Fitness center to host martial arts class Published March 4, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Solomon Cook 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla -- A new martial arts program will be starting March 12 at the fitness center aerobics room. The class will be available for a $70 monthly fee and will be held on Thursdays from 4:45 p.m.to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The classes will be taught by Carlos Cummings, a certified SAMozashchitaBez Oruzhiya or SAMBO instructor. Cummings will bring his skills, ability and drive to Tyndall and pass it on to Airmen. "The Airmen can benefit from these classes on the battlefield and everyday life," Cummings said. "Areas of focus are obtaining a better understanding of one's self and controlling emotion when need be. My hopes for my time at Tyndall are to train great people and students, because maybe one day they might want to open a SAMBO or mixed martial art school of their own. " SAMBO is a Russian martial art and combat sport. The acronym SAMBO translates as 'self-defense without weapons.' SAMBO is relatively modern since its development began in the early 1920s by the Soviet Union to improve their hand-to-hand combat abilities. It is intended to be a merger of the most effective techniques of other martial arts. "In the first class of the day, we will offer women's self-defense. The second class, open to both genders, will be boxing and Thai boxing," said Cummings. "Additionally, there will be submission grappling, mixed martial arts, Judo and extreme conditioning in the second class." SAMBO has roots in Judo, international styles of wrestling, American wrestling, catch-wrestling, bare-fist boxing, self-defense tactics, and knife and gun handling, Cummings added. The boxing classes will be approximately one hour and 20 minutes and all other classes will be approximately one hour and 45 minutes. Specific items are is needed for the training: MMA shorts, (basketball shorts are not permitted), mouthpiece, and a T-Shirt, and cups for the males. Wrestling shoes are optional, but students may also practice bare foot. Cummings is a seasoned martial arts practitioner and instructor with years of experience. "I have been training for over 20 years," Cummings said. "My great grandmother started me in martial arts at the age of 13, and I went on from there. Without her I would not be here. In Judo I have my 2nd Dan or Black Belt. I have traveled abroad to learn SAMBO and Combat SAMBO for the past 15 Years while concurrently training in Judo." Students will adopt the Cummings Combat SAMBO school motto, 'never give up,' as well as, have the chance to receive certifications for attending the class and potentially take their skills to the next level. "Certifications students can obtain are from novice to advance," Cummings said. "With these certifications students will have the ability to compete in or attend other fighting events." These classes were added to the schedule to give the fitness center a well-rounded activity list. "The reason we started a new class is due to customer feedback," said Lou South, 325th Fighter Wing Fitness Center director. "The goals and pace of the class will be set by the instructor. Currently there are two days for classes a week dedicated with this instructor." For more information call the fitness center at (850) 283-2631.