Asian Arts Center Gives Back
Since it was founded in 2000, the Asian Arts Center has had an unusual philosophy – build a sound body and mind, and use them to give back. In fact, the Asian Arts Center ensures this culture of giving back is perpetuated through its instructors – many of whom are former students.
Asian Arts Center Gives Back
Since it was founded in 2000, the Asian Arts Center has had an unusual philosophy – build a sound body and mind, and use them to give back.
Today, with two locations in south Dayton, the center has continued undaunted, even as its body of pupils has continued to grow under the leadership of executive director Matt Pasquinilli.
"Our main goal is to bring changes in life through martial arts," said Angel Perkins, administrative and communications assistant with the center. 
The center seeks to bring discipline and focus to its students through taekwondo, Perkins said, noting many are special needs or suffer from ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder).
"We teach how to focus the body to where you can tact a student that has ADD and teach him that focus, while teaching him to pay attention and keep his hands to himself, and so on." She said. "It’s so much more than just learning respect."
The multifaceted school offers a variety of activities including self defense classes - both for children and adults. For kids in particular, Perkins explained that learning self defense will build their self-confidence and help them stand up to bullying. They also offer self defense classes to adult students, who want to feel more secure, for example, if they work late at night. They also offer a weapons class and taekwondo lessons for all ages from four-years-old to 60.
"It keeps the kids off the couch and off the screen, it keeps them fit." She said. "If an adult is taking the class, it’s great cardio and it can be tailored a lot to what level of fitness you want, and wherever you want to start."
It also offers Hyper Pro Training, a physical combination of taekwondo and gymnastics that is a newer fitness option, Perkins said.
As a non-profit organization, though, Asian Arts Center focuses on more than just training. It takes a holistic approach to community as well as to the individual.
Guatemala Martial Arts Mission, May 2012
The center is actively involved in several philanthropic endeavors, one of them collecting money to help build infrastructure for schools in South America, Perkins said.
The endeavors sometimes pit the center’s Kettering location, 1630 East Stroop Rd., against its Centerville location, 661 Lyons Rd., in an air of friendly competition.
Unique among martial arts studios, the center makes individual philanthropy mandatory for students seeking a black belt.
"It helps the schools and the student to understand that you do everything you can to give back." Perkins said. "Kids choose a charity or a non-profit to volunteer for, which helps raise awareness."
In fact, the Asian Arts Center ensures this culture of giving back is perpetuated through its instructors – many of whom are former students.
"It’s not just a job for them, it’s a passion. They know us, they know we are trying to build people on the inside and out." Perkins said.
| Asian Arts Center 1630 East Stroop Road Kettering, OH 45429 937-395-0333 |
Asian Arts Center 661 Lyons Road Centerville, OH 45459 937-312-0333 |
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