A new martial arts studio opening in the Berkeley Arts Centre will offer something a little different – natural energy healing.

Reuben Bean and partner Laura Bell have opened the Jiketsu Martial Arts and Natural Healing Centre at the Pembroke facility.

Mr. Bean is the president of Jiketsu Martial Productions Foundation, The Self Defense Company Bermuda & Blue Sun Alchemical Healing Centre.

"Youth and adults are becoming stressed," said Mr. Bean. "Through our natural healing programmes we help people understand that the psychological has a direct effect on the physiological."

Mr. Bean is certified in a natural healing technique called Sacred Mer-Ka-Ba.

According to him, it is based upon electro-magnetic energy transference.

"The electrical wavelengths and magnetic currents of a healthy body, when super-energised, can be used to heal an injured or diseased weakened body," said Mr. Bean.

He, along with other Sacred Mer-Ka-Ba healers around the world, have been trained for years to remain within and to work with this super energised state of electro-magnetic energies.

In addition to natural healing, the Jiketsu Martial Arts and Natural Healing Centre also has more typical martial arts offerings such as adult and youth martial arts classes, youth mixed martial arts classes, self-defense classes, jazzercise and a toddler programme for two- to three-year-olds.

"Our tiny tots class is designed to be interactive with the parents so they too benefit, hopefully as much as the children," said Mr. Bean. "This unique programme is a result of over a decade of personal research and experience.

"Our primary objective is to encourage the child and parent to become healthier, more conscious individuals.

"Our specialised teaching methods are designed to enhance one's whole-brain thinking capacity, therefore promoting a healthy and holistic life-mentally, emotionally and physically."

Mr. Bean and Ms Bell started the tiny tots programme when their own son, Niko, was eight months old.

"When we started he was just crawling around on the mats," said Mr. Bean. "He is now almost 22 months old and is participating in the classes, surprising us every week with his controlled movements and ability to sit calmly, listen and follow instructions – not always easy tasks for a very active toddler.

Their tiny tots programme includes basic yoga moves, simple and functional drills and fun things like rolling properly and doing front face falls, back falls and more with proper technique that will keep them from hurting themselves out in the real world.

Mr. Bean said having their own studio was truly a dream come true.

"To finally teach from a facility that we can call home," said Mr. Bean. "This is a goal we have been waiting and working diligently towards for over seven years.

"We have had many challenges along the way, however patience, determination and a thankful heart have manifested everything to this point."

Mr. Bean said he and his wife have spent years developing themselves, training and working towards international certifications.

"We now offer many world renowned and highly respected programmes for the martial artist, the fitness enthusiast and those interested in knowing how to optimise their natural healing benefits by balancing their mental and emotional content through our Alchemical Natural Energy Healing Treatments and Seminars.

"We are very blessed and humbled that all has finally come into alignment for us, and all those that we teach."

He said that although the centre has been seven years in the making, it still feels like a beginning for them.

"We already have several successful programmes running now that we have moved to the Centre, but perhaps even more importantly, we have endless ideas for new programmes to develop in the future."

Ms Bell, vice president of Jiketsu Martial Arts, began studying Shotokan Karate in 1999 under Sensei Mark Tailford and later moved to Budokan Karate & Kobujutsu Club under Senseis Nigel and Trevor Williams where she obtained her Shodan (first degree black belt) and Nidan (second degree black belt).

Ms Bell also studied Ryukyu Kobujutsu (Okinawan Weapons) under Sensei Julian Mead.

She has competed and medalled in numerous local competitions in kata and team kata. Kata is a detailed choreographed pattern of movements practiced either solo or in pairs.

She represented Bermuda in 2004 as part of the national women's kata team in Monterrey, Mexico at the World Karate Federation's World Championships.

Mr. Bean's journey in martial arts began 14 years ago when he was introduced to Shotokan Karate while at Carleton University in Canada.

He said he had a passion for "unravelling the deeper meanings of life" which was evident in his karate training.

He obtained his first international medal – a bronze team kumite medal in the 17' Champion at National de Karate in 1997 in Montreal, Canada.

Since then he has studied and been adjudicated in many different styles of martial arts including traditional Ryukyu Kobujutsu (classical Okinawan weapons), Wing Tsun Kung Fu, Yang Style Tai Chi, among others.

Upon returning from university, Mr. Bean began training with Sensei Nigel and Trevor Williams (Rokudan) of Budokan Karate and Kobujutsu Club. He received his third degree black belt in 2008.

He has competed successfully in numerous martial arts championships in Bermuda and abroad.

For more information, contact Mr. Bean at 705-7541 or check out their website at http://www.jiketsumartialproductions.com or e-mail jiketso@northrock.bm.