Master Nick Scrima’s Chinese Martial Arts Center

Authenticity, is the reason I chose this school. My Daughter & I have been going to Master Nick Scrima’s School for a year and a half, and the environment has been incredible. With this school, as you progress as a student & learn movements and forms, you never stop practicing the fundamentals as master Scrima likes to say, without a solid base, real progress can never be achieved.
Not only are proper forms, techniques and stances emphasized, Master Scrima takes the time to explain the reason for their effectiveness and if your lucky to be in class that day, he’ll delve into the history of why certain forms developed over time.
The Kung Fu classes are always in a state of flux, with variant degrees of difficulty. Sometimes classes require a great deal of stamina that you build over time while other times it requires less so. I’m amazed how much progress my own body has achieved over this time as I remember certain stances when I started I could not hold more than a few seconds, i’m now able to maintain for minutes, along with the flexibility that every form entails. Even stretching routines before and after class are always changing in preparation for the work emphasized that day.
My daughter is 8, and loves her classes. The amount of progress she has achieved during this limited time is quite amazing. Her stances, punches, movements, forms, kicks have grown over this time. I wanted to enroll my girl in martial arts to not only teach her discipline, respect, self control, but at the same time the ability to defend herself if the need ever arises. I’ve often placed my kids in «extracurricular activities» that made them «feel» great and developed awesome «camaraderie» with other class mates but in effect taught them nothing. With the belt progression that I’m sure many martial arts centers use including this one, parents if they so choose are involved in overseeing what is the next belt progression for their kids along with the list of things they need to work on. Parents are encouraged, for example to take their kids testing papers home with them and practice the list of items on that sheet. Master Scrima is always pointing out to me where my daughter stands in terms of her training and what specific things she needs to improve on.
I drive an hour each way 3 times a week to this martial arts center NOT to have my daughter and my ego stroked but rather to learn authentic Chinese Martial Arts.

This school is a poor choice for children. It’s so-​so for adults, if you’re not bothered by regular references to ‘sissies’ or comments about how ‘all women are crazy’. The owner is an older European émigré who probably wishes he had enough money to retire to the old country.
The children’s classes are boring. The kids come in, sit silently and wait for class to begin. Talking is discouraged, for both kids and parents. No one greets you, unless you’re new and they want your money. Parents get shushed regularly.
The owner does *not* teach the kids classes, except every few weeks to whip the kids into shape. The regular instructors are two teenage black belts. They do impressive demos for prospective parents & students. It’s easy to look at them and want those skills for your kids too.
If you see this as a good activity for college applications in a few years, think again. Turnover is high. Most kids leave after a few months because they’re bored out of their wits. It’s better to start someplace that the kids will want to stay at and earn that black belt.
Kids work on the basics and rarely do anything that’s fun or engaging. Once in a blue moon they’ll do some sprints, leapfrogging or other fun exercises. All of the punching and kicking is into the air, pads are almost never used. I prefer hitting pads regularly because you get real, immediate feedback on whether your technique is working or not — and more of a workout.
Parents are given very little feedback except the occasional ‘your kid did good today’ kind of thing. What that means, who knows — they tried hard? They learned something? They followed orders and did what they were told?
There’s no actual method for teaching the kids, no specific concepts they want the kids to learn or ways to remember what they are learning. The two teen instructors, like the owner, have no training in education whatsover, and this is extremely obvious in the instruction. (The teens are high school kids so they have a solid excuse.)
There is no camaraderie or any sort of team-​building. This is ironic because the owner runs kung fu tournaments with the motto ‘Friendship through martial arts.’ We’ve seen teams of kids from other martial arts schools who cheer and support each other, just like you would in any team sport. There is no way that could happen here with the children discouraged from interacting.
By contrast, at our new school they talk about the philosophy behind their approach and use rhymes to help kids remember concepts and moves. Not surprisingly, the kids learn the material faster and can focus on improving their techniques. They also encourage interaction so the kids get to know each other and have fun at the same time.
In a nutshell: it’s boring, turnover is high and if you want your kid to earn a black belt in a martial art I recommend finding a different school.

I’ve never been treated so disrespectfully when I was supposed to be a student. Master Scrima is fine, but the people he has «teaching» his classes when he isn’t available don’t know anything about teaching. One woman in particular is very dismissive, rude and condescending. The whole place has a strong clique feel, with everyone tripping over themselves to be ingratiating. I was there to learn, not to be told I had to «keep up» the first night I was learning new movements. I paid for guidance, not to be told, «No, we’re not going over that part again, we’re moving on.» I wouldn’t recommend this place for people who are new to tai chi. There is no warmth or interest in helping others grow here.