Students are trained in a Martial Arts System known as the Dragon Fist founded by our Grandmaster Sijo John Oliva. It incorporates elements from various classical martial arts, such as Serrada Escrima, Wing Chun, and Kempo Karate. The greatest influence however, comes from Hung Gar Kung Fu, which is a system that emphasizes both low stances and a powerful set of strikes and blocks.
Although the Dragon Fist system has many constituent parts, the curriculum is taught to our students at a level that is appropriate to both the age and stage of development of each student. Regardless of the students’ level, it is important to note that each program will always emphasize coordination, discipline, strength, and self-defense.
The Tiger Tots(31/2-5) and Pee Wee(5-7) students start their martial arts training with a focus on a set of basic moves found primarily in Kempo Karate. Students concentrate on improving coordination, balance and strength through dynamic movement. They begin to develop discipline, respect, focus and better listening skills, gaining confidence in their growing abilities. With Kempo Karate as a base the students develop a strong foundation in martial arts that prepares them to learn the more advanced parts of the Dragon Fist system.
The students in our Junior and Adult programs will also begin their martial arts journey with a focus on developing Karate principles. However, as these students show proficiency with the basics they will rapidly begin to be taught more advanced parts of our curriculum. As early as solid yellow belt, Junior students will begin to learn their first weapon, the Escrima Stick, which represents their first foray into Filipino Martial Arts as an important part of the Dragon Fist system. By the time our students have achieved a purple belt ranking, Hung Gar Kung Fu will make up the majority of their curriculum.
In addition to this standard progression through the Dragon Fist system, adult students will also be taught an expansive combat curriculum, which draws from the Wing Chun, Aikido, and Serrada Escrima (stick and knife-fighting). Each belt level has its own curriculum and requirements to achieve the next rank or level. Students are monitored and constantly evaluated to see where they are in each rank. Students are tested for the next rank only with the Head instructor’s approval and only when the instructors feel that the student is truly ready. We strongly encourage not chasing the belts. We feel it’s the student that makes the belt not the belt that makes the student.
