MEET THE DIRECTOR: Since playing for University of Hawaii, Matt Elam was drafted by and played briefly for the CFL, played for the AFL, had a private work out with the NFL, competed in Olympic Weightlifting becoming the Hawai`i state champion in the heavy weight division under Tommy Kono, earned a 3rd degree black belt in Hapkido, Professor of JKD Concepts, black belt in Shorin Ryu, brown belt in Judo and while training as a Sambo wrestler had the opportunity to train at the world famous SAMBO-70, Club Boretz and the Institute of Physical Culture in Moscow, Russia. He is an NSCA certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, an ISSA Specialist in Performance Nutrition and a Level I certified Myoskeletal Therapist. He received a Master's degree in Exercise Science from the University of California in Pennsylvania, prior to which he received a BA in Sports Fitness from the University of Hawai`i. In 2003, he became a licensed Massage Therapist, going on to specialize in Russian massage.
From: Kapolei, Hawai`i
Education: MS in Exercise Physiology from University of California in California, PA; BA in Sports Fitness from University of Hawai`i at Manoa, Licensed Massage Therapist from Hawai`i School of Professional Massage
Strongest Overall Player at UH: Squat, Power Clean and Bench Press; Played Professional Football in the CFL and AFL as well as Division 1 College
Head Instructor Matt Elam holds a brown belt in Judo and has trained with some of the best Sambo sportsmen that Russia has to offer. Coach Elam teaches authentic Russian Sambo so that his students can obtain a true taste of what this dynamic art is all about.
Chief Instructor Matt Elam is also a 3rd degree black belt under the Tao International Martial Arts Association. Hapkido was Son-seng Elam’s first art and he saw the true beauty and effectiveness of this complete system very early on in his martial arts career. The core of our Hapkido curriculum is taught to each student as Son-seng learned from his Son-seng, Mr. Oguz Goknur, - 7th degree black belt in Hapkido – also known as Mr. O.
Sifu Matt Elam is a certified Professor of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do under Sifu Valentine Espiricueta of Dallas’s Southeast Asian Martial Arts Academy. Elam is considered a 3rd generation Bruce Lee student and strives very diligently to teach the art as Lee had taught it many years ago in his Chinatown school in Oakland.
For the Russian Sambo, Hapkido and Jeet Kune Do (JKD) classes taught here at ATLETIKA, Matt takes the arts one step further. Because of Elam’s master-level training in Kinesiology and Sports Science, specialized strength and conditioning drills are infused into each Sambo, Hapkido and JKD session, allowing the individual student an opportunity to build strength, explosive power, and agility that they might never have experienced elsewhere. Elam has a strong desire to elevate his students’ level of skill and understanding of their bodies and how it is used in combatives.
About Movement Education… “Physical Culture has always been a large part of my life. As a young man, being fit, mobile, and strong gave me the confidence that I needed to pursue my dreams without any hesitation. I carried that confidence with me throughout my collegiate and professional career. Life is SO much more rewarding when you’re healthy and vibrant and living your life on your own terms. That is what physical culture has given me. It is a rare gift. A gift that I am now sharing with others.”
Matt Elam
Lynn Nakamoto
From: Waikele, Hawai`i
Education: BA in Dance from University of Hawaii at Manoa; HMA in Elementary Education from University of Phoenix, Hawai`i
Professional School: HIMAC (Hawai`i Massage Academy)
Experience/Awards: Hawaiian Islands Fitness Competition 2003 (3rd place)
Why did I choose to become an instructor? “To pass on the love, experience and knowledge of dance.”
About Movement Education… “I believe understanding the mechanics of how the body moves is practical for everyday experiences. I also feel it is helpful to know how movement can convey expression and emotion.”
In my spare time I like to… Fish, exercise, shop and of course, dance!
Education: BA in Dance from University of Hawaii at Manoa; HMA in Elementary Education from University of Phoenix, Hawai`i
Professional School: HIMAC (Hawai`i Massage Academy)
Experience/Awards: Hawaiian Islands Fitness Competition 2003 (3rd place)
Why did I choose to become an instructor? “To pass on the love, experience and knowledge of dance.”
About Movement Education… “I believe understanding the mechanics of how the body moves is practical for everyday experiences. I also feel it is helpful to know how movement can convey expression and emotion.”
In my spare time I like to… Fish, exercise, shop and of course, dance!
Malia Heimbach
From: Modesto, California & Ewa Beach, Hawai`i
Education: BA in Organizational Communications from California State University Stanislaus, Turlock, CA
Professional Schools: The Dance Academy, UDA College Dance Camp, California State University Stanislaus, California Ballroom Company, USA Dance and Drill Officers Camp, USA Jazz Camp, National Cheer Association Cheerleading Camp
Experience: Instructor, The Dance Academy; Head Coach, West O`ahu Hammer Heads Youth Cheerleading; Director, Nepean Redskins Youth Cheerleading; Varsity Head Coach, Ceres Falcons; Choreographer, Ceres Falcons (choreographed the competition routine for the novice team and was 1st place winners at Jamz Nationals.)
About Movement Education… “Everyone can be “athletic”, it’s just a matter of finding which activity is right for you. I have found that dance is my physical outlet and hope that through teaching I can pass my love of dance movement on to my students.”
Education: BA in Organizational Communications from California State University Stanislaus, Turlock, CA
Professional Schools: The Dance Academy, UDA College Dance Camp, California State University Stanislaus, California Ballroom Company, USA Dance and Drill Officers Camp, USA Jazz Camp, National Cheer Association Cheerleading Camp
Experience: Instructor, The Dance Academy; Head Coach, West O`ahu Hammer Heads Youth Cheerleading; Director, Nepean Redskins Youth Cheerleading; Varsity Head Coach, Ceres Falcons; Choreographer, Ceres Falcons (choreographed the competition routine for the novice team and was 1st place winners at Jamz Nationals.)
About Movement Education… “Everyone can be “athletic”, it’s just a matter of finding which activity is right for you. I have found that dance is my physical outlet and hope that through teaching I can pass my love of dance movement on to my students.”
Zeny Ogisseg
From: Manila
Certifications: AFAA Group Fit Instructor, NASM Personal Trainer, Yoga Alliance RYT 500, Universal Yoga Certified Teacher
“I became an instructor to spread the grace that I have received from my teachers.”
Born in the Philippines, Zeny was first exposed to yoga as a child when she would hear her mom chanting “Om” and meditating. She rediscovered Yoga as an adult when she read the book “Autobiography of a Yogi” and was inspired to begin studying and practicing yoga, and to search for the teacher who would become her Guru. Zeny explored many styles of yoga, completing her first teacher training with Shiva Rea in the Vinyasa Style. In 2006 Zeny met her second teacher Andrey Lappa, whose style called Universal Yoga, challenged her to become a true Yogi. "Universal Yoga gave me a systematic framework to develop my practice into one that encompassed every aspect of life.”
In 2009 Zeny went to India, to study yoga, to visit her Indian roots (Zeny's grandfather was Sikh). During this trip Zeny finally met her true Guru- Bhagavan Shanmukha Natha, a Kashmir Shaivist. During her stay in the Shri Kali Ashram, in Goa, Zeny was initiated into Traditional Yoga, and was taught the sacred practices she had read about in books, including chakra yoga, mantras, ritual (puja), and scared geometry (yantras). Considering herself a perpetual student, Zeny continues her studies with Guru Shan via email and skype. In her free time Zeny enjoys reading yoga literature, mystery novels, poetry, and hanging out at the beach with her husband and their two sons.
Having received the grace in the wisdom of her teachers, Zeny teaches from her heart. Her classes are geared towards experiencing Yoga as harmony of the breath of the soul, the form of the body and the light of the spirit. Breath, Form, Light, Yoga
Certifications: AFAA Group Fit Instructor, NASM Personal Trainer, Yoga Alliance RYT 500, Universal Yoga Certified Teacher
“I became an instructor to spread the grace that I have received from my teachers.”
Born in the Philippines, Zeny was first exposed to yoga as a child when she would hear her mom chanting “Om” and meditating. She rediscovered Yoga as an adult when she read the book “Autobiography of a Yogi” and was inspired to begin studying and practicing yoga, and to search for the teacher who would become her Guru. Zeny explored many styles of yoga, completing her first teacher training with Shiva Rea in the Vinyasa Style. In 2006 Zeny met her second teacher Andrey Lappa, whose style called Universal Yoga, challenged her to become a true Yogi. "Universal Yoga gave me a systematic framework to develop my practice into one that encompassed every aspect of life.”
In 2009 Zeny went to India, to study yoga, to visit her Indian roots (Zeny's grandfather was Sikh). During this trip Zeny finally met her true Guru- Bhagavan Shanmukha Natha, a Kashmir Shaivist. During her stay in the Shri Kali Ashram, in Goa, Zeny was initiated into Traditional Yoga, and was taught the sacred practices she had read about in books, including chakra yoga, mantras, ritual (puja), and scared geometry (yantras). Considering herself a perpetual student, Zeny continues her studies with Guru Shan via email and skype. In her free time Zeny enjoys reading yoga literature, mystery novels, poetry, and hanging out at the beach with her husband and their two sons.
Having received the grace in the wisdom of her teachers, Zeny teaches from her heart. Her classes are geared towards experiencing Yoga as harmony of the breath of the soul, the form of the body and the light of the spirit. Breath, Form, Light, Yoga
Demvir Macaraeg
From: Waipahu, Hawaii
Awards: BBoyCity Champion, World of Dance Champion
“I’ve won a bunch of competitions and awards but I’ve got a bigger goal to accomplish right now. Most kids want to learn power moves and tricks but my goal is to have these kids fall in love with the scene and find his/her character. That same effort that they put into dancing, I want them to put into life like school and chores. What I most look forward to about being a faculty member of ATLETIKA is to see the kids gain knowledge and experience in life and dance."
Awards: BBoyCity Champion, World of Dance Champion
“I’ve won a bunch of competitions and awards but I’ve got a bigger goal to accomplish right now. Most kids want to learn power moves and tricks but my goal is to have these kids fall in love with the scene and find his/her character. That same effort that they put into dancing, I want them to put into life like school and chores. What I most look forward to about being a faculty member of ATLETIKA is to see the kids gain knowledge and experience in life and dance."
Wayde Ching
From: Aiea, Hawai`i
Certifications: Certified Personal Protection Specialist at E.S.I in Colorado and the Executive Protection Institute in Virginia. Certified F.A.S.T. (Fear Adrenal Stress Training) Instructor, Massage Therapist
Experience/Awards: Wing Chun Instructor, Former Aikido Instructor with the Hawaii Ki Society.
Professional Associations: Recognized by the Chinese Government as a Wing Chun Instructor as listed in the Chinese Wushu Association Directory, Permanent member of the Ving Tsun Athletic Association in Hong Kong.
Continuing Education: Practitioner of various martial arts including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kali Ilustrisimo, Xingyiquan, Tai Chi and Bagua
“I enjoy teaching people to protect themselves. It’s exciting to teach someone with no experience to become proficient.”
Certifications: Certified Personal Protection Specialist at E.S.I in Colorado and the Executive Protection Institute in Virginia. Certified F.A.S.T. (Fear Adrenal Stress Training) Instructor, Massage Therapist
Experience/Awards: Wing Chun Instructor, Former Aikido Instructor with the Hawaii Ki Society.
Professional Associations: Recognized by the Chinese Government as a Wing Chun Instructor as listed in the Chinese Wushu Association Directory, Permanent member of the Ving Tsun Athletic Association in Hong Kong.
Continuing Education: Practitioner of various martial arts including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kali Ilustrisimo, Xingyiquan, Tai Chi and Bagua
“I enjoy teaching people to protect themselves. It’s exciting to teach someone with no experience to become proficient.”
John De Virgilio
Master of Education (M.Ed.) Physical Education U. of Hawaii 1979
20 year veteran teacher with the Hawaii State Department of Education
38 years of Chinese Martial Arts Experience
Retired President of the Hawaii Wing Chun Kung-Fu Association
Currently Teaches Chinese Martial Arts: Wing Chun and Playing with Silk Chi Kung
20 year veteran teacher with the Hawaii State Department of Education
38 years of Chinese Martial Arts Experience
Retired President of the Hawaii Wing Chun Kung-Fu Association
Currently Teaches Chinese Martial Arts: Wing Chun and Playing with Silk Chi Kung
