When people hear the language mma, most likely imagine a wrestling mat encompassed by fencing where modern-day gladiators clash inside a war-like contest of strength and talent.

However, one man is trying to change the 7 days herbal slim extra thought of the game, from one of brutality to 1 of empowerment.

Jason Porter is the owner and head instructor at 5 Element MMA Sport & Fitness, in Vestal, which took its start as Power One MMA in March of 2011. The facility will be moving to a new location in the American Family Fitness plaza around the Vestal Parkway .

Porter is a mixed martial arts instructor for 17 years, but he came to the world of MMA from a different path. He earned a master's degree in Spatial Analytics from Binghamton University, as well as was an adjunct Geography professor at BU.

"I was an engineer at Lockheed Martin, but I left that due to the impact I could have teaching and training," Porter said. "People say it is your calling. It's just among those stuff you follow your heart on."

At 5 Element, Porter has adopted the PRIDE program, which utilizes five principles -- Positivity, Respect, Integrity, Discipline and Empathy -- to teach character awareness to children as early as age 4.

"We teach them the self-defense aspect of it, but we teach them self-confidence."

Porter started martial arts at a young age, but soon gravitated toward MMA -- called cross-training at that time -- after his instructor introduced those with backgrounds in other disciplines.

"I really gravitated toward teaching," Porter said. "I taught at the college level, so I said, 'why not combine the items I really like, teaching and fighting techinques.'"

Children's classes run Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with Tikes classes (ages 4-6) from 5:30 to six: 15 p.m. and Youth classes (starting at 7) from 6:30 to 7:30. Porter starts all of his youth classes using what he calls a Coach's Circle. There, the kids receive an uplifting message and a word of the week, with instructors teaching them how to use that word in their own individual actions and in dealing with every day situations.

After that, students are taught basic mixed martial arts concepts, such as passive-aggressive stances, pare and blocks.

Starting at 7, students start learning more skills and obtain a more rigorous workout, but instructors also help them more with social acclimation and nutrition.

"Right from the first day, they are going to discover the basics," Porter said. However, he ensures they're going in a pace that makes students comfortable. "As a coach, you aren't overwhelming them either."

The empowerment does not stop with learning mixed martial arts or gaining self confidence. The game is a great way to lose weight. Kate Riley, who's now an instructor at 5 Element, lost over 110 pounds after starting the program and dealing with Porter.

"It's something I wish I had after i was a kid," Riley said. "I actually compete now, but my pride is teaching and working with the youth. It's given me a sense of confidence that I didn't have within my life prior to this."

Porter and Riley are some of the 5 Element instructors which go to area schools and community organizations to operate 4- and 8-week programs.

"A lot of times, it is neat. We get to enter classrooms and talk to kids in smaller groups," Riley said. These kids actually are taking in what we are attempting to teach them."

Despite its image on television, Porter treats mma like other martial arts, teaching certain principles and achieving a belt system.

While there is a contest team, Porter and 5 Element try to provide a non-competitive atmosphere.

"When you walk in the door, people aren't eyeballing you or measuring up," Porter said. "It's a really welcoming environment, as well as in fitness, you'll need that."

While Riley agrees about the gym's atmosphere, she believes it is Porter that makes the knowledge worthwhile.

"He really is a one-of-a-kind person. The fruta planta reduce weight capsule children look up and say, 'wow, Coach Porter is dealing with us,'" she said. "He really practices what he preaches. He gives respect to everyone he's around. He's only a natural coach."