By James DeWeese
For years the 41-year-old, who arrived in Queens in 1995, worked as a maintenance man and a part-time bouncer at a smattering of clubs around the borough's western reaches.Today the father of two is a full-fledged black belt and a licensed instructor of the Korean martial art. And he teaches more than 295 students enrolled in the two schools he founded and runs in Woodside and Middle Village.”The idea was born of watching my daughter,” Arnijos said of his first child, Stephanie, now 17 and a high-level black belt in tae kwon do. Arnijo's son, Sebastian, 14, is also a student of tae kwon do.When Stephanie was young, she signed up for martial arts classes with the blessing of her father. Although her classes didn't last long – she was terrified of the shouting instructor, Arnijos said – the endeavor was enough to inspire her father.A short time after Jessica left her classes and her father asked for a refund he never got, Arnijos signed up to study tae kwon do, which in English means “the art of kicking and punching.”He learned quickly, eventually becoming an instructor. His knowledge of martial arts gave him the confidence and security to accept a part-time job as a bouncer when the opportunity presented itself. And it was at one of these evening jobs where he made the acquaintance of several bar-hopping 20-somethings who were impressed with his knowledge.The youth encouraged him to set up his own tae kwon do school.It was a bittersweet beginning: None of the 20 or so nightcrawlers who promised to join him when the school was up and running ever showed up. But it worked out fine in the end, Arnijos said. By the first weekend he already had 15 students.Since he founded the academy at Skillman Avenue and 49th Street, the business has grown by leaps and bounds. Arnijos eventually opened another school at 64-05 Metropolitan Ave. in Middle Village and moved his Woodside base of operations to a larger facility at 49-09 43rd Ave.The Middle Village school opened in October 2001, shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.”People told me it was a bad time to set up a business, but I put it there anyway,” Arnijos said. His risk-taking paid off and today his academies have nearly 300 students of tae kwon do, jujitsu and self-defense techniques.Arnijos still works a maintenance job on the side. But he said he would like to set up a third school and dedicate himself to full-time teaching.The school would likely be set up in Queens.”The area is ideal to set up a business,” Arnijos said of his adopted Queens home. “The area is growing. People are coming from Manhattan to Sunnyside and Woodside.”He added: “If I could do it without speaking English and having no business experience, then imagine what someone who has that knowledge could do.”Anyone can learn and benefit from the skills martial arts provides, regardless of ethnic background, Arnijos said. In fact, the three primary elements of learning – discipline, respect and obedience – have been the keys to Arnijos' success, he said.Classes for adults and children range from $80 to $100 per week. Both schools are open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. And if the lights are on, students are welcome.”That's been part of our success,” Arnijos said. Unlike other academies that limit students to set schedules a certain number of times a week, Arnijos' students are allowed to come as many times a week or a day as they want.For more information or to sign up for classes, call 718-507-3814 or 718-417-4365.Reach reporter James DeWeese by e-mail at news@timesledger.com, or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 157.
