Print this pageAbout The Scranton Martial Arts Center
The roots of the Scranton Martial Arts Center can be traced back to one of the first Chinese martial arts schools to open in North Eastern Pennsylvania called the Chinese Martial Arts Academy (CMAA). The CMAA first opened its doors in 1981 and remained centrally located on Adams Ave. in downtown Scranton, PA, for over 23 years. In early 2005 under the new ownership of Sifu PJ Zippittelli along with the guidance of the Board of Lead Instructors the Chinese Martial Arts Academy rose to new heights teaching many students in NEPA the traditional Chinese arts.
In 2007, due to reasons beyond the Academy's control, the Academy was forced to close its doors. The Lead Instructors then decided to band together with long time friend Master Teacher Lao Shi Robert Smith who is the owner of the school Natural Martial Arts, and create a venue to spread their vast amount of unrivaled martial arts knowledge to the people of Northeast Pennsylvania and its surrounding area. They call this venue the Scranton Martial Arts Center LLC.
The Scranton Martial Arts Center (SMAC) is the only martial arts school in NEPA to truly teach the traditional Chinese martial art forms and one of the only full time martial arts schools in operation in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Today the Center incorporates Chinese calisthenics, body conditioning, strength building exercises, stances, and techniques with traditional Kung Fu & Chinese Karate forms, weapons, self defense and martial theory for an extensive curriculum.
With nearly 3200 square feet of hardwood floor space, the Scranton Martial Arts Center can easily accommodate class sizes into the double digits. The fifteen-foot ceilings provide ample clearance for large weapon training allowing students to focus on their training, not the training space.
The school also has a variety of training aids available to the student. These items range from the traditional jong (wooden dummy), rotary dummy and iron palm training station, to more modern equipment such as mechanical leg stretchers, and human body form punching bags. In addition a full complement of striking bags, and sparring gear is available for use.
The Center also boasts a full complement of traditional Asian weapons, many available in their harmless “dummy” form for beginners. *
The Scranton Martial Arts Center also offers a complete weight room equipped with free weights and strength training equipment. A change room and separate men’s and women’s restrooms are provided for the students’ convenience.
*weapon use is strictly monitored and is allowed only under proper supervision