Meet Harris Bonfiglio, Owner of Kajok TaeKwon-Do

Branford resident Harris Bonfiglio has owned  in North Branford for the past six years. Bonfiglio, who was born in New Haven and moved to Branford in 4th grade, has had three schools in Branford, has been studying the art for 40 years and teaching for 38 years.

Kajok offers Tiny Tigers for ages six to nine, intermediate for ages 8 to 13, adult classes and open classes. Classes coming soon include a women's martial arts fitness program based on cardio kickboxing, which will be Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:15 p.m. and Saturdays at noon and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program, which is slated to begin at the end February and taught by a certified Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor.

North Branford Patch: How did you get interested in taekwondo?

Harris Bonfiglio: It was in 1969, I started off with a little bit of boxing and wanted something more exciting, I started training under Master Tae He Lee in Branford.

Branford Patch: How is taekwondo different from boxing and other forms of fighting?

Bonfiglio: It's more of a traditional, scientific system of martial arts. It's based on speed, balance and Newtonian physics.

Branford Patch: What are the benefits of practicing taekwondo?

Bonfiglio: It's a good physical fitness program that will teach children discipline and improve their overall confidence and physical condition. It's also a good a good sport that you can use to further yourself in other sports. It makes you good at everything. It combines mental with physical, it's really hard.

Branford Patch: How have you seen taekwondo impact your students?

Bonfiglio: In the past, I've taught kids with learning disabilities and the patterns have been known to improve Tourette's and ADD. I had a student with Tourette's who could not stand still for a moment and by the time he got to green belt, which is about halfway through, he was reduced to just a couple ticks, no more outbursts. The ability to be able to control himself for one minute through these patterns, he recognized those patters and used them.

Branford Patch: What's your favorite part of the job?

Bonfiglio: Meeting people and taking someone who's not physically sound or has physical problems and maybe be able to improve their balance and confidence and overall condition.

Branford Patch: Do you attend any competitions?

Bonfiglio: Yeah, there's a big one coming up in Toronto in July. There's competitions in Sardinia, Russia, Cyprus. I compete, but I also give seminars there, too. I'm an international instructor so I'm able to give rank, do promotions overseas–I tested four gentlemen from Ukraine and promoted them to 4th-degree black belt. There's a world class event every year and every two years there's a world championship, which will be in Cyprus again next year.

Branford Patch: What is something you would like our readers to know about you and your business?

Bonfiglio: I love it. It's a good way to meet people. I have friends who I've known for 40 years. We're all a close-knit group, it's nice. I'm at a point now where I had students years ago who were children that I trained and they became black belts and now their children are here training. I'm that old *laughs*.

Branford Patch: Where might people see you around town when you're not teaching?

This interview first published on North Branford Patch.

Bonfiglio: Well, I work full-time, then I do this at night and I think I need to sleep after that.