Therapeutic Martial Arts

The book describes a program that is designed to combine therapeutic interventions using group structure and Martial Arts. It outlines the historical aspect of Martial Arts and Eastern philosophy. Several theories describe psychological and physiological reaction to stress, aggression, self-esteem, and mindfulness. Research focuses on theoretical and practical application using this innovative program, including meditation. Finally, specific "how-to" examples are provided for greater understanding of application. The Therapeutic Martial Arts program will help children and adolescents to experience therapeutic change through structure of the ancient art, group dynamics, and other therapeutic interventions such as dynamic, cognitive, behavioral, gestalt and meditation. Participating in this program, students not only will be able to improve their physical conditioning, but also social skills, anger control, and awareness of their own actions and effects towards other people. Students will also be able to improve their self-esteem, communication skills, performance in school, and reaction towards stressful stimuli.

Dr. Eric Yuri Reznik was born in Kiev, Ukraine (USSR), in 1966 and came to the United States in 1978. He obtained a bachelor's degree in psychology from Florida International University in 1990. He obtained a master's degree with honors (1994) and a doctorate degree (1999), both in clinical psychology, from Miami Institute of Psychology (currently, Carlos Albizu University). Since then, he has maintained a successful practice in clinical psychology. Currently, Dr. Reznik maintains a full-time clinical practice at Be Well Rehabilitation and Counseling Group, Inc., in Hallandale, Florida. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Barry University. Dr. Reznik has published Saminchilu, The Way of Life and Love, Pain, Deceit, and Other Human Mysteries. He is currently developing the Complete Mental Status Evaluation assessment scale.
Dr. Reznik began martial arts training in Tae Kwon Do and Saminchilu Chuan Fa Gung Fu achieving a black belt of third degree and nine stripes (equivalent to the fifth degree in Karate). Dr. Reznik proficient in other Martial Arts systems. Throughout his martial arts career, he ran several dojos in the South Florida area and was the head instructor of the Saminchilu system. He also competed in local, national, and international competitions, including FBBA, WAKO, BBL, NASKA, USKA, U.S. Open, and the first International Martial Arts Competition, held in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1992. Between 2001 and 2007, Dr. Reznik was inducted into the Eastern International Martial Arts Hall of Fame for such honors as Humanitarian, Instructor of the Year, and Martial Artist of the Year. He continues to train with different systems and runs his own competitions.
Dr. Reznik engaged not only in physical aspects of martial arts but also in philosophical and therapeutic aspects. In 1999, he published a dissertation on therapeutic martial arts dissertation. As a result of his work, he was invited to present his dissertation and its application at many national conferences. Additionally, he ran several programs in therapeutic martial arts in such facilities as Children's Home Society, Child and Family Enrichment Program, Family Service Planning Team, and Our Kids of Dade County.