Business Details
Martial Arts & Self-Defense Training in Middlebury
East Coast Training Systems has dedicated itself to empowering individuals through martial arts and self-defense training since its founding in Middlebury, CT. Our studio fosters a family-oriented environment where students of all ages develop physical fitness, mental resilience, and practical self-defense skills. With over 40 years of combined experience from our lead instructors, we specialize in American-Filipino Kun Tao, Escape Alive Survival Skills, and tailored fitness programs. Our expertise extends to competitive martial arts, with a proven track record of producing world champions and community leaders.As a trusted authority in personal safety education, we partner with organizations like Jane Doe No More to deliver Connecticut's leading self-defense curriculum. We uphold strict ethical standards by maintaining transparent communication, personalized instruction, and a commitment to student well-being that has earned us testimonials from satisfied families and professionals across multiple states.
Services
Martial Arts Classes
Self-Defense Programs
Fitness Training
Escape Alive Workshops
Leadership Presentations
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of combined martial arts expertise from our lead instructors
- Our Escape Alive program has trained 5,000+ participants across four states
- We combine traditional martial arts with modern self-defense techniques
- Our instructors include world champion martial artists and certified breakers
- We maintain a family-oriented training environment with personalized attention
What people say
Second family love it here
Outstanding martial arts school
Knowledgeable practical instructors
Taught my daughter self-defense
Empowering experience for women
Services
Martial Arts Classes
Our American-Filipino Kun Tao program teaches striking, throwing, and weapon techniques for ages 5+. Classes build physical fitness, mental discipline, and practical self-defense skills. With world champion instructors, students progress through belt ranks while developing confidence and character traits that extend beyond the studio.
Escape Alive Survival Skills
This women's self-defense program combines awareness training with practical techniques for real-world scenarios. Participants learn to recognize threats, avoid dangerous situations, and execute effective countermeasures. The curriculum adapts to different age groups and experience levels while maintaining Connecticut's highest safety education standards.
Friday Night Training
Weekly sessions focus on specific training aspects: Ladies Night covers fitness and self-defense fundamentals, while Weapons Class teaches stick and knife techniques. These 60-90 minute sessions provide practical experience in controlled environments, emphasizing scenario-based learning for participants aged 15+.
Leadership Development
Interactive presentations teach leadership qualities through martial arts demonstrations. Programs like Character Foundations develop self-discipline and confidence in children grades 1-5, while Safety For ME! educates 8-11 year olds on personal safety strategies through engaging physical activities.
Academic Guardian Initiative
This specialized training prepares educators for active shooter scenarios through FEMA-compliant protocols. Instructors teach threat assessment, emergency response options, and physical defense techniques that complement existing school safety plans while emphasizing proactive preparedness measures.
People
Grand Master Drew Serrano
President, Head Instructor
8th degree black belt in American-Filipino Kun Tao with 40+ years experience. Recognized martial arts breaking authority featured on ESPN2 and Discovery Channel. Co-founder of United States and World Breaking Association.
Daniele Serrano
Vice-President, Lead Instructor
3rd degree black belt in American-Filipino Kun Tao with expertise in self-defense competition. Co-creator of Escape Alive program and award-winning martial arts film professional with national competition judging experience.
Daniel Padin
Instructor
3rd degree black belt with additional training in Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do. World champion martial arts breaker with real-world self-defense application experience from his career as a Connecticut correctional officer.
Azaleah Majarocon
Instructor
3rd degree black belt with 15+ years teaching experience. Specializes in women's self-defense instruction through the Escape Alive program while maintaining competitive martial arts achievements in breaking and sparring categories.
Tracy DiGiovancarlo
Instructor
2nd degree black belt who transitioned from self-defense student to instructor. Leads Escape Alive workshops and focuses on practical self-defense applications for real-world scenarios through both group and private training sessions.
Questions
What martial arts styles do you teach?
We specialize in American-Filipino Kun Tao, combining striking, throwing, and weapon techniques with a focus on practical self-defense applications.
Do you offer self-defense classes for women?
Yes, our Escape Alive Survival Skills program is Connecticut's leading women's self-defense curriculum with 5,000+ participants since 2009.
Are children's classes available?
We offer martial arts instruction for children aged 5+ with age-specific programs focusing on character development, physical fitness, and basic self-defense.
Do you provide school safety training?
Our Academic Guardian Initiative teaches educators active shooter response protocols aligned with FEMA guidelines while complementing existing school emergency operations plans.
What fitness options exist besides martial arts?
We offer ladies-only fitness classes, small group training sessions, and personalized fitness programs combining martial arts techniques with cardiovascular conditioning.
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