After receiving her M.A. from UCLA and starting a family, Bella Mokover began to embark on a journey; although unsure where it would take her, she knew that it was necessary.
A typical Monday evening for her begins at 7 p.m. when she teaches a “Chinese Yoga” class at her North Hollywood studio.
The narrow, yet intimate space is located on the North East side of Laurel Canyon Boulevard.
Since it’s opening, “Pa Kua Studio” has expanded to an additional space, just one door over.
“We grew in numbers, so we needed the additional space,” says Bella. “I like to teach out of the other (addition) space because it is a little more feminine.
Tonight at 8 p.m. Master Bella will teach an introductory course to Pa Kua.
Most, if not all, martial arts studios offer a free introduction class to its perspective members.
.
At 7:50 p.m. Bella bids farewell to her students from the Chinese Yoga class.
By 7:59 p.m. and tightens her coal Black Belt around bright white robe and makes a dash down the street to begin an introductory course, with only 60 seconds to spare.
Her hair is weighted down by sweat from her previous class, but her confidence is never broken.
Entering the original studio, she sees some familiar faces and some not so much.
She smiles warmly at the class and salutes them with a resounding “Kiai” (Hi-yaH).
To her, Pa Kua is not just a form of martial arts, but it is a lifestyle.
In the San Fernando Valley there are many martial arts studios that teach a wide range of disciplines. These studios are often small storefront facilities within a shopping plaza. With such a variety of styles and techniques, one may not know where to start or determine what sets them apart from the other.
For Fourth Degree Black Belt Master Bella Mokover, the decision was clear and precise, as to what form of martial arts she wanted to practice.
Her decision to commit her life to the discipline was not one of vanity, but rather to be healthier.
Like many Americans today, Master Bella was looking to breakaway from the pharmaceuticals and explore a more natural/ organic way to become and to keep her and her family healthy.
Individuals interested in martial arts may have a specific purpose or goal that they would like to achieve from the class that they are taking, either to “kick butt”, compete or righteous self defense.
Bella along with her business partner and (martial arts) Master, Adrian Fratantoni owns and teaches at the only studio in the Valley that teaches the traditional form and techniques of Pa Kua.
Being the only traditional Pa Kua studio in the San Fernando Valley sets them apart for any other studio.
Although some studio may claim to teach a form of Pa Kua, it is not the traditional technique that Bella learned from Adrian and he learned from his Master, who studied directly under Chinese Masters in China.
“I’ve been practicing for 10 years now, I remember when I started my two sons were very young,” says Bella.
The length of time that she has been practicing Pa Kua is evident by her amazing chiseled arms and lean physique.
Although it has been 10 years, Master Bella is still very enthusiastic about teaching the art; this was conveyed by how she over extended herself to ensure that the perspective student was comfortable in the class.
By 8:05 p.m. the class has begun warming up by taking several laps around the black-padded mat.
She selects David Vandersmith, 19, a seasoned Pa Kua student, to lead the warm up while she discusses some business with Adrian at the back of the studio near the large drape panels.
“Are you okay to lock up tonight, I will be taking off soon,” says Adrian.
“Yes,” Bella says, with her heavy Russian assent.
At 8:15 p.m. the class has just completed their warm up and Master Bella salutes them again.
“Kiai,” says Bella.
The class responds back accordingly.
“Welcome to newcomers, “Pa Kua is the ancient Chinese healing art and exercise program designed to improve flexibility, reduce stress, helps you maintain your weight and of course, there’s the self-defense element,” says Bella.
She informs the perspective students that at any point they become tired, feel free to take a seat or need a drink of water, help themselves from the water cooler dispenser near the front entrance.
“Lets begin with some basic techniques,” says Bella.
The class is broken up into three groups of two and each pair follows her lead.
“I will do a sample for you three times then you all will join in,” say Bella.
She keeps it simple and further explains more background information about Pa Kua.
“In the old time the warriors had to learn how to heal themselves (after battle), a warrior had to know how to fight and heal, these (principles) were complementary to each other,” says Bella.
By 9:40 p.m. the class begins to come to a close, Bella opens the floor for discussion and questions.
Current students such as David shared why he decided to practice Pa Kua rather than any other martial art.
“I would see Adrian all the time at my job, I was a lifeguard at this pool, he would always tell me to come check it out and one day I did,” says David. “I like that it is more about the personal journey rather than competition.”
Bella’s son Nicolas Mokover, 19, was home from University of California Santa Cruz, and decided to drop-in on the class.
“I’ve been practicing Pa Kua since I was about 9 or 10, in fact, my older brother I began shortly after my mom begun to practice 10 years ago,” says Nicolas. “The discipline it has taught me has helped me tremendously in my life.”
After receiving her M.A. from UCLA and starting a family, Bella Mokover began to embark on a journey; although unsure where it would take her, she knew that it was necessary.
A typical Monday evening for her begins at 7 p.m. when she teaches a “Chinese Yoga” class at her North Hollywood studio.
The narrow, yet intimate space is located on the North East side of Laurel Canyon Boulevard.
Since it’s opening, “Pa Kua Studio” has expanded to an additional space, just one door over.
“We grew in numbers, so we needed the additional space,” says Bella. “I like to teach out of the other (addition) space because it is a little more feminine.
Tonight at 8 p.m. Master Bella will teach an introductory course to Pa Kua.
Most, if not all, martial arts studios offer a free introduction class to its perspective members.
.
At 7:50 p.m. Bella bids farewell to her students from the Chinese Yoga class.
By 7:59 p.m. and tightens her coal Black Belt around bright white robe and makes a dash down the street to begin an introductory course, with only 60 seconds to spare.
Her hair is weighted down by sweat from her previous class, but her confidence is never broken.
Entering the original studio, she sees some familiar faces and some not so much.
She smiles warmly at the class and salutes them with a resounding “Kiai” (Hi-yaH).
To her, Pa Kua is not just a form of martial arts, but it is a lifestyle.
In the San Fernando Valley there are many martial arts studios that teach a wide range of disciplines. These studios are often small storefront facilities within a shopping plaza. With such a variety of styles and techniques, one may not know where to start or determine what sets them apart from the other.
For Fourth Degree Black Belt Master Bella Mokover, the decision was clear and precise, as to what form of martial arts she wanted to practice.
Her decision to commit her life to the discipline was not one of vanity, but rather to be healthier.
Like many Americans today, Master Bella was looking to breakaway from the pharmaceuticals and explore a more natural/ organic way to become and to keep her and her family healthy.
Individuals interested in martial arts may have a specific purpose or goal that they would like to achieve from the class that they are taking, either to “kick butt”, compete or righteous self defense.
Bella along with her business partner and (martial arts) Master, Adrian Fratantoni owns and teaches at the only studio in the Valley that teaches the traditional form and techniques of Pa Kua.
Being the only traditional Pa Kua studio in the San Fernando Valley sets them apart for any other studio.
Although some studio may claim to teach a form of Pa Kua, it is not the traditional technique that Bella learned from Adrian and he learned from his Master, who studied directly under Chinese Masters in China.
“I’ve been practicing for 10 years now, I remember when I started my two sons were very young,” says Bella.
The length of time that she has been practicing Pa Kua is evident by her amazing chiseled arms and lean physique.
Although it has been 10 years, Master Bella is still very enthusiastic about teaching the art; this was conveyed by how she over extended herself to ensure that the perspective student was comfortable in the class.
By 8:05 p.m. the class has begun warming up by taking several laps around the black-padded mat.
She selects David Vandersmith, 19, a seasoned Pa Kua student, to lead the warm up while she discusses some business with Adrian at the back of the studio near the large drape panels.
“Are you okay to lock up tonight, I will be taking off soon,” says Adrian.
“Yes,” Bella says, with her heavy Russian assent.
At 8:15 p.m. the class has just completed their warm up and Master Bella salutes them again.
“Kiai,” says Bella.
The class responds back accordingly.
“Welcome to newcomers, “Pa Kua is the ancient Chinese healing art and exercise program designed to improve flexibility, reduce stress, helps you maintain your weight and of course, there’s the self-defense element,” says Bella.
She informs the perspective students that at any point they become tired, feel free to take a seat or need a drink of water, help themselves from the water cooler dispenser near the front entrance.
“Lets begin with some basic techniques,” says Bella.
The class is broken up into three groups of two and each pair follows her lead.
“I will do a sample for you three times then you all will join in,” say Bella.
She keeps it simple and further explains more background information about Pa Kua.
“In the old time the warriors had to learn how to heal themselves (after battle), a warrior had to know how to fight and heal, these (principles) were complementary to each other,” says Bella.
By 9:40 p.m. the class begins to come to a close, Bella opens the floor for discussion and questions.
Current students such as David shared why he decided to practice Pa Kua rather than any other martial art.
“I would see Adrian all the time at my job, I was a lifeguard at this pool, he would always tell me to come check it out and one day I did,” says David. “I like that it is more about the personal journey rather than competition.”
Bella’s son Nicolas Mokover, 19, was home from University of California Santa Cruz, and decided to drop-in on the class.
“I’ve been practicing Pa Kua since I was about 9 or 10, in fact, my older brother I began shortly after my mom begun to practice 10 years ago,” says Nicolas. “The discipline it has taught me has helped me tremendously in my life.”
