaithe Karate, ages 4-6 meet Tues. and Thurs. 5:15-5:45 p.m. and daughter Abigaile travel from nearby Hesston, Indiana followed by Kids Karate, ages 7-11 at 5:45-6:30 p.m. Karate, for one of Erik’s popular kids karate classes. “It’s helping ages 12 and up are held Mon. and Wed. 6:30-7:30 p.m. her with focus and I think its building confidence in her,” and on Fridays 5:30-6:30 p.m. For class schedules, news said Braithwaithe. When it comes to women’s self-defense and updates follow VYTIS on Facebook at https://www. community outreach programs, Petravicius leads the way. facebook.com/vytisperformance/. “Tucked in a courtyard “Outreach teaching includes teaching kids in after school behind Third Coast Surf Shop, VYTIS is located in the heart programs. These classes were geared towards helping kids of New Buffalo” at 116 North Whittaker Street. For more learn self-respect and discipline through body-mind mastery, information call (253) 298-2186 or email: erik.petravicius@ and to grow in their physical abilities and self esteem. I’ve gmail.com also been honored to teach self-defense classes for women

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UPTON’S VOTE FOR AMERICAN HORRIBLE CARE ACT WAS IMMORAL...

H

ow can anyone still vote for Fred CorrUpton?

It’s remarkable that this guy still gets votes! I mean, I can understand his family members voting for him, but anyone else? Even in light of his legislative favors to corporations (in direct opposition to his tens of thousands of constituents), and his backing of vouchers which removes vital funds from public schools, and his completely unethical objection to Campaign Finance Reform; it’s a mystery to me how his votes manage to get above single digits.

But now, I challenge anyone (especially CorrUpton) to adequately justify flipping his vote from being against the Republican’s American Horrible Care Act (AHCA) to supporting it! If Robin Hood wrote legislation, this would be the exact opposite of what he’d write.

It’s painfully obvious how immoral this Republican plan is.

It not only takes $1 Trillion from patients and gives it to millionaires, but if it were to pass, more than 20 million people would lose their health insurance. A 2009 Harvard Study found that 45,000 people die every year when they lack health coverage. That’s 123 preventable deaths every day! In terms of deaths, it’s worse than a 9/11 happening every month! There’s a reason why nearly all major medical associations are disgusted with this plan – it is immoral.

CorrUpton totally lied to us, claiming he’d protect people with pre-existing conditions (a quarter of the non-elderly population). But his measly $8 billion amendment won’t come close; his bill will undoubtedly physically, mentally and financially stress such unfortunate people; including aging people. Does he expect everyone to be young and healthy forever?

For over five years now, Fred CorrUpton has refused to discuss healthcare and other issues directly with his constituents in a proper town-hall setting. Instead, he resorts to answering pre-selected questions on the phone to avoid his answers being challenged.

Apparently, he’d rather challenge his constituents to survive.

— DAMON WOLF