Martial Posture Studio

Advanced Programs and Private Lessons

Advanced Programs & Private lessons

Our advanced programs are designed for people who have fulfilled the requirements of our basic training programs and want to take their training to higher levels. We provide programs for children and adults interested in the following:

Obtaining a Kenpo Black Belt/Junior Black Belt
Becoming a Professional Martial Arts Instructor
Martial Arts Competition

We offer two different Black Belt Training Programs at our School. One program is for children/young teens and one is for adults.

Junior Black Belt Training Program

The Junior Black Belt Training Program is for children who have graduated from our Kenpo Basics Program (Level 1) and qualify for higher levels of training. It is for children focused on the goal of one day reaching the Junior Black Belt level. Through determination, hard work, and goal setting, children will be taken through 3 more levels of training over the course of 36 to 48 months.

The following is a description of the different levels of Junior Black Belt Training

Level 2 (Orange & Purple Belts) is designed to help students solidify the basics that they’ve learned in Level 1 and to learn all fundamentals needed to master the Kenpo System. At this level they will learn all the moves needed to take their training to higher levels of proficiency. The training will be a bit more rigorous and demanding on both the body and mind, but as a team both the instructor and the student must work together to accomplish the goal of black belt.

Level 3 (Blue & Green Belts) is designed for students that have a solid foundation in the Kenpo System. The curriculum will be more demanding and will focus more on the application of the moves in a self-defense or sparring situation. In other words, students will be expected to understand how to apply the techniques they’ve learned on a person. Students will also be introduced to escrima/arnis (Phillepino fighting sticks) & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This class is designed to prepare them for black belt training.

Level 4 (Brown & Black Belts) is designed for students who are ready for advanced training. At this point students will be proficient in the Kenpo system and will be ready to take their training to an expert level. After graduating this level the students will be well rounded martial artists with higher then average physical ability. They will be introduced to higher levels of grappling & sparring, the bo staff, and how to defend against multiple attackers. Not only will students be expected to learn their curriculum, but they will also be expected to help teach younger students in the lower level classes. Not only do we want to produce highly skilled black belts, we also want to produce leaders, coaches and role models for the younger students. The advanced students must understand that they are now ‘captains’ of the junior level program and as black and brown belts they are the guiding light for all the kids at Martial Posture Studio.

Adult Black Belt Training Program

The Adult Black Belt Training Program is for individuals who have graduated from ourBasic Kenpo & Kickboxing Program (Level 1) and qualify for higher levels of training. It is for people focused on the goal of one day receiving their Kenpo Black Belt. Through determination, hard work, and goal setting, Students will be taken through 2 more levels of training over the course of 36 to 48 months.
The Adult Black Belt Training is

The following is a description of the different levels of Adult Black Belt Training

Level 2 (Purple, Blue. & Green Belts) is designed for students that have a solid foundation in the Kenpo System. The curriculum will be more demanding and will focus more on the application of the moves in a self-defense or sparring situation. In other words, students will be expected to understand how to apply the techniques they’ve learned on a person in a more proficient manor. Students will also be introduced to more advanced Kenpo techniques and forms, escrima/arnis (Phillepino fighting sticks) & higher levels of free style kickboxing and grappling. This class is designed to prepare students for black belt training.

Level 3 (Brown & Black Belts) is designed for students who are ready for advanced training. At this point students will be proficient in the Kenpo system and will be ready to take their training to an expert level. After graduating this level the students will be well rounded martial artists with higher then average physical ability. They will be introduced to expert level Kenpo techniques and forms, higher levels of grappling & sparring, the bo staff & Wushu Spear, and how to defend against multiple attackers. Not only will students be expected to learn their curriculum, but they will also be expected to be role models for less advanced students. Not only do we want to produce highly skilled black belts, we also want to produce leaders, coaches and role models for the newer students.

You may only participate in by the invitation of the Head Instructor. This program is an upgrade for Black Belt Training and is for students who are interested in coaching martial arts and/or becoming a member of our competition/demonstration team. Students will learn everything taught in the Black Belt Training Program plus how to become a professional martial arts instructor. After graduating the program students will have employment opportunities at our Studio. In order to help Martial Posture grow and to spread the benefits of martial arts to the Philadelphia Area it is our goal to train a highly motivated staff of young entrepreneurs. The principles of hard work, customer service, and systemizing all aspects of a business can carry over to any profession, which will benefit the students later in life.

Another benefit of being in our Leadership program is that students will be part of Team Martial Posture. Students will learn the art of sport karate, team demonstration, and martial arts tricking. Tricking is a relatively new movement which incorporates traditional kicks found in Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Capoeira, and Wushu, and mixes them with dynamic gymnastics and acrobatics. They will work with sport karate veteran Vince Johnson who has competed on national circuits for over 13 years. They will also work from time to time with Daniel Sterling and Matt Emig who are world champions of the sport.

We offer private lessons at Martial Posture as a means to supplement and enhance student training in both our basic and advanced programs.

Private lessons are a great way to:

Overcome frustrations with curriculum
Prepare for Belt Tests
Prepare for Competitions
Learn curriculum faster
Make up for classes missed
Get In-depth training in Kenpo, Kickboxing, Grappling, Sport Karate (tricking), or Fitness

The following is a list of Black Belt instructors available for lessons. Included are their qualification and cost.

Tom Updegrove

35+ years of experience
7th Degree Kenpo Black Belt
7th Degree Black Belt in the Joe Lewis Fighting System
Gracie Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt
Master Tai Chi Instructor
Founder & Master Instructor of Martial Posture

Teaches: Kenpo Karate, Test Preparation, Kickboxing, Grappling, Escrima & Tai Chi
Rates: $150 per hour/$75 per half hour

Ishmael Payne

18+ years of experience
2nd Degree Kenpo Black Belt
Owner/Senior Instructor of Martial Posture
Recognized in Philly Mag Aug. 2005 (Best of Philly) for outstanding teaching ability

Teaches: Kenpo Karate, Test/Competition Preparation, Kickboxing, Grappling, Sport Karate (Tricking), Escrima, Fitness Conditioning

Rates: $100 per hour/$50 per half hour

Ed Lopez

11+ years of experience
Kenpo Black Belt
Head Instructor of our Basic Training Program
Head Instructor of our Children’s Program

Teaches: Kenpo Karate, Test/Competition Preparation, Sport Karate (Tricking), Fitness Conditioning

Rates: $80 per hour/$40 per half hour

Vince Johnson

13+ years of experience
Kenpo Black Belt
Veteran Sport Karate Athlete
Holds N.A.S.K.A. & N.B.L. World Titles
Competes and Teaches worldwide

Teaches: Sport Karate (Tricking), Kamas, Competitive Forms

Rates: $100 per hour/$50 per half hour

Amanda Mauri

10+ years of experience
Junior Kenpo Black Belt
Instructor in our Junior Karate Programs

Teaches: Kenpo Karate (Kids white to Green Belt) and Test/Competition Preparation (Kids)

Rates: $50 per hour/$25 per half hour

Alex Hunter

10+ years of experience
Junior Kenpo Black Belt
Instructor in our Junior Karate Programs

Teaches: Kenpo Karate (Kids white to Green Belt), Test/Competition Preparation (Kids), & Sport Karate (Tricking).

Rates: $50 per hour/$25 per half hour