Sweeney's Martial Arts moves down Ash
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on March 3, 2013 1:50 AM
The principles he instills in his students haven't changed -- discipline, respect, honor and pride.
But the lessons Berris Sweeney strives to pass along to those he guides on a daily basis are now unfolding in a new location -- an environment the fifth-degree black belt always dreamed of teaching inside.
Sweeney's Martial Arts has moved to within a stone's throw of downtown Goldsboro -- to a sprawling facility located at 413 E. Ash St.
"This is an awesome area we have," Sweeney said, looking across the furnished lounge at a mountain scene he recently painted on one of the interior walls. "I listen. I listen all the time. And what I wanted for the people who come here was a place where everybody ... can relax while they are here.
"I want the kids to have a great place to train, but the parents, while they are waiting for their kids, should have an environment where they can relax."
Couches, chairs and a bar -- stocked with sports drinks, bottled water and snacks -- offer just that, he said.
And to add to the parents' experience, the building was wired for WiFi.
But young people are not the only ones invited to train inside Sweeney's dojo.
In fact, part of the reason he moved to the bigger facility was to enable himself to offer adult classes during the hours their sons and daughters work on their karate.
The following classes are currently being offered at the dojo:
•Adult and youth karate
•Kickboxing
•Cardio Kickboxing
•Creative boxing
•Cardio boxing
•Self-defense
•Salsa
•Zumba
•Ballet
•Contemporary dance (jazz)
•After-school programs
For more information -- or to sign up for a class -- visit www.sweeneys karate.com, call 919-584-1777 or show up at the dojo during the grand opening that will be held Saturday.