BY HAYLEY BRIDGEWATER A @HAYLEYREE3 longtime resident of Astoria, and specifically the Ditmars neighborhood, I have walked past Omni Martial Arts on my daily commute nearly every day for the past seven years. On many occasions, I have found myself pausing to peek into the open storefront, watching GI-clad kids and adults alike in action on the dojo’s colorful mats. On a recent afternoon, seeing the owner and several fighters sitting just inside the door, I decided to stop in, introduce myself, and see if I could find out more about this business that has been a fixture on my block for so many years. As I expected, the owner, Julio Rivera, and his colleagues couldn’t have been 22 MAY 2 0 1 7 kinder and more forthcoming. Martial arts schools and training facilities are known for creating tight-knit environments, and this idea is surely at the forefront of this business. Rivera, a Brazilian jiujitsu, judo and Japanese jiujitsu black belt and IBJJF World Senior Jiu-Jitsu Champion, has been involved in the health and fitness industry for 20 years as a competitor, trainer and journalist. He has trained agents and officers from the NYPD, Customs and Border Patrol, Secret Service and private security agencies. He has also helped train MMA fighters. After many years of teaching and managing for other school owners, and with encouragement from his wife, Rivera opened up his own shop. “I took the leap during the recession because the people around me were so supportive,” he said. “It’s what I try to instill in my students. Help each other, support each other, because there’s enough good for everyone.” Omni Martial Arts serves a large client base, including both kids and adults. Children start at age 3, and there are students into their late 60s. Omni is home to amateur and professional fighters, weekend warriors, parents and a stellar children’s competition team. “The diversity of Astoria is at the heart of my business,” Rivera said. “We have people of all shapes, colors and walks of life. We all come together as a family on the mat and provide different perspectives about everything.” On a typical day at Omni, the mornings begin with jiujitsu class at 9:30 a.m. Following the workout, cleaning, maintenance and equipment prep is done while office correspondence and paperwork Photos by Meredith Begl is handled. On many days, private and MIND + BODY A Look Inside Omni Martial
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