Body Mind Systems, Stoneham - Stoneham, Massachusetts

James C.

Perfect introduction to martial arts for my kids. Positive, engaging, supportive. The training extends beyond the mat and instills productive habits at home and school. Sadly, we have moved away, and this program is what my family will miss the most. Thank you.

Amanda M.

We have been so glad to be a part of Body Mind's youth/kids classes for the last 3 years. My oldest has enjoyed his time training and growing his skill with friends and our youngest was thrilled to get to join his older brother this year. Practicing at Body Mind has given our kids more awareness of their body, more confidence, and has grown their skills in centering and focusing their energy and concentration. The instructors always emphasize respect and care toward others. We are especially grateful for instructor Maggie, instructor Sal and instructor Preshad for their regular presence in our kids lives. Thank you all for making a warm place of welcome in our community in Stoneham.

Ahmed I.

This is an incredible place to train and build your flexibility and your confidence. Instructors are very knowledgeable and down to earth. I joined for 1.5 years, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. AR Instructor Igor is a great instructor who would always push you to reach new heights in class and outside class as well.

Jennifer D.

On September 29, 2022, at 54 years old, I made a commitment to change my life by becoming a Harmony Arts student at BMS. I walked into BMS with a physically weak body and an exhausted mind. I was not sure what to expect but I felt drawn to be there. As I struggled to learn to walk again without severe pain, I found passionate and patient instructors, and nonjudgmental fellow students. I have gained strength, skills, and confidence.

This summer, between June to September 2023, I jumped off a 20-foot high cliff into the water in Puerto Rico, hiked a mountain in NH, climbed up and then down 500 steep steps in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, and trekked 9 miles through slippery mud slopes in Ha Noi, Vietnam to visit remote tribal villages. "A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step." Thank you BMS for helping me to take that first step.

Kevin O.

I have been training in Martial Arts for over 10 years, spread over 24 years in time. The first time I trained it was from 1994/96 to 1997/98. The second time was from 2014 to present day, and still going. Martial Arts training is something I think would benefit everyone. The benefits from this training are numerous. Your health, balance, confidence, self-worth, understanding of life and others by this amazing gift.

I have come from being someone who did not finish things, had low self-esteem and did not want to rock the boat too much. I did what I needed to do to survive but not to better myself. I started training because I wanted more out of life and I wanted to be able to handle things, which I could gain by the discipline of Martial Arts.

That was the best decision I have ever made. Training has added so much to my mind, soul and body. I approach everything with a clearer, open mind and I am able to be a better person, dad, husband and friend. This has also added more strength to my faith and caring for all things.

David M.

My oldest son Joshua has been going for 3 years and my youngest son Isaac for 2. Seeing them develop from the training inspired me to join and I’ve been going for over 2 years. The school not only helped get us in shape but gave us a level of confidence that I felt was lacking. Joshua is starting to excel at basketball and soccer (and school!) while Isaac is going strong on piano and dance. For me, I’ve started my own business! Not to mention I lost 25 pounds in the first month. The school genuinely cares about your development and the instructors are expertly trained. I highly recommend this for you, your kids or anyone you care about that could really benefit from the physical and mental development that this type of training provides.

William B.

After bumping into Head Instructor Bob in 2014, at Stop & Shop, I was welcomed to attend a class at Body Mind Systems in Stoneham. The class began at 7:00pm with deep breathing and then shifted to warm-up exercises that engaged my core, arms, and legs. After that, we learned techniques in the forms of the martial arts they teach and ended the class with practical methods of how to use those techniques for self-defense. After a few months, I found Head Instructor Bob and the other assistant instructors to be consistent with their advice in training and the benefits.

Body Mind Systems offers students in the school the ability to grow through martial arts training and meet some cool people. From my experience, the personal growth from consistent training is full spectrum. The physical growth starts after the first session, where I felt muscles in my back stabilizing to straighten my spine that I never have felt before. The instructors understand the varying degrees of physical ability that the students bring into the practice room and they make adjustments depending on previous injuries and certain body types. The mental growth is of great importance to any student entering the school as well. Bowing patterns such as bowing to the flags of Body Mind Systems after the student enters the school instill an awareness of respect to instructors, other students, and ourselves. The student, in time, will understand that the bowing is mostly for themselves and their awareness of themselves. This is something that permeates into everyday life, adding awareness to my family, work, private life, and beyond. Emotionally, I started to feel myself behaving differently, such that situations where I became anxious no longer brought on the uneasy feelings I used to have. After around a year, I really noticed a more calm state of mind that fostered more settled, directed behavior. Certain angers that I had towards myself and others became much less noticeable as I became more aware of when they feelings would arise and how to change them.

Through my years playing basketball in high school and college, I had accumulated scar tissue in the hip due to overuse and misalignments, sprained joints, a fractured rib, and hyperextensions, among others. Through the last couple years of training I have been able to strengthen the joints in my hip and knee and bring alignment to these areas where I no longer have discomfort. I can say today, that my body feels the healthiest that it has ever been. It has been a privilege to work with Assistant National Instructor Bob and Assistant Regional Instructor Igor. If anyone has any questions or interests, feel free to reach out to me or contact any of the schools.

Thalita E.

At the end of 2020 I got in touch with Body Mind Systems and went to take an experimental class. It was a simple lesson compared to what we normally do at school, but at the time it was challenging because I was totally out of shape. After that, I never wanted to stop going and every day I went to school I felt happier, more confident and healthy!

The instructors are expertly trained, they teach the movements in a simple and effective way. They are always willing to help and give such valuable guidance that if you follow it you will change your life.

They aren’t a “gym”, they are a school and at the same time a family. Fighting is not even half of what I'm learning at BMS, I'm learning balance, being prepared for the good and bad times in life, taking care of my body and mind and never giving up on what's really important.

Don't hesitate to go visit Body Mind Systems in Stoneham, It will be a pleasure to share my experience and talk to you in person. I hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,

Thalita Emery