- November 27, 2024
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Villari’s Martial Arts usually teaches shaolin, kempo and karate at its dojo, but on Friday, Jake Benson and his staff brought the force to Port Orange.
Benson hosted 14 junior students for an evening of lightsaber wielding. He taught the students how to control their sabers with nine different blocks and strikes. After advertising for a samurai lightsaber night on the Villari’s Martial Arts Facebook page, the first class was booked in two days.
“It’s something that I had an idea for what it was going to be coming in, and now I’ll make a few adjustments for next time,” Benson said. “It’s really going well. This is a great group who work hard and it’s heady stuff, so it’s difficult, but they’re doing well.”
Benson has been a martial artist since he was 12 years old in New Hampshire. He has lived in Florida for the past 25 years and attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where he earned a BS in Aeronautical Science. Benson is also a third-degree black belt.
Joining Benson at the dojo are Monica Ankney and Terri Milbrath, two women who have been inspired by the martial arts and enjoyed assisting aspiring jedis during their training.
“It’s a practice that’s really amazing for your mind, your spirit and your body,” said Milbrath about martial arts. “I joined two and a half years ago after realizing I had to get out of the house and do a hobby. I wasn’t much at first, but you really build confidence in who you are as a person and as a fighter.”
Benson taught the students direct strategies used by the actors in the Star Wars movie franchise, including the nine different blocks used and the footwork required caused some confusion among the kids.
But once Benson turned the lights off near the end of the session, the students turned on their lightsabers and battled it out.
“It’s a good way for kids to come out and the health benefits are enough, but we have a lot of fun too,” Benson said.
The first session of the samurai lightsaber training went well enough that Benson is planning to have classes for adults in August.
The next main event at Villari’s will be a girls empowerment night on Saturday, August 12. For more information, visit villarisportorange.com.
