Michael Polito began his martial arts journey in a Chinese art called Fu Jow Pai (Tiger Claw System). He then transitioned into an Okinawan art called Okinwan Kenpo Karate and trained under Kyoshi Joseph Mansfield and Master Teruyuki Higa, who was a direct student of Shigeru Nakamura, founder of Okinawa Kenpo. Michael continues his training in Okinawan Kenpo with his current teacher, Kyoshi Gerry Senese. In 1986 While continuing his training in Kenpo Karate, Michael also began a long journey of training in Kyokushinhkai/World Oyama Karate led by Soshu Shigeru Oyama. Michael achieved black belt degrees in both styles. He also trains in Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu (Japanese Swordsmanship) and teaches it to his students under the auspices of his teacher Norboru Kataoka Sensei.
Michael now leads his own school called East Wave Dojo and teaches a blend of both Okinawa Kenpo and Oyama Karate, Okinawa Kenpo in the lineage of Seiyu Oyata being its core style. Oyata Okinawa Kempo.
Karen Hawkins has been a martial arts practitioner for over 30 years. She began her training in Japan, where she was born. In 1999 she began her study under senior students of Taika Seiyu Oyata. She was asked to translate for Taika Oyata during national and regional seminars and public demonstrations. She holds a 4th Dan in the International Ryu-Te Renmei.
George Pruitt started his formal martial arts training in late 1981 in Ryukyu Kempo under Kyoshi Joe Mansfield, receiving his black belt in 1986. He also trained under Sifu/Guru Tom Bolden who trained under Modern Arnis Grand-master Remy Presas. George Pruitt cross trained under Fujian White Crane and other Southern Kung fu students over the years. He has continued his Ryukyu Kempo/Ryute Instruction under Kyoshi Gerald Senese to present day.
Michael Sibilia has been practicing and teaching Yang-style Tai Chi for over 35 years, having trained primarily under one teacher who preferred to be thought of as a guide, in a traditional long-term master–student relationship. The depth of study has gratefully provided a commitment to preserving the integrity, internal structure, and subtle principles of the art in the tradition he strives to maintain.
In addition to Yang-style Tai Chi, Michael has studied Xingyi, Pa Qua, Chi Kung, and Chen-style Tai Chi, as well as maintaining a Theravāda Buddhist practice, which has informed a deep appreciation for mindfulness, discipline, and inner cultivation. These complementary studies enrich Michael’s understanding of movement, intention, and awareness.
While drawing from this broad background, Michael’s teaching focuses primarily on Yang-style Tai Chi and Chi Kung, emphasizing alignment, posture and center through balance leading to a calm, clear mind. Students are guided toward a practice that supports health, balance, and clarity, both in class and continuing into the world around us.
Barbara Barushka Strnadova began her training in 1996 and includes extensive study in ATS, tribal fusion, fusion, folkloric, egyptian and cabaret styles, as well as African, hip hop, and modern dance. Barushka has studied under legendary artists including Carolena Nericcio, Paulette Rees-Denis, Suhaila Salimpour, Heather Stants, Jill Parker, Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, Mardi Love, and swing instructors Emily Vail and Linda & Chester Freeman. These influences continue to inform her evolving artistry and approach to movement as a form of healing and storytelling.
Barushka is the director and choreographer of both The Luminelles and The Luminelle Collective, which she founded prior to co-founding The Bleeding Hearts Belly Dance Co. She also produces immersive annual stage shows, including Saffron Salon and Luminary Café, and is available for custom performance work. In addition to performing, Barushka is a passionate teacher, offering classes that welcome all levels and celebrate the sensual, empowering, and sacred nature of dance.
Her mission is to elevate consciousness and uplift through the transformative art of belly dance.
Michael Polito began his physical training started at a very young age. Always involved in sports such as; track & field, soccer, and football etc. He spent many years in body building and competing in bench press and dead lift competitions. He also become heavily involved in calisthenics and gymnastic conditioning. Over the past years he has attained black belts in two different styles of karate and has been practicing the martial arts for over 40 years. Michael has been a personal trainer for over 30 years working in a variety of different gyms in the Hudson Valley. He continues to search out mentors and teachers to further his knowledge on the human body. Recently he established the Movement Arts Collaborative which offers many different modalities of movement including; martial arts, dance, strength, and movement classes. Michael teaches movement and karate classes at the Movement Arts Collaborative. He also offers personal training, and conducts seminars.
Lindsay T. Miller is a former award-winning competitive dancer with over fifteen years of training in ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical, as well as twelve years of training in ballroom and Latin dance. She has previously taught classes at Betty Jean’s Dance Studio, Dance Expression of Dutchess & Westchester, and In Motion Dance Center. She has also taught Beginner Ballet Barre for adults at Barre Fitness Poughkeepsie.
Lindsay started her dance education at 3 years old at Betty Jean’s Dance Studio in Wappingers Falls, NY, and later continued at The American Academy of Ballet Summer School of Excellence, Broadway Dance Center, The Paul Taylor School, and Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Dutchess.
Lindsay is a 2017 graduate of Marist University with a Master of Arts degree in Integrated Marketing Communication. She has previously worked in non-profit fundraising for United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region and American Ballet Theatre. Lindsay is currently a certified barre instructor at Barre Fitness Poughkeepsie and works in the museum shop for Locust Grove Historic Site.