Starting today, Patch will run a new weekly feature called The List, highlighting editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off,  and more. 

You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends, and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids party places, parks and more.

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This week The List takes a look at martial arts schools around the county.

Shido Kan Karate of Mahwah

Karate Masters Mitch and Judy Cooperman opened Shido Kan Karate of Mahwah in January 2005, and have been teaching a variety of classes ever since. It offers a range of classes for age groups 4 to 6, 7 to 12, teens and adults. In addition to traditional Japanese karate, Shido Kan offers summer camp, classes in yoga, adult fitness, belly dancing, cardio, self-defense and core fitness -- called the "Best Body Ever" class. It offers classes throughout the week in its recently expanded two studio facility.

Faustini's Institute of Martial Arts

Whether you are looking to get in better shape, learn self defense, or the fine discipline of a martial art, Faustini's Dojo has what you are looking for.  Classes range from beginner to advanced, children to adult, mixed martial arts and fitness training.  Private, semi-private, and group instruction is also available for Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Jiu Jitsu, and Kickboxing. The dojo, led by Sensei Richard Faustini, is located at 660 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell.

Body Mind Systems Training

A fixture in New Milford since 2002, Body Mind offers students ages five and up a basic foundation in eight different martial arts. Classes include Kung Fu, Kong Su Do, Tai Chi, Jiu Jitsu, Tae Kwan Do, Aikido and mixed martial arts. Sensei Ralph Keefe and his six black belt instructors can be found at 211 Main St, New Milford.

DP Martial Arts Academy

DP Martial Arts Academy was first opened as Bai's Karate School in Washington Township. Then in 2009 it moved to 623 Broadway, Westwood and became DP Martial Arts Academy. The school teaches a combination of tae kwon do, self defense, kickboxing, fitness, and mixed martial arts. The academy holds around 50 group classes a week, and one on one training is available. 

USA Martial Arts College

A member of the Korean Tae Kwon Do Association, this martial arts school offers classes in the art of hand and foot fighting along with kickboxing and tai chi in a far stretching corner studio space on S. Broad Street, Ridgewood.