Our Style:
I would like to thank you for your interest in the Curtis Martial Arts program. I am Vincent Curtis and I have been teaching on and off for the past 25 years. I have taught at several different schools and varying martial arts styles. The first school I taught at was Blues Karate Academy which was held at Midway Community Center 1986-87. I currently have been teaching at the Midway Community Center since 2005.
The first class is setup for Beginner Students. This class will focus on children 6yrs and up. The emphasis will be on personal balance and control. The students will also be focusing on getting the basic punch and kicks of karate that will strengthen not only their arms and legs but will also help in self-discipline. The parents my sit and watch each class (this is encouraged) but they should not speak or prompt their children. This class will be held on Monday nights at 6:00pm at the Midway Community Center. I would ask that all students be 10 minutes early so that class can start on time. The class will end at 7:00pm. The children will be required to wear black sweat pants and a gray tee shirt. Please make sure that they do not have any logos. Curtis Martial Arts tees will be available. After passing the first test the uniform will consist of a black Gi and shoes available from the school. I want to be sure that the child will be willing to stick with the program before there is too much financial investment.
The second class will be for those who progressed through the basic classes. This class will continue with a basic Korean karate and slowly evolve in to a mixed martial art. This style is comprised of defensive techniques that will be practiced in a controlled manner. As the students grow in skill they will not only be required to learn more techniques but also perfect the ones they already know. Once they are proficient with the basics they will start to learn a style of kung-fu that is completely defensive in nature. They will be able to earn a youth black belt with patience and dedication. This class will also be held at Midway Community Center on Monday nights from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. Parents may sit and watch but they should not prompt or interfere with the class.
I also have a third class for adults. This class is open for people of all ages and physical abilities. The same style will be taught but at a faster pace and more emphases on technique. As with all my classes it will be a family based. All who take the class will be expected to give their personal best. This class will be held at the Midway Community Center on Monday nights from 8:00pm to 9:00pm and Thursday nights 6:30pm to 7:30pm. All will be required to wear black sweat pants and a gray tee shirt. Please make sure that they do not have any logos. Curtis Martial Arts tees will be available.
We are also offering a conditioning class on Thursdays from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. This class has a variety of exercises including heavy bag, medicine ball, and kicking drills to not only get a cardio workout but a strengthening one also.
Fundamentalists:
We like to take a different stance when it comes to the Martial Arts. We like to consider ourselves Fundamentalists, not Traditionalists, Sport Fighters, or Extreme Martial Artist.
A Traditionalists feels that their art must be kept in the same manner as it was handed down to them with little or no variances. Sport Fighters train to fight in completions with others in similar arts. While Extreme Martial Artists train to fight against other E.M.A. and rely on taking their opponents to the ground for submission techniques in most cases.
As a Fundamentalists I try to take the art back to its original intent. Like a Traditionalist I believe in using forms, prearranged sequences, as the core of the style. But I break each movement down into all possible applications, whether it be a block, strike, joint lock, or throw. As in Sport Fighting I feel there is need to use free fighting to help the students combine their techniques. But this is done only when they have showed comfort and control of the techniques.
We also do not limit ourselves to a single style or type of art. We are willing to learn from everyone that might help us become a better martial artists.
What we do teach in the beginning is a Korean Karate. Using all the basic blocks, strikes, and kicks to give us a good base which we are able to build on.
From there we work our way into a defensive style of kung fu called Hsing-I Chuan. This is considered a soft style of martial art that works in a linear motion. This style uses hand strikes, open and closed, kicks, pressure points, joint manipulation, along with throws. All of which are trained in a prearranged sequences and have two man prearranged sequences to help the students grasp the true meanings behind the movements.