Mar 10, 8:59 PM

Karate skill fuels schools

By Judy Berman
FLORIDA TODAY

COCOA BEACH -- At a time when the world is concerned about people using weapons of mass destruction, some look for low-tech ways to protect themselves.

Robert Scaglione, a 10th-degree black belt, is one of the top practitioners of the Kama, or hand sickle, a traditional Okinawan weapon.

Robert Scaglione practices the original Okinawan Style of Shorin-Ryu Karate at the Cocoa Beach Health & Fitness Club. Image copyright © 2003, Emily Barnes, FLORIDA TODAY

But it's his 35-year expertise in karate, or "empty hand," that draws people to his 18 Shorin-Ryu Karate USA dojos or clubs -- including clubs in Indian Harbour Beach and Cocoa Beach.

His school in the Cocoa Beach Health & Fitness opened earlier this month. However, its official grand opening will be April 20 to honor the birthday of the late Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro who trained Scaglione.

Des Chaskelson, a director of the Cocoa Beach school and a black belt instructor, said Scaglione brings a lot of experience as a New York City street cop to karate.

"Being a police officer, you can't always use the gun. Even when you can, you try not to. If you do karate, you use karate to neutralize them just enough to apprehend them," Scaglione said.

In his assault prevention program, Scaglione tells people to use common sense. If their gut feeling tells them they're in danger, head in the opposite direction to avoid the threat. Avoid getting in a vehicle with someone who is threatening them because nine times out of 10, they will not survive.

"With assault prevention, you get to think about it before it happens. You might decide to fight there, not in the car or at a desolate place," said Scaglione, who has written and co-authored several books about karate.

If someone exudes the confidence of knowing a skill such as karate, that can deflate a potentially explosive situation, he said.

That's one of the reasons local resident Connie Rutkowski began taking karate three years ago. From what she's learned training under Scaglione, she feels she is in better shape and feels stronger in mind, body and spirit.

"For any woman, self defense is a good thing to know," Rutkowski said.

Kurt Tezel, an instructor and first-degree black belt, started taking karate with his son Trevor four years ago. He liked it because it was something he could enjoy doing with his son rather than watching from the sidelines.

"It's always better to play than be a spectator," Tezel said. "As far as my son, it teaches him respect and courtesy. It's so steeped in tradition, respecting your elders."

Chaskelson agreed.

"We don't just train to kick, punch and break bricks. We study the philosophy and the way of life which encompasses honor, loyalty and respect," Chaskelson said.