With new facility open, this Mount Holly martial arts facility is ready to match growth
MOUNT HOLLY - A martial arts academy is inviting the public to check out its new King Street facility this weekend.
Ludus Academy moved into the brand new 6,000-square-foot facility after outgrowing its previous location on Washington Street.
JT Miller opened Ludus Academy in 2020 and has been offering classes in martial arts such as mixed martial arts, historic European martial arts and other martial art forms.
"Ryan (Southerland, owner of neighbor Grizzly Adventures) especially put in a lot of leg work with the town to get the proper permits and transfer the building from a warehouse space to its current use. Architects, meetings and lots of leg work to get all the things we needed" Miller said.
Miller said the uniqueness and overall usage of his fitness center is unlike any in the area, including aerial and acrobatics happening at the same time as people learning outdoor survival skills.
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On Sunday, Miller and the rest of the tenants in the facility will host an open house for the public.
"I have been working with Ryan Southerland, owner of Grizzly Adventures, for years at both Liberty Lake and the New Jersey Renaissance Fair, in which I am an owner. I also met Shelli (Buttons) in a similar manner as she is an aerialist for the New Jersey Renaissance Faire as well."
Buttons, one of Ludus' instructors, is the leading the way for aerial and tumbling classes.
"Usually, to get the kind of instruction that Shelli teaches, you would have to go to Philadelphia or New York. The skills she teaches in aerials and lyra are extremely unique."
John Williams, co-owner of the New Jersey Renaissance Fair, is another instructor who teaches historic European martial arts, and duels with Miller in a sword fighting show.
Grizzly Adventures specializes in hosting axe throwing, frontier games and team building exercises, according to their website.
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During the grand opening, eventgoers will be able to see different forms of martial arts in motion. Instructors will demonstrate the art of sword fighting and various fundamentals of the martial arts classes that are offered. Grizzly Adventures will also be hosting their own activities such as axe throwing while Shelli Buttons will be having beginner and introductory classes for aerial skills per the event page on Facebook.
You can find the Ludus Academy of Martial Arts in Mount Holly at 14 King Street, suite G. The Ludus Academy is open Monday to Saturday offering various classes typically starting after 4 p.m. most days. You can find more information online at actionjkd.com.
Nick Butler is an impact reporter for the Courier Post, the Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times covering community news in South Jersey. Have any tips or stories? Reach out to NButler@Gannett.com. Subscribe to stay in the loop.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Ludus Academy opens new site in Mount Holly
